DS 98-225
                                
                         Bell Atlantic
                                
    Request to Introduce National 411 Directory Assistance 
                                
         Order Extending the Time to Review by 30 Days
                                
                    O R D E R   N O.  23,118
                                
                        January 27, 1999
                                
       On December 28, 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 National 411( N-411)
     Directory Assistance pursuant to RSA 374:22 and RSA 374:26. 
     Along with the petition, BA-NH provided cost information.
       This filing introduces National directory assistance
     for customer listings situated outside of New Hampshire. All a
     customer needs to do, according to the Company, is to dial 411
     and tell the Bell Atlantic operator the desired city, state and
     listing name.  The proposed rate is $0.95 per call. 
       Staff has reviewed the filing and cost support
     information. Based on the Bell Atlantic cost study, the proposed
     recurring rates for N-411 service exceed costs.  The Cost support
     information, however, includes a number of inputs and cost
     factors which differ from Total Element Long Run Incremental
     Costs (TELRIC) inputs and TELRIC factors currently under review
     in DE 97- 171, Bell Atlantic's Statement of Generally Available
     Terms (SGAT) proceeding.  In addition, some of the inputs and
     cost factors contained in this cost study differ from inputs and
     cost factors contained in previous retail service filings.  This
     cost study differs from previous studies because, according to
     Bell Atlantic, internal cost studies are periodically updated. 
     As this filing is the first time Staff has had an opportunity to
     review the new, updated version of Bell Atlantic's cost study,
     Staff recommends extending the time to review by 30 days. An
     extension will provide Staff additional time to review the new
     inputs, cost factors and sources of information in the BA-NH cost
     study.  
       Because BA-NH has filed a cost study containing new
     inputs and cost factors, we will extend the time to review the
     filing for 30 days. The extension will provide Staff additional
     time to make its recommendation regarding the relationship
     between retail rates and costs.   
       Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby Bell Atlantic
       ORDERED, that pursuant to RSA 378:6 IV the time to
     review this petition is extended for 30 days.
     
       By order of the Public Utilities Commission of New
     Hampshire this twenty-seventh day of January, 1999.
     
     
                                                                      
           Douglas L. Patch       Susan S. Geiger     Nancy Brockway
               Chairman           Commissioner          Commissioner
     
     
     
     Attested by:
     
     
                                     
     Thomas B. Getz
     Executive Director and Secretary