DOCKET NO. UT-980308 PAGE 1

BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



In the Matter of Request For Approval of      )
an Agreement to Adopt Negotiated   )
Interconnection Agreement under the      )   DOCKET NO.  UT-980308
Telecommunications Act of 1996 between   )  
       )
U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.   )  ORDER APPROVING ADOPTION and       )  OF 
ARBITRATED
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED  )  INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT
       ) 
  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . )

 
  Procedural History.  This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and 
Transportation Commission (“Commission”) for approval of adoption of an 
arbitrated Interconnection Agreement under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 
between U S West Communications, Inc. (“USWC”), and GTE Northwest, Incorporated 
(“GTENW”).  On March 4, 1998, the parties filed a joint request for approval to 
adopt the previously approved interconnection agreement between MCImetro Access 
Transmission Services, Inc. (“MCIm”), and GTENW in its entirety. GTENW has 
entered into the agreement but does not waive all rights and remedies it has 
concerning its position as to the legality or reasonableness of the terms of 
the arbitrated agreement.  The parties executed the Agreement on or about March 
3, 1998.

  On April 8, 1998, the Commission convened an open public meeting at its 
offices in Olympia, Washington, to consider the joint request for approval of 
the Agreement.  At the open meeting, the Commission approved the Agreement as 
submitted.


FINDINGS OF FACT

  1.  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.

  2.  The Commission is authorized by Section 252(e) of the Communications Act 
of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (“Act”), to approve 
adopted agreements for network interconnection and service resale between 
telecommunications providers.

  3.  GTENW is engaged in the business of furnishing telecommunications 
services, including, but not limited to, basic local exchange service within 
the state of Washington.

  4.  USWC is engaged in the business of furnishing telecommunications 
services, including, but not limited to, basic local exchange service within 
the state of Washington.  

  5.  On March 4, 1998, the parties filed with the Commission a joint request 
for approval of adoption of an arbitrated Interconnection Agreement for network 
interconnection and service resale pursuant to the Act.

  6.  GTENW has entered into the agreement but does not waive all rights and 
remedies it has concerning its position as to the legality or reasonableness of 
the terms of the arbitrated agreement.

  7.  The Agreement is an adoption of a previously approved interconnection 
agreement.

  8.  The Agreement does not discriminate against any other telecommunications 
carrier.

  9.  The Agreement will facilitate local exchange competition in the state of 
Washington by enabling USWC to expand its entry in the local exchange market 
and provide customers with increased choices among local exchange services.


CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

  1.  The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject matter and all parties.

  2.  The Agreement is consistent with the public interest, convenience, and 
necessity.

  3.  The Agreement meets the criteria of Sections 251 and 252 of the Act, 
including Section 252(e).

  4.  The laws of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation 
of the Agreement.  The Agreement shall also be subject to the present and 
future decisions of the Commission and the Washington courts.





O R D E R

 THE COMMISSION ORDERS:

  1.  The Agreement for network interconnection and service resale between U S 
West Communications, Inc., and GTE Northwest, Incorporated, dated March 4, 
1998, is approved.

  2.  The laws of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation 
of the Agreement.  The Agreement shall also be subject to the present and 
future decisions of the Commission and the Washington courts.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 8th day of 
April, 1998.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



      ANNE LEVINSON, Chair 



      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner