DS 98-057
Bell Atlantic
Petition to Introduce Private Switch/Automatic Location
Identification
Order Nisi Granting Conditional Approval
O R D E R N O. 22,944
May 19, 1998
On April 17, 1998, Bell Atlantic filed with the New
Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (Commission) a petition
seeking authority to introduce Private Switch/Automatic Location
Identification service (PS/ALI). The technology associated with
this service enables an E911 operator to locate an E911 caller
who is calling from a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) extension
line. According to Bell Atlantic, the "estimated annual revenue
effect of this filing is diminutive,".
Staff has reviewed the filing and cost study details.
The cost study demonstrates that the PS/ALI rates exceed the cost
to provide the service. Staff notes, however, that many of the
cost study inputs used to develop PS/ALI rates are identical to
cost inputs currently under review in Docket DE 97-171, Bell
Atlantic's petition for approval of its SGAT tariff. To the
extent that certain cost inputs change as a result of Staff's
investigation in DE 97-171, Staff recommends that Bell Atlantic
be required to also change PS/ALI rates in the same manner.
After reviewing the petition and Staff's
recommendation, we find Bell Atlantic's request to be in the
public interest. Approval will provide an important public
safety service to those customers purchasing PS/ALI by providing
E911 operators additional information about the location of
callers making E911 calls from a PBX extension line. Heretofore,
such E911 calls could only be traced back to the location of the
main PBX operator and not the location of the actual caller. We
will also require Bell Atlantic to change PS/ALI rates, if
appropriate, so that such rates are in congruence with the rates
established in docket DE 97-171.
Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby
ORDERED NISI, that the proposed request is APPROVED;
and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that Bell Atlantic will change such
rates so that they are in congruence with rates established in DE
97-171 ; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that pursuant to N.H. Admin. Rules,
Puc 1604.03 or Puc 1605.03, the Petitioner shall cause a copy of
this Order Nisi to be published once in a statewide newspaper of
general circulation or of circulation in those portions of the
state where operations are conducted, such publication to be no
later than May 26, 1998 and to be documented by affidavit filed
with this office on or before June 2, 1998; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that all persons interested in
responding to this petition be notified that they may submit
their comments or file a written request for a hearing on this
matter before the Commission no later than June 9, 1998; and it
is
FURTHER ORDERED, that any party interested in
responding to such comments or request for hearing shall do so no
later than June 16, 1998; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that this Order Nisi shall be
effective June 18, 1998, unless the Commission provides otherwise
in a supplemental order issued prior to the effective date; and
it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that the Petitioner shall file a
compliance tariff with the Commission on or before June 18, 1998,
in accordance with N.H. Admin. Rules, Puc 1603.02(b).
By order of the Public Utilities Commission of New
Hampshire this nineteenth day of May, 1998.
Douglas L. Patch Bruce B. Ellsworth Susan S. Geiger
Chairman Commissioner Commissioner
Attested by:
Claire D. DiCicco
Assistant Secretary