Exhibit 5.1

                  [Letterhead of Jay J. Miller, Esq.]


                                        February 12, 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 the preparation of 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 the registration of
459,000 shares (the "Shares") of the common stock, par value $.05 per
share, of Covista Communications, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (the
"Company"), which are issuable pursuant to the Capsule Communications, Inc.
2001 Stock Option Plan, the Capsule Communications, Inc. 1999 Stock Option
Plan and the Capsule Communications, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan, each as
assumed by the Company in connection with its acquisition of Capsule
Communications, Inc. (each a "Plan" and together the "Plans").

In connection with this opinion, I have examined such documents as I
considered relevant, including the Plans; 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 that 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 Plans, 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 person those consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or
the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

                                        Yours truly,

                                        /s/  Jay J. Miller