An optical assembly for communication of an optical signal between fiber and a receiver or transmitter, including a body including a guideway, a first semiconductor optical element for conversion between electrical and optical signals and for one of receiving or transmitting light, and an optical fiber. The semiconductor optical element is mounted in register with the body. The optical fiber includes a core, a cladding surrounding the core, and a protective coating surrounding the cladding. The guideway receives a selected length of the optical fiber, and the protective coating is present along a majority of the selected length.