Docket UT-971343 Page 1

BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Petition   )  DOCKET  UT-971343
of Group Long Distance, 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 September 3, 1997, Group Long Distance, Inc., (GLD) filed a petition to 
amend the company’s registration authority to provide competitive local 
exchange service in Washington.

    GLD is a Florida corporation, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and 
is wholly owned by numerous individuals.  GLD is currently authorized to offer 
intrastate long distance, inbound 800/888, and travel card services within 
Washington in Docket UT-961045.  GLD plans to offer a range of local exchange 
services.  GLD plans to offer Washington customers both local service and 
switched access services, and these services may be equipped with various 
features and functions.  GLD 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, GLD will purchase wholesale basic local exchange services from 
incumbent local exchange companies and will resell those services to GLD’s 
customers.  As the competitive local market and the GLD customer base develops, 
GLD plans to offer facilities based services.  

  GLD has filed a proposed tariff which is satisfactory and will mirror 
incumbent Local Exchange Company (LEC) calling.  GLD has provided the 
information necessary to demonstrate GLD possesses adequate financial resources 
and technical competence to provide the proposed services.  GLD 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.  GLD does not propose to 
collect advanced payments or deposits from customers.  

FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

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

  2. Group 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 Group 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.

  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, Group Long Distance, 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.  

  4.  Group 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 8th day of April, 1998.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

       PAUL CURL, Acting Secretary