BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Investigation Into )
) DOCKET NO. UT-003022
U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.’s )
) NOTICE OF PREHEARING CONFERENCE
Compliance with Section 271 of the ) (March 30, 2000)
Telecommunications Act of 1996. )
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On October 29, 1997, the Commission issued an Interpretive and Policy Statement on Process for RBOC Application Under Section 271 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Act) establishing policies and a schedule for conducting its review. In accordance with the schedule set forth in that policy statement, 90 days prior to the date
U S WEST Communications, Inc. (U S WEST or Company) files its application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Company is to file with the Commission a copy of all information it will file with the FCC.

On January 18, 2000, U S WEST filed a proposal to modify the Interpretive and Policy Statement. The Commission received written comments, convened a workshop on February 18, 2000, and heard further comments from interested persons on March 8, 2000, on issues relating to U S WEST’s request to modify the procedure for Commission evaluation of its potential Section 271 filing. The Commission adopted a Supplemental Interpretive and Policy Statement was adopted by Commission order on March 15, 2000, providing for a modified model schedule that includes a series of workshops. Under the model schedule, the Commission is to convene a prehearing conference promptly upon receiving U S WEST’s filing of an outline of its application to the FCC under section 271 and materials for the first workshop. U S WEST did make that filing on March 22, 2000.

Hearing in this matter is being held pursuant to Part IV of chapter 34.05 RCW pertaining to adjudicative proceedings, including but not limited to RCW 34.05.431, RCW 34.05.443, RCW 34.05.449, and RCW 34.05.455. The Commission has jurisdiction over this matter under Title 80 RCW and RCW 80.36.610(1) and 47 U. S. C. § 271(d)(2)(B), having a legal obligation under the Act to verify to the FCC that U S WEST is in compliance with Section 271(c) of the Act.

NOTICE IS GIVEN that, in accordance with WAC 480-09-700(1)(a), the Commission has determined that good cause exists for this matter to be heard on shortened notice.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN That a prehearing conference will be held at 9:30 a.m., March 30, 2000, in Room 108, Chandler Plaza Building, 1300 S. Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, Washington.

Those present at the prehearing conference will be required to consider formulating any other issues in the proceeding and to determine other matters to aid in the disposition, as specified in WAC 480-09-460, including ex parte considerations in general. Petitions to intervene should be made in writing prior to that date or made orally at that time. Appearances will be taken. The time and place for any additional hearing will be set at the prehearing conference or by later written notice.

If any party or witness needs an interpreter or other assistance, please fill out the form attached to this notice and return it to the Commission.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN THAT ANY PARTY WHO FAILS TO ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE IN THE HEARING SET BY THIS NOTICE, OR ANY OTHER STAGE OF THIS PROCEEDING, MAY BE HELD IN DEFAULT IN ACCORDANCE WITH RCW 34.05.440. THE PARTIES ARE FURTHER ADVISED THAT THE SANCTION PROVISIONS OF WAC 480-09-700(4) ARE SPECIFICALLY INVOKED.

The names and mailing addresses of all parties and their known representatives are as follows:

Commission: Washington Utilities and
Transportation Commission
1300 S. Evergreen Park Drive S.W.
P.O. Box 47250
Olympia, WA 98504-7250
(360) 664-1160

Representative: Shannon E. Smith
Assistant Attorney General
1400 S. Evergreen Park Drive S.W.
P.O. Box 40128
Olympia, WA 98504-0128
(360) 664-1192

Company: U S WEST Communications, Inc.
1600 Seventh Avenue
Seattle, WA 98191

Representative: Lisa Anderl
Attorney at Law
1600 Seventh Avenue, Suite 3206
Seattle, WA 98191
(206) 345-1574

Public Counsel: Simon J. ffitch
Public Counsel Section
Office of Attorney General
900 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2000
Seattle, WA 98164-1012
(206) 464-7744

An Administrative Law Judge from the Utilities and Transportation Commission's Administrative Law Division, 1300 S. Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, Washington 98504-7250, (360) 664-1139, will be designated to preside at the prehearing conference.

The Commission will provide at its offices in Olympia, Washington, current records of the hearing for the use of those who may wish to review them. The Public Counsel section of the Office of the Attorney General has been designated by the Attorney General to represent the public. The address of the Commission, shown below, may be used for inquiries of Public Counsel, or Public Counsel may be contacted directly by writing or calling the address or telephone number listed below.

Notice of any other procedural phase will be given in writing or on the record as the Commission may deem appropriate during the course of this proceeding.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

CAROLE J. WASHBURN
Executive Secretary

March 23, 2000

Inquiries may be addressed to:

Secretary -or- Public Counsel Section
Washington Utilities and Office of Attorney General
Transportation Commission 900 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2000
Chandler Plaza Building Seattle, WA 98164-1012
1300 S. Evergreen Park Drive S.W. (206) 464-7744
P.O. Box 47250
Olympia, WA 98504-7250
(360) 664-1160