1 EXHIBIT 23.6 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of our report, which includes a matter of emphasis, dated April 14, 2000, included in the STAR Telecommunications, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and to all references to our Firm included in this Registration Statement. /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Los Angeles, California May 23, 2000