DE 98-156

BELL ATLANTIC/ICG TELECOM GROUP INC

Order Nisi Approving Resale Agreement

O R D E R  N O.  23,034

October 6, 1998


   On September 10, 1998, New England Telephone and
Telegraph Company (Bell Atlantic) and ICG Telecom Group Inc.
(ICG) jointly filed with the New Hampshire Public Utilities
Commission (Commission) a Resale Agreement (Agreement) negotiated
pursuant to Section 252(e) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996
(TAct).  
  This Agreement establishes terms for the discount
purchase of Bell Atlantic telecommunications services for resale
by ICG to retail customers.  Business and residence services are 
provided to ICG at a mutually agreed upon percentage discount
from the Bell Atlantic tariff rates.  Service establishment
charges and other charges related to providing service are
expressed in dollar amounts.
   Discounts in this filing range from 17.30% to 20.25%
from retail and are the same as the Statement of Generally
Available Terms (SGAT) filed by Bell Atlantic on July 11, 1997.
  All other pricing is consistent with the current SGAT
which includes revisions filed with the Commission on December
22, 1997.  Per Order No. 22,692 (August 25, 1997), the SGAT took
effect on October 20, 1997 subject to continued review and
approval by the Commission.  If the Commission orders changes in
SGAT pricing or discount levels within six months of the
effective date of the Agreement a true-up will occur for all
services previously purchased through the Agreement.  
  Bell Atlantic will provide training to ICG regarding
all services requested as well as reasonable amounts of
information to assist marketing efforts.
  Staff recommends approval of this negotiated Agreement 
based on its review, the summary provided by Bell Atlantic, and
verbal clarification provided by Bell Atlantic.
  We accept Staff's recommendation, finding that the
Agreement meets the standards of 252(e)(2)(A) of the TAct for
approval.  The Agreement does not appear to be discriminatory to
any carrier not a party to the negotiations and is consistent
with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.  We will
approve it on a Nisi basis in order to provide any interested
party an opportunity to submit comments or request a hearing
pursuant to RSA 374:26.
  Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby
  ORDERED NISI, that the Agreement negotiated between
Bell Atlantic and ICG is approved; and it is
  FURTHER ORDERED, that the Petitioner shall cause a copy
of this Order Nisi to be published once in a statewide newspaper
of general circulation, such publication to be no later than
October 13, 1998 and to be documented by affidavit filed with
this office on or before October 20, 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 October 27, 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 November 3, 1998; and it is
  FURTHER ORDERED, that this Order Nisi shall be
effective November 5, 1998, unless the Commission provides
otherwise in a supplemental order issued prior to the effective
date.

  By order of the Public Utilities Commission of New
Hampshire this sixth day of October, 1998.

 
                                                             
Douglas L. Patch     Bruce B. Ellsworth     Susan S. Geiger
    Chairman             Commissioner          Commissioner


Attested by:



                              
Thomas B. Getz
Executive Director & Secretary