Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to ensuring end-to-end packet delivery in a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) circuit with a high jitter packet-based fronthaul network. In one aspect, a method includes determining, at a de-mapper, that at least one data packet scheduled to be played out is not available; inserting an idle data packet into a buffer at the de-mapper for each data packet that is not available; continuously monitoring a packet playout process to (1) identify last valid data packet played out, (2) a number of idle data packets inserted, and (3) a number of data packets currently stored in the buffer; and determining that insertion of idle data packets into the buffer should be stopped and a valid data packet to be played out; wherein inserting the idle data packet and the valid data packet ensure link integrity in data packet transmission between two network elements.