Certain features relate to systems and methods for jointly optimizing a radio access network (RAN) and distributed antenna system (DAS). A joint RAN-DAS self-optimizing network (SON) entity can determine target parameters based on parameters specific to the DAS and parameters specific to the RAN. The joint RAN-DAS-SON entity can optimize the RAN and DAS using the target parameters. Jointly optimizing the RAN and the DAS can improve the capacity characteristics, coverage characteristics, or the performance characteristics of the RAN and DAS. In some aspects, the joint RAN-DAS-SON entity can optimize the RAN and DAS by re-allocating power levels of downlink signals transmitted by remote units of the DAS to compensate for underutilized carrier signals in situations of low traffic load.