Various systems and methods for scheduling data transmissions from a base station to user equipment (UE) are presented. Channel quality indicator values that correspond to multiple UE may be determined for multiple carrier components of a cellular network's carrier aggregation. A scheduling matrix may be created that includes instantaneous data transfer rates for the UE. Elements within the scheduling matrix may be normalized by modifying instantaneous data transmission rates using average data transmission rates. Scheduling decisions for data transfers may be made for the UE based on the normalized scheduling matrix.