A multistage optical amplifier pumping system with built-in redundant reliability for lightwave communication system provides plural levels of redundancy. A first level of redundancy deals with redundancy in the form of plural primary laser diode sources for pumping a single fiber laser pump source. A second level of redundancy deals with redundancy of a plurality of fiber laser pump sources for pumping a plurality of serially connected injection signal fiber amplifiers forming the multistage amplifier system. If one of fiber pump sources should fail, increased pumping power is available from the remaining fiber pump sources via their respectively connected amplifier stages. A third level of redundancy deals with redundancy in the employment of multiple single mode laser emitters on the same chip or bar sufficiently segmented and/or electrical isolated so as not to interfere with operation of or cause failure to adjacent or neighboring emitters on the same chip or bar.