DOCKET UT-971822 Page 1
BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Application  ) DOCKET UT-971822
of PARADIGM COMMUNICATIONS CORP., )
d/b/a GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK)
for an Order Authorizing   )
the Registration of Applicant  ) AUTHORIZING
as a Telecommunications Company    ) REGISTRATION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .)


  On December 19, 1997, Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global 
Communications Network filed an application for registration as a 
telecommunications company pursuant to RCW 80.36.350.  Applicant proposes to 
offer resold direct dialed long distance and debit card services to the public.

  Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network is a 
California corporation, headquartered in Santa Monica, California.  The 
corporation is wholly owned by numerous individuals.

  Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network has 
provided information showing that it possesses adequate financial resources, 
and technical competence to provide the proposed services.  The nature of the 
debit card service implies Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global 
Communications Network proposes to collect advance payments from customers.  
Pursuant to statutes and rules governing registration applications and advance 
payment proposals, Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications 
Network has proposed a satisfactory escrow account for protection of those 
advance payments.  Initially, the escrow account will have $1,000 deposited and 
will increase as customer base increases proportionally.  If Paradigm 
Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network ceases operations, 
Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network will provide 
the bank and the Commission lists of outstanding account numbers and balances 
within 48 hours.

  Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network will limit 
the denomination size of debit cards to not more than $50 to residential 
customers and $200 to business customers.  Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a 
Global Communications Network will give the Commission quarterly reports 
listing total outstanding debit card balances, dollar amount of debit cards 
sold, depleted usage of debit cards sold, and current company financial 
information.  Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications 
Network will adjust the amount of the escrow account based on this data.  After 
one year's administration of the escrow account, the reporting requirement may 
be modified to a semi-annual level if the company has maintained adequate 
levels in the escrow account during the previous 12-month period.

  Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network will state 
an unconditional money-back guarantee on the debit card or on supplemental 
material that will be provided at the time the debit card is purchased with a 
statement warning customers to safeguard their cards.  If Paradigm 
Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network goes out of business, 
it will provide refund information on the company's 800 phone number for its 
customers.  Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network 
will provide a free call detail report to customers upon request.

FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1. Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network 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 Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global 
Communications Network 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 Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global 
Communications Network 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 December 19, 1997, and amended in Exhibit 
G, attached to the application, is satisfactory.  Prior to supplying service to 
the public as a telecommunications company, Paradigm Communications Corp., 
d/b/a Global Communications Network 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. Prior to the effective date of the initial tariff, Paradigm Communications 
Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network shall submit to the Commission a 
satisfactory escrow account in the amount of $1,000.  As part of the escrow 
account and in the event the company ceases operations, Paradigm Communications 
Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network will within 48 hours provide to the 
bank and the Commission lists of outstanding account numbers and balances. 

  4. Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network will 
limit the amount of debit cards to be purchased of not more than $50 increments 
for residential customers and $200 for business customers.

  5. Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network will 
submit to the Commission quarterly financial data listing the total outstanding 
debit card balances, dollar amount of debit cards sold, depleted usage of debit 
cards sold, and current company financial information determined by the 
Commission.  Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network 
will adjust the amount held in escrow based on this data.  After completion of 
one year's administration of the escrow account, the reporting requirement may 
be modified to a semi-annual level if staff determines that the company has 
maintained a sufficient level in the escrow account during the previous 
12-month period.

  6. Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network shall 
state that there is a money-back guarantee on the debit cards and provide a 
statement warning customers to safeguard their cards.

  7. In the event the company ceases operations, Paradigm Communications Corp., 
d/b/a Global Communications Network will provide refund information on the 
company's 800 phone number for its customers for a minimum of six months.

  8. Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network will 
provide a free call detail report to customers upon request.  

  9. Registration of Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications 
Network 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.

  10. As a telecommunications company providing service to the public in this 
state, Paradigm Communications Corp., d/b/a Global Communications Network 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.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 14th day of January, 1998.



      PAUL CURL, Acting Secretary