BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Request for Approval of Negotiated Agreement under the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996 Between

U S WEST WIRELESS, L.L.C. 

and 

GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED 

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		DOCKET UT-990318
		
		
		
		ORDER APPROVING
		FULLY NEGOTIATED WIRELESS
		INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT


BACKGROUND

   This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and Transportation 
Commission (Commission) for approval of a fully negotiated wireless 
interconnection agreement under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  The 
agreement is between    U S WEST Wireless, L.L.C. (U S WEST Wireless), and GTE 
Northwest Incorporated (GTENW).  On March 22, 1999, the parties filed a joint 
request for approval of the fully negotiated wireless interconnection agreement 
between U S WEST Wireless and GTENW for the state of Washington (Agreement).  
The parties executed the Agreement on March 18, 1999.
   On April 14, 1999, the Commission convened an open public meeting at its 
offices in Olympia, Washington, to consider the 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. Section 252(e)(A)(1) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Act), requires 
parties to fully negotiated agreements to submit the agreement to the 
Docket UT-990318          PAGE 1
Commission for approval. Section 252(e)(2)(A) states that the Commission may 
only reject an agreement (or any portion thereof) adopted by negotiation if it 
finds that:

  (i)  the agreement (or any portion thereof) discriminates against a         
telecommunications carrier not a party to the agreement; or
  (ii)  the implementation of such agreement or portion is not 
consistent         with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

  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. U S WEST Wireless is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission as 
a commercial mobile radio service provider.
  5. The parties filed a joint request for approval of an interconnection 
agreement on March 22, 1999.
  6. The parties voluntarily negotiated the entire 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 U S WEST Wireless to enter the local exchange market and 
increase customer choices for local exchange services. The provisions of the 
Agreement are consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

  1. The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject matter of and all parties 
to this proceeding.
  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, regulations, and Commission Orders of Washington shall govern 
the construction and interpretation of the Agreement.  The Agreement shall also 
be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission and the Washington courts.

 ORDER

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS:
  1. The Agreement for wireless network interconnection between GTE Northwest 
Incorporated, and U S WEST Wireless, L.L.C., which the parties executed on 
March 18, 1999, 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, regulations, and Commission Orders of Washington shall govern 
the construction and interpretation of the Agreement.  The Agreement shall also 
be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission and the Washington courts.
  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 14th day of          April, 
1999.
  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


      MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner



      WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner