EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Form S-3 Registration Statement of Telephone and Data Systems,
Inc. of our report dated January 29, 1997 (except with respect to the matter
discussed in Note 16, as to which the date is February 4, 1997) on the
consolidated financial statements of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and
Subsidiaries, incorporated by reference in the Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 and to the incorporation by
reference in this Form S-3 Registration Statement of our report dated January
29, 1997, (except with respect to the matter discussed in Note 16, as to which
the date is February 4, 1997) on the financial statement schedules of Telephone
and Data Systems, Inc., included in the Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996. We also consent to the incorporation
by reference of our reports dated January 28, 1998 on the financial statements
of the United States Cellular Group, the TDS Telecommunications Group and the
TDS Group for the year ended December 31, 1997, our report dated January 28,
1998 (except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 10, as to which the
date is February 5, 1998) on the financial statements of the Aerial
Communications Group and our report dated January 28, 1998 (except with respect
to the matters discussed in Note 5 "American Paging Merger"; and in Note 16, as
to which the date is February 18, 1998) on the consolidated financial statements
of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries for the year ended December
31, 1997, included in the Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Proxy
Statement/Prospectus on Form S-4, as amended. We also consent to all references
to our Firm included in this Registration Statement.
 
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
March 20, 1998