Buchanan Ingersoll
ATTORNEYS

Joseph P. Galda
215-665-3879
galdajp@bipc.com

                                     September 27, 2000
VDC Communications, Inc.
75 Holly Hill Lane
Greenwich, CT  06830

Gentlemen:

         We have  acted as  counsel  to VDC  Communications,  Inc.,  a  Delaware
corporation (the  "Company"),  in connection with the filing by the Company of a
registration  statement on Form S-3 (the  "Registration  Statement"),  under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"),  relating to the registration of
1,388,706 shares of the Company's common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the
"Shares"),  all of which are to be offered by  certain  Selling  Security
Holders as set forth in the Registration Statement.

         In connection with the  Registration  Statement,  we have examined such
corporate records and documents,  other documents,  and such questions of law as
we have deemed  necessary or  appropriate  for purposes of this opinion.  On the
basis of such examination, it is our opinion that the issuance of the Shares has
been duly and validly authorized,  and the Shares are legally issued, fully paid
and non-assessable.

         We hereby  consent to the filing of this  opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration  Statement  and to the  reference  to this firm  under the  heading
"Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not
admit that we are in the  category of persons  whose  consent is required  under
Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     BUCHANAN INGERSOLL PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION

                                     By:  /S/ Joseph P. Galda
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                          Joseph P. Galda