Bell Aliant says residents of Newcastle, Woodstock and Grand Falls may not have TV and internet service due to a cable theft in Fredericton.
The telecommunications company posted on social media that crews are working to fix the issue. It added that the service would be back later in the afternoon.
Jacqueline Michelis, a spokesperson for the company, said in an email that copper theft has accounted for more than 80 per cent of the theft and vandalism Bell Aliant’s national network has experienced in recent years.
“Bell has been working with the provincial and federal governments to make them aware of the impact copper theft has had to telecommunications network,” Michelis said.
“This work includes asking the federal government to amend the criminal code to create specific offences under the existing provisions for mischief and theft that specifically targets telecommunications, telecommunications facilities, and telecommunications services.”
Last November, copper and fibre optic cables were stolen in Miramichi, leaving residents without internet or phone service.
