Method and apparatus for compensating for first-order Polarization Mode Dispersion in an optical transmission system. An apparatus has a polarization controller for transforming polarization components of an optical signal carried by the optical fiber into orthogonal polarization states, a variable delay line for introducing a variable differential time delay between the polarization states and for producing an output optical signal that is compensated for PMD in the optical fiber, and a feedback unit for adjusting the polarization controller and the variable delay line to compensate for variations in the PMD of the optical fiber, the feedback unit including apparatus for generating a plurality of independent control signals to independently control actuators of the polarization controller and the variable delay line. The invention provides for a reduction in response time of the actuators and a reduction in complexity of an algorithm used to control the apparatus.