A method for reducing the bandwidth required to transmit a data packet via a wireless network is provided. In an embodiment, the method includes generating a packet to be transmitted via the wireless network. Once a packet is generated, a packet a packet type of the packet to be transmitted via the wireless network is determined. Based on the packet type, a suppression rule is selectively applied to the packet to generate a suppressed packet. Applying the suppression rule includes suppressing at least a portion of the header of the packet and adding a descriptor associated with the header suppression rule to the packet. The method concludes with the transmittal of the suppressed packet via the wireless network.