BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION         


In the Matter of the U S West Communications, ) DOCKET UT-971281
Inc. Filing to Introduce a New Message   )
Telecommunications Service Optional Calling  )
Plan called BETTER DEAL                           ) ORDER REQUIRING
       ) CONFIRMATION TO 
       ) CUSTOMERS
       ) TAKING THE “BETTER DEAL”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .) 
TARIFFED SERVICE


 On August 15, 1997, U S West Communications Inc. (“USWC”) filed to introduce a 
market trial of an unlimited local toll calling plan called “Better Deal.”  
Customers who choose the plan would pay $49 (residential) or $149 (business) 
for unlimited toll calls within their local access and transport area 
(“LATA”).  As a market trial, enrollment would be open for 60 days, and 
subscribers would receive the unlimited calling plan until July of 1998, unless 
the trial is canceled sooner.

 In its October 8, 1997, open meeting, the Washington Utilities and 
Transportation Commission (“Commission”) passed a motion allowing the “Better 
Deal” tariff filing by USWC to take effect as filed.  That motion was 
conditional upon USWC's commitment to provide customers who order the service 
written notice of the terms and the conditions of the service, including, but 
not limited to, the rate, the geographic limitation of the tariff offering 
(expressed both in text and with a map), and the telephone number to call in 
the event that the customer has any questions and/or wishes to cancel the 
service.

 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:

 1.  USWC shall provide customer ordering the “Better Deal” service written 
notice as described above.
 
 2.  USWC, Commission, and Public Counsel shall consult and develop a model for 
such written notice.

 DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 8th day of October 1997.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


      ANNE LEVINSON, Chair
      

      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner


      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner