EXHIBIT 5.1

                                December 5, 1997

BTI Telecom Corp.
BTI Corporate Center
4300 Six Forks Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27609

      Re:    Registration Statement on Form S-4

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed by BTI
Telecom Corp., a North Carolina corporation (the "Issuer"), with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof (the "Registration
Statement"), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, of $250.0 million principal amount of 10-1/2% Senior Notes of
the Issuer. Such Notes are referred to herein as the "Securities". The
Securities are to be exchanged as described in the Registration Statement and
pursuant to the Indenture filed as an exhibit thereto (the "Indenture"). In our
examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity
of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity with the
original of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof.

     As your legal counsel, we have examined the proceedings taken, and are
familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken, in connection with the
exchange and issuance of the Securities.

     It is our opinion, subject to the assumptions and qualifications contained
herein, that:

     1. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered and
constitutes a valid and legally binding instrument of the Issuer.

     2. Upon completion of the proceedings being taken or contemplated by us, as
your counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance of the Securities, including the
proceedings being taken in order to permit such transaction to be carried out in
accordance with applicable state securities laws, the Securities when issued and
exchanged in the manner referred to in the Registration Statement and in
accordance with the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Issuers
will be duly issued, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and will be
entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

     The opinions set forth above are subject to the following qualifications
and limitations:

     A. The enforceability of any obligation of the Issuer is subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance,
moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally
and subject to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial
reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement
is sought in proceeding at law or in equity);

     B. We express no opinion as to any provision of the Indenture purporting to
relieve the trustee thereunder of the exercise of reasonable diligence, or with
respect to the enforceability of any provision of the Indenture pursuant to
which any party is indemnified against a liability arising under applicable
securities laws; and

     C. In rendering the opinions set forth herein we have relieved solely on
the opinion of Shearman & Sterling in so far as such opinions relate to the laws
of the State of New York.

     We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever
appearing in the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a
part thereof.

                                Very truly yours,
                                WYRICK ROBBINS YATES & PONTON LLP