BANGOR, Maine -- FairPoint Communications, Inc. (NYSE:FRP) today announced that it willbegin development and construction of an advanced broadband network using Internet Protocol (IP) andMulti-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) infrastructure over the existing Verizon fiber network in Maine,New Hampshire and Vermont. Once regulatory approvals for its proposed acquisition of Verizon’swireline operations in those three states are received, FairPoint will deploy the advanced network. The fulldeployment is expected to take 12 to 24 months.

“Upon completion of the merger in northern New England, FairPoint will begin to deploy a leadingbusiness-class network scalable to meet our customer’s needs today and into the future,” said Peter G.Nixon, FairPoint’s president. “We expect the reach, flexibility and scalability of this new MPLS platform tostrengthen the region’s economic foundation, attracting businesses and industries that follow investmentin advanced network infrastructure.”

FairPoint Communications Inc.