ORDER NO. 98-451

ENTERED NOV 06 1998

This is an electronic copy.

OF OREGON

ARB 86

 DISPOSITION: AGREEMENT APPROVED

On September 21, 1998, Montana Communication (Montana) and U S WEST Communications, Inc., filed a Service Resale Agreement with the Commission. The parties seek approval of the agreement under Section 252(e)(2) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Under the Act, the Commission must approve or reject an agreement reached through voluntary negotiation within 90 days of filing. The Commission may reject an agreement only if it finds that:

the agreement (or portion thereof) discriminates against a telecommunications carrier not a party to the agreement; or

the implementation of such agreement or portion is not consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

The Commission provided notice of the request for approval and an opportunity to comment to a list of persons who have participated in arbitrations under the Act. Comments were filed by the PUC Staff.

Staff concluded that the agreement does not appear to discriminate against telecommunications carriers who are not parties to the agreement and does not appear to be inconsistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity. Staff noted that the Commission has not certified Montana to provide intrastate telecommunications services, and Montana has not applied for intrastate certification. The approval of the service resale agreement does not constitute a grant of authority to Montana for provision of intrastate telecommunications service.

OPINION

The Commission has reviewed the agreement and the comments. We conclude that there is no basis under the Act to reject the agreement. No participant in the proceeding has requested that the agreement be rejected or has presented any reason for rejection. We conclude that the agreement should be approved.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no basis for finding that the agreement discriminates against any telecommunications carrier not a party to the agreement.

There is no basis for finding that implementation of the agreement is not consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

The agreement should be approved.

ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. The agreement between Montana Communications and U S WEST Communications, Inc., is approved.

2. Montana Communications must obtain a certificate of authority from this Public Utility Commission before it provides any intrastate telecommunications service.

Made, entered, and effective ________________________.

 A party may request rehearing or reconsideration of this order pursuant to ORS 756.561. A request for rehearing or reconsideration must be filed with the Commission within 60 days of the date of service of this order. The request must comply with the requirements in OAR 860-014-0095. A copy of any such request must also be served on each party to the proceeding as provided by OAR 860-013-0070(2). A party may appeal this order to a court pursuant to applicable law.