DS 98-132
Bell Atlantic - New Hampshire
Request to Introduce Integrated Services Digital Network -
Primary Rate Interface Enhancements and Optional Features
Order Extending the Time for Review by 30 Days
O R D E R N O. 22,998
August 12, 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.
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 cost study details.
The cost study demonstrates that the recurring rates for ISDN-PRI
service enhancements and optional features exceed the cost of
providing the services. Staff notes, however, that many of the
cost study inputs used for developing the recurring rates of
these services 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 also change ISDN-PRI cost inputs in the same manner.
Cost support details also indicate that many of the
cost inputs used for developing the non-recurring charges of
these services differ from the non-recurring charges of similar
services under review in DE 97-171. However, the supporting
details do not provide an explanation as to why such differences
are applicable.
Because BA-NH has not provided an explanation for the
differences in the aforementioned non-recurring charges and
because issues related to service transfers are currently under
review in Docket DE 98-061, Staff recommends that the Commission
extend the time for review. In Staff's opinion, the extra time
will allow BA-NH to provide additional information in support of
the non-recurring charges and the Commission time to review the
impact of BA-NH's proposal to prohibit service transfers. Staff
has made a request to BA-NH for supplemental information that
would provide greater detail in support of the Company's
petition. However, Staff will not have sufficient time to review
this information prior to August 16, 1998, the effective date of
this filing.
We have reviewed the petition and Staff's
recommendation. We commend the Company for attempting to
introduce new services that potentially provide customers access
to advanced telecommunication services. However, we are
concerned about the differences in non-recurring cost inputs
identified by Staff and issues related to the transfer of
services to alternative Carriers or Resellers. We will
therefore, consistent with RSA 378:6, IV, extend the time for
review of this petition for 30 days.
Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby
ORDERED, that pursuant to RSA 378:6, IV the time for
review of this petition is extended for 30 days; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that BA-NH file information necessary
to explain why cost inputs for non-recurring ISDN-PRI charges are
different from cost inputs used in the development of
non-recurring charges of similar services that are currently
under review in DE 97-171.
By order of the Public Utilities Commission of New
Hampshire this twelfth day of August, 1998.
Douglas L. Patch Bruce B. Ellsworth Susan S. Geiger
Chairman Commissioner Commissioner
Attested by:
Thomas B. Getz
Executive Director and Secretary