A system and method for synchronous spectrum sharing for use in a wireless communication system based on orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) signaling is disclosed. The system includes a frame detector configured to detect a frame of a broadcast waveform and extract sub-carrier information from a subframe or Secondary User Map (SU MAP). SU MAP includes information on usable sub-carrier and pilot sub-carriers for secondary users. The system allows transmitting data from the secondary user node in unused sub-carriers thereby making efficient use of unused or idle spectrum. Accordingly, secondary users of wireless communication systems can dynamically form ad-hoc mesh network communications in fixed or mobile scenarios.