A method of operating a wireless communications system, comprises encoding (12) information into a low rate code word, providing (20) at least two spatial sub-streams comprising different combinations of bits remaining after puncturing of the low rate code word, simultaneously transmitting (22) each of the at least two spatial sub-streams by way of a respective radio channel, receiving (24) the at least two spatial sub-streams, applying (28) a decoding process to the received at least two spatial sub-streams, and, if the decoding process is unsuccessful, transmitting simultaneously further spatial sub-streams comprising different combinations of bits remaining after puncturing of the low rate code word, at least one of the further spatial sub-streams being a not previously transmitted combination of bits remaining after puncturing of the low rate code word, receiving the further spatial sub-streams and applying the decoding process to the originally received at least two spatial sub-streams and the further sub-streams.