Form 8-K

FORM 8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 
Washington, D.C. 20549

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  May 23, 2002

UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

  Delaware
(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation)
1-9712
(Commission
File Number)
62-1147325
(IRS Employer
Identification
No.)


     8410 West Bryn Mawr, Suite 700, Chicago, Illinois     
     (Address of principal executive offices)
   60631   
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (773) 399-8900


Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.

     On May 23, 2002, United States Cellular Corporation ("U.S. Cellular") dismissed Arthur Andersen LLP ("Andersen") as U.S. Cellular's independent auditors, and engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PWC") to serve as its new independent auditors for 2002. The change in auditors will become effective May 23, 2002. This action was taken by the U.S. Cellular Board of Directors based on the recommendation of U.S. Cellular's audit committee, subject to the approval of such action by Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. ("TDS"), the parent company of U.S. Cellular, pursuant to the terms of an Intercompany Agreement between TDS and U.S. Cellular.

     Andersen's reports on U.S. Cellular's consolidated financial statements for each of the years ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

     During the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 and the interim period between December 31, 2001 and the date of this Form 8-K, there were no disagreements between U.S. Cellular and Andersen on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to Andersen's satisfaction, would have caused Andersen to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with their report for such years; and there were no reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

     U.S. Cellular provided Andersen with a copy of the foregoing disclosures. Attached as Exhibit 16.1 is a copy of Andersen's letter, dated May 23, 2002, stating its agreement with the foregoing disclosures.

     During U.S. Cellular's two most recent fiscal years and through the date of this Report on Form 8-K, U.S. Cellular did not consult PWC with respect to the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on U.S. Cellular's consolidated financial statements, or any other matters or reportable events listed in item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.

Item 7. Exhibits.

(c)    Exhibits:

     In accordance with the provisions of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, attached as Exhibit 16.1, is the following which is incorporated by reference herein:


Exhibit
  No.  
Description

16.1 Letter of Arthur Andersen LLP regarding change in certifying accountant.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.




United States Cellular Corporation
(Registrant)


Date: May 23, 2002


By: /s/ John T. Quille                                        
John T. Quille
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed herewith as noted below.

Exhibit
  No.  
Description

16.1 Letter of Arthur Andersen LLP regarding change in certifying accountant.