Abstract: Data is transmitted using multiple description vector quantization by first quantizing the source vector at a lattice vector quantizer. After quantization, a labeling function is applied to the quantized source vector, creating a plurality of data streams. Each data stream is encoded and transmitted over a separate channel. Furthermore, the encoded data is decoded by first retrieving a representation of a sublattice point from a set of sublattice points from the data stream and then, determining a single data code word being associated with the retrieved representation of the sublattice point.