A system and method to implement a dual speed network interface. A first code is transmitted from an initiator unit to a follower unit on a first output datapath (“OUT_DP”) of multiple OUT_DPs coupling the initiator unit to the follower unit. The first code is transmitted to initiate a speed change of a link to a physical medium for communicating data. The first code is transmitted at a first datapath speed. A second code is received on a first input datapath (“IN_DP”) of multiple IN_DPs coupling the follower unit to the initiator unit. The second code indicates to the initiator unit that the follower unit received the first code. The first OUT_DP is then placed into an idle state in response to receiving the second code. Subsequently, the first OUT_DP is enabled after the idle state at a second datapath speed different from the first datapath speed.