Network-controlled power control for side-link communications is disclosed. According to the described aspects, a power control framework is defined for network-controlled side-band or device-to-device (D2D) communications, in which transmission power for side-link communications may be stepped up enough for a base station in a connected mode with at least one of multiple user equipment (UE) devices to detect side-link communications between the UEs in order to take responsive action to enhance the reliability of the communications. The base station provides the configuration information to the UEs which may be used when preparing for transmissions of side-link traffic and/or feedback.