The present invention discloses a proactive gain control system for a communications receiver. The proactive gain control system includes a variable gain module for outputting an output signal in response to an input signal. A detector detects the output signal and outputs a detection signal representing a signal strength of the output signal. A traffic monitor monitors the output signal and outputs a traffic profile signal indicating that a traffic profile for the input signal will change. A gain computing module outputs a gain adjustment value in response to the detection signal and the traffic profile signal. A gain control module outputs a gain control signal to the variable gain module, which determines a gain between the input and output signals, in response to the gain adjustment value.