BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Request For Approval )
of Negotiated Agreement Under the   )
Telecommunications Act of 1996 Between ) DOCKET NO. UT-990397
          )  
         )
AT&T WIRELESS SERVICES, INC.   )
          ) ORDER APPROVING  
and         ) NEGOTIATED     ) AGREEMENT  
         ) FOR WIRELESS
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED  )  INTERCONNECTION
  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   ) 


BACKGROUND 

  This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and Transportation 
Commission (Commission) for approval of a negotiated wireless interconnection 
agreement (Agreement) under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecom Act).  
The Agreement is between AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., (AWS) and GTE Northwest 
Incorporated (GTE).  The parties filed the Agreement and a joint request for 
approval on October 13, 1999.

MEMORANDUM

  On November 15, 1999, the Commission convened an open public meeting at its 
offices in Olympia, Washington, to consider the request for approval of the 
agreement between AWS and GTE.  The Commission granted its approval of the 
Agreement as negotiated and executed by the parties.

FINDINGS OF FACT

  1. The Commission is an agency of the State of Washington vested by statute 
with the authority to regulate the rates, rules, regulations, practices, 
accounts, securities, and transfers of public service companies, including 
telecommunications companies.

  2. Section 252(e)(1) of the Telecom Act, requires parties to a negotiated 
agreement to submit the agreement to the Commission for approval. Section 
252(e)(2)(A) states that the Commission may only reject an agreement (or any 
portion thereof) adopted by negotiation if it finds that:

  (i) the agreement (or any portion thereof) discriminates against a    
telecommunications carrier not a party to the agreement; or

  (ii) the implementation of such agreement or portion is not consistent    
with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

  3. GTE is engaged in the business of furnishing telecommunications services, 
including, but not limited to, basic local exchange service within the state of 
Washington.

  4. AWS is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission as a commercial 
mobile radio service provider.

  5. On October 13, 1999, the parties filed with the Commission a joint request 
for approval of an interconnection agreement pursuant to the Telecom Act.

  6. AWS and GTE voluntarily negotiated the entire Agreement.

  7. The Agreement does not discriminate against any other telecommunications 
carrier.

  8. The Agreement will facilitate local exchange competition in the state of 
Washington by enabling AWS to enter the local exchange market and increase 
customer choices for local exchange services.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

  1. The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject matter and all parties to 
this proceeding.

  2. The Agreement is consistent with the public interest, convenience, and 
necessity.

  3. The Agreement meets the criteria of Sections 251 and 252 of the Telecom 
Act, including Section 252(e).

  4. The laws and regulations of the State of Washington, and Commission Orders 
shall govern the construction and interpretation of the Agreement. The 
Agreement shall also be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission and the 
Washington courts.

O R D E R

 THE COMMISSION ORDERS:

  1. The agreement for wireless network interconnection between AT&T Wireless 
Services, Inc., and GTE Northwest Incorporated, which the parties filed on 
October 13, 1999, is approved and effective.

  2. In the event that the parties revise, modify, or amend the agreement 
approved herein, the revised, modified, or amended agreement shall be deemed to 
be a new negotiated agreement under the Telecom Act and shall be submitted to 
the Commission for approval, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252(e)(1) and relevant 
provisions of state law, prior to taking effect.

  3. The laws and regulations of the State of Washington, and Commission Orders 
shall govern the construction and interpretation of the Agreement. The 
Agreement shall also be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission and the 
Washington courts.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 15th day of November, 1999.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



       RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



       WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner