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
CENTEL COMMUNICATIONS 
and
UNITED TELEPHONE COMPANY OF THE NORTHWEST
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)	      DOCKET NO. UT-990399 
		       ORDER APPROVING   NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT FOR RESALE SERVICES

BACKGROUND         
                  1.          This matter comes before the Washington Utilities 
and Transportation Commission (Commission) for approval of a negotiated 
agreement for the resale of specified exchange services (Agreement) under the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecom Act). The Agreement is between CENTEL 
Communications (CENTEL), and United Telephone Company of the Northwest 
(Sprint). The parties filed the Agreement and a joint request for approval on 
February 9, 2000.
MEMORANDUM
                  2.          The agreement between CENTEL and Sprint was 
brought before the Commission at its regularly scheduled open public meeting of 
April 12, 2000, at its offices in Olympia, Washington. The Commission granted 
its approval of the Agreement as negotiated and requested by the parties.
FINDINGS OF FACT 
                  3.          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.
                  4.          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.
                  5.          Sprint is engaged in the business of furnishing 
telecommunications services, including, but not limited to, basic local 
exchange service within the state of Washington.
                  6.          CENTEL is authorized to provide local exchange 
and intrastate interexchange telecommunications services to the public in the 
state of Washington. 
                  7.          On February 9, 2000, the parties filed with the 
Commission a joint request for approval of a negotiated resale of services 
agreement pursuant to the Telecom Act.
                  8.          CENTEL and Sprint voluntarily negotiated the 
entire Agreement.
                  9.          The Agreement does not discriminate against any 
other telecommunications carrier.
                  10.          The Agreement will facilitate local exchange 
competition in the state of Washington by enabling CENTEL to enter the local 
exchange market and increase customer choices for local exchange services.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 
                  11.          The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject 
matter and all parties to this proceeding.
                  12.          The Agreement is consistent with the public 
interest, convenience, and necessity.
                  13.          The Agreement meets the requirements of Sections 
251 and 252 of the Telecom Act, including Section 252(e).
                  14.          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: 
                  15.          The Agreement for resale of services between 
CENTEL Communications and United Telephone Company of the Northwest, which the 
parties filed on February 9, 2000, is approved and effective.
                  16.          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. 
                  17.          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 12th day of 
April, 2000.
                  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
                                                              MARILYN 
SHOWALTER, Chairwoman 
                                                              RICHARD HEMSTAD, 
Commissioner 
                                                              WILLIAM R. 
GILLIS, Commissioner