Methods, systems, and devices are described for improving uplink communications of machine type communication (MTC) devices. In some embodiments, an MTC device may perform a discovery operation on a first narrow frequency band, establish a first communication link with a discovered relay device on a second narrow frequency band, and transmit MTC data on the second narrow frequency band to the discovered relay device to be relayed to a third device on a second communication link on a broad frequency band. In another embodiment, a first device may participate in a discovery operation with a second device. The first device may establish a communication link with the second device on a first narrow frequency band and receive data from the second device on a second narrow frequency band. The first device may relay the data to a third device over a second communication link on a broad frequency band.