IEC 60793-1-48: 2017 applies to three methods of measuring polarization mode dispersion (PMD), which are described in Clause 4. It establishes uniform requirements for measuring the PMD of single-mode optical fibre, thereby assisting in the inspection of fibres and cables for commercial purposes.  This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2007. It constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical change with respect to the previous edition: removal of the SOP approach.