Nearly 30,000 people – including scientists, doctors and environmental organisations – have signed a petition on the website 5gspaceappeal.org.

It appeals for major world organisations, such as the UN, World Health Organisation (WHO), and EU to "urgently halt the development of 5G".

But many mainstream scientists dismiss the claims and there is no conclusive proof of cancer causing radiation from phones.

The WHO said there has been no evidence of detrimental effects caused by mobile phones despite studies conducted over two decades.

According to the site, wireless networks are "harmful for humans" and the development of the next generation is "defined as a crime" under international law.

The website states: "We the undersigned scientists, doctors, environmental organisations and citizens from various countries, urgently call for a halt to the deployment of the 5G (fifth generation) wireless network, including 5G from space satellites.

"5G will massively increase exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation on top of the 2G, 3G and 4G networks for telecommunications already in place.

"RF radiation has been proven harmful for humans and the environment. The deployment of 5G constitutes an experiment on humanity and the environment that is defined as a crime under international law."

Telecommunications companies worldwide are poised to roll out 5G within the next two years.

The plan will pave the way for super-high-speed internet and could create "smart" homes, businesses and highways.

But according to the administrator of the campaign, Arthur Firstenberg, it will increase the levels of radiation on the planet to a point in which "no one can escape it" anywhere on the planet.

The current network, 4G, has had detrimental effects on the human population as well as the environment, according to the author.

He added: "Despite widespread denial, the evidence that radio frequency (RF) radiation is harmful to life is already overwhelming."

Ecological systems on the planet will also be devastated by the plans and 4G has already caused "plummeting populations" of bees, birds and butterflies – it is claimed.

But despite the shocking claims, the scientific consensus to date is that there is no evidence linking cancer to mobile phones.

Public Health England said: "Some 5G technology will use similar frequencies to existing communications systems. Other 5G technology will work at higher frequencies, where the main change would be less penetration of radio waves through materials, for example walls.

"While a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves is possible when 5G is added to the existing network, the overall exposure is expected to remain low and well within the guidelines from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection."

5G promises to be the "largest step forward for mobile technology yet", and will be offering a lot more than fast speeds.

All of the phone makers in question have signed up to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G NR modem – which is paving way for 5G.

The modem is ready for 5G – but it is not currently available on any smartphones.