A network device may implement a guard band for reducing latency of transmitting high priority data. The device may identify a scheduled communication time for high priority data, which may include a scheduled reception time of the high priority data by the network device or a scheduled communication time of the high priority data. The network device may initiate a guard band prior to the scheduled communication time, and even before the high priority data is received by the network device. When the guard band is active, the network device may prevent transmission of low priority data, which may include preempting an in-progress low priority packet when initiating the guard band. Upon receiving the high priority data, the network device may immediately transmit the high priority data without incurring additional latency for preempting a low priority packet.