DR 98-027
                                     
                               Bell Atlantic
                                     
                      Special Contract Amendment with
                        CFX Bank for Centrex Service
                                     
                         Order Approving Amendment
                                     
                          O R D E R  N O.  22,878
                                     
                              March 23, 1998
         
         On March 3, 1998, New England Telephone and Telegraph
     Company d/b/a Bell Atlantic (Bell Atlantic), filed with the New
     Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (Commission), pursuant to
     RSA 378:18, a Special Contract Amendment (Amendment) with CFX
     Bank for Centrex Service at a location that is additional to the
     special contract approved by Order No. 22,557 (April 15, 1997). 
     In support of its petition, Bell Atlantic filed an amendment
     overview and a cost study associated with the amendment.
         The filing also included a Motion for Confidentiality
     to exempt certain data in the cost study and various information
     in the amendment from public disclosure.  The Motion for
     Confidentiality was granted by Order No. 22,873 (March 11, 1998).
         The previously approved Centrex contract provides a mix
     of analog and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines to
     five CFX locations in Keene, New Hampshire.  Provisions in the
     Special Contract provide for additional services to be added at
     other CFX locations in New Hampshire on a price-per-line basis.
     This Amendment adds a new CFX location and increases the total
     number of lines allowed under the contract by two percent.
         As directed in DR 97-035 by Order No. 22,545, Bell
     Atlantic has published notice of this special contract amendment
     filing with a 14-day period for comments which ended on March 18,
     1998.  No comments have been received by the Commission regarding
     this filing.
         The Centrex Service provided by this Special Contract
     was a competitive alternative to Private Branch Exchange (PBX)
     Service and approval of the initial contract and this amendment
     allows Bell Atlantic to respond to the competitive market.  The
     cost data demonstrates that the proposed rates for Centrex
     Service exceed the relevant costs, thus, Staff has recommended
     that the Commission approve this Special Contract.
         We have reviewed the petition and the Staff
     recommendation and find the proposed Amendment to be in the
     public interest.
         Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby
         ORDERED, that Bell Atlantic's Special Contract
     Amendment with CFX Bank is APPROVED; and it is
         FURTHER ORDERED, that the Commission retains authority
     to approve any assignment by Bell Atlantic of its rights and
     obligations under this Special Contract; and it is
         FURTHER ORDERED, that during any rate case or rate
     redesign filed by Bell Atlantic during the life of this Special
     Contract, the Commission will consider whether any changes should
     be made to the revenue requirements or cost studies as a result
     of the rates afforded CFX Bank in this Special Contract.
         By order of the Public Utilities Commission of New
     Hampshire this twenty-third day of March, 1998.
     
     
                                                                            
        Douglas L. Patch                  Bruce B. Ellsworth               
            Chairman                    Commissioner        
     
     Attested by:
     
     
     
                                      
     Thomas B. Getz
     Executive Director and Secretary