Docket UT-980651 Page 1
BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Application  )  DOCKET  UT-980651
of Weatherspoon Telephone LLC  )  
for an Order Authorizing   )  ORDER GRANTING 
Registration to Provide    )  REGISTRATION APPLICATION
Local Exchange Services and     )  AND AUTHORIZING THE    
Authorizing Provision   )  PROVISION OF SWITCHED
of Intraexchange     )  INTRAEXCHANGE  Telecommunications Services  )  
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
........................................................................)  
SERVICES


  On May 5, 1998, Weatherspoon Telephone LLC (Weatherspoon ) filed a 
application for registration for authority to provide local exchange service in 
Washington.

    Weatherspoon is a limited liability company, headquartered in Vancouver, 
Washington and is owned by Sultan Weatherspoon.  Weatherspoon plans to offer a 
range of local exchange services and may offer services with greater capacity 
and higher speed transmission, such as ISDN, on an individual case by case 
basis. Weatherspoon will provide customers access to 911 emergency services, 
directory assistance, operator assisted services, relay services, and lifeline 
service.  

  Weatherspoon’s Washington facilities based operations will utilize switching 
and trunking facilities to provide telecommunications services to unserved 
rural areas.  Initially, Weatherspoon intends to provide local exchange 
services in Chelan and will offer service in other unserved areas where it is 
economically feasible.

  Weatherspoon has filed a proposed tariff which is satisfactory and will 
mirror incumbent local exchange company (LEC) calling.  Weatherspoon 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.  Weatherspoon 
does not propose to collect advanced payments or deposits from customers.  

FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1.   Weatherspoon Telephone LLC is a public service company subject to the 
jurisdiction of this Commission under the provisions of chapter 80.36 RCW.

  2.   It appears, upon investigation, that the application for registration 
and request for authority to provide intraexchange switched telecommunications 
services should be approved.

  3.   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 for registration of Weatherspoon Telephone LLC filed 
with the Commission requesting authority to provide switched 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, Weatherspoon Telephone LLC 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.  Weatherspoon Telephone LLC 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 15th day of June, 1998.


  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
       CAROLE  J. WASHBURN,Secretary