Docket UT-980457 Page 1



BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Petition   )  DOCKET  UT-980457
of FirstLink Communications, Inc.,  )  
for an Order Granting    )  ORDER GRANTING 
Amendment to Registration     )  AMENDMENT TO  
to Provide Local Exchange       )  REGISTRATION APPLICATION  
Services and Authorizing    )  AND AUTHORIZING THE   
Provision of Intraexchange    )  PROVISION OF SWITCHED 
Telecommunications              )  INTRAEXCHANGE 
Services     )  TELECOMMUNICATIONS
........................................................................)  
SERVICES



  On March 23, 1998, FirstLink, Inc., (FirstLink) filed a petition to amend the 
company’s registration authority to provide local exchange service in 
Washington.

    FirstLink is an Oregon corporation, headquartered in Portland, Oregon and 
is wholly owned by numerous individuals.  FirstLink is currently authorized to 
offer intrastate long distance service within Washington in Docket UT-961251.   
FirstLink plans to offer a range of local exchange services.  FirstLink plans 
to offer Washington customers both local service and switched access services, 
and these services may be equipped with various features and functions.  
FirstLink will provide customers access to 911 emergency services, directory 
assistance, operator assisted services, relay services, lifeline service and 
will also provide vertical features such as call waiting, call forwarding and 
Caller I.D.  

  FirstLink’s Washington facilities-based operations will utilize telephone 
switches, cable and wiring, and electronic equipment to provide 
telecommunications services and will purchase wholesale basic local exchange 
services from incumbent local exchange companies.  

  FirstLink has filed a proposed tariff which is satisfactory and will mirror 
incumbent local exchange company (LEC) calling.  FirstLink has voluntarily 
committed to collect and remit to appropriate administrative agencies relevant 
excise taxes in support of various social programs, including enhanced 911, 
telecommunications relay services, and lifeline.  FirstLink proposes to collect 
advanced payments and deposits from customers and has maintained a satisfactory 
escrow agreement since authorization in Docket UT-961251.  




FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1.   FirstLink Communications, Inc., is a public service company subject to 
the jurisdiction of this Commission under the provisions of chapter 80.36 RCW.

  2.   It appears, upon investigation, that the request for authority to amend 
the application for registration and provide intraexchange switched 
telecommunications services should be approved.

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


O R D E R

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS:

  1.  After the effective date of this order and subject to the conditions 
hereof, the petition of FirstLink Communications, Inc., filed with the 
Commission requesting authority to amend the application for registration and 
provide intraexchange telecommunications services is hereby granted. 

  2.  This order shall in no way affect the authority of this Commission over 
rates, service, accounts, valuations, estimates or determination of costs, or 
any matters whatsoever that may come before it, nor shall anything herein be 
construed as an acquiescence in any estimate or determination of costs, or any 
valuation of property claimed or asserted.

  3.  The proposed tariff as filed and amended, in Exhibit G attached to the 
application, is satisfactory.  Prior to supplying service to the public as a 
local exchange carrier or provision of resold services of incumbent and other 
local exchange carriers, FirstLink Communications, Inc., shall file and receive 
permission and approval for an initial tariff with the Commission.  The tariff 
shall bear an effective date not less than 30 days subsequent to the date of 
receipt by the Commission.  

  4.  FirstLink Communications, Inc., shall collect advanced payments and 
deposits in compliance with WAC 480-121-040.





  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 15th day of June, 1998.


  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION





       CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary