Various communication systems may benefit from the proper use of control channel resources. For example, certain communication systems associated with the long tem evolution of the third generation partnership project may benefit from physical downlink control channel transmission improvement for paging message coverage enhancement. A method can include obtaining a coverage enhancement paging parameter at a user equipment. The method can also include calculating, by the user equipment, a paging frame or paging occasion according to the paging parameter. In another example, a method can include receiving, at a user equipment, a coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier for use in coverage enhancement mode. The method can also include decoding a physical downlink control channel based on the coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier.