Telephone Lines = Weak Link In Alarm Systems?

Monitored home security companies like ADT rely on a phone call initiated from the alarm system in order to take action (which may be calling the police or sending a unit to check out your home personally, depending on the security company and what options you sign up for).  A short news article called Homeowners Discover Loophole in Home Security System brings to light an alarming vulnerability that many of us might not think of: the telephone lines.  If burglars cut the phone lines, there's no way for the alarm system to alert the monitoring company, whether it be ADT or another company.  Though monitored alarms are generally preferable to home security systems that just sound sirens locally, you should realize the possible vulnerability.  The article mentions a backup cell phone call incase the telephone lines are damaged.  This sounds like a good idea and is something you'll want to look into with your alarm company, especially if it's been a few years since you had your system installed (before cell phones became so prevalent).