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 report dated January 29, 1997, (except with
respect to the matter discussed in Note 16, as to which the date is February 4,
1997),  on  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  financial  statement 
schedule  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, 1996, and to the incorporation by reference in
this Form S-8 Registration Statement of our compilation  report dated February
25, 1997, 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, 1996.  We also consent to 
all references to our Firm included in this Form S-8 Registration Statement.




ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Chicago, Illinois
March 20, 1997