<p>Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate compressing headers for internet protocol (IP) relay nodes. In particular, a plurality of IP headers in a packet and at least one tunneling protocol header can be compressed to facilitate efficient communications of packets between IP relay nodes and/or a donor access point. In addition, IP relay nodes can be limited in a number of upstream bearers and can provide a greater number of downstream bearers. In this regard, the IP relay nodes can compress headers for upstream packets related to one or more downstream devices utilizing disparate context identifiers for the upstream packets. Thus, the upstream packets can be distinguished from each other while sent over the same upstream bearer.</p>
