Enabling Ethernet Header Compression (EHC) for use with data sent within a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) control plane of a wireless communication network. In one aspect, a wireless communication device sends a signal to a wireless communication network indicating the device supports EHC for data transfer over a control plane. The device obtains a response from the wireless communication network indicating the wireless communication network supports EHC for data transfer over the control plane. The device then sends an Ethernet packet compressed using EHC to the wireless communication network over the control plane. The wireless communication device may be configured to send a request to the wireless communication network to use EHC before sending the Ethernet packet compressed using EHC. The device then sends the compressed Ethernet packet only if the request is granted. In another aspects, complementary EHC features are provided within a network component of the wireless communication network.