ALJ/XJV/eap Mailed 8/3/2000

Decision 00-08-016 August 3, 2000

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Application for Modification of Level 3 Communications, LLC's Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to Provide Switched and Dedicated, Resale and Facilities-Based, Interexchange and Local Exchange Telecommunications Services in California.

Application 99-06-028 (Filed June 16, 1999)

O P I N I O N

1. Summary

Level 3 Communications, LLC (Level 3) holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) to operate in California as competitive local carrier (CLC) of telecommunications services and as a nondominant interexchange carrier (NDIEC). The CPCN authorizes Level 3 to construct and operate its fiber optic telecommunications network within existing utility rights of way (ROWs). By this application, Level 3 seeks additional authority to undertake specified network construction and operation outside of these ROWs. We grant the requested authority, as conditioned by the additional environmental review in the mitigated negative declaration, which we adopt.