BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Application of ) 
SOUTHWESTERN BELL COMMUNICATIONS   ) DOCKET UT-970798
SERVICES, INC., d/b/a SOUTHWESTERN  )
BELL LONG DISTANCE,     )
for an Order Authorizing the   )   
Registration of Applicant       ) AUTHORIZING
as a Telecommunications Company   ) REGISTRATION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . )


  On May 13, 1997, Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., d/b/a 
Southwestern Bell Long Distance, filed an application for registration as a 
telecommunications company pursuant to RCW 80.36.350.  Applicant proposes to 
offer resold direct dialed long distance, 800/888 services, and calling card 
services to the public.

  Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., d/b/a Southwestern Bell Long 
Distance, is a Delaware corporation, headquartered in Richardson, Texas, and is 
a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBC Communications, Inc., located in San Antonio, 
Texas. Rates, terms and conditions set forth in the proposed tariff are 
structured to be competitive with other telecommunications companies in 
relevant markets.

  Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., d/b/a Southwestern Bell Long 
Distance, has provided information showing that it possesses adequate financial 
resources, and technical competence to provide the proposed services.  
Applicant does not propose to collect advance payments or deposits from 
customers.

FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1. Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., d/b/a Southwestern Bell 
Long Distance, filed an application pursuant to the provisions of RCW 80.36.350 
and the rules and regulations of the Commission for an order approving its 
application for registration as a telecommunications company.

  2. As to form, the application filed herein, as supplemented and amended, 
meets the requirements of RCW 80.36.350 and the rules and regulations of the 
Commission adopted pursuant thereto.




DOCKET UT-970798        Page 2


  3. The registration of Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., d/b/a 
Southwestern Bell Long Distance, as a telecommunications company is not 
inconsistent with the public interest.

  4. 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 of Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., 
d/b/a Southwestern Bell Long Distance, filed with the Commission pursuant to 
the provisions of RCW 80.36.350 requesting an order authorizing registration as 
a telecommunications company to provide service to the public in this state is 
approved.

  2. The proposed tariff as filed on May 13, 1997, and amended in Exhibit G, 
attached to the application, is satisfactory.  Prior to supplying service to 
the public as a telecommunications company, Southwestern Bell Communications 
Services, Inc., d/b/a Southwestern Bell Long Distance, shall file an initial 
tariff with the Commission identical to the amended 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. 

  3. Registration of Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., d/b/a 
Southwestern Bell Long Distance, as a telecommunications company shall not be 
construed as an endorsement of financial viability nor of the investment 
quality of any securities it may issue.

  4. As a telecommunications company providing service to the public in this 
state, Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., d/b/a Southwestern Bell 
Long Distance, 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.






DOCKET UT-970798        Page 3


  5. Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc., d/b/a Southwestern Bell 
Long Distance, shall not collect advance 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 25th day of June, 1997.



      STEVE McLELLAN, Secretary