1 EXHIBIT 23.1 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement No. 333-55662 of Com21, Inc. on Form S-3 of our reports dated March 26, 2001, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A of Com21, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2000, and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. /s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP San Jose, California August 22, 2001