<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
26th day of February, 1997.


/s/ Diane M. Dermann                /s/ Duane W. Acklie
    ----------------                    ---------------
    Witness                             Director

<PAGE>
                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
28th day of February, 1997.


/s/ Susan K. Hartley                /s/ William W. Cook, Jr.
    ----------------                    --------------------
    Witness                             Director

<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
27th day of March, 1997.


/s/ Linda M. Daiker                     /s/ Terry L. Fairfield
    ----------------                    ----------------------
    Witness                             Director

<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
25th day of February, 1997.


/s/ Sharon K. Burling               /s/ James E. Geist
    -----------------                   ---------------
    Witness                             Director

<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
27th day of March, 1997.


/s/ Patricia Criger                     /s/ John Haessler
    -----------------                   -----------------
    Witness                             Director


<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
17th day of February, 1997.


/s/ Susan K. Abraham                /s/ Charles R. Hermes
    -----------------                   -----------------
    Witness                             Director


<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
2nd day of February, 1997.


/s/ Jenny Boldt                     /s/ Donald H. Pegler, Jr.
    -----------------                   ---------------------
    Witness                             Director

<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
18th day of February, 1997.


/s/ Karolyn S. Mizell               /s/ Paul C. Schorr, III
    -----------------                   ---------------------
    Witness                             Director

<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
26th day of February, 1997.


/s/ Arlene Rink                     /s/ William C. Smith
    -----------------                   ---------------------
    Witness                             Director

<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
27th day of March, 1997.


/s/ Diane M. Dermann                    /s/ James W. Strand
    -----------------                   ---------------------
    Witness                             Director

<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
26th day of February, 1997.


/s/ Diane M. Dermann                /s/ Charles N. Wheatley
    -----------------                   ---------------------
    Witness                             Director

<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
24th day of March, 1997.


/s/ Diane M. Dermann                    /s/ Thomas C. Woods, III
    -----------------                   ------------------------
    Witness                             Director

<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 24


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Nebraska corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and ALIANT COMMUNICATIONS
CO., a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"),
will each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on or before the due
date of March 30, 1997, an annual report on Form 10-K; and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Director of the Corporation and to the
Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frank
H. Hilsabeck, Robert L. Tyler, and Michael J. Tavlin or any one of them, as
attorney, with full power to act for the undersigned and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign the name of the undersigned as
Director to the annual report on Form 10-K for the Corporation and to the
annual report on Form 10-K for the Company and any and all amendments to
each such annual report, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document this
28th day of March, 1997.


/s/ Patricia A. Thraen                   /s/ Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein
    ------------------                   -------------------------
    Witness                             Director

<PAGE>