Embodiments contemplate a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) that may operate in a heterogeneous wireless communication network (HetNet). The WTRU may detect the presence of an extended physical downlink control channel (E-PDCCH) and may decode a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) upon detecting the E-PDCCH. The WTRU may obtain scheduling information of the E-PDCCH on a physical downlink shared control channel (PDSCH) from the decoded PDCCH. The WTRU may also determine control information for the WTRU from the E-PDCCH using the scheduling information of the E-PDCCH. The HetNet may further include a first eNB and a second eNB and the WTRU may receive the E-PDCCH from the first eNB and another E-PDCCH from the second eNB. The other E-PDCCH may be coordinated with the E-PDCCH such that the interference between the other E-PDCCH and the E-PDCCH from the perspective of the WTRU may be reduced relative to no coordination.