Streetlight-based telecommunications system and support unit for use therein

A telecommunications support unit comprising:

• a housing;
• a first powerline connector configured through a first wall of the housing and mateable with a second powerline connector integrated into a luminaire of a streetlight;
• a clamp arranged to mechanically couple the housing to a support arm of the streetlight, the clamp further arranged to reduce mechanical strain on the first powerline connector during coupling of the first powerline connector with the second powerline connector;
• and
• a high-bandwidth communication medium interface configured through a second wall of the housing, the high-bandwidth communication medium interface providing communicative coupling to a plurality of remote radio head devices.

A method comprising:

• electromechanically coupling a telecommunications support unit to a support arm and a luminaire of a first streetlight such that the telecommunications support unit receives utility power from the luminaire;
• establishing a communication link between the telecommunications support unit and at least one remote radio head that is mounted to at least a second streetlight;
• and
• bidirectionally communicating cellular data between the telecommunications support unit and the at least one remote radio head through the communication link.