A slew of suspected arson attacks on cell phone towers are infuriating telecommunications companies who say the fires could put people's lives at risk.
The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (TCF) which supports Vodafone, 2degrees and Spark, says there have been 10 attacks on towers across the country in the last six weeks which have damaged and disrupted coverage.
Overseas similar attacks have been reported and linked to a dangerous conspiracy theory which claims the new mobile network 5G has caused the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The theory - which has been disproven and dismissed by many experts - claims that 5G either weakens the immune system so people are more likely to catch COVID-19 or that COVID-19 actually doesn't exist and the pandemic is a vast cover-up to hide the effects of 5G.
Although the theory has been widely disproven suspicious fires continue to damage critical infrastructure across New Zealand.
The vandalism is causing "considerable" damage and could have real implications for those affected by the damaged towers - for example they may not be able to call emergency services if they needed to, or communicate with their families.
Tony Baird the Vodafone NZ Wholesale & Infrastructure Director says the fires are "infuriating".
"They can have real connectivity impacts for New Zealanders – meaning people could have reduced mobile phone and internet coverage in an area with a damaged cell site."
Martin Sharrock, Chief Technology Officer for 2degrees agrees, saying the vandalism is dangerous.
"This is senseless activity and sadly, the greatest damage it causes is to the local homes and businesses who are having their technology cut off at a time when they need it most.”
TCG urges anyone who notices suspicious activity in their neighbourhood to report it to police.
