Exhibit 99


Contact:     Kenneth R. Meyers, Executive Vice President - Finance
             U.S. Cellular
             (773) 399-8900
             kmeyers@uscellular.com
             ----------------------

             Mark A. Steinkrauss, Vice President, Corporate Relations
             Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
             (312) 592-5384
             mark.steinkrauss@teldta.com
             ---------------------------

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

        U.S. CELLULAR TO PURCHASE PCS LICENSES COVERING 4.7 MILLION POPS

May 3, 2001, Chicago,  Illinois - United States Cellular Corporation  [AMEX:USM]
announced  that  it has  entered  into a  definitive  agreement  with  McLeodUSA
Incorporated  of Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa  [Nasdaq:  MCLD]  to  acquire  certain  10
megahertz D and E block PCS licenses covering 4.7 million population equivalents
(POPs) in Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska.

The transaction is subject to certain  conditions,  including  governmental  and
regulatory approvals, and is expected to close as two separate transactions late
in the  second  quarter  and  early in the  fourth  quarter  of 2001.  The total
purchase price is $74 million in cash.

John  E.  Rooney,  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  commented:   "This
transaction  demonstrates our commitment to strengthen our competitive  position
in our largest  market in the Midwest.  The  acquisition  of these licenses will
enable U.S.  Cellular to expand its presence in central Illinois and Omaha while
adding additional  spectrum to our existing operations in Illinois and Iowa. The
additional  spectrum  will be  valuable,  helping  to better  serve our  growing
customer base."

Based in Chicago,  USM manages and invests in cellular  systems  throughout  the
United States. As of March 31, 2001 USM managed  operational systems serving 146
markets.