DOCKET NO. UT-960359 PAGE 1


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

Rainier Cable, Inc., and U S WEST Communications, Inc.


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		DOCKET NO. UT-960359
		
		
		ORDER APPROVING
		FULLY NEGOTIATED
		INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT


BACKGROUND

   This matter comes before the Washington Utilities and Transportation 
Commission (“Commission”) for approval of a fully negotiated agreement under 
the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The agreement is between Rainier Cable, 
Inc., (“Rainier”) and U S WEST Communications, Inc. (“U S WEST”).  The parties 
filed a Joint Request for Approval of Agreement for Wireless Interconnection 
(“the Agreement”) on May 6, 1997. The parties executed the Agreement on April 
4, 1997.
   On June 25, 1997, the Commission convened an open public meeting at its 
offices in Olympia, Washington, to consider the Joint Request for approval of 
the Agreement.  Commission Staff recommended that the request be approved.  At 
the conclusion of the open meeting, the Commission approved the request to 
adopt 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)(A)(1) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the “Act”), 
requires parties to fully negotiated agreements to submit the agreement to the 
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. Rainier Cable, Inc., is authorized to provide intrastate interexchange 
telecommunications services and local exchange services within the state of 
Washington.
  5. The parties filed a Joint Request for Approval of Agreement for Wireless 
Interconnection (“the Agreement”) on May 6, 1997.
  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 Rainier Cable, Inc., 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 of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation 
of the Agreement.  The Agreement shall also be subject to the present and 
future decisions of the Commission and the Washington courts.

 ORDER

  THE COMMISSION ORDERS:
  1.  The Agreement for Wireless Interconnection between Rainier Cable, Inc., 
and U S WEST Communications, Inc., which the parties executed on April 4, 1997, 
is approved.
  2.  The laws of Washington shall govern the construction and interpretation 
of the Agreement.  The Agreement shall also be subject to the present and 
future decisions of the Commission and the Washington courts.

  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this        th day of June, 1997.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


      STEVE McCLELLAN, Secretary