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

SBC TELECOM, INC.

and

GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED
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		DOCKET NO. UT-993019
		
		ORDER APPROVING NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT FOR INTERCONNECTION AND RESALE OF SERVICES


BACKGROUND

  This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and Transportation 
Commission (Commission) for approval of a negotiated agreement for 
interconnection and the resale of specified exchange services (Agreement) under 
the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecom Act).  The Agreement is between SBC 
Telecom, Inc. (SBCT), and GTE Northwest Incorporated (GTE).  The parties filed 
the Agreement and a joint request for approval on December 13, 1999.

MEMORANDUM

  On December 29, 1999, the Commission convened an open public meeting at its 
offices in Olympia, Washington, to consider the request for approval of the 
agreement between SBCT and GTE.  The Commission granted its approval of the 
Agreement as negotiated and requested by the parties.

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)(1) of the Telecom Act requires parties to a negotiated 
agreement to submit the agreement 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. GTE is engaged in the business of furnishing telecommunications services, 
including, but not limited to, basic local exchange service within the state of 
Washington.

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

  5. On December 13, 1999, the parties filed with the Commission a joint 
request for approval of a negotiated interconnection and resale of services 
agreement pursuant to the Telecom Act.

  6. The Agreement consists in its entirety of arrangements previously approved 
by the Commission on August 25, 1997 in Docket No. UT-960307.

  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 SBCT to enter the local exchange market and increase 
customer choices for local exchange services.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

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

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

  3. The laws and regulations of the State of Washington, and Commission orders 
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 interconnection and resale of services between SBC 
Telecom, Inc., and GTE Northwest Incorporated, which the parties filed on 
December 13, 1999, is approved and effective.

  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 Telecom 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 and regulations of the State of Washington, and Commission orders 
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 29th day of December, 1999.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



      MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner