BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



In the Matter of the Request For Approval of Negotiated Agreement Under the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996 Between

US CELLULAR 

and

VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. f/k/a GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED
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		DOCKET NO. UT-970361
		
		ORDER APPROVING NEGOTIATED FIRST AMENDED AGREEMENT FOR WIRELESS INTERCONNECTION

BACKGROUND

1. This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and Transportation 
Commission (Commission) for approval of a negotiated first amended agreement 
(Amended Agreement) for wireless interconnection under the Telecommunications 
Act of 1996 (Telecom Act).  The Amended Agreement is between US Cellular and 
Verizon Northwest Inc. (Verizon), f/k/a GTE Northwest Incorporated.  The 
Commission previously approved an interconnection agreement between the parties 
on December 10, 1997.  The Commission ordered that in the event the parties 
amended their agreement, the amended agreement would be deemed a new agreement 
under the Telecom Act and must be submitted to the Commission for approval. The 
parties filed a joint request for approval of a first amendment on December 27, 
2000.

 MEMORANDUM

2. The Amended Agreement between US Cellular and Verizon was brought before the 
Commission at its regularly scheduled open public meeting of January 24, 2001, 
at its offices in Olympia, Washington.  The Commission granted its approval of 
the Amended Agreement as negotiated and requested by the parties.

 FINDINGS OF FACT

3. 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.


4. Section 252(e)(1) of the Telecom Act requires parties to a negotiated 
agreement 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.

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

6. US Cellular is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission as a 
commercial mobile radio service provider.

7. The Commission previously approved an interconnection agreement between the 
parties on December 10, 1997.  The Commission ordered that in the event the 
parties amended their agreement, the amended agreement would be deemed a new 
agreement under the Telecom Act and must be submitted to the Commission for 
approval.  

8. On December 27, 2000, the parties filed with the Commission a joint request 
for approval of a first amendment to the previously approved interconnection 
agreement, pursuant to the Telecom Act.

9. US Cellular and Verizon voluntarily negotiated the entire amendment.

10. The Amended Agreement does not discriminate against any other 
telecommunications carrier.

11. The Amended Agreement will facilitate local exchange competition in the 
state of Washington.

 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

12. The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject matter and all parties to 
this proceeding.

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

14. The Amended Agreement meets the requirements of Sections 251 and 252 of the 
Telecom Act, including Section 252(e).

15. The laws and regulations of the State of Washington, and Commission orders 
govern the construction and interpretation of the Amended Agreement.  The 
Amended Agreement is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission and the 
Washington courts.

 
 O R D E R

THE COMMISSION ORDERS:

16. The Amended Agreement for wireless network interconnection between  US 
Cellular and Verizon Northwest Inc., f/k/a GTE Northwest Incorporated, which 
the parties filed on December 27, 2000, is approved and effective.

17. In the event that the parties revise, modify, or amend the agreement 
approved herein, the revised, modified, or amended agreement will be deemed to 
be a new negotiated agreement under the Telecom Act and must 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.

18. The laws and regulations of the State of Washington, and Commission orders 
govern the construction and interpretation of the Amended Agreement.  The 
Amended Agreement is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission and the 
Washington courts.

DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 24th day of January, 2001.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner