At least one transmission medium having a dielectric surface that is covered at least in part by a second 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 by the signals, wherein a first portion of an outer surface of the dielectric core is covered by a cladding to reduce exposure of the electromagnetic waves to an adverse environment, wherein the cladding comprises non-contiguous sections of a dielectric material, and wherein the non-contiguous sections have varying diameters, varying longitudinal lengths, or a combination thereof, and wherein a second portion of the outer surface of the dielectric core is not covered by the cladding.

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 dielectric shells longitudinally spread along an axis of each of the plurality of dielectric cores, and wherein the dielectric cladding reduces exposure of the electromagnetic waves to an environment that adversely affects propagation of the electromagnetic waves on the plurality of dielectric cores.