A method for transmission of orbital angular momentum (OAM) data over an optical fiber involves generating an optical signal at a selected wavelength. A ratio of a diameter of a core of the optical fiber to the selected wavelength of the optical signal enables transmission of a predetermined number of orbital angular momentum modes over the optical fiber. The optical signal is modulated with at least one input data stream and an OAM signal is applied to the modulated optical signal to generate the OAM data signal. The OAM data signal is transmitted over the optical fiber using a fiber launcher. A received OAM data signal is processed to extract the at least one input data stream.