diff --git a/bl1/aarch64/bl1_arch_setup.c b/bl1/aarch64/bl1_arch_setup.c
index f9443aa..4191937 100644
--- a/bl1/aarch64/bl1_arch_setup.c
+++ b/bl1/aarch64/bl1_arch_setup.c
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 void bl1_arch_setup(void)
 {
 	unsigned long tmp_reg = 0;
+	unsigned int counter_base_frequency;
 
 	/* Enable alignment checks and set the exception endianess to LE */
 	tmp_reg = read_sctlr_el3();
@@ -60,6 +61,13 @@
 	enable_serror();
 	enable_debug_exceptions();
 
+	/* Read the frequency from Frequency modes table */
+	counter_base_frequency = mmio_read_32(SYS_CNTCTL_BASE + CNTFID_OFF);
+	/* The first entry of the frequency modes table must not be 0 */
+	assert(counter_base_frequency != 0);
+
+	/* Program the counter frequency */
+	write_cntfrq_el0(counter_base_frequency);
 	return;
 }
 
diff --git a/bl31/aarch64/bl31_arch_setup.c b/bl31/aarch64/bl31_arch_setup.c
index 2a424f8..faca2a1 100644
--- a/bl31/aarch64/bl31_arch_setup.c
+++ b/bl31/aarch64/bl31_arch_setup.c
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@
 void bl31_arch_setup(void)
 {
 	unsigned long tmp_reg = 0;
+	unsigned int counter_base_frequency;
 
 	/* Enable alignment checks and set the exception endianness to LE */
 	tmp_reg = read_sctlr_el3();
@@ -61,6 +62,13 @@
 	enable_serror();
 	enable_debug_exceptions();
 
+	/* Read the frequency from Frequency modes table */
+	counter_base_frequency = mmio_read_32(SYS_CNTCTL_BASE + CNTFID_OFF);
+	/* The first entry of the frequency modes table must not be 0 */
+	assert(counter_base_frequency != 0);
+
+	/* Program the counter frequency */
+	write_cntfrq_el0(counter_base_frequency);
 	return;
 }
 
diff --git a/docs/firmware-design.md b/docs/firmware-design.md
index e92042d..2bf57ca 100644
--- a/docs/firmware-design.md
+++ b/docs/firmware-design.md
@@ -151,16 +151,19 @@
         and Advanced SIMD execution are configured to not trap to EL3 by
         clearing the `CPTR_EL3.TFP` bit.
 
+    -   `CNTFRQ_EL0`. The `CNTFRQ_EL0` register is programmed with the base
+        frequency of the system counter, which is retrieved from the first entry
+        in the frequency modes table.
+
+    -   Generic Timer. The system level implementation of the generic timer is
+        enabled through the memory mapped interface.
+
 #### Platform initialization
 
-BL1 enables issuing of snoop and DVM (Distributed Virtual Memory) requests
-from the CCI-400 slave interface corresponding to the cluster that includes
-the primary CPU. BL1 also initializes UART0 (PL011 console), which enables
-access to the `printf` family of functions in BL1. The `CNTFRQ_EL0` register is
-programmed with the base frequency of the system counter, which is retrieved
-from the first entry in the frequency modes table. The system level
-implementation of the generic timer is enabled through the memory mapped
-interface.
+BL1 enables issuing of snoop and DVM (Distributed Virtual Memory) requests from
+the CCI-400 slave interface corresponding to the cluster that includes the
+primary CPU. BL1 also initializes UART0 (PL011 console), which enables access to
+the `printf` family of functions in BL1.
 
 #### BL2 image load and execution
 
diff --git a/docs/porting-guide.md b/docs/porting-guide.md
index 6bba360..56467fb 100644
--- a/docs/porting-guide.md
+++ b/docs/porting-guide.md
@@ -446,9 +446,8 @@
 for performing any remaining platform-specific setup that can occur after the
 MMU and data cache have been enabled.
 
-In the ARM FVP port, this function enables system-level implementation of the
-generic timer counter. It also initializes counter frequency for CPU's generic
-timers.
+In the ARM FVP port, it zeros out the ZI section and enables the system level
+implementation of the generic timer counter.
 
 This function is also responsible for initializing the storage abstraction layer
 which is used to load further bootloader images.
@@ -772,7 +771,6 @@
 The ARM FVP port does the following:
 *   Initializes the generic interrupt controller.
 *   Configures the CLCD controller.
-*   Initializes counter frequency for CPU's generic timer
 *   Grants access to the system counter timer module
 *   Initializes the FVP power controller device
 *   Detects the system topology.
diff --git a/plat/fvp/bl1_plat_setup.c b/plat/fvp/bl1_plat_setup.c
index b0c011e..d4fd81b 100644
--- a/plat/fvp/bl1_plat_setup.c
+++ b/plat/fvp/bl1_plat_setup.c
@@ -112,25 +112,11 @@
  ******************************************************************************/
 void bl1_platform_setup(void)
 {
-	unsigned int counter_base_frequency;
-
 	/* Initialise the IO layer and register platform IO devices */
 	io_setup();
 
-	/*
-	 * Enable and initialize the System level generic timer. Choose base
-	 * frequency for the timer
-	 */
-	mmio_write_32(SYS_CNTCTL_BASE + CNTCR_OFF, CNTCR_FCREQ(0) | CNTCR_EN);
-
-	/* Read the frequency from Frequency modes table */
-	counter_base_frequency = mmio_read_32(SYS_CNTCTL_BASE + CNTFID_OFF);
-
-	/* The first entry of the frequency modes table must not be 0 */
-	assert(counter_base_frequency != 0);
-
-	/* Program the counter frequency */
-	write_cntfrq_el0(counter_base_frequency);
+	/* Enable and initialize the System level generic timer */
+	mmio_write_32(SYS_CNTCTL_BASE + CNTCR_OFF, CNTCR_EN);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plat/fvp/bl31_plat_setup.c b/plat/fvp/bl31_plat_setup.c
index eb137e0..07987e4 100644
--- a/plat/fvp/bl31_plat_setup.c
+++ b/plat/fvp/bl31_plat_setup.c
@@ -30,9 +30,8 @@
 
 #include <platform.h>
 #include <fvp_pwrc.h>
-#include <assert.h>
-#include <arch_helpers.h>
 #include <console.h>
+#include <bl_common.h>
 
 /*******************************************************************************
  * Declarations of linker defined symbols which will help us find the layout
@@ -129,7 +128,6 @@
 void bl31_platform_setup()
 {
 	unsigned int reg_val;
-	unsigned int counter_base_frequency;
 
 	/* Initialize the gic cpu and distributor interfaces */
 	gic_setup();
@@ -143,15 +141,6 @@
 	mmio_write_32(VE_SYSREGS_BASE + V2M_SYS_CFGCTRL,
 		      (1ull << 31) | (1 << 30) | (7 << 20) | (0 << 16));
 
-	/* Read the frequency from Frequency modes table */
-	counter_base_frequency = mmio_read_32(SYS_CNTCTL_BASE + CNTFID_OFF);
-
-	/* The first entry of the frequency modes table must not be 0 */
-	assert(counter_base_frequency != 0);
-
-	/* Program the counter frequency */
-	write_cntfrq_el0(counter_base_frequency);
-
 	/* Allow access to the System counter timer module */
 	reg_val = (1 << CNTACR_RPCT_SHIFT) | (1 << CNTACR_RVCT_SHIFT);
 	reg_val |= (1 << CNTACR_RFRQ_SHIFT) | (1 << CNTACR_RVOFF_SHIFT);