EXHIBIT 23.2
                                                                                

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                                        
   As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our McLeodUSA
Incorporated reports dated January 28, 1998, our Consolidated Communications
Inc. report dated March 14, 1997 and to all references to our Firm included in
or made part of this Registration Statement.


                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Chicago, Illinois
January 27, 1999