A RACH preamble is transmitted from a UE using multiple antenna ports. A UE splits a data stream containing a RACH preamble into multiple streams corresponding to a same number of antenna ports of the UE. The UE multiplexes the copies of the RACH preamble according to a multiplexing scheme that enables a receiving eNB to discern the different channels used to transmit the signal from the different antenna ports. A RACH procedure is further accomplished in two steps instead of four by the UE then splitting a RACH payload to the same number of streams and multiplexing the RACH payload for transmission to the eNB. The eNB receives both transmissions, and may use the RACH preamble as a reference signal, and responds with a combined message with control information, random access response, and contention resolution information.