ORDER NO. 97-480

ENTERED Dec 16 1997

This is an electronic copy.

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION

OF OREGON

UT 125 Phase II

On October 31, 1997, U S WEST Communications, Inc. (USWC) filed Transmission No. 97-037-PL Supplement No. 1. USWC’s filing introduced a new option associated with Centrex Plus Service, USWC’s principal Centrex-type service, and proposed a nonrecurring charge for the service. The new service is a "chip-in" charge.

The chip-in charge allows customers not wishing to change their telephone number to the existing Centrex Plus system telephone number range to keep their existing telephone number(s) within the normal serving central office. Originally, USWC proposed an $85.00 nonrecurring charge per bulk order of up to 20 lines for the chip-in option. Based on concerns raised by one of the Centrex resellers regarding applying this charge on a per order basis, USWC revised the chip-in rate from the bulk rate to a per-line charge of $4.25. USWC has also added a Uniform Service Order Code for the chip-in charge.

At its November 4, 1997, public meeting, the Commission voted to set its discussion of the chip-in charge over to the December 2, 1997, public meeting. At that meeting, the Commission decided to include the chip-in charge as an issue in the rate design phase of UT 125.

ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that the chip-in charge will be an issue in the rate design phase of UT 125.

Made, entered, and effective ________________________.

A party may request rehearing or reconsideration of this order pursuant to ORS 756.561. A request for rehearing or reconsideration must be filed with the Commission within 60 days of the date of service of this order. The request must comply with the requirements in OAR 860-014-0095. A copy of any such request must also be served on each party to the proceeding as provided by OAR 860-013-0070(2). A party may appeal this order to a court pursuant to applicable law.