In a wireless communications system wherein control-less subframes share a common carrier with subframes that include control signaling, a method performed by a base station may include receiving a first indication from a network entity to maintain a designated set of subframes on a common carrier devoid of designated downlink control signals. The method may further include providing a second indication in a wireless transmission to a mobile entity, the second indication enabling identification of subframes in the designated set (i.e., the control-less subframes) by the mobile entity. In turn, identification of control-less subframes by the mobile entity prior to decoding the subframes may enable a more efficient control of blind decoding operations at the mobile entity and reduce blind decoding operations required for the mobile entity to decode downlink control information.
