Fiber cut - response in seconds?

[charles at thewybles.com (Charles Wyble)]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/30/AR2009053002114_pf.html

Not sure if I fully believe the article. Responding to a fiber cut in 
seconds?

I suppose it's possible if $TLA had people monitoring the construction 
from across the street, and they were in communication with the NOC.