A method for assigning downlink transmit power levels to radio nodes (RNs) in a small cell radio access network (RAN) includes assigning initial power levels to the RNs. For each cell, first events are counted indicating that UEs receiving a signal from their serving cells with a signal strength below a specified value have entered a coverage hole. For each cell, second events are counted indicating that UEs have re-established a previous connection on one of the cells. For each pair of cells, a coverage hole is identified between them if the number of first events for one cell exceeds a threshold and, a number of second events or re-establishment of a previous connection on the other cell exceeds another threshold. For each identified coverage hole, the downlink transmit power level is increased of at least one RN in the pair of cells between which the coverage hole is identified.