A system and method for providing a minimum burst duration in accordance with a regional standard and/or requirement. One embodiment comprises a first interface (204) configured to receive data to be communicated, a memory (208) configured to store a value corresponding to a regional minimum duration, a processor (202) configured to generate a frame, configured to compare a duration of the generated frame with the regional minimum duration, configured to add at least one padding symbol to the generated frame to generate a second frame, the second frame having a duration at least equal to the regional minimum duration, and a second interface (206) configured to communicate the second frame onto a communication channel.