Disclosed are techniques for differentiating between licensed and unlicensed bands in a common portion of frequency spectrum to facilitate initial access in a fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) wireless communication system having an NR node. The techniques include an NR generating and UE processing frequency configuration information indicating whether the common portion of frequency spectrum is allocated as a licensed band or an unlicensed band to enable a determination that the frequency spectrum is configured as the licensed band or unlicensed band and thereby facilitate initial access.