The invention is based on the idea that wavelength of a laser transmitter in a WDM system can be changed in a controlled fashion by inducing an accurately pre-defined change in the cooler control current TEC. This, in turn, effects a controlled change in the heating or cooling operation of the cooler. As a result, a predetermined change takes place in the wavelength of the light generated by the laser. The temperature control circuit ensures that the laser temperature and, thus, wavelength, are maintained exactly at the new value. For each desired wavelength, a parameter set consisting of a pre-set laser temperature value, a laser power value and laser modulation bias values has been saved in storage in advance. When the laser wavelength is to be changed, the parameter values corresponding to the wavelength are retrieved from the storage and fed to the laser. Retrieval and feeding can be pre-programmed or carried out manually.