According to certain embodiments, a method for self-deferring transmissions in a multi-carrier network includes determining, by a first controller seeking to initiate a carrier sensing procedure in a first cell operating on a first carrier, that a second cell associated with a second controller has initiated a first transmission opportunity on a second carrier that is adjacent to the first carrier. The first controller determines a first transmission opportunity duration associated with the first transmission opportunity initiated in the second cell. The first controller defers the carrier sensing procedure to be performed in the first cell by the first transmission opportunity duration. The carrier sensing procedure in the first cell is initiated after the first transmission opportunity duration unless instructed by the second controller.