FairPoint Communications Reports First Quarter 2008 Results

May 16, 2008 6:30 AM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- FairPoint Communications, Inc. (NYSE: FRP) ("FairPoint" or the "Company"), a leading provider of communications services to urban communities across the country, today announced its financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2008. FairPoint completed its merger with Northern New England Spinco Inc. ("Spinco"), an entity that held Verizon Communications' landline and certain related operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont on March 31, 2008. From an accounting perspective, Spinco was deemed to have acquired FairPoint and, accordingly, the financial statements of the local exchange business of Verizon New England Inc. in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont and the customers of Verizon's related long distance and Internet service provider businesses in those states (the "Northern New England business") are the relevant financial statements for the Company under GAAP following the merger. As a result, the GAAP financial statements, other than the balance sheet at March 31, 2008 contained in this earnings release, reflect only the financial results of the Northern New England business and do not reflect or include the operations of the FairPoint properties prior to the completion of the merger ("Legacy FairPoint"). Accordingly, the Company is also reporting combined pro forma results for the first quarter 2008 reflecting the operations of both Spinco and Legacy FairPoint.

Commenting on the results, Gene Johnson, chairman and CEO of FairPoint Communications stated, "Once again, Legacy FairPoint has delivered strong incremental growth in our high-speed data ("HSD") products. Our marketing focus on high margin offerings that provide consistent average revenue per unit ("ARPU") is providing measurable benefits. We are implementing a complementary yet customized strategy for the recently acquired Spinco business."

He added, "We believe that Spinco access line losses trended higher in the first quarter than what was reported to us in previous quarters due principally to competitors' marketing and promotional activity around the time of the closing of the merger. We are implementing marketing and operating strategies that are expected to reduce the rate of loss of access lines and increase HSD sales in the Spinco business. We are very pleased with the early stages of the merger integration, particularly the transition of the customer relationships and the positive attitude of the new employees. We remain encouraged by the progress we have achieved under the Transition Services Agreement (the "TSA") since the merger closed and our expectations for a smooth and timely transition off the TSA remain intact."

Results of the Northern New England Business for the Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2008 (presented on a GAAP basis)

Revenues for the first quarter of 2008 were $282.4 million, down 5.2% from the first quarter of 2007. Approximately $1.6 million of the decline in revenue is due to non-recurring credits issued to certain customers during the three months ended March 31, 2008. The primary driver of this revenue decline was a decline in local revenue due to increased competition, partially offset by increases in intrastate and data and Internet services revenues. The rate of revenue decline is expected to abate, but meaningful improvements will not take effect until after the transition off of the TSA, expected to occur at the end of September 2008, at which time marketing programs and other initiatives can be fully implemented.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses decreased $0.9 million to $63.1 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the same period in 2007. The decrease was primarily driven by lower allocated costs from Verizon affiliates and lower bad debt expenses in 2008, partially offset by higher costs in the Internet and high speed data business due to increased subscribers.

Total operating expenses decreased $4.8 million to $252.9 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the same period in 2007, primarily the result of a $4.0 million reduction in depreciation and amortization due to lower rates of depreciation as a result of changes in the estimated useful lives of depreciable assets and increases in reserve levels, as well as the decline noted above in SG&A expenses.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $9.5 million, or $0.18 per share, compared with $14.4 million, or $0.27 per share for the same period in 2007. The variance in the year-over-year comparison is a result of the items discussed above.

Certain assets and liabilities of the Northern New England business (principally related to pension, OPEB and associated deferred taxes) were not distributed to Spinco in the merger, therefore the financial information of the Northern New England business contained herein does not reflect Spinco's actual results for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and may not be indicative of Spinco's and the Company's (after giving effect to the merger) future results.

Pro Forma Financial Results

The pro forma statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 contained in this earnings release do not reflect revenues or expenses that were not transferred to FairPoint, reflect the combination of Legacy FairPoint and Spinco and reflect the combined capital structure of the Company post-merger. For more information about pro forma financial results, including certain adjustments and assumptions, see the attachments to this press release.

Pro Forma Combined Adjusted EBITDA for the Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2008

On a pro forma combined basis, Adjusted EBITDA (as defined herein) for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $162 million, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of $179 million for the same period in the prior year. Excluding the non-recurring revenue credits in the three months ended March 31, 2008, Adjusted EBITDA would have been $164 million. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA is primarily due to the decline in revenues, particularly in the Northern New England business.

Pro Forma Combined Operating Results for the Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2008

HSD penetration increased to 18.8% of voice access lines at March 31, 2008, compared with 15.6% at March 31, 2007. HSD penetration within Legacy FairPoint, excluding the access lines acquired from Verizon, increased to 30.1%, up from 24.9% at March 31, 2007, reflecting the continued success and momentum Legacy FairPoint has consistently reported on a quarterly basis for the past several years. This is partly the result of Legacy FairPoint's significantly higher percentage of homes capable of subscribing to the Company's HSD offerings, which is a strategy that will be replicated in Northern New England.

Voice access lines at March 31, 2008 were 1,570,169, down 9.1% from 1,727,954 reported at March 31, 2007. When excluding the impact of the merger, FairPoint's access lines decreased at a rate of 6.0%, compared with a rate of decline of 9.6% at Spinco. In addition, FairPoint's access line equivalents were negatively impacted by two one-time events. First, there was a reclassification of 486 official lines that had no revenue impact. The second one-time event impacting FairPoint's access line equivalents was the launch of a triple play by a cable operator in one of FairPoint's markets. This launch included a significant marketing push and a heavily discounted introductory offer. Legacy FairPoint has experienced that after such prior launches, normalized rates are expected to be achieved within Legacy FairPoint's systems after several quarters.

Interstate long distance penetration for the combined company at March 31, 2008 increased to 42.8% of voice access lines compared with 42.3% at March 31, 2007.

Total pro forma access line equivalents were 1,865,747 as of March 31, 2008. Total pro forma access line equivalents as of March 31, 2008 decreased 6.6% compared with March 31, 2007 and decreased 2.2% compared with December 31, 2007. When excluding the impact of the merger, total access line equivalents year-over-year for Legacy FairPoint would have declined 2.2% compared with the 7.4% loss reported at Spinco.

    Pro Forma Access Line Equivalents

                                                                 % change
                                                                3/31/07 to
                              3/31/2008   3/31/2007  12/31/2007   3/31/08
    FairPoint
     Residential access lines  178,659     191,571     182,182    (6.7%)
     Business access lines      54,692      56,795      55,892    (3.7%)
     Wholesale access lines          -           -           -        -
     Subtotal: Access lines    233,351     248,366     238,074    (6.0%)

     HSD subscribers            70,168      61,814      67,703    13.5%
     Total access line
      equivalents              303,519     310,180     305,777    (2.2%)

    Spinco
     Residential access lines  851,961     952,503     882,933   (10.6%)
     Business access lines     365,307     386,586     371,041    (5.5%)
     Wholesale access lines    119,550     140,499     124,123   (14.9%)
     Subtotal: Access lines  1,336,818   1,479,588   1,378,097    (9.6%)

     HSD subscribers           225,410     208,153     222,874     8.3%
     Total access line
      equivalents            1,562,228   1,687,741   1,600,971    (7.4%)

     Pro forma combined
      total access line
      equivalents            1,865,747   1,997,921   1,906,748    (6.6%)

Conference Call and Webcast

As previously announced, FairPoint will host a conference call and simultaneous webcast to discuss its first quarter results at 8:30 a.m. EDT on May 16, 2008. Participants should call (888) 253-4456 (US/Canada) or (706) 643-3201 (International) and request the FairPoint Communications first quarter earnings call or Conference ID# 46956451. A telephonic replay will be available for anyone unable to participate in the live call. To access the replay, call (800) 642-1687 and enter the confirmation code 46956451. The recording will be available from May 16, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. (EDT) through May 23, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).

A live broadcast of the earnings conference call will be available via the Internet at www.fairpoint.com under the Investor Relations section. An online replay will be available beginning at 1:00 p.m. (EDT) on May 16, 2008 and will remain available for one year.

During the conference call, representatives of the Company may discuss and answer one or more questions concerning the Company's business and financial matters. The responses to these questions may contain information that has not been previously disclosed.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA (as defined herein) and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures (i.e., they are not measures of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles) and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for consolidated statements of operations and cash flows data prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures used by FairPoint may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. For definitions of and additional information regarding EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, and a reconciliation of such measures to the most comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, please see the attachments to this press release.

FairPoint believes EBITDA is useful to investors because EBITDA is commonly used in the communications industry to analyze companies on the basis of operating performance, liquidity and leverage. FairPoint believes EBITDA allows a standardized comparison between companies in the industry, while minimizing the differences from depreciation policies, financial leverage and tax strategies.

Certain covenants in FairPoint's credit facility and the indenture governing its senior notes and the regulatory orders contain ratios based on Adjusted EBITDA and the restricted payment covenants in such agreements regulating the payment of dividends on FairPoint's common stock are based on Adjusted EBITDA. If FairPoint's Adjusted EBITDA were to decline below certain levels, covenants in FairPoint's credit facility that are based on Adjusted EBITDA may be violated and could cause, among other things, a default under such credit facility, or result in FairPoint's inability to pay dividends on its common stock.

While FairPoint uses these non-GAAP financial measures in managing and analyzing its business and financial condition and believes they are useful to its management and investors for the reasons described above, these non-GAAP financial measures have certain shortcomings. In particular, Adjusted EBITDA does not represent the residual cash flows available for discretionary expenditures, since items such as debt repayment and interest payments are not deducted from such measure. FairPoint's management compensates for the shortcomings of these measures by utilizing them in conjunction with their comparable GAAP financial measures.

The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes contained in FairPoint's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About FairPoint

FairPoint Communications, Inc. is an industry leading provider of communications services to communities across the country. Today, FairPoint owns and operates local exchange companies in 18 states offering advanced communications with a personal touch including local and long distance voice, data, Internet, television and broadband services. FairPoint is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FRP. Learn more at www.fairpoint.com.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements by FairPoint that are not based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions and statements. Because these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results, events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such factors include those risks described from time to time in FairPoint's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including, without limitation, the risks described in FairPoint's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K on file with the SEC. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. All information is current as of the date this press release is issued, and FairPoint undertakes no duty to update this information. FairPoint's results for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 are subject to the completion and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.


                 FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Under GAAP


                                                  March 31,      December 31,
                                                  2008 (A)         2007 (A)
                                                (unaudited)
                                                    (Dollars in thousands)
                          Assets
    Current assets:
      Cash                                          $10,961              $-
      Restricted cash                                19,200               -
      Accounts receivable, net                      168,330          160,130
      Other receivables                              40,233           18,579
      Materials and supplies                         10,136            4,229
      Other                                          43,344           21,180
      Deferred income tax, net                       27,382            9,730
      Short term investments                             -           37,090
    Total current assets                            319,586          250,938
    Property, plant, and equipment, net           1,890,403        1,628,066
    Intangibles assets, net                         232,973            2,019
    Prepaid pension asset                            70,080           36,692
    Debt issue costs, net                            29,271               -
    Other assets                                     79,517           20,457
    Investments                                       6,856                -
    Goodwill                                        611,624                -
    Total assets                                 $3,240,310       $1,938,172

          Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
    Current liabilities:
      Current portion of capital lease
       obligations                                   $2,029           $2,064
      Accounts payable                              206,599          175,866
      Dividends payable                              13,970               -
      Accrued interest payable                          282               -
      Interest rate swaps                            27,079               -
      Other accrued liabilities                      58,679           47,115
    Total current liabilities                       308,638          225,045

    Long-term liabilities:
      Capital lease obligations                       9,472            9,936
      Employee benefit obligations                  170,675          408,863
      Deferred income taxes                         248,802          140,911
      Unamortized investment tax credits              5,738            5,877
      Other long-term liabilities                    39,290           28,378
      Long-term debt, net of current portion      2,177,381               -
      Interest rate swap agreements                  47,588               -
    Total long-term liabilities                   2,698,946          593,965
    Minority interest                                     6
    Stockholders' equity:
      Common stock                                      890              538
      Additional paid-in capital                    800,321          484,383
      Retained Earnings                            (489,766)         634,241
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss          (78,725)              -
    Total stockholders' equity                      232,720        1,119,162
    Total liabilities and stockholders'
     equity                                      $3,240,310       $1,938,172



                 FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Under GAAP
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                       Three months ended
                                                            March 31,
                                                   2008 (A)           2007 (A)
                                                      (Dollars in thousands)

    Revenues                                       $282,414          $297,950
    Operating expenses:
     Cost of services and sales,
      excluding depreciation and
      amortization                                  135,837           135,715
     Selling, general and administrative
      expense, excluding depreciation and
      amortization                                   63,116            64,033
     Depreciation and amortization                   53,925            57,898
    Total operating expenses                        252,878           257,646
    Income from operations                           29,536            40,304
    Other income (expense):
     Interest expense                               (14,522)          (17,793)
     Other                                              986               906
    Total other expense                             (13,536)          (16,887)
    Income before income taxes                       16,000            23,417
    Income tax expense                               (6,457)           (8,979)
    Net income                                       $9,543           $14,438

    Weighted average shares outstanding:
     Basic                                           53,761            53,761
     Diluted                                         53,761            53,761

    Earnings per share:
     Basic                                            $0.18             $0.27
     Diluted                                          $0.18             $0.27



                 FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Under GAAP
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                         Three months ended
                                                              March 31,
                                                       2008             2007
                                                      (Dollars in thousands)
    Cash flows from operating
     activities:
      Net income                                      $9,543          $14,437
    Adjustments to reconcile net income
     to net cash provided by operating
     activities of continuing operations:
      Deferred income taxes                           16,021            1,052
      Provision for uncollectible
       revenue                                         3,874            6,330
      Depreciation and amortization                   53,925           57,898
      SFAS 106 post-retirement accruals               22,522           22,472
      Other non cash items                           (27,956)         (47,684)
      Changes in assets and liabilities
       arising from operations:
       Accounts receivable and other
        current assets                               (28,399)          15,700
       Accounts payable and other
        accrued liabilities                          (37,870)         (24,487)
      Other                                          (11,956)              -
        Total adjustments                             (9,839)          31,281
         Net cash provided by operating
          activities of continuing
          operations                                    (296)          45,718
    Cash flows from investing activities
     of continuing operations:
     Acquired cash balance, net                       11,552               -
     Net capital additions                           (24,604)         (36,169)
     Net proceeds from sales of
      investments and other assets                        -            7,765
      Net cash used in investing
       activities of continuing
       operations                                    (13,052)         (28,404)
    Cash flows from financing activities
     of continuing operations:
     Loan origination costs                          (29,238)              -
     Proceeds from issuance of long-term
      debt                                         1,635,500               -
     Repayments of long-term debt                   (685,441)              -
     Contributions from Verizon                      344,629          (16,891)
     Restricted cash                                 (80,886)              -
     Repayment of capital lease
      obligations                                       (255)            (423)
     Dividends paid to stockholders               (1,160,000)              -
      Net cash provided by (used in)
       financing activities of
       continuing operations                          24,309          (17,314)
      Net increase in cash                            10,961               -
    Cash, beginning of period                             -                -
    Cash, end of period                              $10,961              $-

    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
     information:
      Non-cash equity consideration                 $316,290              $-
      Non-cash issuance of senior notes              551,000               -



                 FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
         Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations (Non-GAAP)
                    For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
                       (in millions, except per share data)

                          Northern                               Pro Forma
                             New                                 Results
                           England   Legacy   Merger                for
                          business  FairPoint Related  Pro Forma  Combined
                             (A)      (B)     Costs  Adjustments Businesses

    Revenues                $282       68        -      (1)(C)       $349
    Operating expenses:
     Cost of services and
      sales, excluding
      depreciation and
      amortization           136       28              (10)(C)(D)     154
     Selling, general and
      administrative expense  63       12      47 (I)  (50)(D)(J)      72
     Depreciation and
      amortization            54       13                5 (F)         72

         Total operating
          expenses           253       53      47      (55)           298

         Income from
          operations          29       15     (47)      54             51

    Other income (expense):
     Interest expense        (14)     (11)      -      (22)(E)(H)     (47)
     Interest and dividend
      income                   -        -       -        -              -
     Loss on derivative
      instruments              -      (22)      -        -            (22)
     Other nonoperating, net   1        -     (32)(K)   32 (K)          1

         Total other expense (13)     (33)    (32)      10            (68)

         Income before income
          taxes               16      (18)    (79)      64            (17)

    Income tax (expense)
     benefit                  (6)       7      25 (L)  (19)(L)          7

         Net income          $10      (11)    (54)      45           ($10)

    Basic weighted average
     shares outstanding     53.8     35.3                            89.1
    Diluted weighted average
     shares outstanding     53.8     35.3                            89.1

    Basic earnings per common
     share:
     Continuing
      operations           $0.19                                   ($0.11)

    Diluted earnings per
     common share:
     Continuing
      operations           $0.19                                   ($0.11)

    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma
    combined condensed financial statements.



                 FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
         Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations (Non-GAAP)
                    For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
                       (in millions, except per share data)


                          Northern                               Pro Forma
                             New                                  Results
                           England   Legacy   Merger                for
                          business  FairPoint Related  Pro Forma  Combined
                             (A)      (B)     Costs  Adjustments Businesses

    Revenues                $298       70        -        (1)(C)       $367
    Operating expenses:
      Cost of services and
       sales, excluding
       depreciation and
       amortization          136       30                 (9)(C)(D)     157
      Selling, general and
       administrative
       expense                64       11       8 (I)    (11)(D)(J)      72
      Depreciation and
       amortization           58       13                  5 (F)         76

              Total
               operating
               expenses      258       54       8        (15)           305

              Income from
               operations     40       16      (8)        14             62

    Other income (expense):
      Interest expense       (18)     (10)       -       (19)(E)(H)     (47)
      Interest and dividend
       income                  -        -        -                       -
      Loss on derivative
       instruments             -        -        -                       -
      Other nonoperating,
       net                     1        2        -        (2)(G)          1

              Total other
               expense       (17)      (8)       -       (21)           (46)

              Income before
               income taxes   23        8       (8)       (7)            16

    Income tax (expense)
     benefit                  (9)      (3)       3 (L)     3 (L)         (6)

              Net income     $14        5       (5)       (4)           $10

    Basic weighted average
     shares outstanding     53.8     35.3                              89.1
    Diluted weighted
     average shares
     outstanding            53.8     35.3                              89.1

    Basic earnings per
     common share:
      Continuing
       operations          $0.26                                      $0.11

    Diluted earnings
     per common share:
      Continuing
       operations          $0.26                                      $0.11


    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma
    combined condensed financial statements.



                 FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
     Unaudited Reconciliation of Net Income under GAAP to Pro Forma Adjusted
                                EBITDA (Non-GAAP)
                                  (in millions)

                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                 March 31,         March 31,
                                                    2008              2007

    Net Income under GAAP                           $10               $14
        Depreciation and amortization                54                58
        Interest expense                             14                18
        Income taxes                                  6                 9
    Northern New England business EBITDA (1)         84                99

    FairPoint EBITDA (1)
        Net Income                                  (11)                5
        Depreciation and amortization                13                13
        Interest expense                             11                10
        Income taxes                                 (7)                3
        Pro forma adjustment for earnings
         in investees                                -                 (2)
        Loss on derivatives                          22                -
    FairPoint Adjusted EBITDA (2)                    28                29

    Combined EBITDA (1)                             112               128
        Pro forma pension and OPEB adjustment        12                11
        Estimated quarterly cost savings (3)         28                28
        Non-cash pension and OPEB                    10                12
                                                                       -
    Pro forma Adjusted EBITDA (2)                  $162              $179


    (1) EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense,
        provision (benefit) for income taxes, depreciation and amortization.

    (2) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted to exclude unusual or
        one-time non-recurring items, non-cash items and other adjustments and
        to include anticipated cost savings related to the merger
        and other adjustments.

    (3) Represents the quarterly run-rate cost savings as a result of the
        merger, which FairPoint expects to achieve within twelve months
        following the closing of the merger, assuming the Transition Services
        Agreement is terminated six months after the closing of the merger.
        These cost savings relate to the expected elimination of approximately
        $390 million (based on full year 2007 results) in annual costs and
        expenses, primarily consisting of shared corporate expenses allocated
        to the Northern New England business by Verizon. FairPoint believes
        that it can perform the corporate services provided by Verizon at a
        cost that is substantially less than that which was historically
        allocated to the Northern New England business. These costs will be
        replaced by (i) certain increased costs of approximately $254 million
        annually, (ii) the elimination of $18 million of annual revenue as a
        result of rate adjustments in Maine and (iii) the elimination of $6
        million of annual revenue as a result of anticipated reductions in
        access charges in the future if a proceeding that is currently before
        the New Hampshire Public Utilities commission is decided adversely. In
        order to achieve these net cost savings, FairPoint expects to incur
        approximately $400 million in net one-time operating costs and capital
        expenditures, a significant portion of which will be capitalized.
        These costs do not include other merger related costs that were
        financed with the proceeds of the sale of FairPoint's investment in
        the Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership or reimbursed by
        Verizon. These costs include payments of $200 million to Capgemini
        under the master services agreement, payments of $133 million to
        Verizon under the TSA (assuming FairPoint no longer needs services
        under the transition services agreement following the six-month
        anniversary of the closing of the merger) and additional merger and
        transition related expenditures. FairPoint estimates that it will
        incur approximately $335 million of these costs following the closing
        of the merger. There can be no assurances that these or any other cost
        savings will actually be realized.


 NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND UNAUDITED
                   PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    (A) On March 31, 2008, FairPoint completed a merger with Spinco, pursuant
        to which Spinco merged with and into FairPoint with FairPoint
        continuing as the surviving corporation for legal purposes.  Spinco
        was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Verizon and prior to the merger
        Verizon and its subsidiaries transferred certain specified assets and
        liabilities of the local exchange business of Verizon New England in
        Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont and the customers of the related long
        distance and Internet service provider business in those states to
        subsidiaries of Spinco.  The merger was accounted for as a "reverse
        acquisition" and, therefore, Spinco is treated as the acquirer for
        accounting purposes.  As a result, the statement of operations and the
        financial information derived from the statement of operations as
        reported under GAAP reflects only the financial results of the
        Northern New England business.  The balance sheet and financial
        information derived from the balance sheet reflect the combined assets
        and liabilities of Legacy FairPoint and Spinco at March 31, 2008.
        Certain assets and liabilities of the Northern New England business
        (principally related to pension, other post-employment benefits and
        associated deferred  taxes) were not distributed to Spinco in the
        merger and were effectively contributed back to Verizon.  The
        statement of operations as reported under GAAP reflects the actual
        results of the Northern New England business for the three months
        ended March 31, 2008 and may not be indicative of Spinco's and the
        FairPoint's future results (after giving effect to the merger).

        All results presented herein prior to March 31, 2008 represent the
        historical financial results of the Northern New England business and
        represent special-purpose combined financial statements prepared to
        present the balance sheets, statement of operations and cash flows of
        the Northern New England business in contemplation of a proposed
        merger with Legacy FairPoint and related transactions.  These special-
        purpose combined financial statements were prepared in accordance with
        U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Prior to March 31,
        2008, these financial statements were prepared using specific
        information where available and allocations where data was not
        maintained on a state-specific basis within the Northern New England
        business' books and records.

        The special-purpose combined financial statements include the
        wireline-related businesses, Internet access, long distance and
        customer premises equipment services provided by the Northern New
        England business to customers in the states of Maine, New Hampshire
        and Vermont.  All significant intercompany transactions have been
        eliminated.  These special-purpose combined financial statements also
        included the assets, liabilities and expenses related to employees who
        support the Northern New England business, some of whom remained
        employees of Verizon following the merger.

    (B) To reflect operating results recognized by FairPoint prior to the
        merger as if the merger had occurred as of January 1, 2006.

    (C) This adjustment reflects revenues and related expenses associated with
        VoIP and wireless directory assistance services which were not
        transferred to Spinco.  For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and
        2007, the Northern New England business recorded approximately $1
        million and $1 million in revenue and $1 million and $1 million in
        expenses, respectively, associated with VoIP and wireless directory
        assistance services.  In addition, it reflects certain revenues and
        related expenses associated with customers of VSSI-CPE that were not
        transferred to Spinco.

    (D) This adjustment reflects the reduction in pension and OPEB expense of
        $12 million and $11 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008
        and 2007, respectively, for the Northern New England business,
        determined using an actuarial study of employees to eliminate the
        pension and OPEB expense that were not be transferred to Spinco.  Of
        the $12 million adjustment for the three months ended March 31, 2008,
        $9 million was included in cost of services and sales and $3 million
        was included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Of the
        $11 million adjustment for the three months ended March 31, 2007, $8
        million was included in cost of services and sales and $3 million was
        included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

    (E) This adjustment reflects the removal of allocated interest expense of
        $14 million and $18 million recorded by the Northern New England
        business during the three month period ended March 31, 2008 and 2007,
        respectively, associated with affiliate notes payables and long-term
        debts held by Verizon.

    (F) This adjustment reflects the amortization of the finite-lived
        identifiable intangible assets recorded in this transaction. The
        weighted average estimated life of FairPoint's customer relationships
        is estimated to be 9.7 years and amortization expense is $5 million
        for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.

    (G) The adjustment to equity in net earnings of investees and net gains on
        sale of investments includes the elimination of FairPoint's equity in
        net earnings of investors in the Orange County - Poughkeepsie Limited
        Partnership. In April 2007, FairPoint sold this investment to Verizon
        Wireless and another third party for $55 million.

    (H) This adjusts reported interest expense to the pro forma interest
        expense to be recognized on the debt structure of the combined company
        following the spin-off and merger.  The adjustment considers (1) the
        interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
        recognized on the newly issued debt of the combined company, (2) the
        amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs associated with the
        newly issued debt, and (3) the elimination of interest expense and
        amortization of debt issuance costs related to the debt of Legacy
        FairPoint that was repaid upon consummation of the merger.

    (I) This adjustment is to separate certain merger related costs incurred
        by Legacy FairPoint prior to the merger.  These costs consist of
        various transition and transaction related costs required to close the
        merger, hire new employees and begin the transition process.

    (J) This adjustment is to eliminate the merger related costs discussed in
        (I) above of $47 million and $8 million incurred by Legacy FairPoint
        prior to the consummation of the merger during the three months ended
        March 31, 2008 and 2007 which are directly related to the merger and
        related transactions.

    (K) This adjustment consists of fees and charges incurred in connection
        with the closing of the spin-off and merger, principally including
        investment banking fees, write-off of debt issuance costs on Legacy
        FairPoint's old credit facility and other costs incurred at the
        closing of the merger.

    (L) This adjustment reflects the income tax impact on adjustments
        described above.

    Investor Contact: Brett Ellis (866) 377-3747, bellis@fairpoint.com
    Media Contact:    Rose Cummings (704) 602-7304; rcummings@fairpoint.com

SOURCE FairPoint Communications, Inc.


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