Exhibit 99




Contact:     Kenneth R. Meyers, Senior Vice President - Finance
             United States Cellular Corporation
             (773) 399-8900  Chicago

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

                 UNITED STATES CELLULAR FILES SHELF REGISTRATION
                       FOR $400 MILLION OF DEBT SECURITIES

July 31, 1997,  Chicago,  Illinois - United States Cellular  Corporation  [AMEX:
USM] announced today that it has filed a shelf  registration  statement with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  ("SEC")  covering  $400  million  of debt
securities.  USM is  registering  the debt  securities  to enhance its financial
flexibility  and to  position  itself  to be able to  capitalize  on  attractive
financing  opportunities as they may become  available in the  marketplace.  Any
specific offering under the shelf  registration  statement may be made in one or
more series and in amounts,  at prices and on terms to be determined at the time
of any such sale.

A registration  statement  relating to these  securities has been filed with the
SEC but has not yet become  effective.  These securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration  statement  becomes
effective.  This  press  release  shall not  constitute  an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these  securities
in any State in which such offer,  solicitation  or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

Based in Chicago,  USM manages and invests in cellular  systems  throughout  the
United States. As of June 30, 1997, USM managed  operational systems serving 141
markets.

USM Internet Home Page:
 http://www.uscc.com