Copper wire thefts from cellphone towers [Telecom]

The Phila Inqr reported that people were arrested stealing copper wire from a cell phone tower.

See:

Apparently they were stealing lightning protection wire which would not immediately affect service or cause an alert. But of course if lightning hit the tower it'd get knocked out.

Copper and other metallic scrap is selling at a high price and people are stealing it.

In the 1970s, the Bell System began to pre-wire new houses, putting 4 conductor wire in each room in case a telephone extension would be subsequently desired. I wonder how much unused copper wire is out in homes and businesses.

I don't believe Bell ever removed wire, including thick multi- conductor cables, from a business that disconnected its internal phone system; sometimes they even left behind key telephone units. However, scrap wire in new installations and in central offices was always savevd and recovered.

Is the standard today 6 conductor? Is that wasteful of conductors?