DOCKET NO. UT-970312 PAGE 1
BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



In the Matter of the Request for the Adoption of An Approved Interconnection 
Agreement Between

SPRINT SPECTRUM L.P.  and GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED

Pursuant to 47 USC § 252

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		DOCKET NO. UT-970312
		
		
		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 Sprint Spectrum, 
L. P. (“Spectrum”) and GTE Northwest Incorporated (“GTE”).  The parties jointly 
request approval of their “Interconnection Agreement” (“the Agreement”). The 
parties executed the Agreement on April 18, 1997.
  The parties requested approval of the agreement on May 1, 1997. The 
Commission considered the request, and the comments and recommendations of the 
Commission staff, at an open public meeting held on June 25, 1997.

 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.  The Commission is authorized by Section 252(e) of the Communications Act 
of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the “Act”),  to 
approve fully negotiated agreements for resale of telecommunications services 
between telecommunications providers.
  3. GTE is engaged in the business of furnishing telecommunications services, 
including, but not limited to, basic local exchange service within the state of 
Washington.
  4. Spectrum is authorized to provide intrastate, interexchange 
telecommunications services and local exchange services within the state of 
Washington.
  5.  On May 1, 1997, Spectrum and GTE jointly filed with the Commission a 
request for approval of a fully negotiated Interconnection Agreement pursuant 
to the Act.
  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 Spectrum to enter the local exchange market and increase 
customer choices for local exchange services.

 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 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 Interconnection Agreement between Sprint Spectrum, L. P. and GTE 
Northwest Incorporated, which the parties executed on April 18, 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 McLELLAN
       Secretary