BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Petition for Arbitration  ) DOCKET NO. UT-980370
of an Interconnection Agreement Between ) 
       )
ELECTRIC LIGHTWAVE, INC.,   ) THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL 
SERVICES, INC. and GTE NORTHWEST ) ORDER EXTENDING 
INCORPORATED             ) STATUTORY DEADLINE
       ) 
Pursuant to 47 USC Section 252.   )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  )

I. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND  

  1.  On December 1, 1998, the Commission extend the statutory deadline 
established by the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecom Act) for 
resolution of disputed issues from February 1, 1999, to March 8, 1999, upon the 
joint request of Electric Lightwave, Inc. (ELI), and GTE Northwest Incorporated 
(GTE).

  2.  On January 20, 1999, the Commission approved the stipulation between ELI 
and GTE to admit testimony and exhibits into the record and submit disputed 
issues without cross-examination, and established a schedule for the filing of 
opening and reply briefs.

II. ADDITIONAL REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF STATUTORY DEADLINE

  3.  On February 24, 1999, the parties jointly requested an additional 
extension of the statutory deadline to March 22, 1999, and for permission to 
file supplemental briefs.  The extension is sought in order to afford the 
parties an opportunity to review an anticipated decision of the Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC) related to the delivery of "dial-up traffic” to 
Internet service providers and to argue the potential impact of the FCC 
decision on pending issues in this proceeding.

  4.  The request is made contingent upon the FCC issuing such a decision in 
Docket CC 96-98 no later than February 26, 1999.

  5.  The parties agree to further waive all rights to legally challenge a 
Commission decision on the basis of timeliness so long as the Commission enters 
an order resolving those issues on or before March 22, 1999. 

  6.  The parties have stated good cause for an extension of time to file 
supplemental briefs.  Based upon the representations of the parties and the 
terms of waiver previously agreed to in this proceeding, the Commission grants 
the joint request.

III. SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEFS   

  7.  Supplemental briefs, not to exceed 15 pages, must be filed and served on 
March 8, 1999, and be limited to a discussion of the potential impact of the 
FCC’s decision on disputed issues in this proceeding, including jurisdictional 
issues.  The parties may file and serve by facsimile if a paper copy is 
delivered on the following business day.  The filing of supplemental briefs 
must be accompanied by an electronic version in WordPerfect 5.1 or 6.1 format.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington and effective this 25th day of February 1999.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


        LAWRENCE J. BERG
        Arbitrator