DE 97-235

                    BELL ATLANTIC/ATLANTIC CONNECTIONS LTD

                    Order Nisi Approving Resale Agreement

                            O R D E R  N O.  22,824

                                January 6, 1998

   On November 7, 1997, New England Telephone and
Telegraph Company (Bell Atlantic) and Atlantic Connections Ltd.
(ACL) 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 ACL to retail customers.  All business and residence services
requested by ACL are detailed in the Agreement with a mutually
agreed upon percentage discount from the tariff rates. 
   Discounts in this filing range from 17.3% 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. 
Per order 22,692 (August 25, 1997) the SGAT took effect on
October 20, 1997 subject to continued review and approval by the
Commission.  This Agreement is an interim contract which will
govern the parties' terms until the Commission approves the SGAT. 
The parties agree that at that time the SGAT terms will govern.  Bell Atlantic will provide training to ACL regarding
all services requested as well as reasonable amounts of
information to assist marketing efforts.
  Staff recommends approval of this negotiated Agreement 
based on a review of the summary provided by Bell Atlantic, the
Agreement 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 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 ACL is approved; and it is
  FURTHER ORDERED, that pursuant to N.H. Admin. Rules,
Put 1601.05, 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 January 13,
1998 and to be documented by affidavit filed with this office on
or before January 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 January 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 February 3, 1998; and it is
  FURTHER ORDERED, that this Order Nisi shall be
effective February 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 January, 1998.


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


Attested by:



                              
Thomas B. Getz
Executive Director & Secretary