DOCKET NO. UT-970314 PAGE 1
BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of Request For Approval of      )
an Agreement to Adopt Negotiated   )
Interconnection Agreement under the      )   DOCKET NO.  UT-970314
Telecommunications Act of 1996 between   )  
       )
U S WEST NEWVECTOR GROUP, INC., )  ORDER APPROVING ADOPTION and        )  OF 
NEGOTIATED
U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.  )  INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT
       ) 
  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . )

 
  Procedural History.  This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and 
Transportation Commission (“Commission”) for approval of an Agreement to Adopt 
Negotiated Interconnection Agreement under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 
between U S WEST NewVector Group, Inc., (“NewVector”) and U S WEST 
Communications, Inc., (“USWC”).  The parties jointly filed a request for 
approval to adopt the previously approved wireless interconnection agreement 
between United States Cellular Mobile Telephone Network and USWC in its 
entirety.  

   The Commission considered the Joint Request in support of the Agreement at 
an open public meeting held on August 27, 1997.


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.  The Commission is authorized by Section 252(e) of the Communications Act 
of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (“Act”), to approve 
adopted agreements for network interconnection between telecommunications 
providers.

  3.  USWC is engaged in the business of furnishing telecommunications 
services, including, but not limited to, basic local exchange service within 
the state of Washington.

  4. NewVector is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission as a 
commercial radio service provider.

  5.  On June 5, 1997, NewVector and USWC jointly filed with the Commission a 
request for approval of an Agreement to Adopt Negotiated Interconnection 
Agreement for network interconnection pursuant to the Act.

  6.  The Agreement is an adoption of a previously approved wireless 
interconnection agreement.

  7.  The Agreement does not discriminate against any other telecommunications 
carrier.

  8.  The Agreement will facilitate local exchange competition in the state of 
Washington by enabling NewVector to enter the local exchange market and provide 
customers with increased choices among local exchange services.


CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

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

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

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

  4.  The laws of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation 
of the Agreement.  The 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 Agreement for wireless network interconnection between U S WEST 
NewVector Group, Inc., and U S WEST Communications, Inc., dated May 8, 1997, is 
approved.






  2.  The laws of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation 
of the Agreement.  The 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     th day of 
August 1997.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner

       WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner