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