Forward error correction (FEC) m-bit symbol modulation. Any desired FEC, error correction code (ECC), and/or combination thereof generates coded bits for combination with either uncoded bits, separately generated coded bits, and/or combination thereof to generate a number of symbols that undergo mapping to a constellation whose respective constellation points have a mapping characterized by a maximum minimum intra-Euclidean distance between the respective constellation points thereby generating a sequence of discrete-valued modulation symbols. The sequence of discrete-valued modulation symbols may then undergo modulation of any of a number of different operations (e.g., digital to analog conversion [e.g., digital to analog converter (DAC)], scaling, frequency shifting, filtering, etc.) to generate a continuous time signal for transmission via a communication channel. Such a device operative to perform including such functionality, circuitry, capability, etc., may be implemented to be operative within any desired communication system (e.g., satellite, wireless, wired, fiber-optic, and/or combination thereof, etc.).