BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of Permissive 11-Digit  ) DOCKET NO. UT-001739   
Dialing for Local Calls to Become  )
Effective by October 2001, to be  ) ORDER GRANTING WAIVER OF  
Implemented in the Seattle Local   ) IMPLEMENTATION OF
Calling Area by January 1, 2001.  ) PERMISSIVE 11-DIGIT
) DIALING FOR LOCAL CALLS 
) BY JANUARY 1, 2001 IN THE SEATTLE
.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . ) LOCAL CALLING 
AREA
       

MEMORANDUM

On September 28, 2000, in Docket Number UT-001275 the Commission ordered the 
industry to implement permissive 11 (eleven) digit dialing by October 20, 2001, 
the date on which the 564 area code overlay will be implemented.  Permissive 
11-digit dialing for local calls is to be implemented in the Seattle local 
calling area by January 1, 2001.  

On November 13, 2000, Qwest Corporation (Qwest) filed a petition for waiver of 
the Commission’s Order in Docket UT-001275.  Qwest is seeking a waiver of the 
Order only as it applies to the implementation of 11-digit dialing in the 
Seattle local calling area by January 1, 2001.  Qwest intends to comply with 
the Order as it pertains to implementing 11-digit dialing throughout the 
remaining areas of Washington in which Qwest serves no later than October 20, 
2001.  The reason for this request is that Qwest has several other network 
related projects underway (i.e. switch replacements and E911 upgrades) that are 
scheduled for completion along with the requirement of extensive resources to 
complete this project by the
January 1, 2001, required date.   

  Qwest asserts that it will implement permissive 11-digit dialing for the 
Seattle local calling area by March 31, 2001.  

The Commission has jurisdiction pursuant to RCW 80.36.610, which authorizes the 
Commission to conduct proceedings and take actions contemplated for action by 
state commissions under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  That act, as 
implemented by the Federal Communications Commission, authorizes state 
commissions to address issues surrounding area code relief plans.  47 U.S.C. ' 
251(e)(1); 47 C.F.R. ' 52.19(a).

The Commission also has jurisdiction pursuant to RCW 80.01.040.

This matter was brought before the Commission at its regularly scheduled open
Meeting on November 29, 2000.  The Commissioners, having been fully advised in 
the matter,
And having determined the following order to be consistent with the public 
interest, directed the Secretary to enter the following order and related 
provisions.


ORDER

  The Commission grants the petition filed by Qwest Corporation for a waiver of 
the requirement to implement permissive 11 (eleven) digit dialing for local 
calls in the Seattle local calling area by January 1, 2001.  This waiver is for 
three months, so the new deadline is March 31, 2001.  


DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 29th day of  November, 2000.

 WASHINGTON  UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary