Generally, this disclosure provides apparatus and methods for improved signaling of User Equipment (UE) assistance information in a wireless network. The UE device may include a processing circuit configured to generate an assistance information message including a power preference indicator (PPI) and mobility state information (MSI), the PPI and the MSI associated with the UE; a signal generation module configured to generate a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer Control Element (CE) signal, the MAC CE signal including the assistance information message; and a transmitter circuit configured to transmit the MAC CE signal to an evolved Node B (eNB) of a wireless network associated with the UE, the MAC CE signal transmitted on an uplink shared channel (UL-SCH). The assistance information message may also be generated as a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message and transmitted on an uplink dedicated control channel (UL-DCCH).