We report the realization of a low-cost 1.55-mu m spot size converted (SSC) laser using conventional SCH-MQW active layers, The laser consists of a rectangular gain section, a linear taper and a passive waveguide. The lateral taper and the passive waveguide are fabricated on the same lower SCH layer, using conventional photolithography and RIE (reactive ion etching). The device exhibits low beam divergence of 6.6 degrees x 10.9 degrees and -2.2-dB coupling loss with a cleaved single-mode fiber, The l-dB alignment tolerance is +/- 2.15 mu m in vertical direction and +/- 2.3 mu m in lateral direction, respectively.