A 5G/6G network can include a modulation scheme for uplink and downlink messaging using a special zero-power modulation level, in addition to the regular amplitude modulation levels of, for example, QAM. The receiver can demodulate each message element by comparing the amplitude to the various amplitude levels, including the zero-power level, and thereby increase the bits per message element, and hence the communication throughput, at no increase in transmitted power. In addition, the zero-power states can reveal intrusive noise and interference in the proximate message, enabling correction before the demodulation. The zero-power amplitude may be added to conventional modulation schemes, such as an additional zero-power amplitude level in QAM, PSK, and amplitude-phase modulation schemes, thereby providing greater versatility at little or no cost and no additional transmission power.