Wireless communication systems and methods related to determining a new multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) configuration for a MBMS that is backward compatible with a legacy MBMS configurations. A base station determines a MBMS configuration. The MBMS configuration includes at least one non-optional field that indicates compatibility with a first user equipment (UE) having a first MBMS capability or compatibility with a second UE having a second MBMS capability. The MBMS configuration also includes a sub-carrier spacing indication for a MBMS corresponding to the first MBMS capability or the second MBMS capability. The MBMS configuration is broadcasted to the first UE and the second UE.