

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.5



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the registration  statements of
360 Communications Company on Form S-3 (No. 333-21331), Form S-8 (No. 333-1378),
Form S-8 (No.  333-1380),  and Form S-8  (333-1382) of our report dated February
13, 1997, on our audits of the financial statements of the New York SMSA Limited
Partnership (the  "Partnership") as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996
and 1995, and of our report dated March 21, 1996, on our audits of the financial
statements of the  Partnership  as of and for the years ended  December 31, 1995
and 1994,  which reports are included in the 360  Communications  Company Annual
Report  on Form  10-K  for the year  ended  December  31,  1996.  The  financial
statements referred to above are not included separately in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K.



                                                      Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

New York, New York
March 27, 1997

