Thus, the exemplary embodiments of the invention describe methods, computer program products and apparatus that provide improved quantization, as may be useful within the context of a communication system (e.g., a wireless communication system) that has a relay node. In one non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, a method includes: receiving a transmission having source data from an information source; determining an estimate of the source data using a quantization technique based on maximizing data throughput; and transmitting a message including the determined estimate towards an information destination.