A novel symbol estimation method produces intersymbol interference free symbols by detecting interfering symbols in an interfering channel. A channel estimate is refined for additional improvements. The method can lends itself as a serial or parallel algorithm implementation. The symbol estimation method includes using an initial estimate of received symbols and calculating a refined estimate of the received symbols using a channel estimate. The refined estimate is calculated by performing parameterization of intersymbol interference by symbols other than the symbol being refined and selecting a refined value for the symbol being refined by evaluating an optimization function. Symbol estimates are refined in multiple iterations, until a predetermined iteration termination criterion is met. Parameterization of ISI contribution of other symbols results in reduced computation by reducing total number of unknown variables in the refinement operation.