Operator-controlled implementations of user preferences are provided when feasible. User preference data is obtained by the operator and compared to operational characteristics and parameters of a communication system, such as a DSL system, to determine whether one or more of the user preferences can be implemented in the communication system. When implementation of a user preference would violate operational rules of the system, or where implementation would adversely affect system operation, the preference need not be implemented. However, when a user preference can be implemented in the system without causing problems, the operator can implement (or permit another party to implement) the user preference to effect the user's desires. The user preference data can be obtained directly from users (for example, by surveys and other direct user feedback) or can be obtained indirectly (for example, by constructing a Hidden Markov Model that shows user preferences). The operator may collect the user preference data from a user set (for example, a single user or a plurality of users). The user preference data can be compared to 2 or more performance metrics that can be adjusted, to the extent feasible, to implement the user preference data.