A method applies a parametric approach to bandwidth extension but does not require training. The method computes narrowband linear predictive coefficients from a received narrowband speech signal, computes narrowband partial correlation coefficients using recursion, computes Mnb area coefficients from the partial correlation coefficient, and extracts Mwb area coefficients using interpolation. Wideband parcors are computed from the Mwb area coefficients and wideband LPCs are computed from the wideband parcors. The method further comprises synthesizing a wideband signal using the wideband LPCs and a wideband excitation signal, highpass filtering the synthesized wideband signal to produce a highband signal, and combining the highband signal with the original narrowband signal to generate a wideband signal.