An OLT comprises a processor configured to: obtain optical powers associated with ONUs, and generate an instruction instructing a transmit order of transmissions based on the optical powers; a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to transmit the instruction to the ONUs; and a receiver coupled to the processor and configured to receive the transmissions from the ONUs based on the instruction. An apparatus comprises a receiver configured to receive an instruction instructing a transmit order of transmissions based on optical powers associated with ONUs; a processor coupled to the receiver and configured to process the instruction; and a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to transmit a transmission based on the instruction.