A method includes: broadcasting, by a network device, a minimum system information (MSI) message, where identification information of each SIB/system information block group in the MSI message includes an identifier of the SIB/system information block group and a type indication of the identifier, and the type indication of the identifier is used to indicate that a type of the identifier of the SIB/system information block group is an area specific system information identifier or a cell specific system information identifier. A corresponding terminal device and network device are also disclosed.