A system and method for resource management in a heterogeneous wireless network that is performed via distributed implementation wherein the resources of the mobile communications system are managed on a coarse time-scale and a fine time-scale. The coarse time-scale management comprises a first stage of determining the user association for each of the TPs followed by a second stage of determining activation fractions for all TPs. The determining of the user association is performed by utilizing a GLS procedure having a Greedy Stage and a Local Search Stage. In the Greedy Stage, new user, TP pairs are analyzed and the pair with the greatest improvement in system utility is selected. In the Local Search Stage, potential swaps are analyzed and a pair offering the greatest improvement that exceeds a threshold is selected. The determining of activation fractions for all TPs is performed by utilizing an auxiliary function method.