A system and method for providing an apparent echo return loss is provided. A communications network may include a gateway coupled to a local exchange network. The gateway may receive signals from a packet network and output signals to a circuit switched network, which may output return signals to the gateway. The local exchange network may provide an echo return loss on signals received from the gateway. The gateway may also provide an initial echo return loss to signals prior to sending the signals to the network. The echo return loss provided by both the gateway and the local exchange network may enable the gateway to determine when to trigger adaptation in order to provide estimates of echo signals generated by the network, and to subsequently eliminate these echo signals from the return signals.