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EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 and related Prospectus of Williams
Communications Group, Inc. for the registration of 5,000,000 shares of 6.75%
redeemable cumulative convertible preferred stock and 11,605,000 shares of Class
A common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
February 17, 2000, except for the matters described in the second paragraph of
Note 1 and in Note 3, as to which the date is June 15, 2000, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedules of Williams Communications
Group, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K/A) for the year ended
December 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Ernst & Young LLP
Tulsa, Oklahoma
December 6, 2000