Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate selecting frequency for transmitting control channel format indicator (CCFI) data such to identify a related cell. In one example, the CCFI data can be transmitted in an initial portion of frequency (such as an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol) in a time transmit interval (TTI). The CCFI data can be spread across the initial portion of frequency and be shifted to identify the transmitting cell. Additionally, the CCFI data can be scrambled to further identify the cell. The CCFI data can also be utilized to determine structure of subsequent control and/or data channels.