Methods, systems, and apparatuses for uplink descriptor channels are described. An uplink descriptor channel may be used by a user equipment (UE) for providing indications that uplink transmissions over allocated uplink data resources are sent in a configuration different from a configuration indicated by an uplink grant. In various examples an uplink transmission may be transmitted by a UE, and received by a base station, and the uplink transmission may include the uplink descriptor channel with uplink data. An uplink descriptor channel may include indications that uplink control information is included in the uplink transmission, and/or that the uplink transmission employs a number of transmission intervals, a number of channels, and/or a different MCS than those indicated by the uplink grant. A base station may receive the uplink descriptor channel and adjust various parameters of decoding an uplink transmission and/or allocating radio frequency spectrum resources.