Performance issues 1. Must provide low relative overhead under expected operating conditions. Performance should be such that 0-byte header packets are used most of the time to maximize spectral efficiency. Error propagation due to header compression should be kept at an absolute minimum. Error propagation is defined as the loss or damage of headers subsequent to headers lost or damaged by the link, even if those subsequent headers are not lost or damaged.
Error propagation reduces spectral efficiency and reduces quality.
This kind of reordering is common. Reordering happens regularly in the Internet. However, since the Internet is engineered to run TCP reasonably well, excessive reordering will not be common and need not be handled with optimum efficiency. Loss on previous links will cause irregularities in the RTP stream reaching the compressor. Such irregularities should only marginally affect performance.