A method of scheduling and sub-channelization is provided for a wireless network such as an OFDMA network. Distributed coordination is applied across sectors, such neighboring sectors will tend to schedule cell-edge users at the same time, while sub-channelizing to different portions of the full frequency band available for forward link transmissions. This tendency is achieved by dividing each sector's users into user classes which depend upon forward link channel quality. Each user class is assigned a different set of priorities for use of available timeslots and subcarriers.