On August 8, 2019, 10 Japanese power utility companies collaboratively launched a one-stop shop for selling electric pole location information data to their customers. The utility group includes:

· Hokkaido Electric Power Company

· Tohoku Electric Power Company

· TEPCO Town Planning Company, a subsidiary of TEPCO Power Grid

· Hokuden Information System Service Company, a subsidiary of Hokuriku Electric Power Company

· Kansai Electric Power Company

· Chubu Electric Power Company

· Chugoku Electric Power Company

· Shikoku Electric Power Company

· Kyushu Electric Power Company

· Okinawa Electric Power Company

Through the one-stop shop, buyers will be able to easily purchase electric pole location information from 10 utilities, rather than separately asking each individual company for the data as before.

In Japan, electric poles are installed at intervals of about 30m to 50m, and each power utility assigns a unique identification number to each electric pole. The electric pole data enables users to easily identify unfamiliar locations in areas without conspicuous objects or landmarks. The data can also be used by telecommunication carriers to assist in capital investment planning and existing equipment location management.[1]

[1] http://www.chuden.co.jp/corporate/publicity/pub_release/press/3271596_21432.html