Optical transmission components, systems, and packages where the package includes a common housing containing a laser for transmission of an optical signal, a photodetector optically coupled to the laser for monitoring the laser transmission, and a laser driver electrically coupled to the laser for providing a drive current to the laser. The optical package may be a TO-Can package, the laser may be a vertical cavity surface emitting laser ("VCSEL"), and the laser driver may be an AC modulation laser driver, where a bias current is supplied to the laser from external to the optical transmission component package. An external bias source may be used for providing a bias current to the laser. A temperature sensor located in the laser driver may be used to control operational parameters of the laser.