Compression techniques can reduce the fronthaul throughput in split radio access network (RAN) architectures for next generation designs. Adaptive fixed-point mapping can reduce the throughput requirements between a baseband unit (DU) and a remote radio unit (RU). Thus, a bit or plurality of bits can indicate the type of data being passed over the fronthaul. Consequently, adaptive mapping between precoded downlink data and non-precoded downlink data suited to the type of data passed over the fronthaul can achieve high compression ratios.