DOCKET NO. UT-960354 PAGE 1
BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



In the Matter of Request For Approval of      )
Negotiated Agreement under the        )   DOCKET NO.  UT-960354
Telecommunications Act of 1996 Between   )  
       )
INTERNATIONAL TELCOM LTD. and  )  ORDER APPROVING NEGOTIATED
US WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.  )  INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT
       ) 
  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . )

 
  Procedural history.  This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and 
Transportation Commission (“Commission”) for approval of a negotiated agreement 
under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 between International Telcom Ltd. 
(“International”) and US WEST Communications, Inc. (“USWC”).  The parties 
jointly filed a request  for approval of Agreement for Local Wireline Network 
Interconnection and Service Resale (“Agreement”) on December 11, 1996.  

   The Commission considered the Joint Request in support of the Agreement, and 
the comments and recommendations of Commission Staff and USWC at an open public 
meeting held on March 6, 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 
negotiated agreements for resale of telecommunications services 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. International is authorized to provide intrastate, interexchange 
telecommunications services and local exchange services within the state of 
Washington.

  5.  On December 11, 1996, International and USWC jointly filed with the 
Commission a request for approval of a negotiated agreement for network 
interconnection and service resale pursuant to the Act.

  6.  The Agreement was the product of voluntary negotiations.

  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 International 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 of and all 
parties to this proceeding.

  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 Sectioin 252(e).

  4.  The laws of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation 
of the Agreement, and the Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive 
jurisdiction of the courts in Washington.  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 network interconnection and service resale between 
International Telcom Ltd. and U S WEST Communications, Inc., dated October 4, 
1996, is approved.






  2.  The laws of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation 
of the Agreement, and the Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive 
jurisdiction of the courts in Washington.  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 11th day of 
March  1996.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



       WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner