DOCKET UT-980167 Page 1
BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


                                       )  DOCKET  UT-980167
       )
In the Matter of the Application of   )   ORDER GRANTING
Great West Services, Ltd., d/b/a   )  REGISTRATION  
SIMCOM      )  AND AUTHORIZING
for an Order Granting Registration   )  THE PROVISION OF
to Provide Local Exchange      )  INTEREXCHANGE AND
Services and Authorizing     )  SWITCHED
Provision of Interexchange and Switched )  INTRAEXCHANGE Intraexchange 
Telecommunications   )  TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Services      )  SERVICES
................................................................................
.)     

  On February 6, 1998, Great West Services, Ltd., d/b/a SIMCOM (Great West) 
filed an application for registration to operate as a provider of long distance 
and local exchange services.  Great West proposes to offer telecommunications 
services as a facilities based and resale provider of interLATA, intraLATA, 
high speed private line and data, local exchange and switched access, and other 
telecommunications services.  

  Great West proposes to provide these services through its own facilities and 
resale of the incumbent’s local exchange network.  

  Great West is a limited partnership organized under the laws of Colorado. 
Simpson Housing Limited Partnership and QRS Communications LLC, wholly own 
Great West.

  Great West's proposed tariff as amended is satisfactory and will mirror Local 
Exchange Company calling.  Great West has provided the information necessary to 
demonstrate Great West meets the requirements of RCW 80.36.350.  Great West 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.  Great West does 
not propose to collect advanced payments or deposits from customers.  

FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1.  Great West is a public service company subject to the jurisdiction of 
this Commission under the provisions of chapter 80.36 RCW.

  2.  As to form, the application filed by Great West meets the requirements of 
RCW 80.36.350 and the rules and regulations of the Commission pursuant thereto. 

  3.  It appears, upon investigation, that the request for authority to 
register as a telecommunications company and provide Interexchange and 
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 application of Great West Services, Ltd., d/b/a SIMCOM, filed with 
the Commission requesting an order authorizing registration to provide 
Intraexchange telecommunications services is hereby granted. 

  2.  The proposed tariff as filed on February 6, 1998, as amended in Exhibit 
G, attached to the application, is satisfactory.  Within 30 days from the 
effective date of this Order and prior to supplying service to the public as a 
telecommunications company, Great West Services, Ltd., d/b/a SIMCOM shall file 
an initial tariff with the Commission identical to the tariff contained in the 
amended Exhibit G of the application.  The tariff shall bear an effective date 
not less than 30 days subsequent to the date the initial tariff is received by 
the Commission.  Failure to file an initial tariff within 30 days from the 
effective date of this Order and prior to supplying service to the public may 
result in the Commission taking action to cancel Great West Services, Ltd., 
d/b/a SIMCOM's registration as a telecommunications company in the state of 
Washington.

  3.  Registration of Great West Services, Ltd., d/b/a SIMCOM 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.

  4.  Great West Services, Ltd., d/b/a SIMCOM 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 25th day of February, 1998.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




       PAUL CURL, Acting Secretary