An interference covariance calculation technique is selected at a first communication device, where the interference covariance calculation technique is to be utilized by a second communication device when computing a channel quality indicator (CQI) associated with a communication channel between the first communication device and the second communication device. The interference covariance calculation technique is selected from a set of multiple techniques for calculating interference covariance. The first communication device transmits an indication of the selected interference covariance calculation technique to the second communication device. The first communication device receives a CQI calculated by the second communication device in accordance with the selected interference covariance calculation technique.