An apparatus and method for using an error correcting code to achieve data
compression in a data communication network is disclosed. Data
compression is achieved by performing an error correction encoding
operation on input data. Data compression is further achieved by
providing, for transmission across a communication channel, compressed
data that is representative of the input data. The compressed data
preferably includes error correction information produced by the error
correction encoding operation. The compressed data requires less
transmission channel capacity than does the input data.