said by cableties:DARWIN AWARD to late Mr Greer in Columbus, OH !
It would be interesting if some bean-counter at the Comm-Behemoths Verizon and ATT would wake to their increased valuation of copper plant (metal cost reclamation, replacement of out-dated terminals, DSL phase out...) and roll out more fiber to rural areas (atleast main trunks which I would think they have already?).
But I think thieves are more for the heavier gauge copper (utility-electrical-grounding lines) than the communication bundles (20-2400pair of insulated/jacketed 20-22 gauge..stripping that alone ain't worth it). Ofcourse, thieves aren't the brightest, till they hit live wire! 
they don't strip it, they burn the insulation off it.
