Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises Executive Elected to Board of Directors of CoBank.

Business Editors/Hi Tech Writers

DALLAS, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2001

Rita M. Brown, vice president and general manager of residential markets for CTSI, Inc. ("CTSI"), a business unit of Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ("CTE") (Nasdaq: CTCO, CTCOB), was recently appointed to the board of directors of CoBank, a $24 billion cooperative bank serving predominately rural businesses throughout the United States.

CoBank, which was established in 1916, specializes in providing financial solutions and leasing services to rural communications, energy and water companies, as well as cooperatives, agribusiness and farm credit associations.

Ms. Brown is CoBank's first director from the telecommunications industry to serve on the bank's board. Communications financing is the fastest growing segment of CoBank's business and Ms. Brown's specialized knowledge of this area will help the bank better serve its customer base. She was first appointed to the board in September 2000, serving a four-month term until December 31, 2000. She was then elected to a three-year term that began on January 1, 2001.

Ms. Brown joined CTE in 1973 and her career with the company spans more than 27 years of service in a variety of senior management positions. Her extensive experience includes nearly all aspects of telephony, including network operations and planning, outside plant engineering and construction, customer service, support service and administrative staff supervision.

In her current position as vice president and general manager, residential markets, for CTSI, Ms. Brown is responsible for creating a strong focus on the CTSI residential product line and is accountable for all sales and customer service in CTSI's residential markets. She has also served CTE as vice president and general manager of Commonwealth Communications, where she directed the day-to-day activities of the company including sales and marketing, engineering, customer service and operations. Additionally, Ms. Brown has held the position of vice president of operations for Commonwealth Telephone Company, CTE's incumbent local exchange carrier that serves rural areas in eastern Pennsylvania.

About CTE

Headquartered in Dallas, PA, Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc., serves a growing base of business and residential customers with the full array of state-of-the-art 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 independent incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC), which has been operating in various rural Pennsylvania markets since 1897; and, CTSI, Inc. ("CTSI"), a local exchange carrier operating outside CT's territory that commenced operations in 1997. CTE's support businesses include epix(TM) Internet Services (www.epix.net), one of the northeast's largest rural ISPs with over 48,000 dial-up Internet access subscribers; and, Jack Flash(R), a broadband data service that uses DSL technology to offer high-speed Internet access and digital connectivity solutions. Additionally, CTE operates two other support businesses that provide expertise to its CT and CTSI operations. These businesses are Commonwealth Communications, a provider of telecommunications equipment and facilities management services; and, CLD, a switch-based long-distance reseller.

A web site featuring current information regarding Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc. can be found on the Internet at www.ct-enterprises.com.