(UK) What are those tall roadside poles that are like lamp-posts, but no lights and a bulge at the top?

Question

I've noticed over the past year an increasing number of these odd poles. They are like lamp posts, but with no light at the top. There is a more bulbous part at the top about 2-3m long maybe. Also there is always some sort of metal box at the base (? containing some electric/electronic equipment). My first guess was these were 3G phone masts, but I've seen several quite close together along a street e.g. 100-200 metres apart, so it seems too close for mobile phone masts. It must be some sort of communication device. Can anyone help?

I've noticed over the past year an increasing number of these odd poles. They are like lamp posts, but with no light at the top. There is a more bulbous part at the top about 2-3m long maybe. Also there is always some sort of metal box at the base (? containing some electric/electronic equipment). My first guess was these were 3G phone masts, but I've seen several quite close together along a street e.g. 100-200 metres apart, so it seems too close for mobile phone masts. It must be some sort of communication device. Can anyone help?

{edit} Yes, thanks so far, my description obviously wasn't that good! Click this link for a picture of what I'm talking about:
http://www.chookang.plus.com/blogpics/poles.jpg
There are two of these poles in the picture (and I'm sure neither of them has a work permit :-)

Answer 1

They are repeaters for cellphones; the reason there are several is that they belong to different providers who won't share poles.

Answer 2

They could be Wi-Fi hotspots. Large metropolitan areas have started to introduce wi-fi networks, and where it's not been possible to incorporate into existing street furniture such as i-point internet kiosks individual masts may have been used as a last resort. They're more likely to be phone masts or CCTV traffic cams however.

Don't rule out the possibility though that they may just be replacements for the ventilation pipes for the rainwater run-off network, which originally were black with a 'crown-like' top to the pole in the capital, with variations of the design elsewhere around the country.

Answer 3

Daisymae...I just bough a swag lamp at the jumble sale held for the school this past June. It is made out of 4 inch strips of copper looped and welded together in a very pleasing, complex design similar to what you would get using a spirograph. It looks really detailed and really beautiful, and I plan on using it as the lamp over my dining table when I have finished the renovations on my home. I think it will fit in just fine with my beachy theme, because it looks very "crafty".

Answer 4

Transformer Poles for Electricity

Answer 5

They are a warning to the drivers that a photo of them is being taken to determine their speed. If they are speeding they will get a ticket in the mail.

Often the poles look like a barber's pole with helical black and white stripes.

Answer 6

Hmm. Difficult to tell exactly what you mean from your description. A link to a photo might be useful if you can find one.

My best guess from what you've said is CCTV traffic cameras, to monitor the flow of traffic and spot traffic jams etc. But without a pic there's no way I can guarantee that's what it is.

Answer 7

Mobile phone masts.

Answer 8

mobile phone mast,they usually have a big box on the ground next to them.

Answer 9

Hmmm, it seems from the above that no-one actually knows for sure... I'm bet Big Brother knows, though... We are monitored throughout our day in various ways, from supermarket 'points' cards to mobile phone usage - there's no such thing as privacy!

Answer 10

The one in my street has a CCTV camera at the top, watching a bad road junction for traffic offences etc. I think its monitored by the police somewhere.