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

ADVANCED TELCOM GROUP, INC.

and

U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 
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		DOCKET UT-980390
		
		
		ORDER APPROVING ADOPTION
		OF PREVIOUSLY APPROVED
		INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT

BACKGROUND

   This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and Transportation 
Commission (Commission) for approval of adoption of a previously approved 
Interconnection Agreement under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Act) 
between Advanced TelCom Group, Inc. (ATGI), and U S WEST Communications (U S 
WEST). On November 13, 1998, the parties filed a joint request for approval to 
adopt the previously approved interconnection agreement (Agreement) between 
Covad Communications Company (Covad), and U S WEST in its entirety.  The 
parties executed the Agreement on November 6, 1998. 
  On December 9, 1998, 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 as 
submitted.

 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) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, requires parties to 
fully negotiated agreements to submit the agreement to the DOCKET 
UT-980390             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. U S WEST is engaged in the business of furnishing telecommunications 
services, including, but not limited to, basic local exchange service within 
the state of Washington.
  4. ATGI is authorized to provide intrastate interexchange and local exchange 
telecommunications services in the state of Washington. 
  5. On November 13, 1998, the parties filed with the Commission a joint 
request for approval an agreement for network interconnection and service 
resale pursuant to the Act.
  6. The Agreement is an adoption of a previously approved interconnection 
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 ATGI 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 network interconnection between Advanced TelCom Group, 
Inc., and U S WEST Communications, Inc., which the parties executed on November 
6, 1998, 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 of 1996 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 9th day of       December, 
1998.
  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


      ANNE LEVINSON, Chair



      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner