Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that facilitates receiving a first group of electromagnetic waves, wherein the first group of electromagnetic waves propagate along a first span of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path and without traversing a first supporting device or a second supporting device. The first span of the transmission medium is supported by the first supporting device and the second supporting device, and the first group of electromagnetic waves convey a first communication signal. The first communication signal is extracted from the first group of electromagnetic waves, and the first communication signal is transmitted to a communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.