DOCKET NO. UT-960310 PAGE 1

BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Request For Approval)
of Negotiated Agreement Under the  ) DOCKET NO.
         ) UT-960310
Telecommunications Act of 1996 Between) 
         )  
MCIMETRO ACCESS TRANSMISSION  ) ORDER APPROVING
SERVICES, LLC     ) NEGOTIATED FIRST 
         ) AMENDED   
        ) AGREEMENT FOR
 and       ) INTERCONNECTION 
        ) AND RESALE OF 
        ) SERVICES
U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. )  
  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . ) 


BACKGROUND 

  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 MCImetro Access Transmission Services, LLC 
(MCIm) and U S WEST Communications, Inc. (U S WEST).  The Commission previously 
approved an interconnection agreement between the parties on August 20, 1997 
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 December 13, 1999.

MEMORANDUM

  On December 29, 1999, the Commission convened an open public meeting at its 
offices in Olympia, Washington, to consider the request for approval of the 
Amended Agreement between MCIm and U S WEST.  The Commission granted its 
approval of the Amended Agreement as negotiated and requested by the parties.

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.

DOCKET NO. UT-960310      PAGE 2

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. MCIm is authorized to provide local exchange and intrastate interexchange 
telecommunications services to the public in the state of Washington.

  5. The Commission previously approved an interconnection agreement between 
the parties on August 20, 1997 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.
  
  6. On December 13, 1999, the parties filed with the Commission a joint 
request for approval of a first amendment to the interconnection agreement 
previously approved, pursuant to the Telecom Act.

  7. MCIm and U S WEST voluntarily negotiated the entire amendment.

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

  9. The Amended Agreement will facilitate local exchange competition in the 
state of Washington by enabling MCIm to expand its presence in the local 
exchange market and increase customer choices for local exchange services.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

  1. The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject matter and all parties to 
this proceeding.
DOCKET NO. UT-960310       PAGE 3

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

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

  4. 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:

  1. The Amended Agreement between MCImetro Access Transmission Services, LLC 
and U S WEST Communications, Inc., which the parties filed on December 13, 
1999, is approved and effective.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.
DOCKET NO. UT-960310       PAGE 4

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 29th day of December, 1999.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



      MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner