[McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP LETTERHEAD] Securities and Exchange Commission Washington, D.C. 20549 Gentlemen: We were previously the independent accountants for McLeod, Inc., and on January 31, 1997 we reported on the consolidated financial statements of McLeod, Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the three years ended December 31, 1996. On March 27, 1997, we were dismissed as independent accountants of McLeod, Inc. We have read McLeod, Inc.'s statements included under Item 9 of its Form 10-K filed March 31, 1997, and we agree with such statements. McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP Cedar Rapids, Iowa March 31, 1997