EXHIBIT 5
SIDLEY & AUSTIN
ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603
(312) 853-7000
July 27, 2000
United States Cellular Corporation
Suite 700
8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60631
Re: United States Cellular Corporation
Registration Statement on Form S-8
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to United States Cellular Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and have represented the Company in
connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") being filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
with respect to the issuance and delivery of 200,000 Common Shares, par value
$1.00 per share (the "Shares"), of the Company pursuant to the Telephone and
Data Systems, Inc. Tax-Deferred Savings Plan (the "Plan").
In rendering this opinion, we have examined and relied upon a
copy of the Plan and the Registration Statement, including the related
Prospectus. We have also examined and relied upon originals, or copies of
originals certified to our satisfaction, of such agreements, documents,
certificates and other statements of governmental officials and other
instruments, and have examined such questions of law and have satisfied
ourselves as to such matters of fact, as we have considered relevant and
necessary as a basis for this opinion. We have assumed the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the
legal capacity of all natural persons and the conformity with the original
documents of any copies thereof submitted to us for our examination.
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is duly incorporated and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware; and
2. Each Share will be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable when (i) the Registration Statement shall have become effective
under the Securities Act; (ii) such Share shall have been duly issued and
delivered in the manner contemplated by the Plan; and (iii) a certificate
representing such Share shall have been duly executed, countersigned and
registered and duly delivered to the person entitled thereto against receipt of
the agreed consideration therefor (not less than the par value thereof) in
accordance with the Plan.
We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion
to cover, and accordingly we express no opinion as to, the application of the
securities or "Blue Sky" laws of the various states to the issuance and delivery
of the Shares.
The Company is controlled by Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
("TDS"), which is controlled by a voting trust. Walter C.D. Carlson, a trustee
and beneficiary of such voting trust and a director of TDS, the Company and
certain other subsidiaries of TDS; Michael G. Hron, the General Counsel and an
Assistant Secretary of TDS and the Company and the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of certain subsidiaries of TDS; William S. DeCarlo, an Assistant
Secretary of TDS and certain subsidiaries of TDS; and Stephen P. Fitzell, an
Assistant Secretary of the Company and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
of certain other subsidiaries of TDS, are partners of this Firm.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement and to all references to our Firm in or made a
part of the Registration Statement, including the related Prospectus.
Very truly yours,
SIDLEY & AUSTIN