Systems and method are specified to improve the reception of UL transmission, for example in power or coverage limited situations. A WTRU may modify procedures to increase the available signal energy for reception at an eNB and/or to make more efficient use of the available signal energy at the receiver for processing UL transmissions. Example methods for increasing UL link coverage may include modifying HARQ timing (e.g., shorter HARQ), using longer TTIs, use of dedicated PUSCH allocations, use of new PUSCH modulations, enhanced reference signal design, UL macro diversity reception for PUSCH, utilizing protocol reduction techniques, ensuring in-order packet delivery, and/or utilizing a configuration for coverage limited/power limited modes of operation. The proposed methods may be applied individually or in any combination.