Concepts and examples pertaining to efficient coding switching and modem resource utilization in wireless communication systems are described. A processor of a modem of a user equipment (UE), configured with at least a first-capacity decoder and at least a second-capacity decoder, receives a common virtual carrier (CVC), a dedicated virtual carrier (DVC), or both. The CVC contains common information shared by multiple UEs, control information for the UE, and/or data information related to first data destined for the UE. The DVC contains control information for the UE, the first data, or a combination thereof. The first-capacity decoder decodes data of a small size up to a low data rate. The second-capacity decoder decodes data of a large size up to a high data rate. The processor determines whether to decode the first data using the first-capacity decoder or the second-capacity decoder based on the data information in the CVC.