DOCKET UT-971720 Page 1




BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of Marathon  )
Communications, Inc.,  ) DOCKET UT-971720
for an Order Granting  )
Amendment to Registration  ) ORDER GRANTING AMENDMENT
to Provide Local Exchange  ) TO REGISTRATION AND   
Services and Authorizing  ) AUTHORIZING THE   
Provision of Intraexchange  ) PROVISION OF INTRAEXCHANGE
Services.    ) TELECOMMUNICATIONS
...................................  ) SERVICES.
     
 


  On December 3, 1997, Marathon Communications, Inc., (Marathon) filed for 
authority to amend its registration to provide facilities based and resold 
telecommunications services.  Marathon was registered in Washington as an 
interexchange telecommunications company on September 14, 1995, in Docket 
UT-941001.  Marathon intends to provide intraexchange telecommunications 
initially through the use of resold services from existing network facilities 
based carriers and in turn, will retail communications services to its 
customers. 

   Marathon is an S-corporation, incorporated on April 15, 1991, with a 
perpetual duration.  Marathon’s proposed tariff is satisfactory and will mirror 
Local Exchange Company calling.  The company has provided the information 
necessary to demonstrate Marathon possesses adequate financial resources and 
technical competence to provide the proposed services.  Marathon 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.  Marathon does 
not propose to collect advanced payments or deposits from customers.  

FINDINGS


  THE COMMISSION FINDS:


  1.  Marathon Communications, Inc., is a public service company subject to the 
jurisdiction of this Commission under the provisions of chapter 80.36 R.C.W.

  2.  Marathon 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 provide 
local exchange 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 filing with the Commission of Marathon Communications, Inc., 
requesting authority 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, is satisfactory.  Prior to 
supplying local exchange telecommunications services to the public, Marathon 
Communications, Inc., shall file and receive permission and approval for an 
initial tariff from the Commission identical to the amended tariff filed in 
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.

  4.  Marathon Communications, 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.

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


  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 31st day of 
December, 1997.


  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       PAUL CURL, Acting Secretary