EXHIBIT 23.1
 
              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
   
  We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our reports dated March 13,
1998, except for Note 13, as to which the date is April 28, 1998, in the
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-59621) and related
Prospectus of Metawave Communications Corporation.     
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
 
Seattle, Washington
   
September 9, 1998