Exhibit 99.1


[FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS LOGO]


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                CONTACT: Timothy W. Henry
                                                     Telephone: (704) 344.8150
                                                     Email: Thenry@fairpoint.com



               FAIRPOINT REPORTS OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH
                QUARTER AND FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004


CHARLOTTE,  N.C. (March 22, 2005) - FairPoint  Communications,  Inc.  (NYSE:FRP)
("FairPoint")  today  announced  financial  results  for the fourth  quarter and
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. Highlights include:

o        Reporting operating revenues of $63.8 million for the fourth quarter, a
         6.8% increase from the same period in 2003,  and $252.6 million for the
         full year, a 9.2 % increase from the prior year.
o        Reporting  a  consolidated  net  loss of  $10.8  million  (including  a
         non-recurring  expense of $6.0  million)  and a loss per share of $1.13
         for the fourth quarter.
o        Reporting  a  consolidated  net  loss of  $23.7  million  (including  a
         non-recurring  expense of $6.0  million)  and a loss per share of $2.50
         for the full year 2004.
o        Generating Adjusted EBITDA (as defined herein) of $35.6 million for the
         fourth quarter (excluding a non-recurring  expense of $6.0 million), an
         8.5% increase  compared to the same period in 2003,  and $141.2 million
         for the full year, a 6.5% increase from the prior year.

"We are pleased with our 2004  financial  progress,"  said Gene  Johnson,  chief
executive  officer and chairman.  "Our focus on driving top line revenue  growth
and  delivering  an  exceptional   experience  to  our  customers   resulted  in
significant DSL growth in 2004."

"Our full year results  demonstrate our ability to execute our business strategy
of increasing top line revenue  growth,  improving  operating  efficiencies  and
pursuing  selective  acquisitions  which  contribute to increasing the company's
free cash flow. This is evidenced by the 8.5% increase in revenues  reported for
the full year 2004 and a resulting  increase in our Adjusted  EBITDA of 6.5%, an
$8.6 million increase over the prior year," said Johnson.  "In December 2003, we
acquired  Community  Service  Telephone  Company  located  adjacent to our Maine
exchanges and by year-end 2004 had successfully integrated this company into our
operations."

"We intend to continue  executing  our  business  strategy in 2005,  emphasizing
further  gains in  product  penetration  and  striving  to  improve  operational
efficiencies,"  said Johnson.  "We will also continue to seek acquisitions which
are accretive to our shareholders and the free cash flow of the company, such as
the announced acquisition of Berkshire Telephone Corporation, which we expect to
close in the second quarter of 2005."





Results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2004

FairPoint  reported  consolidated  revenues from  continuing  operations for the
three months ended  December 31, 2004 of $63.8  million,  an increase of 6.8% or
$4.0  million  compared to the three  months  ended  December  31, 2003 of $59.8
million.  Revenues from our existing  operations  increased $2.4 million for the
three  months  ended  December  31, 2004 over the same  period in 2003,  with an
additional  $1.6 million  contributed  by Community  Service  Telephone  Company
("CST",  a company  acquired by us in December  2003).  Growth in local service,
interstate access,  data / Internet,  and long distance revenues  contributed to
the improved top line revenue increase compared to the same period in 2003.

Income from  continuing  operations was $18.1 million for the three months ended
December 31, 2004 compared to $18.3 million for the three months ended  December
31, 2003, a 1.1% decrease.  Total operating expenses (including depreciation and
amortization)  increased  $4.2  million  or 10.2%  for the  three  months  ended
December 31, 2004 compared to the same period in the prior year.  Cash operating
expenses increased by $2.8 million to $32.4 million, a 9.6% increase compared to
the  three-month  period  ended  December 31,  2003.  This change was  primarily
attributable  to  increases  in cost of goods sold  related to the growth of our
digital  subscriber line ("DSL") and long distance customer base, an increase in
employee  compensation costs, and an increase in uncollectible  expense due to a
recovery in 2003 of a written-off inter-exchange carrier expense.

FairPoint  reported a net loss of $10.8 million or a loss per share of $1.13 for
the three months ended December 31, 2004, compared to a net loss of $3.4 million
for the same period in 2003. Excluding a non-recurring  expense of $6.0 million,
the net loss for the quarter was $4.8 million or a loss per share of $0.51.


Results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

FairPoint reported full year consolidated revenues from continuing operations of
$252.6  million,  an increase  of 9.2% or $21.2  million  over 2003  revenues of
$231.4 million.  Revenues from our existing  operations  increased $13.0 million
compared  to  2003,  with an  additional  $8.2  million  contributed  by the CST
acquisition. Revenue growth was reported in each revenue category with exception
of  intrastate  revenues,  which  declined by $1.6  million.  The  reduction  in
intrastate  revenue  primarily  occurred  at our Maine  businesses  due to state
regulatory  changes that shifted revenue from intrastate access to local service
revenues.

Income from continuing  operations was $73.6 million for the twelve-month period
ended  December 31, 2004, an increase of 2.1% compared to $72.1 million in 2003.
Total operating  expenses  (including  depreciation and amortization)  increased
12.4% in 2004 compared to the prior year. Cash operating  expenses  increased by
15.8% or $17.6 million to $128.8 million.  The CST acquisition  represented $4.1
million of the  increase in cash  operating  expenses  while the  remainder  was
attributed to existing  operations.  The increase in cash operating  expense for
existing  operations  was  attributable  to  increases in cost of goods sold and
operational  expenses  related to our  expanded DSL and long  distance  customer
base, wage and benefit increases,


Page 2 of 2



billing  costs  related to the  conversion  of our  billing  systems to a single
platform and higher advertising and promotional  expenses related to our DSL and
long distance marketing initiatives.

FairPoint  reported a net loss for the  twelve-month  period ending December 31,
2004 of $23.7 million  (including a one-time  expense of $6.0 million) or a loss
per share of $2.50,  compared to a net loss of $4.3  million for the same period
in 2003.  Excluding a  non-recurring  expense of $6.0 million,  net loss for the
twelve-month  period was $17.7 million or a loss per share of $1.87.  During the
fourth  quarter  of  2004,  we  recorded  a  one-time  expense  of $6.0  million
associated with our abandoned  offering of Income Deposit  Securities.  The 2004
increase in net loss was attributable to an increase in interest expense related
to the issuance of the 11 7/8% Senior Notes in March 2003. Also  contributing to
the year-over-year difference was the fact that in 2003, we also reported income
from discontinued  operations and disposal of assets of discontinued  operations
of $9.9 million.


Fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 operational highlights

Total access line equivalents were 271,150 as of December 31, 2004, representing
an increase of 2.6% from  264,308 as of December  31,  2003.  Voice access lines
decreased by 2.9% for the twelve month period to 239,274  compared to 246,371 as
of  December  31,  2003.  At  year  end  2004,  DSL  customers  totaled  31,876,
representing an increase of 77.7% from the prior year.

In the fourth quarter,  voice access lines decreased by 2,997, compared to 1,828
in the third  quarter of 2004.  Correspondingly,  DSL  subscriber  growth in the
fourth quarter of 2004 was 1,456 compared to 2,069 in the third quarter 2004. In
the fourth  quarter  the  company  controlled  DSL growth  striving  for greater
profitability and reduced churn contrasted against an aggressive sales promotion
/ customer  penetration  strategy pursued earlier in the year. At year end 2004,
DSL penetration was 13.3% of voice access lines compared to 7.3%  penetration at
year end 2003. Our total broadband penetration utilizing DSL, cable and wireless
technologies  was 14.0% of voice  access  lines,  compared to 7.6% for the prior
year.

During the second half of 2004,  we began to  aggressively  sell a voice bundled
offering consisting of local voice, long distance and enhanced calling services.
This effort has  contributed  to an increase in long  distance  penetration.  At
year-end 2004,  interstate  long distance  penetration was 38.4% of voice access
lines compared to 31.4% at year-end 2003, an 18.9% year-over-year increase.

Capital  expenditures in the fourth quarter were $12.1 million and for 2004 were
$36.5 million. This annual number includes non-recurring capital expenditures of
approximately  $4.4 million  relating to the  conversion of our billing  systems
into an integrated billing platform and approximately $9.0 relating to the final
stages of our DSL initiative.


Recent Developments

On February 8, 2005,  FairPoint completed an initial public offering ("the IPO")
of 25,000,000  shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $18.50 per
share.  In  connection  with the IPO,  we obtained a new senior  secured  credit
facility  consisting of a $100 million  revolving


Page 3 of 3



facility and a $588.5  million  B-Term loan facility of which $22.5 million is a
delayed term loan  commitment  that may be used to redeem any of  FairPoint's 12
1/2% senior  subordinated  notes due 2010, which were not tendered in the tender
offer for such notes. These notes are callable beginning on May 1, 2005.

FairPoint  used the proceeds  from the IPO and  borrowings  under its new credit
facility primarily to refinance its existing credit facility,  consummate tender
offers for its outstanding high yield debt, redeem its series A preferred stock,
repay operating subsidiary debt and pay related fees and expenses.


Non-GAAP Measures

FairPoint's  EBITDA for the three months and twelve  months  ended  December 31,
2004 was $29.5  million and $130.8,  respectively.  Our Adjusted  EBITDA for the
2004 fourth quarter was $35.6 million,  an 8.5% increase from the  corresponding
period in the prior year.  Adjusted  EBITDA for the twelve months ended December
31, 2004 was $141.2  million,  representing  an increase of 6.5% compared to the
prior year.

EBITDA and  Adjusted  EBITDA are non-GAAP  financial  measures.  For  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 review the attachments to this press release.

EBITDA  means  net  income  (loss)   before  income  (loss)  from   discontinued
operations,  interest expenses, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization.
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.  We believe  EBITDA allows a  standardized
comparison  between companies in the industry,  while minimizing the differences
from  depreciation  policies,  financial  leverage and tax  strategies.  We also
believe  that  EBITDA  is  useful  as a means to  evaluate  our  ability  to pay
dividends.  While providing useful information,  EBITDA should not be considered
in isolation or as a substitute  for  consolidated  statement of operations  and
cash flows data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Certain  covenants in our new credit  facility  contain ratios based on Adjusted
EBITDA and the restricted payment covenant in our new credit facility regulating
the  payment of  dividends  on our  common  stock is based on  Adjusted  EBITDA.
Adjusted  EBITDA for any period is defined in our new credit facility as (1) the
sum of Consolidated  Net Income (which is defined in our new credit facility and
includes  distributions  from  investments),  plus the  following  to the extent
deducted  from  consolidated  net  income:  provision  for  taxes,  consolidated
interest  expense,  depreciation,  amortization,  losses on sales of assets  and
other  extraordinary  losses, and certain other non-cash items, each as defined,
minus  (2)  gains on sales of  assets  and  other  extraordinary  gains  and all
non-cash items increasing consolidated net income for the period.

The  information in this press release  should be read in  conjunction  with the
financial  statements and footnotes  contained in our documents to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Page 4 of 4



About FairPoint

FairPoint is a leading provider of communications  services to rural communities
across the country.  Incorporated in 1991, FairPoint's mission is to acquire and
operate 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  (RLECs) located in 17 states.  FairPoint serves
customers with approximately 271,150 access line equivalents (voice plus digital
subscriber  lines) as of  December  31,  2004 and  offers  an array of  services
including local and long distance voice, data, Internet and broadband offerings.


Forward Looking Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking  statements that are not based on
historical fact, including without limitation,  statements  containing the words
"expects,"  "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates,"
"indicated" and similar expressions.  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  in  FairPoint  Communications,  Inc.'s
Registration  Statement  on Form S-1 on file with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.  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 Communications, Inc. undertakes no duty to update this information.



                                      # # #

Attachments


Page 5 of 5





                FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets






                                                                    December 31,     December 31,
                                                                       2004             2003
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
                                                                   (unaudited)
                                                                       (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                                    
                                     Assets
Current assets:
      Cash                                                        $        3,595             5,603
      Accounts receivable, net                                            30,203            28,845
      Other                                                                6,805             7,545
      Assets of discontinued operations                                      102               105
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Total current assets                                                      40,705            42,098
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Property, plant, and equipment, net                                      252,262           266,706
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Other assets:
      Investments                                                         37,749            41,792
      Goodwill                                                           468,508           468,845
      Deferred charges and other assets                                   19,912            23,627
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Total other assets                                                       526,169           534,264
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Total assets                                                      $      819,136           843,068
                                                                ================== =================

                      Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit
Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable                                            $       14,184            14,671
      Current portion of long-term debt and other
           long-term liabilities                                             624            22,127
      Demand notes payable                                                   382               407
      Accrued interest payable                                            16,582            16,739
      Other accrued liabilities                                           15,872            15,154
      Liabilities of discontinued operations                               2,262             4,461
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Total current liabilities                                                 49,906            73,559
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Long-term liabilities:
      Long-term debt, net of current portion                             809,908           803,578
      Preferred shares subject to mandatory redemption                   116,880            96,699
      Liabilities of discontinued operations                               1,580             2,571
      Deferred credits and other long-term liabilities                    12,667            12,463
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Total long-term liabilities                                              941,035           915,311
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Commitments and contingencies
Minority interest                                                             11                15
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Common stock subject to put options                                        1,136             2,136
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Stockholders' deficit:
      Common stock                                                            94                94
      Additional paid-in capital                                         198,519           198,470
      Accumulated other comprehensive income                                  --             1,366
      Accumulated deficit                                               (371,565)         (347,883)
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Total stockholders' deficit                                             (172,952)         (147,953)
                                                                ------------------ -----------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit                       $      819,136           843,068
                                                                ================== =================










                                      FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                                        (Unaudited)
===========================================================================================================================
                                                                          Three months ended      Twelve months ended
                                                                              December 31,            December 31,
                                                                      -------------------------- --------------------------
                                                                            2004        2003        2004        2003
                                                                                       (Dollars in thousands)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   
Revenues                                                             $      63,807      59,769     252,645     231,432
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses:
      Operating expenses, excluding depreciation
           and amortization and stock-based
           compensation                                                     32,400      29,564     128,755     111,188
      Depreciation and amortization                                         13,411      11,908      50,287      48,089
      Stock-based compensation                                                 (84)         15          49          15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating expenses                                                    45,727      41,487     179,091     159,292
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from operations                                                      18,080      18,282      73,554      72,140
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other income (expense):
      Net gain (loss) on sale of investments and
           other assets and impairment losses                                   (5)         13        (245)        608
      Interest and dividend income                                           1,006         528       2,335       1,792
      Interest expense                                                     (26,617)    (25,585)   (104,315)    (90,224)
      Equity in net earnings of investees                                    2,970       2,857      10,899      10,092
      Realized and unrealized losses on
           interest rate swaps                                                  --        (177)       (112)     (1,387)
      Other nonoperating, net                                               (5,951)         --      (5,951)     (1,505)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other expense                                                        (28,597)    (22,364)    (97,389)    (80,624)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss from continuing operations before
      income taxes                                                         (10,517)     (4,082)    (23,835)     (8,484)
Income tax benefit (expense)                                                  (237)        486        (516)        236
Minority interest in income of subsidiaries                                     (1)         (1)         (2)         (2)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss from continuing operations                                            (10,755)     (3,597)    (24,353)     (8,250)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Income from Discontinued operations                                       --          --          --       1,929
      Gain from Discontinued operations                                         --         195         671       7,992
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discontinued operations                                                         --         195         671       9,921
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                                                          (10,755)     (3,402)    (23,682)      1,671
Redeemable preferred stock dividends
      and accretion                                                             --          --          --      (8,892)
Gain on repurchase of redeemable
      preferred stock                                                           --          --          --       2,905
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) attributed to common
      stockholders                                                   $     (10,755)     (3,402)    (23,682)     (4,316)
===========================================================================================================================
Weighted average shares outstanding:
      Basic                                                                  9,468       9,483       9,468       9,483
      Diluted                                                                9,468       9,483       9,468       9,483
===========================================================================================================================
Basic and diluted loss from continuing operations per share          $       (1.13)      (0.38)      (2.57)      (1.50)
===========================================================================================================================
Basic and diluted earnings from discontinued operations
      per share                                                                 --        0.02        0.07        1.04
===========================================================================================================================
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share                                  (1.13)      (0.36)      (2.50)      (0.46)
===========================================================================================================================






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





                                                                                                    Twelve months ended
                                                                                                        December 31,
                                                                                               --------------------------------
                                                                                                   2004              2003
                                                                                               ---------------   --------------
                                                                                                   (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                                                                
Cash flows from operating activities:
      Net income (loss)                                                                        $      (23,682)           1,671
                                                                                               ---------------   --------------
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating
      activities of continuing operations:
          Income from discontinued operations                                                            (671)          (9,921)
          Gain on disposal of discontinued telco operations                                                --               --
          Dividends and accretion on shares subject to mandatory redemption                            20,181            9,049
          Amortization of debt issue costs                                                              4,603            4,171
          Depreciation and amortization                                                                50,287           48,089
          Gain on early retirement of debt                                                                 --           (3,465)
          Write-off of debt issue costs                                                                 5,951            4,968
          Minority interest in income of subsidiaries                                                       2                2
          Income from equity method investments                                                       (10,899)         (10,092)
          Other non cash items                                                                          1,129           (6,499)
          Changes in assets and liabilities arising from operations:
              Accounts receivable and other current assets                                             (3,157)          (4,572)
              Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                                     1,868            1,019
              Income taxes                                                                               (138)            (149)
              Other assets/liabilities                                                                    501           (1,437)
                                                                                               ---------------   --------------
                  Total adjustments                                                                    69,657           31,163
                                                                                               ---------------   --------------
                      Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations               45,975           32,834
                                                                                               ---------------   --------------
Cash flows from investing activities of continuing operations:
      Acquisitions of telephone properties                                                               (225)         (33,114)
      Net capital additions                                                                           (35,961)         (33,218)
      Distributions from investments                                                                   15,017           10,775
      Net proceeds from sales of investments and other assets                                             328            2,100
      Other, net                                                                                         (145)            (553)
                                                                                               ---------------   --------------
          Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations                              (20,986)         (54,010)
                                                                                               ---------------   --------------
Cash flows from financing activities of continuing operations:
      Debt issue and offering costs                                                                    (7,750)         (15,593)
      Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                                        178,550          317,680
      Repayments of long-term debt                                                                   (193,761)        (294,414)
      Repurchase of preferred and common stock                                                         (1,005)          (9,649)
                                                                                               ---------------   --------------
          Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations                              (23,966)          (1,976)
                                                                                               ---------------   --------------
          Net cash contributed from (to) continuing operations to
              (from) discontinued operations                                                           (3,031)          23,361
                                                                                               ---------------   --------------
          Net increase in cash                                                                         (2,008)             209
Cash, beginning of period                                                                               5,603            5,394
                                                                                               ---------------   --------------
Cash, end of period                                                                            $        3,595            5,603
                                                                                               ===============   ==============
Supplemental disclosures of noncash financing activities:
      Redeemable preferred stock dividends paid in kind                                        $           --            8,163
                                                                                               ===============   ==============
      Gain on repurchase of redeemable preferred stock                                         $           --            2,905
                                                                                               ===============   ==============
      Accretion of redeemable preferred stock                                                  $           --              729
                                                                                               ===============   ==============
      Long-term debt issued in connection with Carrier Services'
          Tranche B interest payment                                                           $          115            1,548
                                                                                               ===============   ==============






                         FairPoint Communications, Inc.

                             EBITDA Reconciliation

        For the Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003






                                                                         Three-Months Ended           Three-Months Ended
                                                                             12/31/04                     12/31/03
                                                                         ------------------           ------------------

                                                                                     (Dollars in Thousands)
                                                                                                

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations      $            13,117           $            9,176
Adjustments:
       Depreciation and amortization                                                (13,411)                     (11,908)
       Impairment of investments                                                       (349)                           -
       Other non-cash items                                                          (9,427)                      (1,902)
       Changes in assets and liabilities arising from continuing
            operations, net of acquisitions                                            (686)                       1,037
                                                                         -------------------           ------------------
Income from continuing operations                                                   (10,756)                      (3,597)
Adjustments:
       Interest expense                                                              26,617                       25,585
       Provision for income taxes                                                       237                         (486)
       Depreciation and amortization                                                 13,411                       11,908
                                                                         -------------------           ------------------
EBITDA                                                                               29,509                       33,410
Adjustments:
       Net (gain) loss on sale of investments and other assets                         (344)                         (13)
       Impairment of investments                                                        349                            -
       Equity in earnings of investee                                                (2,970)                      (2,857)
       Distributions from investments                                                 3,207                        2,125
       Realized and unrealized losses on interest rate swaps                              -                          177
       Loss on early retirement of debt                                                   -                            -
       Non-cash stock based compensation                                                (84)                          15
       Write-off of costs associated with an abandoned offering                           -                            -
            of Income Deposit Securities                                              5,951                            -
       Deferred patronage dividends                                                     (40)                         (61)
                                                                         -------------------           ------------------
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA                                            $            35,578           $           32,796
                                                                         ===================           ==================

========================================================================================================================


                                                                         Three-Months Ended           Three-Months Ended
                                                                             12/31/04                     12/31/03
                                                                         ------------------           ------------------

                                                                                     (Dollars in Thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations      $            45,975           $           32,834
Adjustments:
       Depreciation and amortization                                                (50,287)                     (48,089)
       Impairment of investments                                                       (349)                           -
       Other non-cash items                                                         (20,618)                       1,866
       Changes in assets and liabilities arising from continuing
            operations, net of acquisitions                                             926                        5,139
                                                                         -------------------           ------------------
Income (loss) from continuing operations                                            (24,353)                      (8,250)
Adjustments:
       Interest expense                                                             104,315                       90,224
       Provision for income taxes                                                       516                         (236)
       Depreciation and amortization                                                 50,287                       48,089
                                                                         -------------------           ------------------
EBITDA                                                                              130,765                      129,827
Adjustments:
       Net (gain) loss on sale of investments and other assets                         (104)                        (608)
       Impairment of investments                                                        349                            -
       Equity in earnings of investee                                               (10,899)                     (10,092)
       Distributions from investments                                                15,017                       10,775
       Realized and unrealized losses on interest rate swaps                            112                        1,387
       Loss on early retirement of debt                                                   -                        1,503
       Non-cash stock based compensation                                                 49                           15
       Write-off of costs associated with an abandoned offering
            of Income Deposit Securities                                              5,951                            -
       Deferred patronage dividends                                                     (84)                        (233)
                                                                         -------------------           ------------------
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA                                            $           141,156           $          132,574
                                                                         ===================           ==================



EBITDA means net income (loss) before income (loss) from discontinued
operations, interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization.
We believe 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. We believe EBITDA allows a standardized
comparison between companies in the industry, while minimizing the differences
from depreciation policies, financial leverage and tax strategies. We also
believe that EBITDA is useful as a means to evaluate our ability to pay
dividends. While providing useful information , EBITDA should not be considered
in isolation or as a substitute for consolidated statement of operations and
cash flows data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Certain covenants in our credit facility contain ratios based on Adjusted EBITDA
and the restricted payment covenant in our credit facility regulating the
payment of dividends on our common stock is based on Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted
EBITDA for any period is defined in our credit facility as (1) the sum of
Consolidated Net Income (which is defined in our credit facility and includes
distributions from investments), plus the following to the extent deducted from
consolidated net income: provision for taxes, consolidated interest expense,
depreciation, amortization, losses on sales of assets and other extraordinary
losses, and certain other non-cash items, each as defined, minus (2) gains on
sales of assets and other extraordinary gains and all non-cash items increasing
consolidated net income for the period.





                         FairPoint Communications, Inc.

    Consolidated and Rural Local Exchange Comparative Financial Information

        For the Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003






($ thousands)                                                                   Three-Months Ended           Three-Months Ended
                                                                                     12/31/04                     12/31/03
                                                                             -----------------------         ----------------------
                                                                                                      
Consolidated Results from Continuing Operations:
     Revenues                                                               $              63,807           $           59,769
     Operating expenses                                                                    45,727                       41,487
                                                                             -----------------------         ----------------------
     Income from operations                                                                18,080                       18,282
     Other expense                                                                        (28,598)                     (22,364)
                                                                             -----------------------         ----------------------
     Income from continuing operations before income taxes                                (10,518)                      (4,082)
     Income taxes                                                                            (237)                         486
     Minority Interest in income of subsidiaries                                               (1)                          (1)
     Income from discontinued operations                                                        -                          195
                                                                             -----------------------         ----------------------
     Net income (loss)                                                      $             (10,756)          $           (3,402)
                                                                             =======================         ======================

     Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA                                           $              35,578           $           32,796
     Free Cash Flow                                                                        (1,853)                      (2,770)

     Other information:
     -----------------
     Gross property, plant and equipment                                    $             702,995           $          674,554
     Capital expenditures                                                                  12,100                       13,982
     Cash interest expense (adjusted for amortization, swap interest and
        accretion on series A preferred stock)                                             20,221                       21,053
     Access line equivalents                                                              271,150                      264,308
          Residential access lines                                                        189,668                      196,145
          Business access lines                                                            49,606                       50,226
          DSL lines                                                                        31,876                       17,937

===================================================================================================================================

($ thousands)                                                                   Three-Months Ended          Three-Months Ended
                                                                                     12/31/04                    12/31/03
                                                                             -----------------------         ----------------------
Consolidated Results from Continuing Operations:
     Revenues                                                               $             252,645          $           231,432
     Operating expenses                                                                   179,091                      159,292
                                                                             -----------------------         ----------------------
     Income from operations                                                                73,554                       72,140
     Other expense                                                                        (97,389)                     (80,624)
                                                                             -----------------------         ----------------------
     Income from continuing operations before income taxes                                (23,835)                      (8,484)
     Income taxes                                                                            (516)                         236
     Minority Interest in income of subsidiaries                                               (2)                          (2)
     Income from discontinued operations                                                      671                        9,921
                                                                             -----------------------         ----------------------
     Net income (loss)                                                      $             (23,682)         $             1,671
                                                                             =======================         ======================

     Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA                                           $             141,156          $           132,574
     Free Cash Flow                                                                        (2,303)                       9,860

     Other information:
     -----------------
     Gross property, plant and equipment                                    $             702,995          $           674,554
     Capital expenditures                                                                  36,492                       33,595
     Cash interest expense (adjusted for amortization, swap interest and
        accretion on series A preferred stock)                                             80,579                       85,137










                                                   FairPoint Communications, Inc.

 Sequential Financial Information for the Quarters ending December 31, September 30, June 30, and March 31, 2004, December 31, 2003


($ thousands)                                                      Three-Months Three-Months  Three-Months Three-Months Three-Months
                                                                      Ended         Ended         Ended         Ended       Ended
                                                                     12/31/04      9/30/04       6/30/04       3/31/04     12/31/03
                                                                    ------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                                                          
Consolidated Results:
 Revenues:
    Local calling services                                          $     15,828  $    15,974  $    15,767  $    15,581  $   14,343
    USF - high cost loop support                                           5,042        5,807        5,850        5,452       4,642
    Interstate access revenue                                             18,236       17,382       17,772       16,907      17,527
    Intrastate access revenue                                             10,509       10,844       10,325       10,711      11,344
    Long distance services                                                 4,508        5,009        4,205        4,044       3,767
    Data and internet services                                             5,504        5,064        4,459        4,027       3,847
    Other services                                                         4,180        5,357        4,038        4,263       4,299
                                                                    ------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
 Total revenues                                                           63,807       65,437       62,416       60,985      59,769
 Operating expenses                                                       45,727       46,405       44,436       42,524      41,487
                                                                    ------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
 Income from operations                                                   18,080       19,032       17,980       18,461      18,282
 Other income (expense)                                                  (28,598)     (23,152)     (22,794)     (22,845)    (22,364)
                                                                    ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
 Earnings (loss) from continuing
      operations before income taxes                                     (10,518)      (4,120)      (4,814)      (4,384)     (4,082)
 Income taxes                                                               (237)        (105)          49         (223)        486
 Minority interest in income of subsidiaries                                  (1)          --           --           (1)         (1)
 Gain on disposal of assets of discontinued
    operations                                                                --           --          671           --         195
                                                                    ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
 Net income (loss)                                                  $    (10,756) $    (4,225) $    (4,094) $    (4,608) $   (3,402)
                                                                    ============= ============ ============ ============ ===========


Free Cash Flow:
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA                                        $     35,578       34,796       35,295  $    35,487  $   32,796
Less:
 Scheduled principal payments                                              4,873        5,149        5,326       10,524       1,017
 Cash interest expense (adjusted for amortization, swap interest and
    dividend and accretion on series A preferred stock)                   20,221       19,859       20,045       20,454      21,053

 Capital expenditures                                                     12,100        7,767        9,668        6,957      13,982
 Income taxes                                                                237          105          (49)         223        (486)
                                                                    ------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
Consolidated Free Cash Flow                                         $     (1,853)       1,916          305  $    (2,671) $   (2,770)
                                                                    ============= ============ ============ ============ ===========


                                                                   Three-Months                                         Three-Months
                                                                      Ended                                                 Ended
                                                                     12/31/04                                              12/31/03
                                                                    ------------                                         ----------




Free Cash Flow:
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA                                        $    141,156                                         $  132,574
Less:
 Scheduled principal payments                                             25,872                                              4,218
 Cash interest expense (adjusted for amortization, swap interest and
    the dividend and accretion on the series A preferred stock)           80,579                                             85,137
 Capital expenditures                                                     36,492                                             33,595
 Income taxes                                                                516                                               (236)
                                                                    -------------                                        -----------
Consolidated Free Cash Flow                                         $     (2,303)                                        $    9,860
                                                                    =============                                        ===========

 Other information:
 Gross property, plant and equipment                                $    702,995      695,537      690,021  $   680,859  $  674,554
 Capital expenditures                                                     12,100        7,767        9,668        6,957      13,982
 Interest expense (adjusted for amortization
    and swap interest)                                                    20,221       19,859       20,045       20,454      21,053
 Access line equivalents                                                 271,150      272,691      272,450      267,790     264,308
    Residential access lines                                             189,668      192,353      194,269      194,385     196,145
    Business access lines                                                 49,606       49,918       49,830       50,097      50,226
    DSL lines                                                             31,876       30,420       28,351       23,308      17,937