Power dissipation within a network service unit, such as digital-subscriber-line access multiplexer (DSLAM), is treated as a resource that is to be shared among subscribers. In this regard, the total amount of available power dissipation is quantified, and the framing for the data streams communicated across the subscriber lines are controlled to ensure that specified power dissipation limits are not exceeded, accounting for one or more factors, such as traffic load, service level agreement (SLA) specifications, available power, and temperature.