Systems and methods for recommending a data rate on an uplink or downlink communication channel between the network node and a wireless device in a wireless communications system are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a wireless device for recommending a data rate on an uplink or downlink communication channel between the wireless device and a network node in a wireless communications system comprises determining to request that the network node recommend a data rate on the uplink or downlink communication channel for the wireless device. Further, the method includes generating a first information element that indicates the request. Also, the first information element is sent via a protocol layer on the uplink communication channel.