DOCKET UT-980567        PAGE 1

BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of the Application of )
Discount Call Rating, Inc.,   ) DOCKET UT-971002
for a Supplemental Order Authorizing  )   
the Provision of Debit Card Services ) FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL
in Accordance with WAC 480-121-040 ) ORDER GRANTING AUTHORITY
and RCW 80.36.350   ) TO COLLECT ADVANCE PAYMENTS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ) 


  On January 27, 1999, Discount Call Rating, Inc., (DCRI) filed a first 
supplemental application for authorization to provide debit card services, 
pursuant to RCW 80.36.350 and WAC 480-121-040.

  DCRI was authorized to provide resold direct dialed long distance, inbound 
800/888, and travel card services in Docket UT-971002.  DCRI submitted a 
satisfactory bond agreement filed as Exhibit F of the supplemental 
application.  Exhibit G was amended on January 27, 1999, to include additional 
tariff sheets that address the debit card service.  

  DCRI has provided information showing that it meets the requirements of RCW 
80.36.350.  The nature of the debit card service implies that DCRI will collect 
advance payments from customers.  Pursuant to statutes and rules governing 
registration applications and advance payment proposals, DCRI has proposed a 
satisfactory bond agreement for protection of those advance payments.  
Initially, the bond agreement will be for $50,000 and will increase 
proportionally as the customer base increases.  If DCRI ceases operations, it 
will provide the insurer and the Commission lists of outstanding account 
numbers and balances within 48 hours.

  DCRI will limit the maximum denomination of each debit card purchased by 
residential customers to not more than $50 and debit cards purchased by 
business customers to not more than $200.  Within 15 days after June 30, 1999, 
and quarterly thereafter, DCRI will be required to submit to the Commission a 
report containing the following information specific to its State of Washington 
operations: (a) total outstanding debit card balance at the beginning of the 
reporting period (b) dollar amount of debit cards sold during the reporting 
period (c) depleted usage of debit cards during the reporting period and (d) 
total outstanding debit card balance at the end of the DOCKET UT-971002 PAGE 1
reporting period.  Statements shall continue to be filed within 15 days after 
each 3-month period thereafter until Commission staff informs applicant such 
reports are no longer required. Based upon this information, DCRI will adjust 
the amount of the bond to assure compliance with WAC 480-121-040.  In addition, 
Commission staff may request current company financial information.  After one 
year’s administration of the bond agreement, the reporting requirement may be 
modified to a semi-annual level if the company has maintained adequate levels 
in the bond agreement during the previous 12-month period.

  DCRI will state an unconditional money back guarantee on the debit card or on 
supplemental material that will be provided at the time the debit card is 
purchased with a statement warning customers to safeguard their cards.  If DCRI 
goes out of business, it will provide refund information on the company’s “800" 
phone number for its customers.  DCRI will provide a free call detail report to 
customers upon request.

FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1. Discount Call Rating, Inc., filed a supplemental application for 
registration as a telecommunications company pursuant to the provisions of RCW 
80.36.350 and the rules and regulations of the Commission.

  2. As to form, the supplemental application filed by Discount Call Rating, 
Inc., as supplemented and amended, meets the requirements of RCW 80.36.350 and 
the rules and regulations of the Commission adopted pursuant thereto.

  3. The registration of Discount Call Rating, Inc., 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 
contained in this Order, the Commission approves the supplemental application 
of Discount Call Rating, Inc., filed pursuant to RCW 80.36.350 for registration 
as a telecommunications company to include debit card services.

  2. The proposed tariff, supplemented and amended in Exhibit G, as filed on 
January 27, 1999, is satisfactory.

  3. Amendment to the Registration of Discount Call Rating, Inc., as a 
telecommunications company shall not be construed as an endorsement of 
financial viability or of the investment quality of any securities it may issue.

  4. As a telecommunications company providing service to the public in this 
state, Discount Call Rating, Inc., 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.

  5. Discount Call Rating, Inc., filed with the Commission a satisfactory bond 
agreement in the amount of $50,000.  As part of the bond agreement and in the 
event the company ceases operations, Discount Call Rating, Inc., will within 48 
hours provide to the insurer and the Commission lists of outstanding account 
numbers and balances.

  6. In the event the company ceases operations, Discount Call Rating, Inc., 
will provide refund information on the company’s “800" phone number for its 
customers for a minimum of six months.

  7. Discount Call Rating, Inc., shall maintain adequate levels in the bond 
agreement to assure compliance with WAC 480-121-040 for the protection of 
customer deposits or advance payments.

   8. Discount Call Rating, Inc., will limit the maximum denomination of each 
debit card to be purchased to $50 for residential and $200 for business 
customers.

  10. Within 15 days after June 30, 1999, and quarterly thereafter, Discount 
Call Rating, Inc., will submit to the Commission a report containing the 
following information specific to State of Washington operations: (a) total 
outstanding debit card balance at the beginning of the reporting period (b) 
dollar amount of debit cards sold during the reporting period (c) depleted 
usage of debit cards during the reporting period and (d) total outstanding 
debit card balance at the end of the reporting period.  Statements shall 
continue to be filed within 15 days after each 3-month period thereafter until 
Commission staff informs applicant such reports are no longer required. Based 
upon this information, Discount Call Rating, Inc., will adjust the amount of 
the bond to assure compliance with WAC 480-121-040 and notify the Commission of 
that adjustment in its next quarterly report.  In addition, Commission staff 
may request current company financial information.  After one year’s 
administration of the bond agreement, the reporting requirement may be modified 
to a semi-annual level if the company has maintained adequate levels in the 
bond agreement during the previous 12-month period.

  11. Discount Call Rating, Inc., will state an unconditional money back 
guarantee on the debit card or on supplemental material that will be provided 
at the time the debit card is purchased with a statement warning customers to 
safeguard their cards.
 
    12. Discount Call Rating, Inc., will provide a free call detail report to 
customers upon request. 


  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 10th day of February, 1999.



      CAROLE J. WASHBURN,  Secretary