A telecommunications system for bi-directional communication services between a service provider and a plurality of subscribers wherein return signals associated with the bi-directional communication services utilize a first frequency band. The system includes a head-end facility for sending forward signals from the service provider and for receiving return signals from one or more of the subscribers; at least one main distribution line extending from the head-end facility; a plurality of feeder lines for serving the plurality of subscribers, each feeder line being connected to the main distribution line at a feeder tap location; a local distribution amplifier unit disposed in the main distribution line between the head-end facility and the feeder tap locations, the amplifier unit including forward-path amplifier circuitry for amplifying forward signals traveling from the service provider to the subscribers, the amplifier unit further including return-path amplifier circuitry for amplifying return signals traveling from one or more of the subscribers to the service provider; and a return-path filter disposed between the head-end facility and the feeder tap locations, the return-path filter being operable to attenuate signals outside the first frequency band while allowing signals within the first frequency band to pass substantially unattenuated, whereby the return-path filter reduces transmission of ingress noise from each of the plurality of subscribers.