EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Verizon Communications Inc. for the
registration of 200,000,000 shares of its Common Stock, and to the incorporation
by reference therein of our report dated February 1, 2001, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Verizon
Communications Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 2000, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York
February 8, 2002