An access node for a telecommunication system, comprising: a plurality of access modules having a plurality of shapers, the plurality of access modules including at least a first access module and a second access module; the first access module having a first plurality of queues, a first scheduler, a first shaper of the plurality of shapers, and a first transceiver residing on a first line card, the first plurality of queues configured to store first data packets received by the access node from a data stream transmitted from a network through a network connection to the access node the first scheduler configured to schedule transmissions of the first data packets from the first access module, the first shaper configured to limit a data rate of the first data packets transmitted from the first access module, and the first transceiver configured to transmit the first data packets via a data signal to first customer premises equipment, CPE; the second access module having a second plurality of queues, a second scheduler, a second shaper of the plurality of shapers, and a second transceiver residing on a second line card, the second plurality of queues configured to store second data packets received by the access node from the data stream, the second scheduler configured to schedule transmissions of the second data packets from the second access module, the second shaper configured to limit a data rate of the second data packets transmitted from the second access module, and the second transceiver configured to transmit the second data packets via a data signal to second CPE; and shaper control logic configured to receive first load information indicative of traffic load conditions at the first access module and second load information indicative of traffic load conditions at the second access module, the shaper control logic configured to control at least the first shaper based on the first and second load information, wherein the shaper control logic is further configured to control the plurality of shapers such that an aggregate downstream capacity of the plurality of access modules is less than a maximum downstream capacity of the network connection, thereby preventing congestion for the data stream from causing uncontrolled packet loss in the network. a plurality of access modules having a plurality of shapers, the plurality of access modules including at least a first access module and a second access module; the first access module having a first plurality of queues, a first scheduler, a first shaper of the plurality of shapers, and a first transceiver residing on a first line card, the first plurality of queues configured to store first data packets received by the access node from a data stream transmitted from a network through a network connection to the access node the first scheduler configured to schedule transmissions of the first data packets from the first access module, the first shaper configured to limit a data rate of the first data packets transmitted from the first access module, and the first transceiver configured to transmit the first data packets via a data signal to first customer premises equipment, CPE; the second access module having a second plurality of queues, a second scheduler, a second shaper of the plurality of shapers, and a second transceiver residing on a second line card, the second plurality of queues configured to store second data packets received by the access node from the data stream, the second scheduler configured to schedule transmissions of the second data packets from the second access module, the second shaper configured to limit a data rate of the second data packets transmitted from the second access module, and the second transceiver configured to transmit the second data packets via a data signal to second CPE; and shaper control logic configured to receive first load information indicative of traffic load conditions at the first access module and second load information indicative of traffic load conditions at the second access module, the shaper control logic configured to control at least the first shaper based on the first and second load information, wherein the shaper control logic is further configured to control the plurality of shapers such that an aggregate downstream capacity of the plurality of access modules is less than a maximum downstream capacity of the network connection, thereby preventing congestion for the data stream from causing uncontrolled packet loss in the network.