[throwawayacc3]

In Africa for sure. People kept digging up phone lines and phone infrastructure to sell the copper. Service was always down, or spotty at best. Cell sites were easier to secure (they're defended like military installations, razor wire and all) from scavengers, and you need a lot less of them to service a large number of people.

Source: I've spent a lot of time in West Africa.

[Scoundreller]

> People kept digging up phone lines and phone infrastructure to sell the copper.

This became a bigger problem in South Africa with its reliable load shedding schedules.