I suppose it gets down to whether you have Delta or wye distribution. Wye by definition has a neutral. Now is the difference also defining whether the grounded/grounding conductor is on top?
The 13kv wye in front of my house has the ground on the bottom, the 250kv line behind my house has the ground on top (that is presumably delta)
That might only be anecdotal tho. One is neighborhood distribution (with cable TV and 120/240 on the pole) and one serves the next town. Maybe it is just down low for safety or convenience to tap off the pole pigs.
