Fast calculation of channel state information using demodulation reference signals (DM-RS) is provided herein. The channel state information can be calculated by estimating the signal to noise ratio of a communication link based on the DM-RS, and then estimating the channel quality indicator based on the SINR. The advanced receivers can use list-based detection methods which the estimated SINR can improve the performance thereof. Channel state information is traditionally calculated based on the channel state reference signals (CS-RS). Demodulation reference signals, which are used for channel estimation for a data channel, are transmitted at different times than CS-RS however, and so some portions of the channel state information including layer indicator (LI) and channel quality indicator (CQI) can be calculated based on the demodulation reference signals, allowing a network to adapt more quickly to changing channel conditions, without having to transmit a CS-RS.