Various embodiments relate to a method, device, and machine-readable storage medium including: an optical modem, the optical modem being configured to negotiate a format of an optical communication session with a remote optical transceiver via an optical fiber link; and wherein the optical modem is configured to select a transmission optical wavelength channel for transmitting data of the optical communication session in response to sensing the optical fiber link for light emission and determining that the transmission optical wavelength channel is unused based on the sensing.