A computer-implemented method for managing radio spectrum in a cellular network including periodically analyzing a local spectrum utilization data to determine spectrum use levels at the local base station. The method may include periodically receiving, at the local base station, neighbor spectrum utilization data from at least one neighbor base station in the cellular network. The neighbor spectrum utilization data is associated with spectrum use levels at the at least one neighbor base station. The method may include receiving a spectrum assignment request from a mobile computing device and, in response, determining a spectrum assignment for the mobile computing device based on at least one of the neighbor spectrum utilization data and local spectrum utilization data. The method may include transmitting the spectrum assignment to the mobile computing device.