Techniques for gaining initial access of a cell by a mobile device by using multiple numerologies associated with the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) are disclosed. The multiple numerologies are selected from numerologies that are both offered by the cell and which can be processed by the mobile device that is trying to gain the initial access. For example, one numerology can be used for the synchronization portion of the initial access and a different numerology can be use for the system information gathering and random access portions of the initial access. Also, upon gaining the initial access, the mobile device can be configured to use more numerologies for data communication, either simultaneously or one numerology at a time.