Order 15528 - Bell Atlantic: Customer Specific Pricing Contracts

 

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

ORDER

WHEREAS, On May 22, 1997, the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company, d/b/a Bell Atlantic - Rhode Island ("Bell Atlantic") filed an amendment to its tariff No. 15, Part A, Section 1, adding as Page 45 certain Customer Specific Pricing Contracts;  [1 The tariff language was amended on July 17, 1997.] and

WHEREAS, The matter was docketed as Docket No. 2576; and

WHEREAS, Following public notice, on December 16, 1997, a hearing was conducted at the offices of the Commission, 100 Orange Street, Providence. The following appearances were entered at that time:

FOR BELL ATLANTIC:         John B. Messenger, Esq.

FOR THE DIVISION:             Alan M. Shoer, Esq.

Special Assistant Attorney General

FOR AT&T:                            Melinda T. Milberg, Esq.

FOR BROOKS FIBER:           Robert Glass, Esq.

FOR COX RHODE ISLAND: Brian T. Fitzgerald, Esq.

FOR THE COMMISSION:     Adrienne G. Southgate

General Counsel

WHEREAS, After some testimony had been received, the parties agreed with the presiding commissioner that an informal technical session might permit them to develop a consensus; and

WHEREAS, The Commission permitted the parties to work informally, but advised that the suspension period would run on December 23, 1997, so that Bell Atlantic had the option to withdraw its filing if consensus could not be reached; and

WHEREAS, Due to the unavailability of some of the parties' consultants, Bell Atlantic voluntarily withdrew the filing on December 18, 1997; and

WHEREAS, Bell Atlantic re-filed the Customer Specific Pricing tariff on January 9, 1998, and the tariff was newly docketed as Docket No. 2676; and

WHEREAS, The Division, [2 The Division's memorandum recommending that the tariff be allowed to take effect without suspension was dated January 29, 1998.] MCI, and Cox did not oppose the tariff as filed; and

WHEREAS, AT&T  [3 AT&T authorized Bell Atlantic to notify the Commission that AT&T would not object to the tariff if a single additional change were made, to which Bell Atlantic subsequently agreed.] and Brooks Fiber ultimately expressed their concurrence;  [4 Brooks' concurrence was obtained and conveyed to the Commission by letter dated February 3, 1998.] and

WHEREAS, The Commission considered the matter filing at an open meeting on February 10, 1998; and

WHEREAS, The Commission unanimously agreed that the tariff was reasonable and in the best interests of ratepayers;

Accordingly, it is

(15528) ORDERED:

The Customer Specific Pricing tariff is hereby approved as filed.

EFFECTIVE AT PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND PURSUANT TO AN OPEN MEETING DECISION ON FEBRUARY 10, 1998. WRITTEN ORDER ISSUED FEBRUARY 12, 1998.

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION