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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Summary Financial
Data," "Selected Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report
dated February 16, 2000 (except for Note 21, as to which the date is June 19,
2000), in Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 File No.
333-35522) and related Prospectus of TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. for the
registration of 4.7 million shares of its Class A common stock.



                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Baltimore, Maryland

July 26, 2000