Beamforming selection for macro cells based on small cell availability

A method includes communicating data to a plurality of user equipment (UE) in a cell using a plurality of beamforms. Each of the plurality of beamforms has a main lobe and side lobes, where the main lobe is directed toward a corresponding UE of the plurality of UE. For each beamform of the plurality of beamforms, a position of the beamform is determined. Furthermore, it is determined that one or more small cells of the plurality of small cells are available to serve the corresponding UE based on determining that the one or more small cells are positioned within the main lobe of the beamform using the determined position of the beamform and one or more positions of the one or more small cells. Based on the one or more small cells being determined as available to serve the corresponding UE, beamforming is disabled to the corresponding UE from the cell, thereby preventing the side lobes of the beamform from interfering with other radio communications in the cell.