Pole Attachments

Want to Attach to Our Poles? We Can Help.

We allow cable TV, telephone and communications attachments, that follow Michigan Public Safety Commission (MPSC) regulations.

We also allow attachments by local governments that follow ordinances and right-of-way agreements. Private attachments are not allowed. Federal and State regulations require that space be provided for communication lines.

What Can Be Attached

What Can't Be Attached

Contact Us

What Can Be Attached to Our Poles

Telecom

Telephone, CATV, Fiber & Broadband Attachments Allowed

All wired pole attachments must meet The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), Michigan Public Safety Commission (MPSC), and Consumer Energy Standards.

Once an agreement has been signed with us, all applications are submitted and managed through the SPIDA application system.

See Our Cable Standards

New Attachment

For new attachment requests after an agreement has been signed, please submit an attachment application via SPIDA.

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Transfers & More

Attachment maintenance for transfers, corrections, violations and etc. are managed through National Joint Utilities Notification System (NJUNS).

Visit NJUNS Visit NJUNS

Maintenance of Longer Cables

For maintenance request of existing cable greater than 2 miles see our Maintenance Process Info Sheet by clicking the button below. Please submit maintenance requests via SPIDA.

See Maintenance Process See Maintenance Process

Service Drop

For service drops, a pole application is needed. Please see our service drop policy by clicking the button below.

See Service Drop Policy See Service Drop Policy

Don’t Have Access to SPIDA? Contact Us and We’ll Help

Step-by-Step Process

Pole Attachment Agreement: Do you have an agreement with CE to attach to poles? A signed agreement is needed before you can apply for pole attachments. Application for New Agreement.
Application Submission and Review: Fill out an application online that includes information on the route of poles, type of attachment(s), pole attachment schematics and details, contacts, billing information, and more. Application fees apply.
Make Ready Engineering & Design: We survey and analyze the poles to ensure all assets and the proposed attachments comply with regulations. Then, we design a solution to allow the proposed attached unless it is not possible.
Cost Letter: We provide a cost letter detailing the work that would be needed to be done in order to make the poles support the attachment and how much the cost share would be.
Applicant Payment: You choose to accept, revise, or cancel the cost letter. Then, you pay the costs for any pole construction and modifications that are needed.
CE Make Ready Construction: Governmental and environmental permits are obtained along with any other construction prerequisites. Then, we perform the pole construction needed to make the poles ready for the attachment.
Permit Approval: Once construction is done in the field, we review the application and approve it to allow you to attach. If any issues are found, a post construction inspection (PCI) can start to fix the issues and finish the permit approval.
Attacher Construction: You can proceed with your construction to attach to the poles.
Final Billing: We send out an invoice for any trued up costs.

Antennas

Antennas Must Meet Our Standards

We only allow antennas from telecommunication companies or municipalities. Solar panels are not allowed to power antennas.

For more information on pole attachment details, click the button below.

See Our Non-Cable Standards

Installing Your Own Pole? Need Electric Service?

If you are installing your own pole to mount antennas and only need electric service from us, please fill out the Small Cell Antenna Service Request: Form 1673. Then Email Us.

Trying to Attach to a Non-Consumers Energy Pole?

If you are trying to attach to a non-Consumers Energy pole, please contact the pole owner.

Process for Attaching Antennas

Apply for Pole Attachment Agreement: Do you have an agreement with CE to attach to poles? A signed agreement is needed before you can apply for pole attachments. Once an agreement is established with us and the rendering(s) are approved, applications for pole attachments can be made via SPIDA. Start New Agreement Process.
CE Standards Approved Rendering: Work with our Standards Department to get an approved pole rendering before you apply to attach to a CE pole. To get new renderings approved please contact us below.
Radio Frequency Study and Application Submission: An RF Study must be signed off by a certified licensed professional engineer. As part of this process Form 1630 should also be filled out. Get Form 1630. Then, fill out an application that includes information on the pole, type of attachment(s), pole attachment schematics and details, contacts, billing information, and more. Application fees apply. Applications are submitted and managed online via SPIDA.
CE Coordination and Make Ready Construction: Once an application has been submitted and validated, we coordinate with you on the project. Next steps are then reviewed to complete the pole attachment.

Banners

Only Cities or Government Agencies May Attach Banners

We only allow municipalities and government agencies to attach banners to the poles. Requests for permanent and temporary installations of banners or signs must go through our team for approval. Note: Temporary installations of banners or signs cannot be more than two poles.

The attaching party must have all necessary permits, licenses, easements, franchises, and consents from property owners and governmental authorities.

For Two or Less Temporary Pole Locations

For temporary banner requests on two or less poles, please contact our business center at 1-800-805-0490 .

Banner Guidelines

Our highest priority is the safety of our employees, our customers, and the public. System reliability must also be considered. The banner must not interfere with the operation and maintenance of our utility facilities. The print on a banner may change out as long as it does not change the pole clearances or attachment equipment.

To see Banner Standards, please see details on Foreign Objects Installed on Company Poles.

Types of Installations

We only allow banners for municipalities and universities.

Span Wire Banners

Vertical Banners

Signs

Process for Attaching Antennas

Apply for a Pole Attachment Agreement: Do you have an agreement with CE to attach to poles? A signed agreement is needed before you can apply for pole attachments. Once an agreement is established with us and the rendering(s) are approved, applications for pole attachments can be made via SPIDA. Application for New Agreement.
CE Standards Approved Rendering: Work with our Standards Department to get an approved pole rendering before you apply to attach to a CE pole. To get new renderings approved please contact us below.
Application Submission and Review: Fill out an application that includes information on the pole, type of attachment(s), pole attachment schematics and details, contacts, billing information, and more. Application fees apply. Applications are submitted and managed online via SPIDA.
CE Coordination and Make Ready Construction: Once an application has been submitted and validated, we coordinate with you on the project. Next steps are reviewed to complete the pole attachment.

Other Attachments

Power Supplies & Fiber Cabinets

For electric service and pole attachment approval for power supplies and fiber cabinets, please fill out the Metered Power Supplies / Fiber Cabinet Application: Form 4005. For non-metered service, please fill out: Form 1664. Then, contact our Business Center at poboxceservicerequest@cmsenergy.com.

security cameras on a power line pole

Cameras & Sensors

We only allow municipalities and government agencies to connect camera and sensor attachments to other poles.

For electric service for cameras and sensors not on CE poles, please contact 1-800-805-0490 or email us at poboxceservicerequest@cmsenergy.com.

Please note: Solar panels are not allowed on CE poles

Step-by-Step Process

Pole Attachment Agreement: Pole Attachment Agreement: Do you have an agreement with CE to attach to poles? A signed agreement is needed before you can apply for pole attachments. Once an agreement is established with us and the rendering(s) are approved, applications for pole attachments can be made via SPIDA. Application for New Agreement.
CE Standards Approved Rendering: Work with our Standards Department to get an approved pole rendering before you apply to attach to a CE pole. To get new renderings approved please contact us below.
Radio Frequency Study and Application Submission: An RF Study must be signed off by a certified licensed professional engineer. As part of this process Form 1630 should also be filled out. Get Form 1630. Then, fill out an application that includes information on the pole, type of attachment(s), pole attachment schematics and details, contacts, billing information, and more. Application fees apply. Applications are submitted and managed online via SPIDA.
CE Coordination and Make Ready Construction: Once an application has been submitted and validated, we coordinate with you on the project. Next steps are reviewed to complete the pole attachment.

What Can't Be Attached to Our Poles

All pole attachments must be approved by Consumers Energy.

Examples Only - Not a Full List

Satellite Dishes

Personal Security Cameras

Personal Antennas

Solar Panels

Bird Houses

Flags

Hanging Flowers

Ad or Signs

Wraps or Decorations

Contact us for inquiries about attachments, a listing of approved contractors, or trouble accessing the SPIDA or NJUNS systems. If you already have an agreement with us and need to apply for a new attachment, please use the SPIDA application system. If you need to speak to the Infrastructure Attachments team, please fill out the form below.

If you see a downed wire, broken pole, stay 25' away, call 9-1-1 and then call us at 800-477-5050. For all life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1.

About the Infrastructure Attachment Team

A Dedicated Team

Our team is responsible for processing pole attachment requests as well as:

Applications
Agreements
Audits
Support & Education