DOCKET NO. UT-970379 PAGE 1


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

Columbia River Cellular Partnership, L.P. and GTE Northwest Incorporated



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		DOCKET NO. UT-970379
		
		
		ORDER APPROVING
		FULLY NEGOTIATED
		INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT
		
		
BACKGROUND

   This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and Transportation 
Commission (“Commission”) for approval of a fully negotiated agreement under 
the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  The agreement is between Columbia River 
Cellular Partnership, L.P. (“Columbia River Cellular”) and GTE Northwest 
Incorporated (“GTENW”).  The parties filed a Joint Request for Approval of 
Agreement for Wireless Interconnection (“the Agreement”) on December 23, 1997.  
The parties executed the Agreement on December 18, 1997.

   On January 14, 1998, the Commission convened an open public meeting at its 
offices in Olympia, Washington, to consider the Joint Request for approval of 
the Agreement.  At the open meeting, the Commission approved the Agreement as 
submitted.

 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(a)(1) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the “Act”), 
requires parties to fully negotiated agreements 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.

  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.  Columbia River Cellular is licensed by the Federal Communications 
Commission as a commercial mobile radio service provider.

  5.  The parties filed a Joint Request for Approval of Agreement for Wireless 
Interconnection (“the Agreement”) on December 23, 1997.

  6.  The parties voluntarily negotiated the entire Agreement.

  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 Columbia River Cellular to enter the local exchange 
market and increase customer choices for local exchange services. The 
provisions of the Agreement 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 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 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.
  

 ORDER

  The Commission ORDERS:

  1.  The Agreement for Wireless Interconnection between Columbia River 
Cellular Partnership, L.P. and GTE Northwest Incorporated, which the parties 
executed on December 18, 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 14th day of
January, 1998.


  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner