1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
   
     We consent to the use in this amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement No.
333-56231 on Form S-1 of OpTel, Inc. of our reports dated October 6, 1998, on
the financial statements and financial statement schedule of OpTel, Inc. and to
the use of our report dated May 15, 1998 on the financial statement of the
Assets and Liabilities of ICS Communications, LLC acquired by OpTel, Inc. for
the year ended December 31, 1997, appearing in the Prospectus or elsewhere in
this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the
headings "Summary Consolidated Financial and Operating Data", "Selected
Historical Consolidated Financial and Operating Data" and "Experts" in such
Prospectus.
    
 
    /s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
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March 24, 1999
    
Dallas, Texas