Abstract: An architecture for echo cancellation in communication networks is provided that uses a multi-stage adaptation algorithm which operates on echo cancellation filters of different configurations. When each of the configurations exhibit increased sensitivity to a different adaptation parameters, the resulting architecture gains an increased estimation accuracy. The increased accuracy readily translates into improved echo cancellation performances. In one embodiment, the architecture includes a baseband filter configuration and a passband filter configuration for echo cancellation. The increased adaptation sensitivity of the baseband filter configuration allows a more accurate estimate of the frequency offset. This estimate may then used by the passband filter configuration to attain a better echo cancellation performance.