DOCKETS UT-980364, UT-980365 and UT-980366 Page 1
BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the IntraLATA  ) 
Equal Access Implementaton Plans )
Submitted by:    )
        )  
LEWIS RIVER TELEPHONE   ) DOCKET UT-980364
COMPANY,     )
       ) 
ASOTIN TELPHONE COMPANY ) DOCKET UT-980365
      )
and      )            ) 
McDANIEL TELEPHONE COMPANY, ) DOCKET UT-980366
      )
d/b/a TDS TELECOM   ) ORDER APPROVING 
      ) IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
............................................................... )


BACKGROUND

  Pursuant to The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecom Act), and by 
agreement with Commission Staff, Asotin Telephone Company, Lewis River 
Telephone Company and McDaniel Telephone Company, d/b/a TDS Telecom, filed 
IntraLATA Equal Access Implementation Plans with the Commission on 
September 30, 1998.  The companies seek approval of these plans in order to 
comply with 47 U.S.C. § 251(b)(3) of the Telecom Act which requires companies 
to provide intraLATA dialing parity by February 8, 1999.
   
  The Plans include a proposal that explains how the companies will offer 
intraLATA toll dialing parity in the state, a proposal for timely notification 
of its subscribers, and the methods it proposes to use to enable subscribers to 
select an intraLATA toll service provider.

  The TDS Telecom companies propose to implement a full 2-PIC (Primary 
Interexchange Carrier) methodology for intraLATA presubscription.  A $5.00 PIC 
change charge will be incurred and billed to the customer for each eligible 
line when an intraLATA PIC change is made.  When an end user simultaneously 
requests a change to their interLATA carrier and their intraLATA carrier, only 
the interLATA change charge as specified in the interstate tariff will apply.  
In addition, the PIC change charge will be waived for the initial intraLATA PIC 
selection occurring within the first 120 days following implementation of the 
Plan.  


 
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 261(c) [47 U.S.C. 261] of the Telecom Act provides that a State may 
impose requirements on a telecommunications carrier for intrastate services 
that are necessary to further competition in the provision of telephone 
exchange service or exchange access, as long as the State's requirements are 
not inconsistent with the Telecom Act or the FCC's regulations to implement the 
Telecom Act.

 3. Section 251(b)(3) [47 U.S.C. 251] of the Telecom Act requires all local 
exchange carriers to provide dialing parity to competing providers of telephone 
exchange service and telephone toll service.

 4. 47 C.F.R. §§ 51.209-51.215 set forth the interstate intraLATA toll dialing 
parity requirements of all local exchange carriers.

 5. Asotin Telephone Company, Lewis River Telephone Company and McDaniel 
Telephone Company, d/b/a TDS Telecom, are engaged in the business of furnishing 
telecommunications services, including, but not limited to, basic local 
exchange service within the state of Washington.

 6. Asotin Telephone Company, Lewis River Telephone Company and McDaniel 
Telephone Company, d/b/a TDS Telecom, filed IntraLATA Equal Access 
Implementation Plans in which they seek approval to implement dialing parity in 
their operating areas within the state of Washington.


CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

      1. The Commission has jurisdiction over Asotin Telephone Company, Lewis 
River Telephone Company, and McDaniel Telephone Company, d/b/a TDS Telecom and 
the subject matter of this filing under RCW 80.01.040(3) and 47 U.S.C. § 
261(c). 

 2. The filings are consistent with the public interest, convenience, and 
necessity.

 3. The filings meet the requirements set forth in 47 U.S.C. § 251(b)(3) and 47 
C.F.R. §§ 51.209-51.215.  

 4. The requirements imposed pursuant to the petition are not inconsistent with 
47 U.S.C. § 261(c) of the Telecom Act or the FCC's regulations to implement the 
Telecom Act.


ORDER

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS That the filings by Asotin Telephone Company, Lewis 
River Telephone Company and McDaniel Telephone Company, d/b/a TDS Telecom, for 
approval of their IntraLATA Presubscription Implementation Plans are approved.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington and effective this 28th day of  October, 
1998.    
   

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



      ANNE LEVINSON, Chair



      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner 



      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner