A novel and useful mechanism for the detection, estimation and correction of far-end cross talk (FEXT) caused by transmissions over adjacent wire pairs or cables. The detection, estimation and correction technique of the invention can be used to identify and compensate for FEXT impairments in Ethernet and DSL systems. The detection, estimation and correction is performed utilizing one of several techniques including linear forward filtering, backward decision feedback based filtering and a combination thereof. Results of simulations are presented illustrating the performance improvements provided by the present invention