An encoding and error correction system and method employs an adaptive multi-rate (AMR) codec by stripping header data from a plurality of legacy system frames having header and traffic channel (TCH) data blocks. Speech data is then encoded using the AMR to create bits for a data block substantially the same as contained in the plurality of frames. The stripped header data is encoded as a long frame header using a fixed convolution coder. The speech data is then convolutionally encoded and the long frame header and encoded speech data are combined as a long frame. The long frame is then deconstructed into a plurality of equal segments and the segments are transmitted as TCH data in the legacy system frame format.