In a vectoring-capable DSL system, power can be saved by a low power mode wherein data transmission is reduced or halted, but synch symbols continue to be transmitted, so that estimation of crosstalk coefficients may continue during the low power mode. When crosstalk coefficient estimates are up to date, a line may exit low power mode without causing problematic changes of crosstalk noise in other lines, since the vectoring functionality will eliminate or reduce the crosstalk.