A dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) includes a plurality of volumes of dielectric materials having N volumes, N being an integer equal to or greater than 3, disposed to form successive and sequential layered volumes V(i), i being an integer from 1 to N, and a signal feed disposed to produce a main E-field component having a defined direction, Ē, in the DRA. The N volumes include a non-gaseous dielectric material, and have an inner region with a dielectric constant that is less than the dielectric constant of the non-gaseous dielectric material. The inner region has a cross sectional overall height Hr, and a cross sectional overall width Wr in a direction parallel to Ē, and the volume of non-gaseous dielectric material has a cross sectional overall height Hv, and a cross sectional overall width Wv in a direction parallel to Ē, wherein Hr is greater than Wr/2.