EXHIBIT 23.1


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the inclusion in this 
Form 8-K/A of our report dated April 4, 1997 (except with respect to the matter 
discussed in Notes 1, 3(a), 4(d), 5 and 9, as to which the date is May 24, 1997)
on the financial statements of SmarTel Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries 
(the Company) as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for the three years in the 
period ended December 31, 1996.  It should be noted that we have not audited any
financial statements of the Company subsequent to December 31, 1996 or performed
any audit procedures subsequent to the date of our report.



/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
August 5, 1997