Some implementations provide a method for prioritizing reverse link packets so that particular reverse link packets are transmitted with a reduced latency in order to improve spectral efficiency of the forward link. The method also optionally includes weighting packets according to their determined lengths, and transmitting packets based on the determined weights. In one implementation, the method includes sorting packets at least according to one of size, type and nature of the data in the packets. Accordingly, sorting of the packets includes at least one of determining the size and the type of each packet. In one implementation, sorting the packets includes deep-packet inspection to determine a respective priority value for each packet.