Aspects presented herein provide for dual connectivity with a standalone service provider in the unlicensed spectrum. A first base station may receive, from a UE, an indication of a capability for standalone operation in a first RAT that utilizes an unlicensed frequency spectrum and a dual connectivity capability involving the first RAT and a second RAT that utilizes a licensed frequency spectrum, wherein dual connectivity comprises the UE being connected to a master base station on a first frequency and a secondary base station on a second frequency at a same time. The first base station may signal a first set of procedures for dual connectivity when the level of support at the first base station is at higher layers of the first RAT and may signal a second set of procedures when the level of support at the first base station extends to lower layers of the first RAT.