In a method for improving signal extraction in a code division multiple access (CDMA) telecommunications system, a first iteration of interference cancellation is performed on the basis of bit rates for every signal which are the same as those in a previous frame of the same signal. Filtered and down-converted signals are demodulated in Rake receivers to provide output signals corresponding to decision variables and channel estimates. The decision variables are limited and remodulated and respread prior to the signals being reconstructed using the channel estimates. The reconstructed signals are summed, and each signal is subtracted from the sum to provide an 'interference' signal which is then used to obtain the individual signals. Each signal is then demodulated a second time in another Rake receiver to provide a tentative DPDCH signal, a TFI signal, a TPC signal and a SNI signal. The TFI signal is processed to provide a signal indicative of the bit rate which is used to both decode the DPDCH signal providing a data output and to provide an estimate of the bit rate for a subsequent frame of the same signal.