BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Application of )
PILGRIM TELEPHONE, INC., ) DOCKET UT-971079
for an Order Authorizing the  )  
Registration of Applicant as a  ) AUTHORIZING
Telecommunications Company.  ) REGISTRATION 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ) 

  On June 30, 1997, -Pilgrim Telephone, Inc., filed an ap- plication for 
regi-stration as a telecom-munications company pursuant to RCW 80.36.350. The 
applicant proposes to offer resold direct dial long distance and travel calling 
card services to the public.

  Pilgrim Telephone, Inc., is a Delaware corporation, headquartered in 
Cambridge, Massachusetts and is wholly-owned by numerous individuals.  Rates, 
terms and conditions set forth in the proposed tariff are struc-tured similarly 
to rates filed by other telecom-munications companies for calls placed in the 
relevant market.

  Pilgrim Telephone, Inc., has provided information showing that it possesses 
adequate financial resources, and technical competence to provide the proposed 
services.  The applicant does not propose to collect advance payments or 
deposits from customers.

FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1. Pilgrim Telephone, Inc., filed an application pursuant to the provisions 
of RCW 80.36.350 and the rules and regulations of the Commission for an order 
approving its application for registration as a telecommuni-cations company.

  2. As to form, the application filed herein, as sup-plemented and amended, 
meets the requirements of RCW 80.36.350 and the rules and regulations of the 
Commission adopted pursuant thereto.

  3. The registration of Pilgrim Telephone, Inc., as a telecommunications 
company is not inconsistent with the public interest.

  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 Pilgrim Telephone, Inc., filed with the Commission 
pur-suant to the provisions of RCW 80.36.350 requesting an order authorizing 
registration as a telecommunications company to pro-vide service to the public 
in this state is approved.

  2. The proposed tariff as filed on June 30, 1997, and amended in Exhibit G, 
attached to the application, is satis- factory.  Prior to supplying service to 
the public as a telecom- munications company, Pilgrim Telephone, Inc., shall 
file an initial tariff with the Commission identical to the amended Exhibit G 
of the application.  The tariff shall bear an effective date not less than 30 
days subsequent to the date of receipt by the Commission. 

  3. Registration of Pilgrim Telephone, Inc., as a telecommunications company 
shall not be construed as an endorse- ment of financial viability nor of the 
investment quality of any securities it may issue.

  4. As a telecommunications company providing service to the public in this 
state, Pilgrim Telephone, Inc., is subject to the jurisdiction of this 
Commis-sion under the provisions of Title 80 RCW and all rules and regu-lations 
of the Commission adopted pursuant thereto.

  5. Pilgrim Telephone, Inc., shall not collect advance 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 30th day of July, 1997.



      STEVE McLELLAN, Secretary