DS 98-132
                                   
                    BELL ATLANTIC - NEW HAMPSHIRE
                                   
      Request to Introduce Integrated Services Digital Network -
      Primary Rate Interface Enhancements and Optional Features
                                   
       Order Granting Authority to provide Integrated Services
      Digital Network - Primary Rate Interface Enhancements and
                          Optional Features
                                   
                                   
                       O R D E R   N O.  23,016
                                   
                          September 10, 1998
                                   
                                       On July 17, 1998, New England Telephone and Telegraph,
     Company, d/b/a Bell Atlantic - New Hampshire( BA-NH or Company)
     petitioned the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
     (Commission) for authority to introduce Integrated Services
     Digital Network - Primary Rate Interface(ISDN-PRI) enhancements
     and optional features pursuant to RSA 374:22 and RSA 374:26.
     Along with the petition, BA-NH provided cost support data.  
     On August 12, 1998, the Commission extended the time to review
     for 30 days. Order No. 22,998.
         ISDN-PRI service enhancements and optional features,
     according to the Company, include Back-up D Channel capabilities,
     Intercom, Multiple Facility Signaling Control and Network Ring
     Again.  Additionally, this filing proposes other tariff language
     modifications such as extending the existing minimum service
     commitment of one month to 12 months, introducing a new Variable
     Term Payment plan and prohibiting the transfer of services to
     another Carrier or Reseller.
         Staff has reviewed the filing and supplemental cost
     study details. The cost details demonstrate that the recurring
     and non-recurring rates for ISDN-PRI service enhancements and
     optional features exceed the cost of providing such services.
     Therefore, Staff believes the filing is in the public interest
     and recommends approval. Staff notes, however, that many of the
     cost inputs used for developing these rates are identical to cost
     inputs currently under review in Docket DE 97-171, BA-NH's SGAT
     petition. To the extent that certain cost inputs change as a
     result of Staff's investigation in DE 97-171, Staff recommends
     that BA-NH be required to change ISDN-PRI cost inputs in the same
     manner as prescribed in DE 97-171.
         After reviewing the petition and Staff's
     recommendation, we find Bell Atlantic's request to be in the
     public interest.  We commend the Company for introducing new
     services that potentially provide customers access to advanced
     telecommunication services. We will also require Bell Atlantic to
     change recurring and non-recurring rates, if appropriate, so that
     such rates are in congruence with rates established in docket DE
     97-171.
         Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby
         ORDERED, that the proposed request is APPROVED; and it
     is 
         FURTHER ORDERED, that Bell Atlantic will change
     recurring and non-recurring rates, if appropriate, so that such
     rates are in congruence with rates established in docket DE
     97-171.
         By order of the Public Utilities Commission of New
     Hampshire this tenth day of September, 1998.
     
     
                                                                     
        Douglas L. Patch    Bruce B. Ellsworth        Susan S. Geiger
            Chairman           Commissioner            Commissioner
     
     
     Attested by:
     
     
                                      
     Thomas B. Getz
     Executive Director and Secretary