A system and method for enhancing the performance in heterogeneous wireless access networks employing a distributed antenna system is disclosed. A control unit comprises a distributed antenna system management server which collects load information from each of the carriers. The control unit further comprises a power management decision engine which determines the optimal downlink transmission power level for the carriers based on the collected load information and a set of parameters related to the power for the carriers. Power levels may decrease to baseline parameters when the load on carriers decreases.