By Alabama Public Radio
Alabama – Alabama Power Company is suing a cell phone company and eight cable companies in a dispute over the use of utility poles. The suit says the companies signed contracts to put their transmission equipment on Alabama Power's poles and that equipment will be removed unless the companies pay their rent. Companies included in the suit are Cingular, Charter Communications, Comcast, Coosa Cable, Mediacom, Northland, Sky Cable, Southern Cable and West Alabama Cable. The suit claims more than 1 million dollars in unpaid rent is owed. Both parties have declined comment because of the pending litigation.