<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-51472) 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
January 4, 2001
