Providing for efficient utilization of channel element device ladder (CEDL) resources is described herein. By way of example, a received data request can be packed in a first portion of the CEDL and a received voice request can be packed in a second portion of the CEDL. Subsequent requests can be assigned to contiguous channel elements (CEs) of the CEDL within the first or second portion, as suitable. In addition, non-assigned CEs can be maintained in a third portion of the CEDL, by packing requests initially from opposite ends of the first and second portion, and be re-packing dropped traffic within the CEDL. Accordingly, the subject disclosure provides for efficient utilization of CEDL resources both for incoming voice traffic requests and incoming data traffic requests, by packing and maintaining data, voice and un-assigned CEs in contiguous portions of the CEDL.