Electrical power cables are usually routed above aerial cable in order to:

Aesthetics play no role in the technical or safety-driven vertical placement order of power and communications cables on utility structures.

Power cables do not function as structural strength members - messenger wire or steel strand serves that mechanical support purpose in aerial installations.

Protectors are still required on aerial telecommunications cables regardless of whether power cables are routed above them.

Placing power cables in the uppermost position on utility poles or aerial runs means that any direct lightning strike or electrical surge contacts the power conductors first, which are designed and protected to handle such events, diverting the energy away from the more vulnerable telecommunications cables below. This vertical separation is a standard outside plant (OSP) installation practice governed by the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC/ANSI C2) to protect communications infrastructure from direct power strikes.