Exhibit 23.0

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference in  Registration  Statement
(Form S-8 No.  33-40353)  pertaining  to the 1990  Directors  Stock Option Plan,
Registration  Statement  (Form S-8 No.  33-83826)  pertaining to the  Inter-Tel,
Incorporated 1994 Long Term Incentive Plan, Registration Statement (Form S-8 No.
33-73620)  pertaining to the Inter-Tel,  Incorporated  Employee Stock  Ownership
Plan,  Registration  Statement  (Form  S-8  No.  333-41197)  pertaining  to  the
Inter-Tel,   Incorporated   1997  Long  Term   Incentive   Plan  and  Inter-Tel,
Incorporated 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Registration Statement (Form S-8
No.  333-56872)  pertaining to the Acquisition  Stock Option Plan,  Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No.  333-67261)  pertaining to the Acquisition  Stock Option
Plan,  Registration  Statement  (Form  S-8  No.  333-85098)  pertaining  to  the
Inter-Tel,  Incorporated  1997 Long Term  Incentive Plan and  Acquisition  Stock
Option Plan,  Registration  Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-87474) pertaining to the
Inter-Tel,  Incorporated  1997 Employee Stock  Purchase  Plan, and  Registration
Statement  (Form  S-3  No.  33-58161),  Registration  Statement  (Form  S-3  No.
33-61437),  Registration  Statement  (Form  S-3  No.  333-01735),   Registration
Statement  (Form  S-3  No.  333-12433),  Registration  Statement  (Form  S-3 No.
333-39221),  of  our  report  dated  February  14,  2003,  with  respect  to the
consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedule  of  Inter-Tel,  Incorporated
included in this Annual  Report (Form 10-K) of Inter-Tel,  Incorporated  for the
year ended December 31, 2002 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission


                                        /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Phoenix, Arizona
March 19, 2003