CTE Declares Dividend for 2006 First Quarter.

DALLAS, Pa. -- Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ("CTE") (Nasdaq:CTCO), announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a dividend of $.50 per share for the 2006 first quarter. The quarterly dividend will be paid on March 31, 2006, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2006.

Today's dividend announcement reflects CTE's decision to pay its fourth consecutive quarterly dividend in connection with its overall dividend plan, which was announced on May 3, 2005.

About CTE

Headquartered in Dallas, PA, Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc., serves business and residential customers with a full array of technologically advanced data and voice telecommunications products and services, including broadband data services and high-speed Internet access, delivered over its 100% digitally switched, fiber-rich network.

CTE's primary operating segments are: Commonwealth Telephone Company ("CT"), the nation's eighth largest publicly held independent local exchange carrier, which has been operating in various rural Pennsylvania markets since 1897; and, CTSI, LLC ("CTSI"), a local exchange carrier operating in competitive markets outside CT's territory, that formally commenced operations in 1997. CTE deploys broadband DSL technology to offer high-speed Internet access in the CT and CTSI service territories. CTE's support businesses include epix(R) Internet Services (www.epix.net), one of the Northeast's largest rural dial-up Internet Service Providers ("ISPs"), and Commonwealth Communications, a provider of telecommunications equipment and facilities management services.

A web site featuring current information regarding Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc., can be found on the Internet at www.ct-enterprises.com. However, the information on this web site does not form a part of this release.