A multiple access, spread spectrum communication system and method for providing high capacity communications to, from, or between a plurality of system users, using code-division-spread-spectrum communication signals. The communication system uses means for providing marginal isolation between user communication signals. The marginal isolation is provided by generating simultaneous multiple steerable beams; using an omni-directional antenna with polarization enhancement; using power control devices to adjust the output power for user generated communication signals either in response to their input activity level, or in accordance with a minimum allowable power for maintaining a communication link. The communication system can also employ a means for transmitting a predetermined pilot chip sequence contiguous with the code-division-spread-spectrum communication signals.In further embodiments the communication system employs a plurality of user terminals linked to each other or to other services through one or more terrestrial or satellite repeaters. Multiple satellite repeaters are operable in a new communication mode to obtain further gains in signal isolation.