Methods, systems, and devices for utilizing flexible bandwidth carriers for small cells are provided. Bandwidth scaling factor(s) for a small cell may be determined. A flexible bandwidth carrier may be generated for the small cell utilizing the bandwidth scaling factor. Some embodiments provide assistance with active hand-in due to more available PN offsets in the flexible bandwidth domain. Some embodiments enhance small cell discovery with high bandwidth scaling factor beacon-like small cells with little more power than that corresponding to the same power spectral density for normal bandwidth small cell. Some embodiments reduce the interference caused by small cell to macrocell users using an adaptive bandwidth scaling factor for small cells based on number of users supported and their traffic demand, to control the extent of overlap the macrocell has with small cell and the interference to macrocell mobiles. Some embodiments utilize self-configuration for small cells utilizing flexible bandwidth channels.