A universal remote control device controls both first and second electronic devices that may be remote from each other, via different communication channels. The remote control device is used with an optical fiber network, including a first optical transceiver coupled to the first electronic device, a second optical transceiver coupled to the second electronic device, and an optical fiber coupled between the first optical transceiver and the second optical transceiver. The remote control device comprises an infrared (IR) transmitter for transmitting a first control signal for controlling the first electronic device via an IR communication channel, and a wireless communication interface for transmitting a second control signal for controlling the second electronic device to the first optical transceiver via a wireless communication channel. The second control signal is further transmitted from the first optical transceiver to the second electronic device via the optical fiber and the second optical transceiver.