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Advantages of Packet Switching
Packet switching optimizes the use of bandwidth by enabling many devices to route packets through the same network channels. At any given time, a switch can route packets to several different destination devices, adjusting the routes as required to achieve the best efficiency.

Because entire messages are not stored at the switches prior to forwarding, transmission delays are significantly shorter than delays encountered with message switching.

Although the switching devices do not need to be equipped with large amounts of hard drive capacity, they might need a significant amount of real-time memory. In addition, the switching devices must have sufficient processing power to run the more complex routing protocols required for packet switching. A system must be in place by which devices can recognize when packets have been lost so that retransmission can be requested.