Exhibit 5.1


                      [Letterhead of Jay J. Miller, Esq.]


                                        February 8, 2002

Board of Directors
Covista Communications, Inc.
150 Clove Road
Little Falls, New Jersey  07424

     Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8

Gentlemen:

     I am issuing this opinion in connection with a Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") being filed on the date hereof with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Act") relating to 900,000 shares (the "Shares") of
Common Stock, par value $.05 per share, of Covista Communications, Inc., a New
Jersey corporation (the "Company"), which are issuable pursuant to the
Company's 2001 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

     In connection with this opinion, I have examined such documents as I have
considered relevant, including the Plan; the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended; the Company's By-Laws; minutes of the Company's
corporate proceedings; an executed copy of the Registration Statement and all
documents incorporated by reference therein and exhibits thereto, in the form
filed or to be filed with the SEC; and such matters of law which I have deemed
necessary in order to deliver this opinion.  In the course of such
examination, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authority
of all signatories to sign on behalf of the principals, if any, the
authenticity of all documents submitted to me as original documents and the
conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to me as certified
or photostatic copies.  As to certain factual matters, I have relied upon
information furnished to me by officers of the Company.

     Based on the foregoing and solely in reliance thereof, it is my opinion
that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for as
contemplated by the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

     I hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and to all references to this opinion included in the
Registration Statement.  In giving such consent, I do not admit that I am in
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act
or the Rules and Regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        /s/  Jay J. Miller

                                        Jay J. Miller