EXHIBIT 23

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of
Bell Atlantic - Washington, D.C., Inc. on Form S-3 (File No. 33-53234) of our
report dated February 9, 1998, on our audits of the financial statements and
financial statement schedule of the Company as of December 31, 1997 and December
31, 1996, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997,
which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

/s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P

2400 Eleven Penn Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 25, 1998