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Before the
               Federal Communications Commission
                     Washington, D.C. 20554



In the Matter of

Investigation of Alascom, Inc.,
Interstate Transport and Switching Services

Alascom, Inc.
Revisions to Tariff F.C.C. No. 11


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CC Docket No. 95-182

Transmittal No. 1088



                             ORDER

   Adopted:  December 23, 1999          Released:  December 28, 1999

By the Chief, Competitive Pricing Division, Common Carrier Bureau:

     I.   introduction
1.     On November 24, 1999, Alascom, Inc. (Alascom), filed Transmittal No. 1088 to revise its
Tariff F.C.C. No. 11 (Tariff No. 11) for the dominant common carrier interexchange services that it
provides in Alaska (Alaska Services).  These proposed tariff revisions are scheduled to become effective
January 1, 2000.  These revisions increase and/or decrease certain per minute of use Transport and
Switching rates for Intra-Alaska Bush and Non-Bush locations (between Alaska LEC offices and
Alascom Switching Center in Alaska); and reduce certain Bush and Non-Bush rates for
Alaska/Continental United States Transport (between Anchorage and Portland, Oregon).  In this Order,
we suspend the effectiveness of the above transmittal for one day, set it for investigation, consolidate this
investigation into the investigation initiated in the Transmittal 790 Suspension Order, and impose an
accounting order.
2.     On December 9, 1999, General Communications, Inc. (GCI) filed a petition to suspend and
investigate the above transmittal.  Alascom responded on December 16, 1999.
     III. CONTENTIONS
4.     GCI asks the Commission to suspend the above transmittal, order an investigation, 
consolidate that investigation with the previously-ordered investigations of earlier Alascom Tariff No. 11
transmittals, and issue an accounting order.  GCI contends that Tariff No. 11 is unlawful and that the
above transmittal violates Joint Board and Commission orders and raises the same issues addressed in
the petitions filed by GCI and others with respect to earlier Tariff No. 11 transmittals.  GCI claims that
there is no basis for different Bush/non-Bush per minute rates because Alascom has only one switch
located in Anchorage which serves both Bush and non-Bush areas.  GCI further claims that changes in
transport rates produced by the Alascom cost study are not consistent with changes in expenses and
investments delineated by GCI in its petition.  Finally, GCI urges the Commission to commence the
long-standing Alascom Tariff No. 11 investigation without further delay.   
5.     In response to GCI's petition, Alascom does not object to a one-day suspension of
Transmittal No. 1088, inclusion of it in the pending investigation and the application of the accounting
order already in place.  Alascom states that the revisions to the switching and transport rates reflected in
Transmittal No. 1088 are based upon the Commission approved computer model functions in its Cost
Allocation Plan and are just and reasonable.  At the same time, Alascom urges the Commission to
dismiss the pending investigation and indirectly seeks some recision of the current regulatory paradigm.

     VI.  discussion
7.     We have reviewed the above transmittal, its supporting materials, and the petition and reply. 
We find that Transmittal No. 1088 raises the same issues regarding rate levels, rate structures, and terms
and conditions of service as those identified in the Transmittal 790 Suspension Order.  For example, the
proposed tariff revisions, like those in the earlier Alascom Transmittal Nos. 790, 797, 807, 852, 921, 933,
937, 941, 942, and 993 raise the questions regarding the adequacy of Alascom's cost support and the
extent to which the rates, terms, and conditions in the proposed tariff comply with the Communications
Act and relevant Commission orders.  We conclude, therefore, that significant questions of lawfulness
exist concerning Alascom's Transmittal No. 1088.  Accordingly, we suspend the provisions of
Transmittal No. 1088 for one day, set those provisions for investigation, and consolidate that
investigation with the investigation initiated in the Transmittal 790 Suspension Order.  These rate
changes will also be subject to an accounting order to facilitate any refunds that may later be necessary. 
Our accounting order will ensure that GCI, and other Tariff No. 11 customers, will be able to receive
refunds of any amounts improperly charged should the Commission ultimately determine that Alascom's
tariff is unlawful.
     VIII.     ordering clauses
9.     Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 204(a) of the Communications Act
of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.  204(a), and through the authority delegated pursuant to Sections 0.91
and 0.291 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.C.  0.91 and 0.291, the revisions to Alascom, Inc., Tariff
F.C.C. No. 11 contained in Transmittal No. 1088 ARE SUSPENDED for one day from its effective date
and an investigation of that tariff transmittal is instituted and incorporated within CC Docket No. 92-182.
10.    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Alascom, Inc., SHALL FILE tariff revisions within five
business days of the release date of this Order to reflect this suspension.
11.    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Sections 4(i) and 204(a) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.  154(i) 204(a), and through the authority
delegated pursuant to Sections 0.91 and 0.291 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  0.91, 0.291,
Alascom, Inc., SHALL KEEP ACCURATE ACCOUNT of all amounts received by reason of the rates
that are the subject of this investigation.
12.    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the petition to suspend and investigate Alascom
Transmittal No. 1088 filed by General Communications, Inc. IS GRANTED to the extent indicated
herein.
                              FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


                              Jane E. Jackson
                              Chief, Competitive Pricing Division
                              Common Carrier Bureau