BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of Determining Costs )
) Docket No. UT-980311(a)
for Universal Service )
) NEXTLINK'S PETITION TO
) INTERVENE
) 


 Pursuant to WAC 480-09-430(1), NEXTLINK Washington, L.L.C. ("NEXTLINK") hereby 
petitions the Commission for leave to intervene in the above-entitled docket.  
As grounds for intervention, NEXTLINK states:

I.
 The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the persons to whom 
communications should be addressed on behalf of NEXTLINK are:

 Gregory J. Kopta    Deborah Whiting Jaques
 DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP Director - Regulatory
 2600 Century Square   NEXTLINK
 1501 Fourth Avenue    1003 Montello Avenue
 Seattle, WA  98101-1688   Hood River, OR  97031
 voice:  (206) 628-7692   voice: (541) 386-6398
 fax:   (206) 628-7699   fax: (541) 386-6397
 e-mail: gregkopta@dwt.com   e-mail: djaques@nextlink.net



II.
 NEXTLINK is a telecommunications company authorized to provide intraexchange 
and interexchange telecommunications services throughout Washington.  NEXTLINK 
currently competes with U S WEST Communications, Inc. ("U S WEST") in the 
provision of intrastate switched and dedicated services, principally in the 
greater Spokane area.  

III.
 NEXTLINK has a substantial interest in the Commission's determination 
estimating the cost of providing telecommunications services in each area that 
may qualify as a high-cost location for purposes of quantifying universal 
service fund support.  As a provider of telecommunications services in the 
State of Washington, NEXTLINK contributes to the existing universal service 
fund and will contribute to the universal service fund established in the 
Commission's rulemaking.  Contributions to the universal service fund must 
match the needed revenues, which in turn, are based on the costs of providing 
service in qualifying areas.  NEXTLINK, therefore, has a substantial interest 
in how those costs -- and hence the level of required contributions -- are 
determined, as well as the actual amount of those costs. Should NEXTLINK seek 
designation as an eligible telecommunications company that may draw from the 
universal service fund, moreover, NEXTLINK has a substantial interest in how 
the Commission determines or will determine the cost of providing 
telecommunications service in the qualifying area(s) that NEXTLINK serves.


IV.
 The evidence to be presented by NEXTLINK, if any, will be of material value to 
the Commission in its determination of the issues involved in this proceeding, 
and NEXTLINK's intervention will not broaden those issues or delay the 
proceedings.

 WHEREFORE, NEXTLINK prays for leave to intervene as a party to this 
proceeding, with a right to discovery, to have notice of and appear at the 
taking of testimony, to produce and cross-examine witnesses, and to be heard in 
person or by counsel on brief and at oral argument.
 RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED this _____ day of May, 1998.

      DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP
      Attorneys for NEXTLINK Washington, L.L.C.



      By  
       Gregory J. Kopta
       WSBA No. 20519

      Deborah Whiting Jaques
      Director - Regulatory
      NEXTLINK
      1003 Montello Avenue
      Hood River, OR  97031