DOCKET UT-980035 Page 1
BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATIONCOMMISSION


In the Matter of the Application    ) DOCKET UT-980782
of Big Planet, Inc.,     )
for an Order Authorizing    )
the Registration of Applicant   ) AUTHORIZING
as a Telecommunications Company     ) REGISTRATION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . )


  On June 8, 1998, Big Planet, Inc., filed an application for registration as a 
telecommunications company pursuant to RCW 80.36.350.  Applicant proposes to 
offer resold direct dialed long distance, inbound 800/888, travel card, and 
debit card services to the public.  Big Planet, Inc., requested extensions for 
additional time to complete its application for registration by letters to the 
Commission dated July 7, 1998, July 22, 1998, August 6, 1998, and August 19, 
1998. 

  Big Planet, Inc., is a Utah corporation, headquartered in Provo, Utah.  The 
corporation is wholly owned by numerous individuals. 

  Big Planet, Inc., has provided information showing that it meets the 
requirements of RCW 80.36.350.  The nature of the debit card service implies 
Big Planet, Inc., proposes to collect advance payments from customers.  
Pursuant to statutes and rules governing registration applications and advance 
payment proposals, Big Planet, Inc., has submitted a satisfactory bond 
agreement for protection of those advance payments. Initially, the bond 
agreement will be for $29,000 and will increase proportionally as customer base 
increases.  If Big Planet, Inc., ceases operations, Big Planet, Inc., will 
provide the insurer and the Commission lists of outstanding account numbers and 
balances within 48 hours.

  Big Planet, Inc., 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 
December 31, 1998, and quarterly thereafter, Big Planet, Inc., 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-980782 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, Big Planet, Inc., 
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.

  Big Planet, 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.  If Big Planet, Inc., goes out of business, it will provide refund 
information on the company's 800 phone number for its customers.  Big Planet, 
Inc., will provide a free call detail report to customers upon request.



FINDINGS

  THE COMMISSION FINDS:

  1. Big Planet, Inc., 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.

  3. The registration of Big Planet, 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 
hereof, the application of Big Planet, Inc., 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 June 8, 1998, and amended in Exhibit G, 
attached to the application, is satisfactory.  Prior to supplying service to 
the public as a telecommunications company,  Big Planet, Inc., 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.  Failure to file an 
initial tariff within 30 days from the effective date of this Order and prior 
to supplying service to the public may result in the Commission taking action 
to cancel Big Planet, Inc.’s registration as a telecommunications company in 
the state of Washington.

  3. Big Planet, Inc., has submitted to the Commission a satisfactory bond 
agreement in the amount of $29,000.  As part of the bond agreement and in the 
event the company ceases operations, Big Planet, Inc., will within 48 hours 
provide to the bank and the Commission lists of outstanding account numbers and 
balances. 

  4. Big Planet, Inc., will limit the amount of debit cards to be purchased of 
not more than $50 increments for residential customers and $200 for business 
customers.

  5. Within 15 days after December 31, 1998, and quarterly thereafter, Big 
Planet, Inc., 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-980782 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, Big Planet, Inc., 
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.

  6. Big Planet, Inc., shall state that there is a money-back guarantee on the 
debit cards and provide a statement warning customers to safeguard their cards.

  7. In the event the company ceases operations, Big Planet, Inc., will provide 
refund information on the company's 800 phone number for its customers for a 
minimum of six months.

  8. Big Planet, Inc., will provide a free call detail report to customers upon 
request.  

  9. Registration of Big Planet, Inc., 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.

  10. As a telecommunications company providing service to the public in this 
state, Big Planet, 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.




  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this        th day of September, 
1998.



      CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary