Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate unsolicited indication of mobile device capability change in wireless communication networks. Upon establishing communication with an access point, a mobile device can experience a change in capability, such as by attaching a device, changing a setting in a user interface, and/or the like. Rather than waiting for a reconfiguration command, when changing base stations or switching from idle to active mode, the mobile device can transmit an unsolicited message to the access point indicating the change. The access point can support the change in subsequent uplink communications or deny such support and can accordingly notify the mobile device via radio resource control (RRC) message.