Timestamp circuitry of a network device modifies a packet by embedding a future timestamp in the packet to generate a timestamped packet. The future timestamp corresponds to a transmit time that occurs after the timestamp circuitry embeds the future timestamp in the packet. The timing information is added to the packet and the packet is then transferred to transmitter circuitry of the network device via a communication link, internal to the network device, that operates according to a media independent communication interface. Time gating circuitry of the transmitter circuitry i) holds the timestamped packet from proceeding to a network link coupled to the network device prior to a current time reaching the transmit time, and ii) releases the timestamped packet for transmission via the network link in response to the current time reaching the transmit time.