FairPoint Upgrades Broadband Service in 50 Vermont Towns

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 10, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FairPoint Communications¹ announced today the completion of broadband expansion projects in 50 Vermont towns. The projects extend FairPoint’s approximately 17,000 mile fiber optic network, which is the most expansive and diversely-routed fiber network in northern New England. As a result of these completed projects, improved broadband speeds are available to 18,300 locations in rural Vermont -- in some areas for the first time.

“For many throughout Vermont, using the internet is an essential part of daily activities. Every day students go online to complete homework, small businesses efficiently capitalize on the benefits of e-commerce, and if you are looking for a job, you will more than likely be asked to apply online,” said Beth Fastiggi, FairPoint’s Vermont state president. “With more people using the internet, it is more important than ever to keep Vermonters throughout the state connected.”

Last year, FairPoint announced acceptance of Phase II of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Connect America Fund (CAF), a program designed to support expansion and operation of broadband services in high-cost areas. Utilizing CAF funding, in combination with its own significant direct investments, FairPoint completed broadband upgrade projects in these 50 Vermont towns:

The projects completed at these locations will now qualify for download speeds of up to 15 Mbps², based on the distance from the customer location to FairPoint’s servicing equipment, which is more than sufficient speed to smoothly stream high-definition video, browse the web or participate in online gaming according to FCC guidelines.

Since April 2008, FairPoint has invested more than $900 million in its communications infrastructure and technology to bring broadband to northern New England, including building thousands of miles of new fiber optic network across the region. FairPoint’s fiber-based, high capacity network offers customers a better, faster way to communicate.

To find out more details, including internet service speed eligibility, information about prices and bundled plans, or to schedule a professional installation of services, residential consumers can call 1-866.984.2001 and business customers can call 1-866.984.3001.

About FairPoint Communications, Inc.
FairPoint Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRP) provides advanced data, voice and video technologies to single and multi-site businesses, public and private institutions, consumers, wireless companies and wholesale re-sellers in 17 states. Leveraging an owned, fiber-based Ethernet network — with more than 21,000 route miles of fiber, including approximately 17,000 route miles of fiber in northern New England — FairPoint has the network coverage, scalable bandwidth and transport capacity to support enhanced applications, including the next generation of mobile and cloud-based communications, such as small cell wireless backhaul technology, voice over IP, data center colocation services, managed services and disaster recovery.  For more information, visit www.FairPoint.com.

¹ Services are provided through operating subsidiaries of FairPoint Communications, Inc.
² Maximum Internet speeds referenced are only available in select areas.  Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability.  Actual customer speeds may vary and are not guaranteed.  Actual speeds vary based on a number of factors including site traffic and congestion, components within your computer such as processor speeds, memory and hardware and software configuration, content provider server capacity, internal network management factors and customer device capabilities.

Contact: Angelynne Beaudry 802-951-1524 aamores@fairpoint.com