EXHIBIT 23.3

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

   As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of
Verizon Wireless of the East LP and Verizon Communications Inc. of our report
dated June 30, 2000, on the consolidated financial statements of GTE
Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1999, and to all references to our
Firm included in this registration statement.

/s/  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Dallas, Texas
May 31, 2002