EXHIBIT 12.1
                                          CONSENT OF PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP


                       Consent of Independent Accountants

            We  hereby  consent  to  the   incorporation  by  reference  in  the
Registration  Statement on Form F-3 (Registration No. 333-05972) of COLT Telecom
Group  plc and in the  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-8  (Registration  No.
333-8362)  of COLT  Telecom  Group plc,  of our report  dated 26  February  2003
relating to the consolidated  financial  statements and the financial  statement
schedules, which is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors
London
England

27 June 2003