Techniques are provided for single carrier optimization. For example, there is provided a method that involves, in a subframe of a radio spectrum, allocating a first set of resource elements (REs) for multimedia broadcast over a single frequency network (MBSFN) transmissions, each symbol corresponding to each RE of the first set having a first cyclic prefix (CP) type. The method may involve allocating a second set of REs for unicast transmissions, each symbol corresponding to each RE of second set having a second CP type. The method may involve determining whether the first CP type and the second CP type are the same. The method may involve, in response to the first CP type and the second CP type being the same, combining the MBSFN transmissions and the unicast transmissions in the subframe according to the allocated first and second sets of REs.