EXHIBIT 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS: As independent public accountants, we
hereby consent to the incorporation of our reports included in this Form 10-K,
into Rural Cellular Corporation's previously filed Registration Statements on
Form S-8 (File Numbers 333-10815, 333-10817, 333-28269, 333-39590 and
333-57653).

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 26, 2001