Filed by D&E Communications, Inc.
               Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
                                    Subject Company: Conestoga Enterprises, Inc.
                                                    Commission File No.: 0-24064


         The following press release was issued by D&E Communications, Inc. on
April 24, 2002.

        D&E COMMUNICATIONS' REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO CONESTOGA
                         ACQUISITION DECLARED EFFECTIVE


Ephrata, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- April 24, 2002-- D&E Communications, Inc.
("D&E") (Nasdaq: DECC - news) announced today that its registration statement on
Form S-4, including the definitive form of joint proxy statement/prospectus
relating to its pending acquisition of Conestoga Enterprises, Inc.
("Conestoga"), was declared effective today by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

D&E and Conestoga will hold their respective shareholders' meetings to approve
the merger on May 23, 2002.

Completion of the merger is subject to approval by both D&E's and Conestoga's
shareholders and other customary closing conditions. All regulatory approvals
for the merger have been received, including the Federal Communications
Commission's consent to the merger, subject to the 40-day reconsideration period
that will expire on April 29, 2002, at which time the FCC approval will become
final and non-appealable. The merger is expected to close promptly following the
shareholders' meetings.

D&E Communications, Inc. is a provider of integrated communications services to
residential and business customers in markets throughout south central
Pennsylvania. D&E has developed a comprehensive package of voice and data
communications services including local and long distance telephone service,
high-speed data services and Internet access service. D&E also provides business
customers with integrated voice and data network solutions.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the expected date
for D&E's and Conestoga's shareholders meetings and the expected closing date of
the merger. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations
of D&E's management and involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and other
important factors that could cause actual developments and results to differ
materially from our expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to,
approval by both D&E's and Conestoga's shareholders, and the satisfaction of
certain customary closing conditions. D&E undertakes no obligation to revise or
update its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.

Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of D&E's registration
statement on Form S-4, including the definitive form of joint proxy
statement/prospectus, at the Commission's web site at www.sec.gov. The documents
filed with the Commission by D&E and Conestoga may also be obtained for free
from D&E by directing a request to D&E, 124 East Main Street, Ephrata,
Pennsylvania 17522, Attn: Investor Relations. Certain of these documents may
also be accessed on D&E's web site at www.decommunications.com.

THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

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Contact:
     D&E Communications, Inc.
     Garth Sprecher, 717/738-8304