The IROB (In Range, Out of Building) protector is designed to address the dangers poised by the electrical characteristics of off-premesis extensions. Many Avaya installation guides (particularly the Partner ACS) insist that IROBs be used for Off-Premesis or long haul extensions.
Burial of the cable provides physical protection, but IROBs handle the problems of electrical potential differences and such.
Claims about IROB protection can be found at the US Patent Office at
https://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5606489-claims.html.