I just tested the download of Visual COBOL PE from the Micro Focus site and I did not have a problem.
I used the following link
www.microfocus.com/.../index.aspx
What was the problem that you had in downloading this from Micro Focus?
The Visual COBOL PE 2.2 release does not require an activation key.
If you download and install the product and then start Visual Studio it will present you with a window in which you can activate the product.
If you select to activate the free version it will automatically download and install a PE license for you.
The version from C/NET may be an older release that is not supported anymore.
Please see the video here for a demonstration on downloading and licensing the product.
Thanks.