System and method embodiments are provided for remote radio unit (RRU) control messaging in massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems. In an embodiment, a network component in a MIMO wireless communication system includes a digital transceiver configured to generate a data signal and a control signal, the control signal including one of control information to control analog components on a RRU and status information about analog components on the RRU; a modulator configured to modulate the control signal onto a control carrier; a transmit filter configured to filter the modulated control signal; and a combiner configured to combine the data signal and the filtered modulated control signal and send the combined signal to a second network component via a physical channel, the second network component comprising one of a controller and the RRU.
