Docket UT-981092 Page 1



BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Application  )  DOCKET  UT-981092
of Village Telephone, Inc.,   )  
for an Order Authorizing   )  ORDER AUTHORIZING 
Registration to Provide    )  REGISTRATION FOR
Local Exchange Services and     )  THE PROVISION OF   
Authorizing Provision   )  SWITCHED INTRAEXCHANGE
of Intraexchange and Interexchange  )  AND INTEREXCHANGE Telecommunications 
Services  )  TELECOMMUNICATIONS
........................................................................)  
SERVICES        


  On August 13, 1998, Village Telephone, Inc., (Village) filed an application 
for registration for authority to provide local exchange service in Washington.

    Village is an Oregon corporation, headquartered in Newcastle, Washington, 
and is wholly owned by Jack Farley.  Village plans to operate as a 
facilities-based and reseller of local exchange and intrastate interexchange 
provider of voice and high-speed data services.  Village intends to focus on 
deploying telephone switching technology to provide telecommunication services 
in Second and Third Tier Cities to residences and small and medium-sized 
businesses. Village will provide customers access to 911 emergency services, 
directory assistance, operator assisted services, relay services, and lifeline 
service.  

  Village has filed a proposed tariff which is satisfactory and will mirror 
incumbent local exchange company (LEC) calling.  Village has voluntarily 
committed to collect and remit to appropriate administrative agencies relevant 
excise taxes in support of various social programs, including enhanced 911, 
telecommunications relay services, and lifeline.  Village does not propose to 
collect advanced payments or deposits from customers.  

FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1.   Village Telephone, Inc., is a public service company subject to the 
jurisdiction of this Commission under the provisions of chapter 80.36 RCW.

  2.   It appears, upon investigation, that the application for registration 
and request for authority to provide switched intraexchange and interexchange 
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 application for registration of Village Telephone, Inc., filed with 
the Commission requesting authority to provide switched intraexchange and 
interexchange 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.  The proposed tariff as filed and amended, in Exhibit G attached to the 
application, is satisfactory.  Prior to supplying service to the public as a 
local exchange carrier or provision of resold services of incumbent and other 
local exchange carriers, Village Telephone, Inc., shall file and receive 
permission and approval for an initial tariff with the Commission. The tariff 
shall bear an effective date not less than 30 days subsequent to the date of 
receipt by the Commission. Failure to file an initial tariff within 30 days 
from the effective date of this Order and prior to supplying service to the 
public may result in the Commission taking action to cancel Village Telephone 
Inc.’s registration as a telecommunications company in the state of Washington. 

  
  4.  Village Telephone, Inc., shall not collect advanced 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 26th day of August, 1998.


  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary