BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Application of ) 
CATHOLIC TELECOM, INC.,    ) DOCKET UT-971525
for an Order Authorizing the   )  
Registration of Applicant       ) AUTHORIZING
as a Telecommunications Company   ) REGISTRATION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . )


  On October 17, 1997, Catholic Telecom, Inc., filed an application for 
registration as a telecommunications company pursuant to RCW 80.36.350.  
Applicant proposes to offer resold direct dialed long distance.

  Catholic Telecom, Inc., is a New Jersey corporation, headquartered in Akron, 
Ohio, and the directors are James S. Mulholland, Jr., James Manning and 
Archbishop Renato Martino. Rates, terms and conditions set forth in the 
proposed tariff, filed as Exhibit G of the application, are structured to be 
competitive with other telecommunications companies in relevant markets.   

  Catholic Telecom, Inc., has provided information showing that it meets the 
requirements of RCW 80.36.350. Applicant does not propose to collect advance 
payments or deposits from customers.

FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1. Catholic Telecom, 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 telecommunications company.

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

  3. The registration of Catholic Telecom, 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.

        


DOCKET UT-971525                                           Page 2


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 Catholic Telecom, Inc., filed with the Commission 
pursuant to the provisions of RCW 80.36.350 requesting an order authorizing 
registration as a telecommunications company to provide service to the public 
in this state is approved.

  2. The proposed tariff, as amended, is satisfactory. Prior to supplying 
service to the public as a telecommunications company, Catholic Telecom, 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 Catholic Telecom, Inc., as a telecommunications company 
shall not be construed as an endorsement 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, Catholic Telecom, Inc., is subject to the jurisdiction of this 
Commission under the provisions of Title 80 RCW and all rules and regulations 
of the Commission adopted pursuant thereto.

  5. Catholic Telecom, 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 6th day of November, 1997.



      STEVE McLELLAN, Secretary