Providing LTE network devices with downlink channels in an unlicensed spectrum

A method, comprising:

• establishing, by a range extender device in communication with a small cell device of a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, a first channel, corresponding to a licensed spectrum of radio frequencies, between the range extender device and the small cell device, the first channel including first downlink capabilities and first uplink capabilities;
• establishing, by the range extender device, a second channel, corresponding to the licensed spectrum of radio frequencies, between the range extender device and a user device located within a coverage area of the range extender device, the second channel including second downlink capabilities and second uplink capabilities;
• measuring, by the range extender device, interference, corresponding to an unlicensed spectrum, experienced by the range extender device;
• providing, by the range extender device, information indicating the measured interference, experienced at the range extender device, to the small cell device,
• wherein the small cell device selects a first portion of the unlicensed spectrum and a second portion of the unlicensed spectrum based on the information indicating the measured interference experienced at the range extender device;
• establishing, by the range extender device, a first downlink-only channel between the range extender device and the small cell device, the first downlink-only channel corresponding to the first portion of the unlicensed spectrum of radio frequencies, as selected by the small cell device;
• establishing, by the range extender device, a second downlink-only channel between the range extender device and the user device, the second downlink-only channel corresponding to the unlicensed spectrum, as selected by the small cell device, for augmenting the downlink capabilities of the second channel;
• receiving, by the range extender device, communications, from the small cell device and intended for the user device, via a combination of the first channel and the first downlink-only channel;
• and
• sending, by the range extender device, the communications to the user device, via a combination of the second channel and the second downlink-only channel.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of processor-executable instructions, wherein execution of the set of processor-executable instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to:

• establish a first channel, corresponding to a licensed spectrum of radio frequencies, between the range extender device and a small cell device of a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, the first channel including first downlink capabilities and first uplink capabilities;
• establish a second channel, corresponding to the licensed spectrum of radio frequencies, between the range extender device and a user device located within a coverage area of the range extender device, the second channel including second downlink capabilities and second uplink capabilities;
• measure interference, corresponding to an unlicensed spectrum, experienced by the range extender device;
• provide information indicating the measured interference, experienced at the range extender device, to the small cell device,
• wherein the small cell device selects a first portion of the unlicensed spectrum and a second portion of the unlicensed spectrum based on the information indicating the measured interference experienced at the range extender device;
• establish a first downlink-only channel between the range extender device and the small cell device, the first downlink-only channel corresponding to the first portion of the unlicensed spectrum of radio frequencies, as selected by the small cell device;
• establish a second downlink-only channel between the range extender device and the user device, the second downlink-only channel corresponding to the second portion of the unlicensed spectrum, as selected by the small cell device, for augmenting the downlink capabilities of the second channel;
• receive communications, from the small cell device and intended for the user device, via a combination of the first channel and the first downlink-only channel;
• and
• send the communications to the user device, via a combination of the second channel and the second downlink-only channel.