<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23.2
Independent Auditors' Consent
We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement
on Form S-8 of e.spire Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries of our report dated
March 24, 2000 except for Notes 2, 8 and 19 which are as of April 13, 2000,
relating to the consolidated balance sheets of e.spire Communications, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997,1998 and 1999 and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for the
years ended December 31, 1997,1998 and 1999, which report appears in the
December 31, 1999 annual report on Form 10-K of e.spire Communications, Inc.
Our report refers to a change to the method of accounting for revenue
recognition associated with leasing its fiber-optic network.
/s/
KPMG LLP
Washington, DC
June 8, 2000
