[LETTERHEAD AND LOGO OF TDS]



Contact:    Murray L. Swanson
            Executive Vice President - Finance
            (312) 630-1900                    
            e-mail: murray.swanson@teldta.com 

FOR RELEASE:  IMMEDIATE

                 TDS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF AMERICAN PAGING, INC.

MARCH 20, 1998, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [AMEX: TDS]
today announced that the merger of its wholly-owned subsidiary, API Merger
Corp., with American Paging, Inc. [AMEX: APP] became effective today, completing
TDS's acquisition of APP.  Under the terms of the merger, all remaining APP
shareholders will receive $2.50 in cash per share upon surrender of the
certificates for their shares to Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Depositary
Agent appointed for that purpose.  A Notice of Merger and Letter of Transmittal
for surrendering shares will be mailed to all remaining holders of record of APP
common shares promptly.
     
TDS is a Chicago-based telecommunications company with established cellular
telephone, local telephone and radio paging operations and developing PCS
operations.  TDS strives to build value for its shareholders by providing
excellent communications services in attractive, closely related segments of the
telecommunications industry.

TDS Internet Home Page:  http://www.teldta.com.

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