What is this weird tech hardware on Chicago utility poles?
June 16, 2017 10:06 AM

What is this weird tech hardware on Chicago utility poles?

Recently I've been noticing the pictured type equipment going up on utility poles (mostly streetlights) all around downtown Chicago. The lower part looks kind of like a WiFi router, but the upper "cone" thing on top of the pole is quite large. There are tons of cables in and out of all components. Emergency communications system? Just curious.
posted by Mid to Technology (3 answers total)
My first thought was that it's part of the shotspotter things that the cops use to try and triangulate where shots happen. That said I'm not quite sure that they look the same as that photo.
posted by Carillon at 10:11 AM on June 16, 2017


Looks like an AT&T Distributed Antenna System . More info.
posted by djb at 10:58 AM on June 16, 2017


That looks like it! Too bad I use Verizon. Thanks
posted by Mid at 2:35 PM on June 16, 2017


« Older What's a bitcoin really worth to an American?   |   To-ronto or not To-ronto? That is (not exactly)... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.