System and method for implementing effective channel quality indication

A device for implementing effective channel quality indication, comprising:

• an interface operable to establish a communication session with an access station via a wireless connection;
• and
• a processor coupled to the interface and operable to:
• determine a highest modulation and coding scheme (“MCS”) level supported by the endpoint using the wireless connection;
• and
• determine whether an immediately preceding MCS level is supported by the endpoint using the wireless connection, wherein the immediately preceding MCS level is one level below the highest supported MCS level for the wireless connection;
• wherein the interface is further operable to transmit a message from the endpoint, the message comprising an effective channel quality indication (“ECQI”), the ECQI comprising an indication of the highest supported MCS level for the wireless connection and an indication of whether the endpoint supports the immediately preceding MCS level for the wireless connection.