according to the invention , working signals are transmitted between network elements via a first communication path . the protection signals are transmitted continuously or in case of a fault at the same wavelength as the working signals via a second communication path of an optical network while the polarization of the protection signals is adjusted orthogonal to the polarization of additional working signals which are transmitted at the same wavelength via sections of the second communication path such that no wavelengths need to be kept clear for protection signals .