BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Petition  ) DOCKET NO. UT-970293
of U.S. Long Distance, Inc.,  )  
for an Order Granting    ) ORDER GRANTING AMENDMENT  
Amendment to Registration   )  TO REGISTRATION  
to Provide Local Exchange   ) APPLICATION AND 
Services and Authorizing   ) AUTHORIZING THE   
Provision of Intraexchange   ) PROVISION OF INTRAEXCHANGE Telecommunications    
) TELECOMMUNICATIONS 
Services.    ) SERVICES.



  U.S. Long Distance, Inc., filed a petition to amend the company’s 
registration authority on February 26, 1997 to operate as a reseller of other 
local exchange carriers services and as a facilities based provider of local 
exchanges services. U.S. Long Distance, Inc., (USLD) is presently registered as 
a telecommunications company authorized to provide intraexchange 
telecommunications services to residential and business customers in 
Washington.  USLD was registered in Docket No. UT-893222 on February 2, 1990.  

    USLD proposes to immediately offer telecommunications services as a 
reseller of the services of other local exchange carriers, including the 
incumbents. USLD will install its own local exchange facilities at a later 
date, thereby operating as both a reseller and facilities based provider of 
local exchange telecommunications services.  USLD intends to offer service to 
business, residence, and public phone aggregator customers throughout the 
state.  The services proposed by USLD will be an adjunct to the intrastate 
interexchange services that USLD currently provides statewide.  USLD will 
commence offering service
upon the establishment of the appropriate and necessary resale arrangements 
with the incumbent local exchange companies.

  USLD was registered as a telecommunications company in Docket UT-893222 on 
February 2, 1990 authorized to provide intrastate interexchange and alternative 
operator telecommunications services to residential and business customers in 
Washington.   

  U.S. Long Distance, Inc., is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas and was 
organized under the laws of Texas in 1986.  USLD is a full service 
telecommunications company that operates digital switching systems in 
Washington, California, Texas and Georgia.  USLD has local authority to operate 
as a local exchange company in Texas, Oklahoma, California and Kansas.  USLD is 
a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Long Distance Corporation, a publicly held 
company with headquarters in Texas.  President and CEO of U.S. Long Distance, 
Inc., is Mr. Larry M. James of San Antonio, Texas.


Docket UT-970293         Page 2

 USLD’s proposed tariff is satisfactory and will mirror Local Exchange Company 
calling. USLD has provided the information necessary to demonstrate the company 
possesses adequate financial resources and technical competence to provide the 
proposed services.  USLD 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. USLD does not propose to collect advanced payments or deposits from 
customers.  



FINDINGS


  THE COMMISSION FINDS:


  1.  U.S. Long Distance, Inc., is a public service company subject to the 
jurisdiction of this Commission under the provisions of chapter 80.36 RCW.

  2.  U.S. Long Distance, 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 and 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 petition of U.S. Long Distance, Inc., filed with the Commission 
requesting authority to amend the application for registration and 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.

Docket UT-970293         Page 3

  3.  Prior to supplying service to the public as a provider of resold and/or 
switched based local exchange telecommunications services, U.S. Long Distance, 
Inc., shall file and receive permission and approval from The Commission for an 
initial tariff.  The tariff shall bear an effective date not less than 30 days 
subsequent to the date of receipt by the Commission.   

  4.  U.S. Long Distance Inc., shall not collect advanced payments or deposits 
without first showing that it has a satisfactory arrangement to protect 
customer monies as stated in WAC 480-121-040.


  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this      th day of May, 1997.


  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




       STEVE McLELLAN, Secretary