>>>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/06/georgian-woman-cuts-web-access
>>
>>"It is heavily protected, but landslides or heavy rain may have exposed it to scavengers."
>>
>>Direct burial, with no conduit. Around here the chipmunks would have a field day.
>
>Cable theft is a growing problem. And they'd happily take the conduit as well.

I agree, but not by a little old lady with a spade.