Modulation and coding for a high altitude platform is disclosed. An example method includes determining a first modulation scheme and a first coding scheme that is spectrally efficient for a feeder link communicatively coupled to a gateway antenna and determining a second modulation scheme and second coding scheme that is robust for user links communicatively coupled to respective user antennas. Each user antenna is configured to communicate with a specified cell within a specified area. The example method also includes provisioning the telecommunications apparatus with the first modulation scheme, the first coding scheme, the second modulation scheme, and the second coding scheme.