Methods and apparatuses indicate and identify quasi co-located reference signal ports. A method of identifying by a UE includes identifying, from downlink control information, a CSI-RS port that is quasi co-located with a DM-RS port assigned to the UE. The method includes identifying large scale properties for the assigned DM-RS port based on large scale properties for the CSI-RS port. The method includes performing channel estimation and/or time/frequency synchronization using the identified large scale properties for the DM-RS port. Another method for identifying by a UE includes identifying, from downlink control information, a CRS port that is quasi co-located with a CSI-RS port configured for the UE. The method includes identifying large scale properties for the configured CSI-RS port based on large scale properties for the CRS port. The method includes performing channel estimation and/or time/frequency synchronization using the identified large scale properties for the CSI-RS port.