We report the evaluation of tandem optical amplifier configurations based on Er-Yb co-doped integrated optics amplifier modules, combining low noise figure (<4 dB), high gain (>25 dB), and large saturated power (+12.5 dBm). In a pre-amplifier-receiver arrangement, a sensitivity of -35.4 dBm at 10 Gb/s is achieved for transmission of up to 4 channels around the 1534 nm wavelength over 152 km of dispersion shifted fiber (DSF). Also, error free (BER<10/sup -13/) transmission at 10 Gb/s through 186 km of DSF is demonstrated with the amplifier used as a mid-span repeater.