970630.docx

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSIONER NELSON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
MYRNA WALTERS
TONYA CLARK
DON HOWELL
STEPHANIE MILLER
DAVE SCHUNKE
JOE CUSICK
DAVID SCOTT
WORKING FILE
FROM:WELDON STUTZMAN
DATE:JUNE 30, 1997
RE:CASE NOS. USW-T-97-9; GTS-T-97-1
APPROVAL OF INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN U S WEST AND GST TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
On May 12, 1997, U S WEST Communications, Inc. (U S WEST) and GST Telecommunications, Inc. (GST) filed a Joint Application for approval of their interconnection agreement arrived at through voluntary negotiations.  The agreement consists of a Local Wireline Network Interconnection and Service Resale Agreement, No. SEA-970416-1601\C, and a Pole and Anchor Attachment and\or Innerduct Occupancy Agreement, No. SEA-070416-1602\G, and are submitted for approval pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252(e) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the Act).  The Agreement was reached through voluntary negotiations following the filing of a Petition for Arbitration by GST on March 17, 1997. On May 29, 1997, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure to process the Application.  The comment period established by the Notice terminated on June 19, 1997.  No comments were filed regarding the Application.
Staff recommends approval of this interconnection agreement.
Commission Decision:
Should the agreement for interconnection of facilities and interchange of traffic between U S WEST and GST Telecommunications, Inc. be approved pursuant to § 252 (e) of the Telecommunications Act?

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