Performing distributed Remote PHY scheduling operations. A low latency scheduler is disposed within or in proximity to a Remote PHY node. Upon identifying that a particular data flow qualifies for processing by the low latency scheduler, the low latency scheduler performs upstream Remote PHY scheduling operations for the particular data flow using a one or more dedicated channels that are designated as low latency channels. The Remote PHY upstream scheduling operations define when data may be transmitted by a Cable Modem (CM) to a Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP) Core. A centralized scheduler is also located at the CCAP Core. The centralized scheduler performs Remote PHY upstream scheduling operations for all data flows which have not been identified as qualifying for processing by the low latency scheduler.