Flexibly configurable layer one transport channels produce radio blocks in response to communication information and extract communication information from radio blocks. Each transport channel can include an encoder or a decoder coupled to and cooperable with a data puncturer or a data repeater. An information source can produce for each transport channel first configuration information and second configuration information, wherein the first configuration information is indicative of how the associated transport channel is to be configured if a first modulation type is used for a current radio block, and wherein the second configuration information is indicative of how the associated transport channel is to be configured if a second modulation type is used for the current radio block. The physical layer can include a description information source that provides description information from which various configurations of the transport channels can be determined. The description information source provides the description information in the physical layer in response to further information which the description information source receives from a higher layer and which is indicative of a service request initiated by a communication network.