Unbalanced quadrature waveform

The present invention generally relates to signal modulation strategies. More specifically, the present invention relates to utilizing unbalanced modulation to provide signals with different modulation energies to different users of a communication system. A method and apparatus utilizing unbalanced modulation for providing users in a communication system with different amounts of effective communication energy according to their individual communication environments. A user's communication energy needs are determined based on conditions such as weather, signal-to-noise ratio, and cell location. Signals destined for a user are modulated according to the determined needs of the user. A signal destined for a user operating in a relatively friendly communication environment is modulated with less effective energy than a signal destined for a user operating in a relatively hostile communication environment.