BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Application of  )
      ) 
TELE-PAY      ) DOCKET UT- 980142
      )
for an Order Authorizing the   )   
Registration of Applicant       ) AUTHORIZING
as a Telecommunications Company   ) REGISTRATION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . )


  On January 14, 1998, TELE-PAY filed an application for registration as a 
telecommunications company pursuant to RCW 80.36.350.  Applicant proposes to 
offer sent paid pay telephone services to the public.  TELE-PAY is an alternate 
operator service provider and is subject to compliance with WAC 480-120-141.

  TELE-PAY is a Washington company, headquartered in Lynden, Washington, and is 
wholly-owned by Marion Schouten.  Rates, terms and conditions set forth in the 
proposed tariff, filed as Exhibit G of the application, are structured to be 
competitive with other telecommunications companies in relevant markets.    

  TELE-PAY has provided information showing that it meets the requirements of 
RCW 80.36.350.  Applicant does not propose to collect advance payments or 
deposits from customers.

FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1. TELE-PAY filed an application for registration as a telecommunications 
company pursuant to the provisions of RCW 80.36.350 and the rules and 
regulations of the Commission.

  2. As to form, the application filed by TELE-PAY as supplemented and amended, 
meets the requirements of RCW 80.36.350 and the rules and regulations of the 
Commission adopted pursuant thereto.

  3. The registration of TELE-PAY as a telecommunications company is not 
inconsistent with the public interest.

  4. In this proceeding, the Commission in no way endorses the financial 
viability of applicant nor the investment quality of any securities it may 
issue.

        


DOCKET UT-980142         Page 2


O R D E R

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS:
  
  1. After the effective date of this order and subject to the conditions 
contained in this Order, the Commission approves the application of TELE-PAY 
filed pursuant to RCW 80.36.350 for registration as a telecommunications 
company to provide service to the public in this state.

  2. The proposed tariff as filed on January 14, 1998, supplemented and amended 
in Exhibit G, attached to the application, is satisfactory.  Within 30 days 
from the effective date of this Order and prior to supplying service to the 
public as a telecommunications company, TELE-PAY shall file an initial tariff 
with the Commission identical to the tariff contained in the amended Exhibit G 
of the application.  The tariff shall bear an effective date not less than 30 
days subsequent to the date the initial tariff is received by the Commission.  
Failure to file an initial tariff within 30 days from the effective date of 
this Order and prior to supplying service to the public may result in the 
Commission taking action to cancel TELE-PAY's registration as a 
telecommunications company in the state of Washington. 

  3. Registration of TELE-PAY as a telecommunications company shall not be 
construed as an endorsement of financial viability or of the investment quality 
of any securities it may issue.

  4. As a telecommunications company providing service to the public in this 
state, TELE-PAY is subject to the jurisdiction of this Commission under the 
provisions of 
Title 80 RCW and all rules and regulations of the Commission adopted pursuant 
thereto.

  5. TELE-PAY shall not collect advance payments or deposits without first 
showing that it has a satisfactory arrangement to protect customer monies as 
stated in 
WAC 480-121-040.
  
  6. TELE-PAY shall comply with WAC 480-120-141, alternate operator service 
rule.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 11th day of February, 1998.



      PAUL CURL, Acting Secretary