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

GST TELECOM, INC. 

and

U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   . 	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	) ) ) )
	)
	)	
		
		DOCKET UT-960328
		
		
		FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL          ORDER APPROVING
		AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT
		
BACKGROUND

  This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and Transportation 
Commission (Commission) for approval of an amendment to a previously approved 
interconnection agreement (Agreement) under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 
between GST Telecom, Inc. (GST) and U S WEST Communications, Inc. (U S WEST). 
On March 12, 1999, the parties filed a joint request for approval of the First 
Amendment to Interconnection Agreement (Amendment) between GST and U S WEST for 
the state of Washington. The parties executed the Amendment on February 17, 
1999.
  On April 14, 1999, the Commission convened an open public meeting at its 
offices in Olympia, Washington, to consider the request for approval of the 
Amendment.  At the open meeting, the Commission approved the Amendment.

 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. Section 252(e)(A)(1) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the Act), 
requires parties to fully negotiated agreements to submit the agreement to the 
Docket UT-960328          PAGE 1
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. GST is authorized to provide intrastate interexchange telecommunications 
services and local exchange services within the state of Washington.
  5. The parties filed a joint request for approval of the First Amendment to 
Interconnection Agreement between GST and U S WEST on        March 12, 1998.
  6. The parties voluntarily negotiated the entire Amendment.
  7. The Amendment does not discriminate against any other telecommunications 
carrier.
  8. The Amendment will facilitate local exchange competition in the state of 
Washington by enabling GST to expand its presence in the local exchange market 
and increase customer choices for local exchange services. The provisions of 
the Amendment are consistent with the public interest, convenience, and 
necessity.

 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

  1. The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject matter of and all parties 
to this proceeding.
  2. The Amendment is consistent with the public interest, convenience, and 
necessity.
  3. The Amendment meets the criteria of Sections 251 and 252 of the Act, 
including Section 252(e).
  4. The laws of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation of 
the Amendment and Agreement.  The Amendment and Agreement shall also be subject 
to the present and future decisions of the Commission and the Washington courts.

 ORDER

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS:
  1. The First Amendment to Interconnection Agreement between GST Telecom, 
Inc., and U S WEST Communications, Inc., which the parties executed on February 
17, 1999, is approved.
  2. In the event that the parties revise, modify or amend the Agreement 
previously approved, the revised, modified, or amended agreement shall be 
deemed to be a new negotiated agreement under the Telecommunications 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 of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation of 
the Amendment and Agreement. The Amendment and 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 14th day of          April, 
1999.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


      MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner