Docket UT-941514 Page 1



BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Application  )  DOCKET  UT-941514
of Association Communications, Inc., )  
for an Order Granting    )  ORDER GRANTING 
Amendment to Registration     )  AMENDMENT TO  
to Provide Local Exchange       )  REGISTRATION APPLICATION  
Services and Authorizing    )  AND AUTHORIZING THE   
Provision of Intraexchange    )  PROVISION OF SWITCHED 
Telecommunications            )  INTRAEXCHANGE 
Services     )  TELECOMMUNICATIONS
..................................................................... )  
SERVICES



  On August 21, 1998, Association Communications, Inc., (ACI) filed an 
application to amend the company’s registration authority to provide local 
exchange service in Washington.

    ACI is a Washington corporation, headquartered in Seattle, Washington and 
is wholly owned by Richard and Nancy Reynolds.  ACI is currently authorized to 
offer intrastate long distance service within Washington in Docket UT-941514.  
ACI plans to offer Washington customers both local service and switched access 
services, and these services may be equipped with various features and 
functions.  ACI will provide customers access to 911 emergency services, 
directory assistance, operator assisted services, relay services, lifeline 
service and will also provide vertical features such as call waiting, call 
forwarding and Caller I.D.  

  Initially, ACI will purchase wholesale basic local exchange services from 
incumbent local exchange companies, ACI may in the future provide 
telecommunication services through its own facilities, the purchase of 
unbundled network elements, or through a combination of all three.  

  ACI has filed a proposed tariff which is satisfactory and will mirror 
incumbent local exchange company (LEC) calling.  ACI has provided the 
information necessary to demonstrate ACI possesses adequate financial resources 
and technical competence to provide the proposed services.  ACI has voluntarily 
committed to collect and remit to appropriate administrative agencies relevant 
excise taxes in support of various social programs, including enhanced 911, 
telecommunications relay services, and lifeline.  ACI does not propose to 
collect advanced payments or deposits from customers.    




FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1.   Association Communications, Inc., is a public service company subject to 
the jurisdiction of this Commission under the provisions of chapter 80.36 RCW.

  2. Association Communications, Inc., has provided sufficient information to 
show that it is financially and technically capable to provide the services 
proposed.  

  3.   It appears, upon investigation, that the request for authority to amend 
the application for registration to provide intraexchange switched 
telecommunications services should be approved.

  4.   In this proceeding, the Commission in no way endorses the financial 
viability of applicant nor the investment quality of any securities it may 
issue.


O R D E R

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS:

  1.  After the effective date of this order and subject to the conditions 
hereof, the application of Association Communications, Inc., filed with the 
Commission requesting authority to amend the application for registration to 
provide intraexchange telecommunications services is hereby granted. 

  2.  This order shall in no way affect the authority of this Commission over 
rates, service, accounts, valuations, estimates or determination of costs, or 
any matters whatsoever that may come before it, nor shall anything herein be 
construed as an acquiescence in any estimate or determination of costs, or any 
valuation of property claimed or asserted.

  3.  The proposed tariff as filed and amended in Exhibit G, attached to the 
application, is satisfactory.  Prior to supplying service to the public as a 
local exchange carrier or provision of resold services of incumbent and other 
local exchange carriers, Association Communications, Inc., shall file and 
receive permission and approval for an initial tariff with the Commission. The 
tariff shall bear an effective date not less than 30 days subsequent to the 
date of receipt by the Commission.  Failure to file an initial tariff within 30 
days from the effective date of this Order and prior to supplying service to 
the public may result in the Commission taking action to cancel Association 
Communications, Inc.’s registration as a telecommunications company in the 
state of Washington. 

  

  4.  Association Communications, Inc., shall not collect advanced payments or 
deposits to protect customer monies as stated in WAC 480-121-040.


  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 9th day of September, 1998.


  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION





       CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary