Methods and apparatuses for reducing effects of impulse noise in a DSL transmitter receiver device are described. According to certain embodiment, the method includes using a periodicity associated with the impulse noise affecting a DSL transmitter receiver device to determine data frames that are affected by the impulse noise, and sending a reduced data rate during those frames. In certain embodiments, no data is sent during those frames. The method further includes using a high margin bits and gain table, instead of a normal bits and gain table.