I'll throw in another vote for being part of a smartmeter reader system. They're often used in a store and forward type of setup typically done with SCADA.
Any way you could get a real good zoomed in picture onto the bottom label (the label closest to the pole)?
Let's see if somebody can tell me what the hell this thing is.
Pictures by dkisdatrump - Photobucket
These appear to be Utilinet Radios, (see Ricochet Photos Page 1 (Poletop Radios) at the bottom of the page)
Initially designed and manufactured by Metricom (Ricochet (Internet service) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) then licensed to Schlumberger.
That could be what it is, I wish google would come back with something on the model number. Just wish one of the pics in the links you posted looked more like what is on the pole.
I know there are many different models of the Utilinet radios. I'm far more familiar with the Ricochet infrastructure (both designed by Metricom). Those cases without a doubt look like Metricom hardware.
Any other entity including local government's powered devices always or most always have meters and they have to pay for the electricity they use, even at a reduced or wholesale rate.