Exhibit 99.5


To:    Qualified Plan Trustee/Custodian

From:  Jones Intercable Inc., General Partner

Date:  September 15, 1998 

RE:    NOTICE OF PROXY MAILING:  PROPOSED SALE OF THE ILLINOIS CABLE TELEVISION
                                 SYSTEMS BY CABLE FUND 12-A, LTD.

Cable TV Fund 12-A, Ltd. (the "Partnership") Plans to sell its Illinois Systems
to an unaffiliated third party during the fourth quarter of 1998.

PROXY INFORMATION
- -----------------
The proposed sale and the distribution of net proceeds are contingent upon the
approval by the holders of a majority of the limited partnership interests of
Fund 12-A, as well as the consents of government authorities and other third
parties. The proxy record date is August 31, 1998.
         ---------------------------------------- 

According to our records, you have authorized the General Partner to send proxy
materials directly to your clients, the beneficial owners of the limited
partnership interests that are registered in your name and for which you act as
trustee/custodian, and you have authorized the beneficial owners to execute the
proxy cards on your behalf without your countersignature.

At your request, the General Partner has sent proxy materials directly to such
beneficial owners. THE DEADLINE FOR THE RETURN OF THE PROXY VOTE BY LIMITED
PARTNERS IS OCTOBER 30, 1998, BUT WE HOPE TO HAVE ALL VOTES IN AS SOON AS
            ----------------
POSSIBLE.

DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION 
- ------------------------
If the proposed sale is consummated, the Partnership will distribute 
approximated $1,044 for each $1,000 invested. The Partnership will mail net
sales proceeds to you on behalf of the Beneficial Owners, and the Partnership
will notify the Beneficial Owners that the distribution has occurred.

After the closing of the sale of the Illinois Systems and the distribution of
net sales proceeds, including amounts, if any remaining after November 15, 1999
in an indemnity escrow account, the Partnership will be liquidated and
dissolved, most likely in the fourth quarter of 1999.

Taking into account the prior distribution and the anticipated distribution from
the sale of the Illinois Systems, limited partners will have received a total
return of $2,722 for each $1,000 invested. This amount does not include amounts,
if any, which might be distributed from the indemnity escrow account in late
1999.

1998 FEDERAL REPORTING BY TAX EXEMPT ENTITIES
- ---------------------------------------------
The sale of the Illinois Systems will generate Unrelated Business Taxable
Income (UBTI), which will require the filing of Form 990-T. WE STRONGLY URGE 
                                                ----------  
YOU TO REFER TO THE TAX DISCUSSION ON PAGES 12-14 OF THE PROXY STATEMENT FOR
INFORMATION THAT IS PROVIDED SOLELY FOR TAX PLANNING PURPOSES.

CLIENT SUMMARY
- --------------
Enclosed please find a copy of the Fund 12-A Notice and Proxy Statement and the
General Partner's list of the beneficial owners of limited partnership interests
that are registered in your name. IF YOU FIND ANY DISCREPANCIES IN THIS
INFORMATION OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL THE JONES INVESTOR SERVICES
DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Enclosures