Exhibit 99

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

                   TDS ANNOUNCES PROPOSAL TO TRANSFER CELLULAR
                         MINORITY POPS TO U.S. CELLULAR

January 10, 1996,  Chicago,  Illinois - Telephone and Data Systems,  Inc. [AMEX:
TDS] announced today that it has proposed the transfer of its minority ownership
interests in certain  cellular  markets to United  States  Cellular  Corporation
[AMEX:   USM].  The  minority   interests  subject  to  the  proposal  represent
approximately  675,000 population  equivalents  ("pops").  The proposed purchase
price is approximately  $116.7 million.  The form of consideration to be paid by
USM is subject to  negotiation  and would  likely  consist of cash or USM common
stock or a combination thereof.

The TDS proposal is subject to negotiation and has been referred to a previously
established independent committee of the USM board of directors. The independent
committee  has  retained  Lazard  Freres & Co.  as its  financial  advisor.  The
proposed transaction will be subject to approval by the independent committee of
the USM board of directors, to definitive documentation,  and to compliance with
regulatory requirements.

TDS is a  Chicago-based  telecommunications  company with  established  cellular
telephone,  local telephone and radio paging operations and developing  personal
communications  services  operations.   TDS  strives  to  build  value  for  its
shareholders  by  providing  excellent  communications  services in  attractive,
closely related segments of the telecommunications industry.


Contacts: Karen M. Stewart                    Murray L. Swanson
          Vice President - Investor Relations Executive Vice President - Finance
          (608) 828-8316                      (312) 630-1900
          e-mail:karen.stewart@teldta.com     e-mail:murray.swanson@teldta.com