In an example, a distributed relay includes a relay node master unit communicatively coupled to a base station; and one or more remote relay antenna units located remotely from the relay node master unit and communicatively coupled to the relay node master unit. The relay node master unit is configured to communicate demodulated and decoded data and/or demodulated data with the one or more remote relay antenna units via one or more transport interfaces, and the one or more remote relay antenna units are configured to communicate radio frequency signals to a coverage zone via one or more antennas. The relay node master unit includes a backhaul interface and an access interface. The backhaul interface is configured to implement communications between the relay node master unit and the base station. The access interface is configured to implement communications between the one or more remote relay antenna units and user equipment.