RF coil array assemblies include an RF coil array with a plurality of coil elements. The coil elements each have an RF conductor that defines an RF path. The coil elements operate in an RF mode for at least one of transmitting RF excitation signals or receiving MRI image signals on the RF conductors. The RF coil array assemblies also include at least one wireless module connected to the RF coil array, the at least one wireless module including a wireless transceiver operative at a wireless communication frequency band and attached to at least some of the coil elements to provide input and output signals to the at least one wireless module. At least some of the coil elements can concurrently transmit or receive wireless communication data and the RF excitation signals or the received MRI image signals.