A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided for separating control transmissions and data transmissions within the coverage area of a plurality of transmission/reception points or points that are geographically displaced, the plurality of points comprising a macro node and a plurality of remote radio heads (RRHs) coupled to the macro node. Separating control transmissions and data transmissions in the macro node/RRH configuration may allow UEs to be associated with one set of transmission points for data transmissions and the same set or a different set of transmission points for common control signaling. Separating control transmissions and data transmissions may also allow for faster reconfiguration of antenna ports used for UE data transmission compared with reconfiguration via a handover process.