[TWhiteBear]

It is understandable that a lot of information has been omitted or vaguely phrased. The investigation is ongoing.
A disgruntled employee would have to be disgruntled at quite a few companies, over a wide area and over a considerable period of time.
If the motive to cut the fiber optic cables was to steal copper, then we have a better idea about the intelligence of the perp(s).
Taking out 20% of the coverage in the Sacramento region is not like 911, but more than chopped liver.
I do not see terrorism/terrorists being ruled out. They would seem to have a good reliable source with good and current maps, diagrams, and schematics.
It will be interesting to see how the investigation develops.
TWB

[texas booster]

I would start looking at union sabotage.

They know what to cut and where.