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
AT&T COMMUNICATIONS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, INC.,
and
QWEST CORPORATION, f/k/a U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
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	)	        DOCKET NO. UT-960309 
		         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 AT&T Communications of the 
Pacific Northwest, Inc., (AT&T) and Qwest Corporation (Qwest), f/k/a U S WEST 
Communications, Inc. The Commission previously approved an interconnection 
agreement between the parties on July 11, 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 November 16, 2000.
MEMORANDUM 
                  2.          The Amended Agreement between AT&T and Qwest was 
brought before the Commission at its regularly scheduled open public meeting of 
December 13, 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.          Qwest is engaged in the business of furnishing 
telecommunications services, including, but not limited to, basic local 
exchange service within the state of Washington.
                  6.          AT&T 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 July 11, 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 November 16, 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.          AT&T and Qwest 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 by enabling AT&T 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 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 between AT&T 
Communications of the Pacific Northwest, Inc., and Qwest Corporation, f/k/a U S 
WEST Communications, Inc., which the parties filed on November 16, 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 13th day of 
December, 2000. 
                  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
                                                              MARILYN 
SHOWALTER, Chairwoman 
                                                              RICHARD HEMSTAD, 
Commissioner 
                                                               WILLIAM R. 
GILLIS, Commissioner