A method includes allocating, by a communications controller, a first set of resource blocks to an enhanced physical downlink shared channel (ePDSCH), where the ePDSCH has a first starting point and allocating, by the communications controller, a second set of resource blocks to an enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH). The method also includes identifying, by the communications controller, a second starting point for the ePDSCH, where the second starting point for the ePDSCH is located within a legacy control region, where the first starting point of the ePDCCH is located within the legacy control region, and where the second starting point of the ePDSCH is different than the first starting point of the ePDCCH. Additionally, the method includes signaling, by the communications controller to a user equipment (UE) the second starting point and a number of the second set of resource blocks allocated to the ePDSCH.