DOCKET UT-980595 Page 1



BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of    )
Comm South Companies, Inc., ) DOCKET UT-980595
for an Order    )  
Granting    ) ORDER GRANTING 
Registration to   )  REGISTRATION  
Provide Local Exchange              ) AND 
Services and Authorizing   ) AUTHORIZING THE   
Provision of Intraexchange   ) PROVISION OF INTRAEXCHANGE 
Services.    ) TELECOMMUNICATIONS
............................................................) SERVICES.



  
  On April 23, 1998, Comm South Companies, Inc., (Comm South) filed for 
authority to provide local exchange telecommunications services in Docket 
UT-980595.  Comm South is an alternative telephone company primarily furnishing 
prepaid local dial tone through resale to individuals who have had their 
telephone disconnected.  Comm South intends to provide an array of integrated 
telecommunications services primarily as a resale carrier, using the network 
switching and transport facilities of other facilities based carriers.  
    
  Comm South is a non facilities based reseller of incumbent local exchange 
carrier services and contracts with other local exchange carriers for 
installation.  Comm South is a Texas corporation headquartered in Dallas, Texas 
and is wholly owned by Jim Graham, William Tobin Wilson, and Steve Harvanek.  
Comm South has established a toll free 800 number for access to customer 
service representatives. 

  Comm South intends to serve the geographic regions currently served by 
incumbent local exchange companies and incorporates the boundares of the 
exchanges of U S WEST Communications, Inc. 

   Comm South proposes to collect advance payments from customers in compliance 
with WAC 480-121-040.  Pursuant to statutes and rules governing registration 
applications and advance payment proposals, Comm South has proposed a 
satisfactory bond arrangement for protection of those advanced payments.  If 
Comm South ceases operations, Comm South will provide the insurer and the 
Commission lists of outstanding account numbers, names, and balances within 48 
hours and provide refund information on the company’s toll free phone number 
for its customers.  Comm South’s proposed tariff is satisfactory and will 
mirror incumbent local exchange company calling areas.

  Comm South will submit to the Commission on a quarterly basis, under Docket 
UT-980595, the following information:  The number of Washington customers in 
total. The geographic location of those customers (either city or county).  The 
number of Washington customers gained within the reporting period.  The amount 
of advance payment dollars collected during the reporting period.  Report the 
amount of advanced payments currently being held by the company.  The number of 
reconnection fees paid during the reporting period.  The amount of revenue 
generated from reconnection fees during the reporting period.  The number of 
disconnections for nonpayment made during the reporting period.  Any changes in 
either company ownership status and legal or regulatory representative contact 
for the Commission. The reporting requirements and bond agreement may be 
modified after one year’s administration by Commission Staff, if Staff 
determines appropriate company compliance during the previous twelve month 
period.  Comm South will collect and remit to appropriate administrative 
agencies relevant excise taxes in support of various social programs, including 
enhanced 911, telecommunications relay services, and lifeline.   

FINDINGS


  THE COMMISSION FINDS:


  1. Comm South Companies, Inc., is a public service company subject to the 
jurisdiction of this Commission under the provisions of chapter 80.36 R.C.W.

  2.  It appears, upon investigation, that the request for authority to provide 
local exchange telecommunications services should be approved.

  3.  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 filing with the Commission of Comm South Companies, Inc., 
requesting authority for registration to provide intraexchange 
telecommunications services is hereby granted. 

  2.  This order shall in no way affect the authority of this Commission over 
rates, service, accounts, valuations, estimates or determination of costs, or 
any matters whatsoever that may come before it, nor shall anything herein be 
construed as an acquiescence in any estimate or determination of costs, or any 
valuation of property claimed or asserted.

  3.  Prior to supplying local exchange telecommunications services to the 
public, Comm South Companies, Inc., shall file and receive permission and 
approval for an initial tariff from the Commission identical to the amended 
tariff filed in 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.  Initial tariff must be filed with the Commission no later than 
thirty days from the date of this order.
  
  4.  Comm South Companies, Inc., shall collect advanced payments and deposits 
in compliance with WAC 480-121-040.  Prior to supplying local exchange 
telecommunications services to the public, Comm South Companies, Inc., shall 
submit to the Commission an original satisfactory bond arrangement to protect 
customer monies.  

  5.  In the event the company ceases operations, Comm South Companies, Inc., 
will within 48 hours provide to the insurer and the Commission lists 
outstanding account numbers, names, and balances and will provide refund 
information on the company’s toll free phone number for its customers for a 
minimum of six months.  

  6.  Comm South Companies, Inc., will submit to the Commission, commencing on 
September 30, 1998, the following quarterly financial data: The number of 
Washington customers in total. The geographic location of those customers 
(either city or county).  The number of Washington customers gained within the 
reporting period.  The amount of advance payment dollars collected during the 
reporting period.  Report the amount of advanced payments currently being held 
by the company.  The number of reconnection fees paid during the reporting 
period.  The amount of revenue generated from reconnection fees during the 
reporting period. The number of disconnections for nonpayment made during the 
reporting period.  Any changes in either company ownership status and legal or 
regulatory representative contact for the Commission.

  7.  In this proceeding, the Commission in no way endorses the financial 
viability of applicant nor the investment quality of any securities it may 
issue.

  8.  As a telecommunications company providing service to the public in this 
state, Comm South Companies, 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, including but not limited to 
Chapter 480-120-WAC.
 








  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 15th day of June, 1998.


  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary