Provided are a method and system for determining system time in a satellite based cable data communication system. The system includes a satellite modem termination system configured to transmit data frames to a receiver in a predetermined symbol rate. Each frame includes a corresponding number of symbols and has a time stamp (i) indicative of the frame's time of transmission and (ii) positioned within the frame at a location common to all of the frames. The method includes receiving at least two consecutively transmitted data frames within the receiver and registering the time stamp of the first received data frame within the receiver to produce a first time stamp. Also, the time stamp of the second received data frame is registered within the receiver to produce a second time stamp. The time of transmission of the second transmitted data frame is updated, wherein the updating is a function of the first time stamp, the second time stamp, the corresponding number of symbols, and the symbol rate.