Wireless communications systems and methods related to performing subband-based random access and/or subband-based scheduling request in a network are provided. A first wireless communication device receives a communication configuration indicating one or more subbands for transmitting a signal including at least one of a random access preamble sequence or a scheduling request. The first wireless communication device performs a clear channel assessment (CCA) on each subband of the one or more subbands. The first wireless communication device transmits the signal using at least one subband of the one or more subbands based on a result of the CCA.