A method and telecommunications node for implementing Tandem-Free Operation (TFO) between a pair of TFO partners in a telecommunications network. At call setup, a TFO negotiation is performed between the partners. Thereafter, if TFO is interrupted in at least one direction, state information and synchronization of the sending and/or receiving partner is maintained in the interrupted direction. An interruption may occur, for example, if a tone or announcement is to be sent. At the end of the interruption, sending and receiving of TFO frames is resumed with the same phase that was present before the interruption.