Improved DSL and/or other communication system services can be provided by motivating users, service providers and operators to implement and comply with one or more operational conditions, such as parameter value limits and/or ranges, that enhance operation of the communication system. Enhanced operation can include providing a reward such as an operational benefit to one or more users and/or mitigating problems experienced by other users in the communication system, which can be one or more communication lines. A DSL line implementing and complying with one or more operational conditions is provided with a reward (such as an operational benefit like a higher maximum data rate), which is otherwise withheld if the line fails to comply with the condition(s). Each operational condition may be set and monitored by a controller, such as a DSL optimizer that collects and analyzes operational data to determine compliance. Other requirements may be imposed for a DSL line to be eligible for the reward, such as the requiring the DSL line to provide operational data to the controller and requiring the DSL line's acceptance of control signals from the controller. The controller can use the operational data and line control to enhance system operation, for example to reduce crosstalk between lines in a common binder.