EXHIBIT 23.1





                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


                  As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the
incorporation  by  reference in this Form S-8  Registration  Statement of United
States  Cellular  Corporation  of our reports  dated  February  6, 1996,  on the
consolidated  financial  statements and financial  statement schedules of United
States  Cellular  Corporation  and  Subsidiaries,  included or  incorporated  by
reference in the United States Cellular Corporation Form 10-K for the year ended
December  31,  1995,  and to the  incorporation  by  reference  in this Form S-8
Registration  Statement of our compilation report dated February 9, 1996, on the
combined financial statements of the Los Angeles SMSA Limited  Partnership,  the
Nashville/Clarksville  MSA Limited  Partnership  and the Baton Rouge MSA Limited
Partnership,  included in the United States Cellular  Corporation  Form 10-K for
the year ended  December 31, 1995. We also consent to all references to our Firm
included in this Form S-8 Registration Statement.



                                            ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP





Chicago, Illinois
January 7, 1997