A system employing RE mapping for efficient use of the downlink control channel is provided for a wireless communication system. In one example, the system operations can comprise selecting index information corresponding to a resource element mapping pattern of a group of resource element mapping patterns, wherein the group of resource element mapping patterns is associated with a mobile device of a group of mobile devices, wherein the resource element mapping pattern is a two-dimensional mapping pattern comprising associated control channel symbol locations on a first axis and associated subcarrier locations on a second axis, and wherein the index information is an index of a group of indices associated with respective ones of the group of resource element mapping patterns; and transmitting the index information to the mobile device to inform the mobile device of a control channel symbol location at which data can be transmitted.