Methods and apparatus for processing a received voice signal from a variable-delay network by a communications system that has at least one echo canceller. An echo canceller determines delay characteristics that are associated with the received voice signal and correspondingly modifies echo cancellation processing. In a variation of the embodiment of the invention, a first echo canceller sends silence descriptor information to a second echo canceller. The second echo canceller reconstructs a voice signal based upon the silence descriptor information and excitation vector information.