DOCKET NO. UT-960337 PAGE 1

BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of Request for    )
Approval of Negotiated Agreement   )
under the Telecommunications Act of       )   DOCKET NO.  UT-960337
1996 Between      )  
       )
ELECTRIC LIGHTWAVE, INC.    )   FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL
       )   ORDER APPROVING
and        )   AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT
       )
U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.  ) 
  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . )

 
BACKGROUND

  This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and Transportation 
Commission (Commission) for approval of an amendment to a previously approved 
interconnection agreement (Agreement) under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 
between Electric Lightwave, Inc. (ELI), and U S WEST Communications, Inc. 
(U S WEST).  On February 18, 1999, the parties filed a joint request for 
approval of the First Amendment to Interconnection Agreement (Amendment) 
between ELI and 
U S WEST for the state of Washington.  The parties executed the Amendment on 
Febraury 10, 1999.

  On March 10, 1999, the Commission convened an open public meeting at its 
offices in Olympia, Washington, to consider the request for approval of the 
Amendment.  At the open meeting, the Commission approved the Amendment.


FINDINGS OF FACT

  1. The Commission is an agency of the state of Washington vested by statute 
with the authority to regulate the rates, rules, regulations, practices, 
accounts, securities, and transfers of public service companies, including 
telecommunications companies.

  2. Section 252(e)(1) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Act), requires 
parties to interconnection agreements to submit the agreement to the Commission 
for approval.  Section 252(e)(2)(A) states that the Commission may only reject 
an agreement (or any portion thereof) adopted by negotiation if it finds that:


  (i) the agreement (or any portion thereof) discriminates against a    
telecommunications carrier not a party to the agreement; or

  (ii) the implementation of such agreement or portion is not consistent    
with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

  3. The Commission retains jurisdiction over revisions, modifications, or 
amendments to agreements previously approved pursuant to Section 252 (e) of the 
Act.
  4. U S WEST is engaged in the business of furnishing telecommunications 
services, including, but not limited to, basic local exchange service within 
the state of Washington.

  5. ELI is authorized to provide intrastate and local exchange 
telecommunications services in the state of Washington.

  6. On February 18, 1999, the parties filed a joint request for approval of 
the First Amendment to their previously approved interconnection agreement 
pursuant to the Act.

  7. The parties voluntarily negotiated the entire Amendment.

  8. The Amendment does not discriminate against any other telecommunications 
carrier.

  9. The Amendment will facilitate local exchange competition in the state of 
Washington by enabling ELI to expand its presence in the local exchange market 
and provide customers with increased choices among local exchange services. The 
provisions of the Amendment are consistent with the public interest, 
convenience, and necessity.


CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

  1. The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject matter and all parties.

  2. The Amendment is consistent with the public interest, convenience, and 
necessity.

  3. The Amendment meets the criteria of Sections 251 and 252 of the Act, 
including Section 252(e).

  4. The laws of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation of 
the Amendment and Agreement.  The Amendment and Agreement shall also be subject 
to the present and future decisions of the Commission and the Washington courts.


O R D E R

 THE COMMISSION ORDERS:

  1. The First Amendment to Interconnection Agreement between Electric 
Lightwave, Inc., and U S WEST Communications, Inc., which the parties executed 
on February 10, 1999, is approved.

  2. In the event that the parties further revise, modify or amend the 
Agreement previously approved, the revised, modified, or amended agreement 
shall be deemed to be a new negotiated agreement under the Telecommunications 
Act and shall be submitted to the Commission for approval, pursuant to 47 
U.S.C. § 252(e)(1) and relevant provisions of state law, prior to taking effect.

  3. The laws of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation of 
the Amendment and Agreement.  The Amendment and Agreement shall also be subject 
to the present and future decisions of the Commission and the Washington courts.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 10th day of 
March, 1999.


WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



       RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



       WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner