Channel state information (CSI) feedback in long term evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) networks including contention-based shared unlicensed spectrum is disclosed in which a user equipment (UE) identifies at least one carrier utilizing a contention based radio frequency spectrum. The UE detects a transmission signal indicative of clear channel assessment (CCA) result information for the carrier and determines whether a reference signal for channel state information measurement is present in a subframe based on the detected transmission signal. The UE would transmit a measurement report based on this presence determination of the reference signal.