Methods, devices, and computer program products for compressing packet headers and payloads are described herein. In one embodiment, a packet including a packet header and a packet payload is compressed in accordance with a compression map, and the compressed packet is transmitted. The compression map includes a run-length encoded data set identifying at least one data field of the packet header and the packet payload to compress. In another embodiment, a packet including a packet header and a packet payload is received and decompressed in accordance with a decompression map. The decompression map includes a run-length encoded data set identifying at least one data field of the packet header and the packet payload to decompress.