CTE Launches Internet-Based Electronic Games

DALLAS, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2005--Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Inc. ("CTE") (NASDAQ:CTCO - News), today announced that it now offers Internet-based electronic games to its residential customers throughout the combined footprint of its two primary operations, Commonwealth Telephone Company ("CT") and CTSI, LLC ("CTSI"), as well as to its epix® Internet Services customers.

In April 2005, the company previously announced that it had signed agreements with two premium game companies: Zone4Play, Inc. ("Zone4Play") (OTCBB:ZFPI - News), a developer of interactive software and technology for the gaming industry; and Exent Technologies ("Exent"), the global market leader in secure digital delivery of video games. In October, CTE initiated a phased roll-out of the new Internet-based games services, and as of December, all CTE residential customers have the ability to add the premium electronic games to their existing CTE services.

Customers who subscribe to Zone4Play's package can select from a suite of single and multi-player games, as well as play-for-fun casino type games. The suite of multi-player games includes Texas Hold'em Poker, Bingo and Blackjack; single-player games include Roulette, Slots, Video Poker, Keno, Blackjack and Caribbean Poker. All of the games are accessible via the Internet.

The "Games on Demand" solution from Exent Technologies allows subscribers to access and play full-version PC CD-ROM games spanning a wide range of genres, including top game brands from leading publishers in the strategy, action, simulation, sports, and casual gaming genres. In addition, a wide variety of children's, family and educational software are also available.

"With the addition of these exciting Internet-based games, we can provide our customers not only with a full suite of voice, data and video services, but also outstanding entertainment content," said DG Gulati, CTE's senior vice president - Operations Strategy and Development. "Through our agreement with Zone4Play, we now offer a play-for-fun environment for casino games, whereby subscribers can play against the system in a single player mode, or against other subscribers in a muti-player mode. And for customers looking to experience a wide variety of today's most popular computer games without having to purchase or rent each one separately, CTE's 'Games on Demand' package, powered by Exent Technologies, offers a rich library of the most popular titles, with new selections continually being added."

To introduce the new add-on services, special promotional packages and pricing are available until January 31, 2006, including receiving the first 14 days of games free with each paid subscription. The special promotional pricing ranges from $3.99/month up to $11.99/month, per package. For more information or to order, customers can subscribe online at www.ct-enterprises.com, or they can call Commonwealth Telephone Company Customer Service at 1-800-225-5282; CTSI Customer Service at 1-888-278-8783; or epix Internet Services at 1-800-374-9669.

"What's exciting about these Internet-based games is that customers don't have to worry about selections being out-of-stock, or late fees, as they would with store rentals. They can access them at any time of the day or night from the comfort of their homes. And, a real benefit is that customers have the convenience of one bill for all of their CTE services, including Internet games," added Gulati.

"We are excited to launch our new set of multi-player games on the CTE platform," said Idan Miller, senior vice president of Marketing and Sales at Zone4Play. "This launch will demonstrate to the market the tremendous possibilities of these games, especially the new and exciting concept of the multi-player Black Jack tournament game."

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® 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.

About Zone4Play

Zone4Play delivers cross-platform solutions that are built for mass participation gaming. Zone4Play is a software and technology provider to UK bookmakers, online gaming operators, betting exchanges and to US cable, satellite and hospitality service providers, delivering online solutions, mobile solutions, interactive TV solutions and participating SMS-TV solutions. For more information, visit http://www.Zone4Play.com.

About Exent Technologies

Exent is the global market leader in secure digital delivery of video games for service providers seeking to distribute, manage and monetize an on-demand service. Exent delivers technology, products and solutions that support video game publishers, broadband service providers, hardware manufacturers, media companies, brand owners, consumer portals, retailers and others.

Exent enables all standard business models - purchases, subscriptions, rentals, and try-before-you-buy. Exent's DRM solution lowers software piracy and enforces licensing restrictions. Exent's EXEtender(TM)-based products and services are currently in commercial use by Comcast, Yahoo!, Verizon, Turner Broadcasting, Bell Canada, RCN, Metaboli, Deutsche Telecom, Portugal Telecom, France Telecom, Telefonica, KPN, Telstra, Swisscom and other leading service providers worldwide.

Exent's major shareholders include Time Warner, Comcast, Concord Ventures and New Enterprise Associates. For more information, visit http://www.exent.com.

Press Release - 2005-12-20 03:59:44