19990202.docx

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSIONER NELSON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
MYRNA WALTERS
TONYA CLARK
RITA SCOTT
DON HOWELL
STEPHANIE MILLER
JOE CUSICK
WAYNE HART
DAVID SCOTT
WORKING FILE
FROM:WELDON STUTZMAN
DATE:FEBRUARY 2, 1999
RE:CASE NO. GTE-T-98-8; APPROVAL OF INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN GTE NORTHWEST AND AT&T COMMUNICATIONS
On December 10, 1998, AT&T Communications of the Mountain States, Inc. (AT&T) and GTE Northwest Incorporated (GTE) filed a Joint Application for approval of an interconnection agreement arrived at through voluntary negotiations.  The agreement is entitled Agreement for Exchange and Billing of Terminating Traffic and is submitted for approval pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252(e) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
On January 15, 1999, the Commission issued a Notice of Joint Petition and Notice of Modified Procedure, establishing a fourteen day comment period.  No written comments were filed during the comment period.
Staff has reviewed the interconnection agreement between AT&T and GTE and finds it to be consistent with requirements of the Telecommunications Act and the public interest, convenience and necessity.  Staff therefore recommends approval of the interconnection agreement between GTE and AT&T.
Commission Decision
Should the interconnection agreement filed by AT&T and GTE be approved?

Weldon Stutzman
vld/M:GTE-T-98-8.ws