The base station includes an encoder that encodes a first set of bits of MTC information with a first coding rate and encodes a second set of MTC information bits with a second coding rate. The first set and second set of bits are modulated using layered modulation and broadcast within the service area of the base station in a first transmission such that the first set of bits can be recovered using the low modulation order and the second set of bits can be recovered using the high modulation order. A relay station receives, demodulates and decodes the first transmission to recover at least the second set of bits. The relay station transmits a second set transmission including at least the second set of bits to at least one MTC device that did not recover the second set of bits from the first transmission.