What is this thing on the phone pole?

The box was made by Silver Spring Networks, a subsidiary of Itron, which makes power meters. (The MAC address gives it away; you can look those up on Wireshark's web site.) So this is probably a collection device for wireless power meters, like the ones Itron makes that use the 902 MHz band. It also may be used in a "smart grid", and may be able to manage certain home devices. The 2.4 GHz capability may be latent, intended for future home device applications.

The MAC comes back to Silver Spring Networks. They make allegedly "Smart" power and gas meters.

Ergo: This is a node that your meters report to, either directly or via mesh.

The node in turn uses SMS to report back to the metering center. It is also how the powerco turns off your service if you don't pay up; no reason to roll a truck to remove the meter and risk a confrontation with an angry resident.

I asked the Media Relations group at the IBEW HQ in Washington for help. Here's a reply from their Director.

Bill Horne Moderator

Bill,

After checking with some other telecom people this is the explanation for the equipment that you are asking about:

"It's actually for the power company system with new technology, every customer will get a new automated meter, equipped with a network radio. The radio transmits meter readings to the access points, housed on the electric pole. This is the access point."

I hope this helps.

Mark

Mark Brueggenjohann Director- IBEW Media International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Is it possible the box is a short-range 5G repeater?

I've heard that the phone companies are placing small repeater boxes on people's lawns and mailboxes, and they don't much like that. This could be such a short-range box, placed on a pole so as to avoid annoying customers by placing it on their property.

This is just a guess, I've read about this but haven't seen any equipment.

best Regina

The air protocol from the meter is simple and unencrypted.