DOCKET UT-970898  Page 1
 BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Requested )
Waiver of Statutory Notice in ) DOCKET UT-970898
Connection with the Contract ) 
for DS-1 and DS-3 Services filed  ) APPROVING CONTRACT ON
by GTE Northwest Incorporated ) LESS THAN REQUIRED
                                   )    NOTICE
 )

  On May 23, 1997, GTE Northwest Incorporated (GTE-NW) filed with the 
Commission under its Contract No. 1099, a contract for DS-1 and DS-3 Services.

  WAC 480-80-330 requires thirty days notice prior to the effective date from 
the date filed.  The company requests, however, that such notice be waived and 
that the contract become effective June 9, 1997.

  The contract is for DS-1 and DS-3 services for a 36-month and 27-month 
period, respectively.  GTE-NW requests waiver of the required notice date so 
that the targeted effective date of the contract of June 9, 1997, can be 
achieved.

  Since the contract filed herein is fair, just and reasonable, and waiver of 
statutory notice is not inconsistent with the public interest, it is deemed 
appropriate that the company be granted the waiver it is requesting with an 
effective date of June 9, 1997.

FINDINGS

  After careful examination of the contract filed herein by GTE Northwest 
Incorporated on May 23, 1997, and giving consideration to all relevant matters 
and for good cause shown, the Commission finds that the contract should become 
effective on June 9, 1997.

O R D E R

  THE COMMISSION THEREFORE ORDERS That the requested waiver of required notice 
in connection with the contract filed herein by GTE Northwest Incorporated on 
May 23, 1997, is hereby granted, and said contract shall become effective on 
June 9, 1997.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this   th day of June, 1997.


  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




       STEVE McLELLAN
       Secretary