A data communication system comprises a forward error correction (FEC) module, a first transceiver, a second transceiver, and logic. The FEC module is configured to receive data and to define FEC code words based on the received data. The first transceiver is coupled to a first communication line, and the second transceiver is coupled to a second communication line. The logic is configured to selectively enable the FEC module to implement a desired FEC scheme based on an estimated error rate associated with the first communication line and an estimated error rate associated with the second communication line.