[hexleo]

In some ways, you are right. In China, some facts prove countryside's copper is often stolen.Chinese operators has a same measure, they call it "Fiber In, Copper Out"(translate for English it's so hard for me), first is improve network speed, second is reduce copper costs due to stolen. They prefer build fiber in countryside, rather than upgraded copper.

[walshemj]

I worked for a consulting enginer in the 80's and our telecom guy said the same about African states use microwave for long links as the copper gets nicked.