Transmission medium comprising a first dielectric that is covered in part by a second dielectric to expose a portion of the first dielectric

A method, comprising:

• receiving, by a transmission medium, signals from a launcher;
• and
• propagating, by the transmission medium, electromagnetic waves guided longitudinally along a dielectric core of the transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves are generated according to the signals, wherein a first portion of an outer surface of the dielectric core is covered by a dielectric strip to reduce exposure of the electromagnetic waves to an adverse environment, wherein the dielectric strip is wrapped around the dielectric core, and wherein a portion of the outer surface of the dielectric core is not covered by the dielectric strip.

A cable, comprising:

• a plurality of dielectric cores;
• and
• a dielectric cladding surrounding at least a portion of the plurality of dielectric cores, wherein the plurality of dielectric cores and the dielectric cladding have different dielectric constants that enable electromagnetic waves having a non-optical frequency range to be bound to the plurality of dielectric cores, wherein the dielectric cladding comprises a plurality of non-contiguous sections longitudinally spread along an axis of each of the plurality of dielectric cores.