An optical communication system for performing data transmission with optical signals comprises a first optical transmitter and a first optical receiver. The first optical transmitter has a first surface-emitting laser including an active layer of a multiple quantum well structure having a quantum well layer of InxGa1-xAs (0.15≦x≦0.35), the first surface-emitting laser having an oscillation wavelength ranging from 1000 nm to 1100 nm inclusive. The first optical transmitter transmits an optical signal generated by the first surface-emitting laser. The first optical receiver is connected to the first optical transmitter by a first optical transfer path, and receives the optical signal transmitted from the first optical transmitter through the first optical transfer path.