A network device (e.g., an evolved Node B (eNB), user equipment (UE) or the like) can operate to enable scheduling UL transmissions on transmission opportunities outside of the UL grants or for multi-carrier UL scheduling. A communication component of the device can operate to process or generate communications on an unlicensed band or a licensed band in response to UL grants and indications provided via a DL transmission for scheduling. An eNB can provide indications to a UE for processing that indicate whether a transmission opportunity is on the same transmission opportunity as the UL grants or an external/outside transmission opportunity. The indications can further trigger an listen-before-talk (LBT) protocol, which can vary between a category 4 LBT or a single LBT interval that is shorter than the category 4 LBT, depending on the indication.