Methods and apparatus for distributing baseband signal processing of fifth generation (5G) new radio uplink signals. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving uplink transmissions having user data, receiving configuration parameters, and performing a first portion of baseband processing that compresses the uplink transmissions using the configuration parameters to generate compressed packets. The method also includes transmitting the compressed packets over a transmission medium to the central office that performs a second portion of the baseband processing to obtain the user data. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a radio frequency interface that receives uplink transmissions that have user data, and a first baseband processing section that receives configuration parameters, compresses the uplink transmissions using the configuration parameters to generate compressed packets, and transmits the compressed packets over a transmission medium to the central office where a second baseband processing section processes the compressed packets to obtain the user data.