<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
e.spire Communications, Inc.:
We consent to the use of our reports incorporated by reference herein and
to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.
Our reports dated March 24, 2000, except as to Notes 2, 8 and 19 which are
as of April 13, 2000 refer to a change in the mthod of accounting for revenue
recognition associated with leasing the Company's fiber-optic network.
/s/ KPMG LLP
McLean, Virginia
July 31, 2000
