DOCKET NO. UT-970324 PAGE 1

BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



In the Matter of Request For Approval of      )
an Agreement to Adopt      )
Interconnection Agreement under the      )   DOCKET NO.  UT-970324
Telecommunications Act of 1996 between   )  
       )
GST LIGHTWAVE (WA), INC.,    )  ORDER APPROVING ADOPTION and       )  OF 
INTERCONNECTION
GTE NORTHWEST, INC.    )  AGREEMENT
       ) 
  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . )

 
  Procedural History.  This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and 
Transportation Commission (“Commission”) for approval of adoption of an 
arbitrated Interconnection Agreement under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 
between GST Lightwave (WA), Inc., (“GST”), and GTE Northwest, Inc., (“GTENW”). 
GST filed a request for approval to adopt the previously approved 
interconnection agreement between MCImetro Access Transmission Services, Inc., 
(“MCIm”), and GTENW in its entirety.  GTENW has entered into the agreement but 
does not waive all rights and remedies it has concerning its position as to the 
illegality or unreasonableness of the terms of the arbitrated agreement.

   The Commission considered the Joint Request in support of the Agreement at 
an open public meeting held on August 27, 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 
adopted agreements for network interconnection and service resale between 
telecommunications providers.

  3.  GTENW 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 and local exchange 
telecommunications services in the state of Washington.

  5.  On August 1, 1997, GST filed with the Commission a request for approval 
of adoption of an arbitrated Interconnection Agreement for network 
interconnection and service resale pursuant to the Act.

  6.  GTENW has entered into the agreement but does not waive all rights and 
remedies it has concerning its position as to the illegality or 
unreasonableness of the terms of the arbitrated agreement.

  7.  The Agreement is an adoption of a previously approved interconnection 
agreement.

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

  9.  The Agreement will facilitate local exchange competition in the state of 
Washington by enabling GST 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 and all parties.

  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 Section 252(e).

  4.  The laws of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation 
of the Agreement.  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 GST 
Lightwave (WA), Inc., and GTE Northwest, Inc., dated July 11, 1997, is approved.

  2.  The laws of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation 
of the Agreement.  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     th day of 
August 1997.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



       WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner