A method of detecting downlink interference in a communications system may include selecting a set of user equipment for measuring interference and generating a downlink interference neighbor list for some or all of the user equipment in the set. Empty resource blocks that are common to base stations on each downlink interference neighbor list are identified, and signals that are received by the set of user equipment during the empty resource blocks are analyzed to detect interference. Certain aspects of the method may be practiced before or after an interference detection period. A system for detecting downlink interference is also provided.