It is a shame that there is not a better planetary defense for packets. Or some such thing. They say for every offence there is a defence, but I think that you should have an alternative in your orbital slot to having another mass driver to catch packets. You left out the best defense against packets there is - planetary defenses. With energy tech 10 and full defenses you'll reduce the damage taken by a factor of 20.
Packets are deadliest against the overconfident and lazy.
They are also effective early. They can be used to kill pop after LBUs kill defenses, or after adjuster bombs prevent the defenses from being operated - lots of uses. But trying to bang away with them against someone with full, intact defenses will yield almost nothing for enourmous expense, and help your enemy more than it hurts him. So, if you are fighting a human opponent who knows how to use packets well, forget the stupid AI tricks and put up defenses.