Telecommunications and Audio/Video Engineering: October 2026 Standards Update (Part 1)

October 2026 has brought a new wave of critical international standards to the Telecommunications and Audio/Video Engineering sectors. Covering diverse topics from multimedia conferencing measurement to optical cable networks, these standards set fresh benchmarks for quality, interoperability, and safety. This article, the first in a two-part series, explores five newly issued standards—each offering comprehensive requirements and technical advancements for professionals at the forefront of digital communications.

Overview

Telecommunications and Audio/Video Engineering continue to converge, driving innovations in connectivity, media delivery, and automation across industries. International standards underpin these developments: they ensure product compatibility, system reliability, and regulatory compliance worldwide. Adhering to the latest specifications empowers organizations to meet growing user demands for high quality and security while opening global markets for new solutions.

This article will:

• Introduce the latest standards published in October 2026 (Part 1 of 2)
• Explain the scope and key requirements of each
• Discuss implications for implementation and compliance
• Highlight technical best practices

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN IEC 63478-3:2026 – User’s Quality of Experience on Multimedia Conferencing Services – Part 3: Measurement Methods

User’s Quality of Experience on Multimedia Conferencing Services – Part 3: Measurement Methods

With the explosion of remote collaboration, accurately measuring the Quality of Experience (QoE) for multimedia conferencing has become a business-critical capability. EN IEC 63478-3:2026 fills a longstanding gap by defining standardized methods for assessing user satisfaction in conferencing environments.

Scope and Application

• Establishes subjective, objective, and hybrid methods to evaluate QoE parameters such as video/audio quality, synchronization, accessibility, and UI/UX.
• Proposes three models for measurement: timeline rating, survey-based, and the “honeycomb” approach.
• Covers both user perception (subjective) and system-based (objective) performance metrics.

Who Needs to Comply

• Service providers developing or managing multimedia conferencing systems
• Network operators, platform vendors, and enterprise IT departments supporting telecollaboration

Practical Implications

• Enables product designers to benchmark and improve conferencing experiences
• Supports quality assurance engineers in validating service delivery
• Encourages interoperability and user-centric design across platforms

Notable Updates

• Unified framework consolidating subjective and objective measurement
• Parameters for participation, openness, and interoperability now incorporated
• Data management and authentication for measurement results standardized

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive QoE measurement for audio/video conferencing
• Multi-model methodology: timeline, survey, honeycomb
• Enhanced coverage for accessibility and interoperability

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 63478-3:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 60794-3-11:2026 – Optical Fibre Cables – Outdoor Installations

Optical Fibre Cables - Part 3-11: Outdoor Cables – Detailed Specification for Duct, Directly Buried, and Lashed Aerial Optical Fibre Telecommunication Cables

As fibre networks expand to meet increasing bandwidth requirements, robust cabling infrastructure becomes paramount. IEC 60794-3-11:2026 provides an updated, in-depth specification for outdoor optical fibre cables, ensuring durability and performance in varied installation contexts.

Scope and Application

• Outlines functional, mechanical, environmental, and optical requirements for:
  • Duct installed cables
  • Direct buried cables
  • Lashed aerial cables
• Now explicitly accommodates both single-mode and multimode fibre types (including B-657.B2)
• Integrates relevant test methods from IEC 60794-1-1 & IEC 60794-1-2.

Who Needs to Comply

• Cable manufacturers
• Network design and construction firms
• Utility and telecom network operators

Practical Implications

• Ensures physical integrity and optical performance under outdoor conditions
• Reduces risk of installation failures and maintenance downtimes
• Facilitates easier compliance checks and project specification alignment

Notable Updates from Previous Edition

• Expansion to include fibre type B-657.B2
• Inclusion of multimode optical fibres, catering to broader applications
• Updated test procedures for performance verification

Key highlights:

• In-depth requirements for outdoor fibre cables
• Full multimode and single-mode support
• Enhanced environmental and mechanical testing

Access the full standard:View IEC 60794-3-11:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 61754-6:2022 – Fibre Optic Connector Interfaces – MU Connector Family

Fibre Optic Interconnecting Devices and Passive Components – Fibre Optic Connector Interfaces – Part 6: Type MU Connector Family

Reliable, high-density fibre optic connections are essential to modern network architectures. IEC 61754-6:2022 details the dimensional and interface requirements for the MU connector family—supporting rapid system assembly and long-term performance.

Scope and Application

• Focuses on standardized interface dimensions for MU-type fibre optic connectors, used in telecommunications, data centers, and more
• Ensures intermateability and component compatibility across vendors
• Specifies critical grades for mechanical alignment and interface features

Who Needs to Comply

• Connector manufacturers and OEMs
• System assemblers
• Network infrastructure teams in telecom, enterprise, and industrial sectors

Practical Implications

• Reduces connection errors and incompatibilities
• Supports miniaturization for high-density installations
• Streamlines system upgrade and maintenance

Notable Technical Changes from Previous Edition

• Addition of IEC 61300-3-22 test method for ferrule compression force
• Introduction of cut-out dimension requirements (Annex D) for mounting and adaptation

Key highlights:

• Unified dimensions for all MU connector interfaces
• Enhanced testing requirements for durability
• New guidelines for adaptor mounting and strength

Access the full standard:View IEC 61754-6:2022 on iTeh Standards

IEC PAS 61850-90-28:2026 – Communication Networks for Power Utility Automation: Subscriber IED Validation

Communication Networks and Systems for Power Utility Automation – Part 90-28: Specification for Subscriber IED to Validate Received GOOSE and SV Messages

For smart grids and critical utility automation, message authenticity and data integrity are paramount. IEC PAS 61850-90-28:2026 defines validation mechanisms for subscriber Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) that receive critical GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Event) and SV (Sampled Values) messages.

Scope and Application

• Prescribes expected behavior and documentation for verifying received automation protocol messages in power systems
• Considers engineering rules and configuration guidance for robust validation
• Supports mixed-compatibility between the latest and previous editions of IEC 61850 series

Who Needs to Comply

• Power utilities deploying substation automation and smart grid networks
• SCADA engineers
• Developers of protection relay and automation devices

Practical Implications

• Reduces cyber and operational risk through message validation
• Enhances interoperability in diverse utility networks
• Enables efficient upgrade paths for legacy and modern devices

Key highlights:

• Conformance statements for subscriber IED message validation
• Guidance for mixed-version system deployments
• Engineering process rules and configuration best practices

Access the full standard:View IEC PAS 61850-90-28:2026 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC 60728-114:2026 – Cable Networks: Optical Transmission Systems Using RFoG Technology

Cable Networks for Television Signals, Sound Signals and Interactive Services – Part 114: Optical Transmission Systems Using RFoG Technology

Hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) and emerging RF over Glass (RFoG) solutions are critical to next-generation broadband and television networks. EN IEC 60728-114:2026 introduces detailed specifications for RFoG-based optical transmission systems—closing technology gaps in gigabit-ready cable infrastructures.

Scope and Application

• Defines performance, safety, EMC, and system architecture requirements for RFoG-enabled networks
• Addresses optical node (R-ONU) design, headend transmission, return path, and optical distribution networks (ODN)
• Includes specific measurement and marking requirements

Who Needs to Comply

• Cable network operators and ISPs
• Equipment manufacturers
• System integrators deploying or maintaining RFoG networks

Practical Implications

• Provides a uniform basis for interoperability in RFoG infrastructures
• Supports high-bandwidth, low-latency TV and interactive media services
• Facilitates troubleshooting, performance monitoring, and future network scaling

Key highlights:

• System-level requirements for all RFoG components
• Detailed methods for optical and electrical measurement
• Environmental, safety, and EMC mandates for equipment

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60728-114:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

These newly published standards are not just technical documents—they are strategic tools for success in the modern telecommunications and audio/video landscape. Organizations that proactively adopt these standards benefit from:

• Improved interoperability and quality assurance
• Accelerated market access through international compliance
• Mitigated risk of regulatory or contractual issues

Compliance Considerations:

• Evaluate current systems and suppliers against new requirements
• Plan for upgrades, retesting, or certifications based on updated standards
• Assign internal owners for standard implementation and ongoing monitoring

Implementation Timeline:

• Early adoption is recommended to maximize competitive advantage
• Be aware of national or industry-specific compliance deadlines

Technical Insights

Across this group of standards, several technical themes emerge:

• Measurement & Quality: A shift toward user-centric and hybrid measurement methodologies, especially in conferencing and media services
• Interoperability: Tight alignment on connector interfaces, cabling types, and system protocols for seamless integration across vendors
• Future-Ready Infrastructure: Addressing both backward compatibility (e.g., mixed IEC 61850 editions) and new technologies (multimode fibre, RFoG)
• Testing & Certification: New or updated testing protocols (e.g., ferrule compression force, system performance) ensure reliability and compliance
• Environmental & Security: Considerations for durability, EMC, and message validation are central to modern installations

Best Practices:

1. Involve multidisciplinary teams (engineering, QA, compliance) in gap analysis
2. Use formal verification and documentation for any system updates
3. Partner with certified testing facilities for complex or critical implementations
4. Regularly review iTeh Standards and other trusted resources for further updates

Conclusion and Next Steps

In a rapidly evolving technological environment, staying ahead means more than just meeting minimum requirements—it’s about anticipating change, building robust systems, and delivering superior quality and reliability. The October 2026 release of these five standards in Telecommunications and Audio/Video Engineering marks a leap forward in user experience, infrastructure design, and system integration.

Recommended Actions:

• Review these new standards in detail relevant to your operations
• Update internal policies and supplier guidelines accordingly
• Communicate with stakeholders about the benefits and obligations

For complete texts and ongoing updates, visit iTeh Standards and subscribe to alerts for Part 2 of our series and future releases.

Stay compliant, competitive, and informed—these new standards are your roadmap to excellence.