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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the use of our report dated March 20, 2000, included in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of World Access, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year
ended December 31, 1999, with respect to the consolidated financial statements
and schedules, as amended, included in this Form 10-K/A, Amendment No.1.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
Form S-8 Nos. 333-33640, 333-68619, 333-68125, 333-68625, 333-66731, 333-68623
and 333-66723 and Form S-3 Nos. 333-79097 and 333-33638 pertaining to the
various stock option, warrant and other employee benefit plans of World Access,
Inc. and subsidiaries of our report dated March 20, 2000, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedules of World Access, Inc. and
subsidiaries included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, Amendment No.1, for
the year ended December 31, 1999.

                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
August 2, 2000