BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Request for Approval of Negotiated Agreement under the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996 Between

PAGENET, INC. 

and 

UNITED TELEPHONE COMPANY OF THE NORTHWEST  
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		DOCKET UT-990320
		
		
		
		ORDER APPROVING
		FULLY NEGOTIATED WIRELESS
		INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT


BACKGROUND

   This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and Transportation 
Commission (Commission) for approval of a fully negotiated wireless 
interconnection agreement under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  The 
agreement is between    PageNet, Inc. (PageNet), and United Telephone Company 
of the Northwest (United). On April 12, 1999, the parties filed a joint request 
for approval of the fully negotiated wireless interconnection agreement between 
PageNet and United (Agreement).  The parties executed the Agreement on March 
26, 1999.
  On April 28, 1999, the Commission convened an open public meeting at its 
offices in Olympia, Washington, to consider the request for approval of the 
Agreement.  At the open meeting the Commission approved the Agreement.

 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 252(e)(A)(1) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Act), requires 
parties to fully negotiated agreements to submit the agreement to the 
Docket UT-990320          PAGE 1
Commission for approval. Section 252(e)(2)(A) states that the Commission may 
only reject an agreement (or any portion thereof) adopted by negotiation if it 
finds that:

  (i)  the agreement (or any portion thereof) discriminates against a         
telecommunications carrier not a party to the agreement; or
  (ii)  the implementation of such agreement or portion is not 
consistent         with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

  3. United is engaged in the business of furnishing telecommunications 
services, including, but not limited to, basic local exchange service within 
the state of Washington.
  4. PageNet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission as a 
commercial mobile radio service provider.
  5. The parties filed a joint request for approval of an interconnection 
agreement on April 12, 1999.
  6. The parties voluntarily negotiated the entire Agreement.
  7. The Agreement does not discriminate against any other telecommunications 
carrier.
  8. The Agreement will facilitate local exchange competition in the state of 
Washington by enabling PageNet to enter the local exchange market and increase 
customer choices for local exchange services. The provisions of the Agreement 
are consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

  1. The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject matter of and all parties 
to this proceeding.
  2. The Agreement is consistent with the public interest, convenience, and 
necessity.
  3. The Agreement meets the criteria of Sections 251 and 252 of the Act, 
including Section 252(e).
  4. The laws, regulations, and Commission Orders of Washington shall govern 
the construction and interpretation of the Agreement.  The Agreement shall also 
be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission and the Washington courts.

 ORDER

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS:
  1. The Agreement for wireless network interconnection between PageNet, Inc., 
and United Telephone Company of the Northwest, which the parties executed on 
March 26, 1999, is approved.
  2. In the event that the parties revise, modify or amend the agreement 
approved herein, the revised, modified, or amended agreement shall be deemed to 
be a new negotiated agreement under the Telecommunications Act and shall be 
submitted to the Commission for approval, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252(e)(1) and 
relevant provisions of state law, prior to taking effect.
  3. The laws, regulations, and Commission Orders of Washington shall govern 
the construction and interpretation of the Agreement.  The Agreement shall also 
be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission and the Washington courts.
  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 28th day of          April, 
1999.
  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


      MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner