An improved method and apparatus for transmitting digital signals in a communications channel by compensating for distortions due to attenuation of high frequency components suffered by the digital signals. In a preferred embodiment, the digital signals are pulses and the compensation is performed at the transmitter without the need for an emphasis driver, by widening the pulses to compensate for the distortion in the channel that results in narrowing of the pulses incurred in the channel. The resulting pulse train is pre-compensated for the distortions caused by the communications channel. The amount of pre-compensation can be determined statically or dynamically.