A method and apparatus is for providing a phantom battery feed to reduce power consumption in a differential amplifier circuit. A voltage signal is driven onto a telecommunications line using a first amplifier and a second amplifier. A phantom battery feed is performed during a negative cycle of the voltage signal. Performing the phantom battery feed comprises: supplying a negative supply terminal of the first amplifier with a supply voltage that is one-half of a full scale supply voltage; and supplying a positive supply terminal of the second amplifier with a supply voltage that is one-half of the full scale supply voltage.