BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

  
In the Matter of the Petition of 
U S WEST Communications, Inc., 
For Waiver of Administrative Rules
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	)	DOCKET NO. UT-000046
		
		ORDER GRANTING WAIVER OF RULES


  On January 13, 2000, U S WEST Communications, Inc., (USWC) filed a petition 
with the Commission for an order requesting waiver of the requirements of the 
following Commission rules:
  WAC 480-120-138(4), (posting requirements);
   WAC 480-120-138(5)(h), (two-way service); and
   WAC 480-120-138 (6), (Restrictions)

  The waiver will apply only to USWC’s limited access inmate phones located at 
prisons, correctional facilities and other penal institutions. The service is 
offered out of USWC’s deregulated services catalog.  

  USWC requests the current waiver for administrative purposes.   Effective 
January 29, 1999, the Commission adopted changes to WAC 480-120-138 resulting 
in new subsections within the rule for the posting and two-way service 
requirements.  Subsection (6) of this rule allows a pay phone service provider 
to limit the operational capabilities of a payphone as provided for in 
subsection (5) of the rule only when directed by the Commission through 
approval of a waiver.

  Prior to the adoption of the rules amendments,  USWC had sought and received 
a waiver from the Commission under Docket No. UT-910193 of the following 
posting and operational requirements of payphone service provided at penal 
institutions:
 480-120-137(2), (911 and emergency access);
 480-120-138(3), (emergency access); 
 480-120-138 (5), (emergency numbers posted);
 480-120-138 (6), (service assistance and refunds);
            480-120-138 (7), (number of telephone displayed);
            480-120-138 (10), (access to all IXCs);
            480-120-138 (11), (two-way service);
 480-120-141(1)(a), (sticker requirements);
    480-120-141(1)(b)(ii) and (iii), (other providers); and
    480-120-141(4) (emergency calls)

Under its order in Docket UT-910193, the Commission indicated that services 
would be provided to inmates to place semi-automatic collect calls only, using 
coin-less pay telephones in limited access areas of the facility.  All calls 
from the inmate phones would


DOCKET NO. UT-000046        Page 2

be collect only, with no authorization for credit card calls, third number 
billing or direct dials.  USWC would block all 800, 900, and 976 calls, as well 
as 911 access and directory assistance.  The Commission found that it was 
appropriate to grant the waivers due to the restricted and specialized nature 
of USWC inmate services. 

  USWC has not modified the manner in which it provides inmate services. Having 
received the waivers in Docket UT-910193, USWC  believes that it is currently 
in compliance with the existing requirements of WAC 480-120-138.  However, USWC 
believes that it is appropriate to seek the current waiver for adminstrative 
purposes so that its authority is updated to reflect the new subsections of WAC 
480-120-138.

FINDINGS

THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1. U S WEST Communications, Inc., is a public service company 
 subject to the jurisdiction of this Commission under the provisions of Chapter 
80.36 RCW.

  2. It appears, upon investigation, that the request for waiver of 
 Commission rules by U S WEST Communications rules is reasonable and consistent 
with the public interest and should therefore be granted.


O R D E R

  1. After the effective date of this order and subject to the conditions 
hereof, the petition of U S WEST Communications, Inc., filed with the 
Commission requesting waiver of the following Commission rules is hereby 
granted, applicable only to applicant’s limited access inmate phones: WAC 
480-120-138(4), (5)(h), and (6).

  2. This order shall in no way affect the authority of this Commission 
over rates, service or accounts, evaluations, estimates, or determination of 
cost or any matters whatsoever that may come before it, nor shall anything 
herein be construed as an acquiescence in any estimate or determination of 
costs or any valuation of property claimed or asserted.









DOCKET NO. UT-000046        Page 3

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this         day of February, 
2000.


  WASHINGTON  UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


      CAROLE WASHBURN, Secretary