DOCKET UT-980326 PAGE 1


BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



In the Matter of Request For Approval of      )
an Agreement to Adopt Arbitrated   )
Interconnection Agreement under the      )   DOCKET UT-980326
Telecommunications Act of 1996 between   )  
       )
VILLAGE TELEPHONE, INC.   )
        )  ORDER APPROVING ADOPTION 
and       )  OF ARBITRATED
       )  INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT
U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.  )  
.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . )

 
  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 Village Telephone, Inc. (“Village Telephone”), and U S WEST 
Communications  (“U S WEST”).  On May 28, 1998, the parties filed a joint 
request seeking approval to adopt the previously approved interconnection 
agreement between Sprint Communications Company, L.P. (“Sprint”), and U S WEST 
in its entirety.  The parties executed the Agreement on May 21, 1998.

   On August 26, 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.


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

  4. Village Telephone is authorized to provide intrastate and local exchange 
telecommunications services in the state of Washington.

  5.  On May 28, 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.  The Agreement is an adoption of a previously approved interconnection 
agreement.

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

  8.  The Agreement will facilitate local exchange competition in the state of 
Washington by enabling Village Telephone to enter 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 
Village Telephone, Inc., and U S WEST Communications, Inc., filed on May 28, 
1998, is approved.

  2.  In the event that the parties revise, modify or amend the agreement 
approved herein, the revised, modified, or amended agreement shall be deemed to 
be a new negotiated agreement under the Telecommunications Act and shall be 
submitted to the Commission for approval, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252(e)(1) and 
relevant provisions of state law, prior to taking effect.

  3.  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 26th day of 
August, 1998.


  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




       ANNE LEVINSON, Chair



       RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



       WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner