Methods for operating a small cell in a discontinued reception (DRX) mode include maintaining the small cell in a discontinuous transmission (DTX) mode during a first time period having a plurality of first time slots. The methods include transmitting common reference signals in a predetermined number of second time slots prior to the first time slots and in a predetermined number of third time slots following commencement of the first time slots. The methods include discontinuing transmission of the common reference signals and common channel signals if mobile devices are in a discontinuous reception mode during the first time period. The methods include discontinuing transmission of the common reference signals during a predetermined number of fourth time slots following commencement of the first time period if there is no dedicated common transmission to the mobile devices.