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

ADVANCED TELCOM GROUP, INC.

and

U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
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	)	DOCKET NO. UT-980390
		
		ORDER APPROVING NEGOTIATED FIRST AMENDED AGREEMENT FOR INTERCONNECTION AND 
RESALE SERVICES

BACKGROUND 

  1. This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and Transportation 
Commission (Commission) for approval of a negotiated first amended agreement 
(Amended Agreement) under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecom Act).  
The Amended Agreement is between Advanced Telcom Group, Inc. (ATG), and U S 
WEST Communications, Inc. (U S WEST).  The Commission previously approved an 
interconnection agreement between the parties on December 9, 1998, and 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 first amendment and a joint 
request for approval on 
March 9, 2000.

MEMORANDUM

  2. The amended agreement between ATG and U S WEST was brought before the 
Commission at its regularly scheduled open public meeting of March 22, 2000, 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. 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.

  6. ATG is authorized to provide telecommunications services to the public in 
the state of Washington.

  7. The Commission previously approved an interconnection agreement between 
the parties on December 9, 1998, and 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 March 9, 2000, the parties filed with the Commission a joint request 
for approval of a first amendment (Amendment) to the interconnection agreement 
previously approved, pursuant to the Telecom Act.

  9. The Amendment consists in its entirety of arrangements selected from an 
agreement previously approved by the Commission on January 8, 1997, in Docket 
No. UT-960323 (Prior Agreement).  The Commission approved an amendment to the 
Prior Agreement as a negotiated first amended agreement on July 28, 1999.  The 
Commission approved a negotiated second amended agreement on March 10, 2000.   

  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 by enabling ATG to expand its presence in the local 
exchange market and increase customer choices for local exchange services.

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 shall govern the construction and interpretation of the Amended 
Agreement.  The Amended Agreement shall also be subject to the jurisdiction of 
the Commission and the Washington courts.

O R D E R

 THE COMMISSION ORDERS:

  16. The Amended Agreement between Advanced Telcom Group, Inc., and    U S 
WEST Communications, Inc., which the parties filed on March 9, 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 shall be deemed to 
be a new negotiated agreement under the Telecom 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.

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

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 22nd day of March, 2000.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



      MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner