What are these things on the light and telephone poles in my neighborhood?

February 27, 2009 4:33 PM

What are these things on the light and telephone poles in my neighborhood? They popped up a few months ago and are replicating! Do I need to don my tinfoil cap?

Photograph here: (sorry for the poor quality)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/3315289084_eee51182a7.jpg?v=0

posted by jesirose to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

Response by poster: Oh shoot. Clickable link here
posted by jesirose at 4:34 PM on February 27, 2009

Best answer: Has your city announced plans for a citywide Wi-Fi network? Looks similar to some of the equipment for the network in my city (Minneapolis).
posted by bhayes82 at 4:38 PM on February 27, 2009

Response by poster: Apparently they have! Thanks!
posted by jesirose at 4:39 PM on February 27, 2009

There was talk years ago about wireless utility metering. Could be that.*

*Does not exclude the possible need for head-wear constructed of thin aluminum.
posted by trinity8-director at 4:41 PM on February 27, 2009

Don't give up on the foil just yet. Or, do not use the government wi-fi unless you are ok with them knowing everything you do on the network.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 5:04 PM on February 27, 2009

the govt knows what you do if they want to know and it makes no difference what forms of communication you use, though regular sail mail a safer bet.
posted by Postroad at 7:50 AM on February 28, 2009

They look just like the antennas Google installed in Mountain View for "free" Wi-Fi. My old machine can see their signal, but it's too weak to connect. Some buy repeater antennas, which supposedly work.
posted by Rash at 3:22 PM on February 28, 2009