Exhibit 23.1

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
report dated January 24,  2001 on the consolidated financial statements of Level
3 Communications,  Inc. as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 and for the three years
ended December 31, 2000, incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form
10-K/A-1,  into Level 3  Communications,  Inc.'s  previously filed  Registration
Statements  on  Forms  S-3  (File  Nos.  333-53914,   333-91899,  333-68887  and
333-71713)  and  on  Forms  S-8  (File  Nos.  333-79533,  333-42465,  333-68447,
333-58691 and 333-52697).

/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Denver, Colorado
April 10, 2001