G.726 is an audio compression standard developed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It is primarily used for encoding and decoding voice signals in telecommunications, allowing for efficient transmission over limited bandwidth. The standard supports multiple bit rates, including 16, 24, 32, and 40 kbps, making it versatile for various applications. This codec utilizes adaptive differential pulse code modulation (ADPCM) to reduce the amount of data needed for voice transmission while maintaining acceptable audio quality. G.726 is commonly implemented in digital telephony systems, such as Voice over IP (VoIP) and ISDN services, enhancing communication efficiency.