A device includes a zero symbol rate (ZSR) coding/modulation module and a second type coding/modulation module. Both modules generate modulation symbols to be conveyed using the same air link resources but with the non-zero ZSR symbols having a higher power level. The ZSR module generates a mixture of zero and non-zero modulation symbols. A ZSR modulation scheme communicates information using both the position of the non-zero modulation symbols and the phase and/or amplitude of the non-zero modulation symbols. Different ZSR schemes, implementing different ratios relating the number of zero symbols to the total number of symbols, can be associated with different low data rates while second module modulation schemes can be associated with different high data rates. Modulation symbols from two modules are in some embodiments, superimposed. In some embodiments, non-zero ZSR modulation symbols punch out second module modulation symbols which occupy the same air link resource.