Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for downlink access control in a communications network. An example method includes a base station receiving a request for downlink (DL) communication with a user equipment (UE), and the base station performing the following actions without communicating with the UE regarding the request for the DL communication: determining an unavailability of a resource required for the DL communication; responsive to the determined unavailability, sending a rejection of the request; determining an availability of the resource; and responsive to the determined availability, sending an indication of the availability of the resource required for the DL communication.