DOCKET UT-980552  Page 1
 BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Requested )
Waiver of Statutory Notice in ) DOCKET UT-980552
Connection with the Contract ) 
for DS-1, DS-3, OC-3 and OC-12 )
Service filed by GTE Northwest ) APPROVING CONTRACT ON
Incorporated  ) LESS THAN REQUIRED
                                   )    NOTICE
 )


  On April 13, 1998, GTE Northwest Incorporated (GTE-NW) filed with the 
Commission under its Contract No. 1117, a contract for DS-1, DS-3, OC-3, and 
OC-12 Service.

  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 April 23, 1998.

  The contract is for DS-1, DS-3, OC-3, and OC-12 service for a 60-month 
period.  GTE-NW requests waiver of the required notice date so that the 
targeted effective date of the contract of April 23, 1998, 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 April 23, 1998.

FINDINGS

  After careful examination of the contract filed herein by GTE Northwest 
Incorporated on April 13, 1998, and giving consideration to all relevant 
matters and for good cause shown, the Commission finds that the contract should 
become effective on April 23, 1998.

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 
April 13, 1998, is hereby granted, and said contract shall become effective on 
April 23, 1998.






  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 22nd day of April, 1998.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




       PAUL CURL
       Acting Secretary