BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Request for          )
Approval of Negotiated Agreement    )
Under the Telecommunications Act of       )   DOCKET UT-990344
1996 Between       )  
       )
INTERNATIONAL TELECOM, LTD.   )
        )  ORDER APPROVING ADOPTION and     )  OF ARBITRATED
       )  INTERCONNECTION 
AGREEMENT                                                 )
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED  ) 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .)


BACKGROUND

  This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and Transportation 
Commission (Commission) for approval of adoption of an arbitrated 
Interconnection Agreement under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 between 
International Telecom, Ltd. (ITLtd), and GTE Northwest Incorporated (GTENW).  
On May 13, 1999, the parties jointly filed a request for approval to adopt the 
previously approved interconnection agreement between TelStar Incorporated 
(TelStar), and GTENW (Docket UT-980395) in its entirety.  The parties executed 
the Agreement on, or about, May 4, 1999. 

  On May 26, 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) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Act), requires 
parties to submit interconnection agreements to the 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. GTENW is engaged in the business of furnishing telecommunications 
services, including, but not limited to, basic local exchange service within 
the state of Washington.

  4. ITLtd. is authorized to provide intrastate interexchange and local 
exchange telecommunications services in the state of Washington.

  5. On May 13, 1999, the parties jointly filed with the Commission a request 
for approval of an Interconnection Agreement for network interconnection and 
service resale pursuant to the Act.

  6. The Agreement is an adoption of a previously approved interconnection 
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 ITLtd. to enter the local exchange market and provide 
customers with increased choices among local exchange services.


CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

  1. The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject matter and all parties.

  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.



O R D E R

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS:

  1. The Agreement for network interconnection and service resale between 
International Telecom, Ltd. and GTE Northwest Incorporated, which the parties 
executed on, or about, May 4, 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 26th day of May, 1999.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



       RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



       WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner