DOCKET UT-970912 Page 1
BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Application  ) DOCKET UT-970912
of ASC TELECOM, INC.,   )
for an Order Authorizing   ) AUTHORIZING
the Registration of Applicant     ) REGISTRATION
as a Telecommunications Company  ) 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .)


  On May 27, 1997, ASC Telecom, Inc., filed an application for registration as 
a telecommunications company pursuant to RCW 80.36.350.  Applicant proposes to 
offer resold direct dialed long distance, alternate operator, and prepaid 
calling card services to the public.

  ASC Telecom, Inc., is a Kansas corporation, headquartered in Westwood, 
Kansas.  The corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Telecom, Inc., 
which, in turn, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sprint Corporation.

  ASC Telecom, Inc., has provided information showing that it possesses 
adequate financial resources, and technical competence to provide debit card 
long distance service.  The nature of the debit card service implies ASC 
Telecom, Inc., proposes to collect advance payments from customers.  If ASC 
Telecom, Inc., ceases operations, ASC Telecom, Inc., will provide the 
Commission lists of outstanding account numbers, names, and balances within 48 
hours.

  ASC Telecom, Inc., will limit the denomination size of debit cards to not 
more than $50 to residential customers.  ASC Telecom, Inc., will state an 
unconditional money-back guarantee on the debit calling card or on supplemental 
material that will be provided at the time the debit calling card is purchased 
with a statement warning customers to safeguard their cards.  If ASC Telecom, 
Inc., goes out of business, it will provide refund information on the company's 
800 phone number for its customers. ASC Telecom, Inc., will provide a free call 
detail report to customers upon request.


FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1. ASC Telecom, Inc., filed an application pursuant to the provisions of RCW 
80.36.350 and the rules and regulations of the Commission for an order 
approving its application for registration as a telecommunications company.

  2. As to form, the application filed herein, as supplemented and amended, 
meets the requirements of RCW 80.36.350 and the rules and regulations of the 
Commission adopted pursuant thereto.

  3. The registration of ASC Telecom, Inc., as a telecommunications company is 
not inconsistent with the public interest.

  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 ASC Telecom, Inc., filed with the Commission 
pursuant to the provisions of RCW 80.36.350 requesting an order authorizing 
registration as a telecommunications company to provide service to the public 
in this state is approved.

  2. The proposed tariff as filed on May 27, 1997, and amended in Exhibit G, 
attached to the application, is satisfactory.  Prior to supplying service to 
the public as a telecommunications company, ASC Telecom, Inc., shall file an 
initial tariff with the Commission identical to the amended Exhibit G of the 
application.  The tariff shall bear an effective date not less than 30 days 
subsequent to the date of receipt by the Commission. 

  3. In the event the company ceases operations, ASC Telecom, Inc., will within 
48 hours provide to the Commission lists of outstanding account numbers, names, 
and balances. 

  4. ASC Telecom, Inc., will limit the amount of debit calling cards to be 
purchased to not more than $50 increments for residential customers.

  5. ASC Telecom, Inc., shall state that there is a money-back guarantee on the 
debit calling cards and provide a statement warning customers to safeguard 
their cards.

  6. In the event the company ceases operations, ASC Telecom, Inc., will 
provide refund information on the company's 800 phone number for its customers 
for a minimum of six months.

  7. ASC Telecom, Inc., will provide a free call detail report to customers 
upon request.  

  8. Registration of ASC Telecom, Inc., as a telecommunications company shall 
not be construed as an endorsement of financial viability nor of the investment 
quality of any securities it may issue.

  9. As a telecommunications company providing service to the public in this 
state, ASC Telecom, Inc., is subject to the jurisdiction of this Commission 
under the provisions of Title 80 RCW and all rules and regulations of the 
Commission adopted pursuant thereto.

  10.  ASC Telecom, Inc., will comply with WAC 480-120-141, rules relating to 
alternate operator services.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 25th day of June, 1997.



      STEVE McLELLAN, Secretary