Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate employing a hybrid pilot configuration in a wireless communications network. A hybrid pilot configuration includes common pilot symbols and dedicated pilots multiplexed together within a time transmission interval. The multiplexed pilot symbols can be received and utilized to demodulate channels. Common pilot symbols can be employed to demodulate control channels and dedicated pilot symbols can be utilized to demodulate data channels. Moreover, the dedicated pilot symbols can be employed to generate a channel estimate. The common pilot channels can be utilized in combination with the dedicated pilot symbols to augment the channel estimate.