A communications channel is provided that includes an encoder that receives user data and generates corresponding encoded symbols for transmission through a channel medium. A channel detector has an input coupled to receive an output signal from the channel medium and a reliability information output which produces reliability information regarding logic states of detected bits in the output signal. A binary reliability value is provide for each of the detected bits. The channel further includes a decoder having a reliability information input coupled to the reliability information output of the channel detector to generate corresponding user data words as a function of the binary reliability value.