A scrambling sequence is initialized using at least a cell identifier and an offset, and a physical downlink control information DCI is sent to a user equipment which indicates the offset. In more particular embodiments a user equipment-specific reference signal UE-RS is scrambled using the initialized scrambling sequence, and the scrambled UE-RS is sent to the UE for demodulating a downlink shared channel (PDSCH). In another exemplary embodiment the generated UE-RS is sent in a pilot part of a subframe transmission associated with the PDSCH and is for demodulating at least a data part of that subframe transmission. In a specific embodiment from the UE side, the UE receives the UE-RS and the DCI which indicates the offset, descrambles the UE-RS using a scrambling sequence that is initialized using a cell identifier and the indicated offset; and demodulates the PDSCH using the de-scrambled UE-RS.