FairPoint Communications, Inc. Announces Receipt of Requisite Consents.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- FairPoint Communications, Inc. ("FairPoint") announced today that in connection with its previously announced tender offers and consent solicitations (the "Offers") for its outstanding 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2008 (the "9 1/2% Notes"), Floating Rate Callable Securities Due 2008 (the "Floating Rate Notes", and together with the 9 1/2% Notes, the "2008 Notes"), 12 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2010 (the "12 1/2% Notes") and 11 7/8% Senior Notes Due 2010 (the "11 7/8% Notes", and together with the 12 1/2% Notes and the 2008 Notes, the "Notes") it has received the requisite consents necessary to adopt the proposed amendments to the indentures governing the Notes.

Adoption of the proposed amendments to the indentures governing the Notes requires the consent of holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of each series of the outstanding Notes, with the exception of the 2008 Notes which vote together as one series. The proposed amendments will become operative when the Notes are accepted for payment pursuant to the terms of the Offers.

Holders have until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, today to tender and receive the total consideration for the Notes, which includes a consent payment of $20 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered and accepted for payment. The Offers are scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 3, 2005, unless extended or earlier terminated.

This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes. The Offers are being made pursuant to each Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement and related materials, copies of which may be obtained from Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the Information Agent for the Offers, at [phone].

Persons with questions regarding the Offers should contact Banc of America Securities LLC, the Dealer Manager and Solicitation Agent, at [phone] or [phone].

FairPoint is one of the leading providers of telecommunications services in rural communities across the country. Incorporated in 1991, FairPoint's mission is to operate and acquire telecommunications companies that set the standard of excellence for the delivery of service to rural communities. Today, FairPoint owns and operates 26 rural local exchange companies located in 17 states. FairPoint serves customers with approximately 272,691 access line equivalents (including voice access lines and digital subscriber lines) and offers an array of services including local voice, long distance, data, Internet and broadband product offerings. For additional information, contact Tim Henry at 704-344-8150.