POLQA – the Standard for Perceptual Objective Listening Quality Analysis

Overview
POLQA is the next-generation voice quality testing technology for fixed, mobile and IP based networks. POLQA was standardized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T) as new Recommendation P.863, and can be applied for voice quality analysis of HD Voice, 3G and 4G/LTE networks.
 
The POLQA standard was developed 2006-2011 by leading industry experts. It is the outcome of a competition carried out by Study Group 12 of the ITU-T, in order to define a technology upgrade for PESQ (ITU-T Recommendation P.862), the state-of-the-art voice quality measurement technique established in 2001. POLQA - which stands for "Perceptual Objective Listening Quality Analysis" - offers an advanced level of benchmarking accuracy and adds significant new capabilities for wideband and super-wideband (HD) voice signals along with support for most recent voice coding and VoIP transmission technologies. Therefore POLQA is ideally suited to evaluate, optimize and monitor the voice quality of next-generation networks.
 
The POLQA perceptual measurement algorithm is a joint development of OPTICOM, SwissQual and TNO, protected by copyrights and patents and available under license as software for various platforms. Leading Test & Measurement manufacturers have adopted POLQA/P.863 in their products, or use this technology during development, design and optimization of mobile phones, Smartphones, network components, or services. It is anticipated that POLQA/P.863 will supersede PESQ/P.862 in the near future.