In some aspects, an evolved universal terrestrial radio access base station generates a capability enquiry message for requesting radio access capabilities of a user equipment. At times, the evolved universal terrestrial radio access base station configures a capability enquiry information element included in the capability enquiry message to request eutra-nr-only radio access capabilities of the user equipment. The evolved universal terrestrial radio access base station then transmits the capability enquiry message to the user equipment. Afterwards, the evolved universal terrestrial radio access base station receives, from the user equipment, a capability information message that includes at least some radio access capabilities for new radio that are supported by the user equipment.