A communications platform (100) assigns communication channels (58, 78) to users based on a power level associated with the individual users. An available bandwidth for use by the communications platform (100) in segmented into a number of sub-bands using a bank of filters (54, 78). A number of independent communication channels (58, 78) are then provided within each of the sub-bands using an appropriate multiple access scheme (e.g., code division multiple access). A power range is then specified for each of the sub-bands. When a communication connection is to be established, a power level associated with the connection is determined. One or more sub-bands are then identified that have power ranges encompassing the determined power level. A channel is then assigned to the communication connection from one of the identified sub-bands.