BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Petition of   ) 
INLAND TELEPHONE COMPANY ) DOCKET UT-990308
for Approval of IntraLATA   )
Presubscription Implementation Plan ) GRANTING PETITION
      ) 
............................................................... 

BACKGROUND

       By petition filed January 15, 1999, Inland Telephone Company, seeks 
approval in Docket UT-990308 of its IntraLATA Presubscription Implementation 
Plan (Plan).  The petition is filed pursuant to The Telecommunications Act of 
1996 (Telecom Act), and by agreement with Commission Staff.   

  The Plan includes a proposal that explains how Inland Telephone Company 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.

DISCUSSION

     Inland Telephone Company proposes to implement a full 2-PIC, Primary 
Interexchange Carrier methodology for intraLATA presubscription.  Under a full 
2-PIC system, the subscriber may presubscribe to any available IXC to carry 
originating intraLATA toll calls, regardless of the identity of the IXC to 
which the subscriber’s interLATA toll is presubscribed.

  The petition addresses the following issues.  A PIC change charge will be 
incurred and billed to the customer for each eligible line when an intraLATA 
PIC change is made.  This charge will be waived for the initial selection 
occurring following implementation of the Plan.  Customer notification will be 
provided by direct mailing or by bill insert.  Interexchange carriers who 
provide interLATA service will be given 30 days notice of the availability of 
intraLATA presubscription.  These issues will be reviewed when the accompanying 
tariff is filed.

  By order in Docket UT-980346 dated December 9, 1998, The Commission granted 
the petition by Inland Telephone Company for temporary suspension and/or 
modification of the requirements of section 251(b)(3) of the Telecommunications 
Act of 1996.  In that order, Inland was directed to submit a plan 


for approval by the Commission for providing interstate intraLATA dialing 
parity no later than January 15, 1999, and to implement interLATA equal access 
and intraLATA equal access dialing parity on or before May 31, 1999.

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.
  DOCKET UT-990308        PAGE 1

  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 sets forth the interstate, intraLATA toll 
dialing parity requirements of all local exchange carriers.

  5.  Inland Telephone Company is engaged in the business of furnishing 
telecommunications services, including, but not limited to, basic local 
exchange service within the state of Washington.

  6.  Inland Telephone Company filed a petition seeking approval of its Plan to 
implement dialing parity in its operating area within the state of Washington 
on or before May 31, 1999.  The company will implement the full 2-PIC.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

  1.  The Commission has jurisdiction over Inland Telephone Company and the 
subject matter of this petition under RCW 80.01.040(3).  Section 261(c) [47 
U.S.C. 261].

  2.  The petition is consistent with the public interest, convenience, and 
necessity.   


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

  4.  The requirements imposed pursuant to the petition are not inconsistent 
with the Telecom Act or the FCC's regulations to implement the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996.

ORDER

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS That the petition by Inland Telephone Company for 
approval of its IntraLATA Presubscription Implementation Plan is approved.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington and effective this 27th day of January, 1999.    
   
  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

     

     
       CAROLE J. WASHBURN
       Secretary