Audiovisual Quality Assessment for 3G Networks in Support of E- Healthcare Services

The third generation UMTS(Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems) networks has opened up doors to many applications such as real time video calling, video mail, video on demand, interactive video services, etc. and has unfolded new horizons in the provision of e-healthcare because of increased bandwidth. With 3G wireless networks it is possible for healthcare professionals wherever they are to monitor patients anywhere and anytime thus improving the quality of their lives. The purpose of this paper is to present a critical review of the existing literature on audiovisual quality over 3G mobile networks and hence provide an understanding of the key factors that affect audiovisual quality of service and further discuss the existing quality assessment methods for voice and video. We then present results of our preliminary investigation to assess the quality of a video call over live 3G network subjectively. Finally, we discuss the QoS implications in the application of 3G networks in ehealthcare.