A finite impulse response filter (FIR) for processing a communication channel. The FIR comprises a delay line, a tap processor and a summer. The delay line has “N” taps to successive portions of the communication channel. The delay line shifts the successive portions of the communication channel once in each symbol processing interval. The tap processor subjects each of the “N” taps to a first scaling utilizing first scaling coefficients associated with filtering the current symbol interval and further subjects at least one of the “N” taps to a second scaling by a second scaling coefficient associated with filtering the prior symbol interval. The summer generates in each symbol interval a filtered output comprising a sum of the “N” scaled taps from the first scaling in the prior symbol interval and the second scaling of the at least one tap in the current symbol interval, thereby increasing an order of the FIR without corresponding increase in an order of the delay line.