The present invention provides an optical signal quality selection system for optimizing the quality of information transmission. The system splits an incoming optical signal into two equal signals. The split signals are evaluated in optical performance monitors, transmitting an electrical output message to a signal selector relating to the quality of the respective signal. A second electrical message is sent from the optical performance generator to an alarm indicator signal generator, which sends an optical signal to the signal selector to drop the one of the split signals and transmit the non-dropped split signal. An unequipped optical signal from an optical idle signal generator is triggered if no active optical signal is being transmitted.