Operational data is utilized to determine the FEXT interference induced by one line into the other DSL line. FEXT interference can be calculated using the NEXT interference measured between the two lines at the upstream ends of the loops and the downstream channel transfer function of one of the loops. Because the NEXT and transfer function constitute a linear time-invariant system, as does the FEXT interference between the lines, the NEXT interference and line transfer function can be multiplied (if in linear format) or added (if in logarithmic format) to approximate the FEXT interference between the lines. The collection of data, calculations and other functions performed in these techniques may be performed by a system controller, such as a DSL optimizer. An Xlog(u,n) quantity is a decibel-magnitude representation of the insertion-loss equivalent of FEXT transfer functions and is defined as the ratio of (1) a line u's source power into a matched load of 100 Ohms when no binder is present to (2) the power at the output of the subject line when line u is excited with the same source and the binder is present. Xlin(u,n) is the linear equivalent of Xlog(u,n). The Xlog(u,n) and Xlin(u,n) quantities may be represented in specific formats that assist in their use in DSL and other systems. When defined as a line's insertion loss, Xlin (or equivalently Xlog) does not include the effect of any transmit filter.