Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1956 NO. 223 >

The right arising from the filing and acceptance of an exchange area map imposes on the company, not only the right, but the obligation to serve the area embraced therein. In the situation at Richland, that right has been transferred to successor companies, and persists as an exclusive right until modified by appropriate administrative action. Justification for dual exchange area maps must be determined by the Commission on the evidence in each case. Disposition of physical telephone plant by the Federal Government cannot extinguish rights arising under an exchange area map pursuant to state law under the facts pertaining to the Richland situation.