<Page> Exhibit 12.4 UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES <Table> <Caption> (Restated) Six Months Ended June 30, 2001 -------------------------- (Dollars in thousands) EARNINGS Loss before income taxes $ 157,332 Add (Deduct): Earnings on equity method (16,995) Distributions from minority subsidiaries 6,960 Minority interest in income of majority-owned subsidiaries that do not have fixed charges (5,149) ------------------------ $ 142,148 Add fixed charges: Consolidated interest expense $ 17,132 Deferred debt expense 391 Interest portion (1/3) of consolidated rent expense 5,466 ------------------------ $ 165,137 ======================== FIXED CHARGES Consolidated interest expense $ 17,132 Deferred debt expense 391 Interest portion (1/3) of consolidated rent expense 5,466 ------------------------ $ 22,989 ======================== RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 7.18 ======================== Tax-effected preferred dividends $ 58 Fixed charges 22,989 ------------------------ Fixed charges and preferred dividends $ 23,047 ======================== RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS 7.17 ======================== </Table>