FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS INC - FORM 10-Q - May 4, 2017

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 ______________________________________________________________________
 FORM 10-Q
________________________________________________________________ 
(Mark One)
x    
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017
OR
o 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from          to         
Commission File Number 001-32408
______________________________________________________________________
 FairPoint Communications, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 ______________________________________________________________________
Delaware
 
13-3725229
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
521 East Morehead Street, Suite 500
Charlotte, North Carolina
 
28202
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(704) 344-8150
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 ______________________________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
o
 
Accelerated filer
 
x
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company
 
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  x


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.    Yes  x    No  o
As of May 1, 2017, there were 27,265,406 shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.
 


2

 
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017 (this "Quarterly Report") are known as "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this Quarterly Report that are not historical facts. When used in this Quarterly Report, the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates", "should", "could", "may", "will" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking 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, including factors discussed under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the "2016 Annual Report") and other parts of this Quarterly Report and the factors set forth below:
•
the timing and ability to complete the Merger (as defined below) with Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.;
•
the outcome of legal and regulatory proceedings that have been, or may be, instituted following the announcement of our entering into the Merger Agreement (as defined below);
•
risks that the Merger disrupts current plans and operations including potential impairments to our ability to retain and motivate key personnel;
•
the possibility that the Merger is not consummated, including, but not limited to, due to the failure to satisfy the closing conditions;
•
the diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities as a result of the Merger;
•
the amounts of costs, fees, and expenses relating to the Merger;
•
future performance generally and our share price as a result thereof;
•
changes in strategic direction, including as a result of mergers, acquisitions or dispositions;
•
restrictions imposed by the agreements governing our indebtedness;
•
our ability to satisfy certain financial covenants included in the agreements governing our indebtedness;
•
financing sources and availability, and future interest expense;
•
our ability to repay or refinance our indebtedness;
•
our ability to fund substantial capital expenditures;
•
anticipated business development activities and future capital expenditures;
•
the effects of regulation and enforcement, including changes in federal and state regulatory policies, procedures and their enforcement mechanisms including but not limited to the availability and levels of regulatory support payments and penalties associated with performance;
•
our ability to satisfy our Connect America Fund ("CAF") Phase II obligations and our obligations under state grant funding programs;
•
adverse changes in economic and industry conditions, and any resulting financial or operational impact, in the markets we serve;
•
labor matters, including workforce levels, our workforce reduction initiatives, labor negotiations and any resulting financial or operational impact;
•
material technological developments and changes in the communications industry, including declines in access lines;
•
disruption of our third party suppliers' provisioning of critical products or services;
•
change in preference and use by customers of alternative technologies;
•
the effects of competition on our business and market share;
•
our ability to overcome changes to or pressure on pricing and their impact on our profitability;
•
intellectual property infringement claims by third parties;
•
failure of, or attack on, our information technology infrastructure;
•
risks related to our reported financial information and operating results;
•
availability of net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards to offset anticipated tax liabilities;

3

•
the impact of changes in assumptions on our ability to meet obligations to our company-sponsored qualified pension plans and other post-employment benefit plans;
•
the impact of lump sum payments under certain of our company-sponsored qualified pension plans on future pension contributions;
•
the effects of severe weather events, such as hurricanes, storms, tornadoes and floods, terrorist attacks, cyber-attacks or other natural or man-made disasters; and
•
changes in accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on earnings.
You should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are based on the information currently available to us and speak only as of the date on which this Quarterly Report is filed with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in our expectations or otherwise, except as required by law. However, your attention is directed to any further disclosures made on related subjects in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K.

Except as otherwise required by the context, references in this Quarterly Report to:
•
"FairPoint Communications" refers to FairPoint Communications, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.
•
"FairPoint," the "Company," "we," "us" or "our" refer to the combined business of FairPoint Communications, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries after giving effect to the merger on March 31, 2008 with Northern New England Spinco Inc., a subsidiary of Verizon Communications Inc. ("Verizon"), which transaction is referred to herein as the "Spinco Merger".
•
"Northern New England operations" refers to the local exchange business acquired from Verizon and certain of its subsidiaries after giving effect to the Spinco Merger.
•
"Telecom Group" refers to FairPoint, exclusive of our acquired Northern New England operations.
•
"Consolidated" refers to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

4

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
(in thousands, except share data)
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(unaudited)
 
(as adjusted)
Assets:
 
 
 
Cash
$
38,747

 
$
34,924

Accounts receivable (net of $3.2 million and $3.6 million allowance for doubtful accounts, respectively)
60,762

 
62,395

Prepaid expenses
22,533

 
24,498

Other current assets
4,743

 
4,898

Total current assets
126,785

 
126,715

Property, plant and equipment (net of $1,503.2 million and $1,452.9 million accumulated depreciation, respectively)
994,269

 
1,024,352

Intangible assets (net of $68.1 million and $65.3 million accumulated amortization, respectively)
73,140

 
75,913

Restricted cash
653

 
653

Other assets
3,022

 
3,202

Total assets
$
1,197,869

 
$
1,230,835



 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit:
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
$
6,400

 
$
6,400

Current portion of capital lease obligations
1,165

 
1,227

Accounts payable
29,706

 
27,598

Accrued interest payable
3,419

 
10,120

Accrued payroll and related expenses
20,009

 
26,187

Other accrued liabilities
50,512

 
47,918

Total current liabilities
111,211

 
119,450

Capital lease obligations
1,134

 
1,311

Accrued pension obligations
131,726

 
133,917

Accrued post-employment benefit obligations
87,411

 
87,629

Deferred income taxes, net
26,230

 
28,016

Other long-term liabilities
16,209

 
16,219

Long-term debt, net of current portion
897,966

 
898,370

Total long-term liabilities
1,160,676

 
1,165,462

Total liabilities
1,271,887

 
1,284,912

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 14)

 

Stockholders’ deficit:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 37,500,000 shares authorized, 27,266,792 and 27,074,398 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
273

 
271

Additional paid-in capital
528,666

 
527,726

Accumulated deficit
(627,465
)
 
(603,610
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
24,508

 
21,536

Total stockholders’ deficit
(74,018
)
 
(54,077
)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
$
1,197,869

 
$
1,230,835


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
5


FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three Months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues
$
201,907


$
206,816

Operating expenses:



Cost of services and sales, excluding depreciation and amortization
97,806


105,039

Other post-employment benefit and pension expense/(benefit)
3,097


(53,228
)
Selling, general and administrative expense
49,853


50,336

Depreciation and amortization
54,794


57,638

Total operating expenses
205,550


159,785

Income/(loss) from operations
(3,643
)

47,031

Other income/(expense):


 


Interest expense
(20,378
)

(20,610
)
Other, net
163


158

Total other expense
(20,215
)

(20,452
)
Income/(loss) before income taxes
(23,858
)

26,579

Income tax benefit/(expense)
3


(8,011
)
Net income/(loss)
$
(23,855
)

$
18,568

 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic
26,961


26,812

Diluted
26,961


27,119

 

 
 
Income/(loss) per share, basic
$
(0.88
)

$
0.69





Income/(loss) per share, diluted
$
(0.88
)

$
0.68


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
6


FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Three Months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net income/(loss)
$
(23,855
)
 
$
18,568

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of taxes:
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps (net of $0.2 million and $0.1 million tax expense, respectively)
362

 
124

Qualified pension and post-employment benefit plans (net of $1.8 million and $19.2 million tax benefit, respectively)
2,610

 
(36,500
)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)
2,972

 
(36,376
)
Comprehensive loss
$
(20,883
)
 
$
(17,808
)


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
7


FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Deficit
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
paid-in
capital
 
Accumulated
deficit
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive income
 
Total
stockholders' deficit
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2016 (as adjusted)
27,074

 
$
271

 
$
527,726

 
$
(603,610
)
 
$
21,536

 
$
(54,077
)
Net loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(23,855
)
 
—

 
(23,855
)
Stock-based compensation issued, net
193

 
2

 
(694
)
 
—

 
—

 
(692
)
Stock-based compensation expense
—

 
—

 
1,634

 
—

 
—

 
1,634

Interest rate swaps other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2

 
2

Interest rate swaps reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
360

 
360

Employee benefits other comprehensive income before reclassifications
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,198

 
2,198

Employee benefits reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
412

 
412

Balance at March 31, 2017
27,267

 
$
273

 
$
528,666

 
$
(627,465
)
 
$
24,508

 
$
(74,018
)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
8


FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
(Unaudited) (in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income/(loss)
$
(23,855
)

$
18,568

Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:



Deferred income taxes
(78
)

7,908

Provision for uncollectible revenue
731


(1,406
)
Depreciation and amortization
54,794


57,638

Other post-employment benefits
(401
)

(56,678
)
Qualified pension
(1,082
)

2,036

Stock-based compensation
1,634


2,666

Other non-cash items
1,285


1,102

Changes in assets and liabilities arising from operations:



Accounts receivable
902


(1,841
)
Prepaid and other assets
2,005


(79
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(1,032
)

3,349

Accrued interest payable
(6,701
)

(6,563
)
Other assets and liabilities, net
33


(2,281
)
Total adjustments
52,090


5,851

Net cash provided by operating activities
28,235


24,419

Cash flows from investing activities:



Net capital additions
(22,066
)

(25,880
)
Distributions from investments and proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
243


175

Net cash used in investing activities
(21,823
)

(25,705
)
Cash flows from financing activities:



Repayments of long-term debt
(1,600
)

(1,600
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
2


2

Repurchases of common stock to satisfy tax withholding obligations
(695
)
 
(388
)
Repayment of capital lease obligations
(296
)

(224
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(2,589
)

(2,210
)
Net change
3,823


(3,496
)
Cash, beginning of period
34,924


26,560

Cash, end of period
$
38,747


$
23,064

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Capital additions included in accounts payable
$
6,520

 
$
8,691

Acquisition of property and equipment by capital lease
57

 
355


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
9


FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
 
(1) Organization and Principles of Consolidation
Organization
FairPoint is a leading provider of advanced communications services to business, wholesale and residential customers within its service territories. FairPoint offers its customers a suite of advanced data services such as Ethernet, high capacity data transport and other IP-based services over an extensive fiber network with more than 22,000 miles of fiber optic cable, including approximately 18,000 miles of fiber optic cable in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, in addition to Internet access, high-speed data ("HSD") and local and long distance voice services. As of March 31, 2017, FairPoint's service territory spanned 17 states where it is the incumbent communications provider, primarily serving rural communities and small urban markets. Many of its local exchange carriers ("LECs") have served their respective communities for more than 80 years. As of March 31, 2017, the Company operated with approximately 305,400 broadband subscribers, approximately 16,000 Ethernet circuits and approximately 356,100 residential voice lines.
Principles of Consolidation
The condensed consolidated financial statements include all majority-owned subsidiaries of the Company. Partially owned equity affiliates are accounted for under the cost method or equity method when the Company demonstrates significant influence, but does not have a controlling financial interest. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
(2) Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Presentation and Use of Estimates
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted for this quarterly report and should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 is derived from audited financial statements.
The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations and financial condition for the interim periods shown, including normal recurring accruals and other items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year and actual results could differ from those estimates.
(b) Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recognized as services are rendered and are primarily derived from the usage of the Company's networks and facilities or under revenue-sharing arrangements with other communications carriers. Revenues are primarily derived from: voice services, access (including pooling), certain Connect America Fund ("CAF") receipts, Internet and broadband services and other miscellaneous services. Local access charges are billed to local end users under tariffs approved by each state's Public Utilities Commission ("PUC") or by rates, terms and conditions determined by the Company. Access revenues are derived for the intrastate jurisdiction by billing access charges to interexchange carriers and to other LECs. These charges are billed based on toll or access tariffs approved by the local state's PUC. Access charges for the interstate jurisdiction are billed in accordance with tariffs filed by the National Exchange Carrier Association ("NECA") or by the individual company and approved by the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC"). On July 14, 2016, the FCC adopted a Declaratory Order that classifies switched access services provided by Incumbent LECs as non-dominant services. This change in classification will not impact rates or revenues as the rates continue to be subject to rules established for all access providers pursuant to the Intercarrier Compensation transition rules adopted in 2011.
Revenues are determined on a bill-and-keep basis or a pooling basis. If on a bill-and-keep basis, the Company bills the charges to the customer and keeps the revenue. If the Company participates in a pooling environment (interstate or intrastate), the revenue from the covered services is contributed to a revenue pool. The revenue is then distributed to individual companies based on their company-specific revenue requirement or similar distribution methods. This distribution is based on individual state

10

PUCs' (intrastate) or the FCC's (interstate) approved settlement mechanisms, separation rules and rates of return. Distribution from these pools can change relative to changes made to expenses, plant investment or rate-of-return. Some companies participate in federal and certain state universal service programs that are pooling in nature but are regulated by rules separate from those described above. These rules vary by state. Revenues earned through the various pooling arrangements are initially recorded based on the Company's estimates.
On November 18, 2011, the FCC released its comprehensive landmark order to modify the nationwide system of universal support and the CAF/intercarrier compensation ("ICC") system (the "CAF/ICC Order"). Rule changes associated with the FCC's CAF/ICC Order impact the NECA interstate pooling, in that a portion of the Company's interstate Universal Service Fund ("USF") revenues, which are administered through the NECA pools and which prior to January 1, 2012 were based on costs, are now based on rules from the FCC's CAF/ICC Order, including CAF Phase II support where FairPoint accepted CAF Phase II support, continued CAF Phase I frozen support where FairPoint did not accept CAF Phase II support and CAF/ICC rules in states where FairPoint is eligible for such support under the ICC Transition Rules for price cap and rate-of-return carriers. FairPoint accepted CAF Phase II support in all states except Kansas and Colorado. The CAF Phase II revenue is being recognized on a straight-line basis, ratably over the six-year period in which the funding will be received. The accepted transition funding is being recognized monthly as received over the three-year transition period ending in July 2018. The Company is required to meet certain interim milestones over the six-year period of CAF Phase II and the Company performs a quarterly assessment of its progress.
Revenue from long distance switched retail and wholesale services can be recurring due to coverage under an unlimited calling plan or can be usage sensitive. In either case, they are billed in arrears and recognized when earned. Internet and data services revenues are substantially all recurring revenues and are billed one month in advance and deferred until earned.
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, unearned revenue of $19.5 million and $18.2 million, respectively, was included in other accrued liabilities and unearned revenue of $4.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively, was included in other long-term liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The majority of the Company's other miscellaneous services revenue is generated from ancillary special projects at the request of third parties, video services, directory services and late payment charges to end users and wholesale carriers. The Company generally requires customers to pay for ancillary special projects in advance. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, customer deposits of $3.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively, were included in other accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Once the ancillary special project is completed or substantially complete and all project costs have been accumulated for proper accounting recognition, the advance payment is recognized as revenue with any overpayments refunded to the customer, as appropriate. The Company recognizes revenue upon the provision of video services in certain markets by reselling DirecTV and providing cable and IP television video-over-digital subscriber line services. The Company also publishes telephone directories in some of its Telecom Group markets and recognizes revenues associated with these publications evenly over the time period covered by the directory, which is typically twelve months. The Company bills late payment fees to customers who have not paid their bills in a timely manner. In general, late payment fee revenue is recognized based on collection of these charges.
Non-recurring customer activation fees, along with the related costs up to, but not exceeding, the activation fees, are deferred and amortized over the customer relationship period.
Under the Maine Public Utilities Commission ("MPUC") rules (Chapter 201), which went into effect August 1, 2014, the MPUC may open an investigation regarding the failure to meet any of the established service quality index ("SQI") benchmarks and has the authority to impose penalties. The MPUC opened an investigation into the Company's failure to meet some third quarter 2014 SQI benchmarks and subsequently opened an investigation into the fourth quarter of 2014 and then with respect to each of the quarterly periods in 2015. On March 29, 2016, the MPUC consolidated the investigations of the six quarters into one investigation. On September 14, 2016, a hearing examiner for the MPUC issued a report recommending that the MPUC find that FairPoint had failed to meet SQI benchmarks for the period under review and impose a $500,000 penalty as allowed by statute, and provided until October 7, 2016 for comments or exceptions to be filed by interested parties. This recommendation did not constitute MPUC action. The Company promptly filed a motion to implement adjudicatory procedures prior to entry of any final order. After the Company’s motion to implement adjudicatory procedures was briefed by the parties, the Hearing Examiner issued an order on November 30, 2016 granting the Company’s motion in part and permanently withdrawing the Examiner’s September 14, 2016 report.  A case schedule was established by the Hearing Examiner, and a hearing is currently scheduled to begin May 11, 2017 in the event the parties have not reached a settlement prior to this date.
Subsequent legislation in Maine has superseded the SQI benchmarks applied in the examiner’s report. Effective with the new legislation, the reporting of service quality will be required only in the areas of the state where Provider of Last Resort ("POLR") is still required and will be filed and treated as confidential. The number of SQI reporting metrics has been reduced and the benchmarks are less stringent than under previous Commission rules.
Effective June 1, 2015, the Company began measuring and reporting certain wholesale local service performance results in each of the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont called the Wholesale Performance Plan ("WPP").

11

In evaluating the presentation of taxes and surcharges, such as USF charges, sales, use, value added and some excise taxes, the Company determines whether it is the primary obligor or principal taxpayer. In jurisdictions where the Company deems that it is the principal taxpayer, the Company records these taxes and surcharges on a gross basis and includes them in its revenues and costs of services and sales. In jurisdictions where the Company determines that it is a pass through agent for the government authority, it records the taxes on a net basis through the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Customer arrangements that include both equipment and services are evaluated to determine whether the elements are separable. If the elements are deemed separable and separate earnings processes exist, the revenue associated with each element is allocated to each element based on the relative estimated selling price of the separate elements. The Company has estimated the selling prices of each element by reference to vendor-specific objective evidence of selling prices when the elements are sold separately. The revenue associated with each element is then recognized as earned.
Management makes estimated adjustments, as necessary, to revenue and accounts receivable for billing errors, including certain disputed amounts.
(c) Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded as a contra-asset of accounts receivable and represents the Company's best estimate of probable credit losses in the Company's existing accounts receivable. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Accounts receivable balances are reviewed on an aged basis and account balances are written off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.
(d) Accounting for Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management determines its estimates of future taxable income based upon the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and tax planning strategies. The Company establishes valuation allowances for deferred tax assets when it is estimated to be more likely than not that the tax assets will not be realized.
In determining the income tax provision, a reserve for uncertain tax positions is established unless management determines that such positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on their merits.  There is considerable judgment involved in determining whether positions taken on the Company’s tax return are more likely than not to be sustained.
(e) Operating Segments
Management views its business of providing data, video and voice communications services to residential, wholesale and business customers as one operating segment. The Company's services consist of retail and wholesale communications and data services, including voice and HSD in 17 states. The Company's chief operating decision maker assesses operating performance and allocates resources based on the consolidated results.

12

(f) Interest Rate Swap Agreements
In the third quarter of 2013, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements. For further information regarding these interest rate swap agreements, see note (8) "Interest Rate Swap Agreements." The interest rate swap agreements, at their inception, qualified for and were designated as cash flow hedging instruments. The Company records its interest rate swaps on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The effective portion of changes in fair value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion is recognized in earnings. Both at inception and on a quarterly basis, the Company performs an effectiveness test.
(g) Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which generally begins on the date the award is granted through the date the award vests.
(3) Proposed Merger with Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.
On December 3, 2016, FairPoint Communications entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. ("Consolidated"), a Delaware Corporation, and Falcon Merger Sub, Inc., a newly formed Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Consolidated ("Merger Sub"), which provides for, among other things, a business combination whereby Merger Sub will merge with and into FairPoint Communications, with FairPoint Communications as the surviving entity (the "Merger"). As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease, and FairPoint Communications will survive as a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated. Consolidated is a leading business and broadband communications provider throughout its 11-state service area.
If the Merger is completed, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, stockholders of FairPoint Communications will receive 0.7300 shares of common stock of Consolidated for each share of FairPoint Communications common stock that they own immediately before this transaction. If the Merger is not completed under certain circumstances set forth in the Merger Agreement, FairPoint Communications may be required to pay a termination fee of $18.9 million. The Merger is expected to close around the middle of 2017 and is subject to standard closing conditions, including federal and state regulatory approvals. Both Consolidated’s and FairPoint Communications’ stockholders provided required approvals for the Merger on March 28, 2017.
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized $1.2 million of merger related expenses, primarily for legal and advisory costs included in selling, general and administrative expense, excluding depreciation and amortization, on the consolidated statement of operations.
The award agreements granted under the FairPoint Communications, Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "Long Term Incentive Plan") provide that upon the occurrence of a change in control, unvested benefits will be accelerated and vest in full. The Merger Agreement provides for the exchange of these vested awards for merger consideration upon the terms set forth therein.
(4) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which is designed to clarify the principles used to recognize revenue for entities. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, ASU 2014-09 requires enhanced disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. While ASU 2014-09 is primarily associated with guidance for revenue from contracts with customers, it also includes new accounting principles related to deferral and amortization of contract acquisition and fulfillment costs. In 2016, the Company performed an assessment of its revenues, acquisition and fulfillment costs from contracts to understand any potential differences to its current accounting policies and business processes. The Company expects it to have an impact concerning the deferral of acquisition costs as its current policy is to expense these costs as incurred. At this time, the Company continues to assess and determine data and system requirements necessary to quantify the impacts of this standard as well as to develop and provide the enhanced disclosures required by the new guidance.
In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date of ASU 2014-09. Subsequently, the FASB has issued several additional ASUs to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations, identifying performance obligations, assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers,

13

non-cash considerations, contract modifications and completed contracts at transition. The new pronouncements will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. The Company intends to adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018.
The standard allows for two methods of adoption: (1) "full retrospective" adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all periods presented, or (2) "modified retrospective" adoption, meaning the cumulative effect of applying ASU 2014-09 is recognized as an adjustment to the fiscal year 2018 opening retained earnings balance. Currently, the Company is evaluating the available adoption methods and the Company plans to select an adoption method in the second half of 2017.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, whereby, lessees will be required to recognize for all leases at the commencement date a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. A modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements must be applied. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Companies may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early application is permitted. Currently, the Company is evaluating the potential impact of this pronouncement.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including, but not limited to: (a) income tax consequences; (b) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and (c) classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted this pronouncement effective January 1, 2017 and recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings of $0.1 million as the result of the change in accounting policy to recognize forfeitures as they occur. In addition, the Company reclassified "Repurchases of common stock to satisfy tax withholding obligations" from "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to be consistent with current period presentation. The deferred tax asset for NOL carryforwards from share-based compensation was fully offset by a corresponding valuation allowance and resulted in no adjustment for income taxes.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash, which requires a statement of cash flows to explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted, including in an interim period. If early adopted in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. ASU 2016-18 is to be applied through a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2016-18 effective January 1, 2018 and does not believe it will have a significant impact on its consolidated statements of cash flows.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which requires employers to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net benefit cost, including interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost/credit and actuarial gain/loss, and settlement and curtailment effects, are to be presented outside of any subtotal of operating income. Employers will have to disclose the line(s) used to present the other components of net periodic benefit cost, if the components are not presented separately in the income statement. ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2017-07 effective January 1, 2018 and does not expect it will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
(5) Dividends
The Company currently does not pay a dividend on its common stock and has no plans to pay dividends.
(6) Income Taxes
The Company recorded tax benefit on the pre-tax net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 of $0.0 million and tax expense on the pre-tax net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 of $8.0 million, which equates to an effective tax rate of 0.0% and 30.1%, respectively, by applying the projected full year effective rate. For 2017, the statutory federal income tax is a benefit due to the pre-tax net loss; the projected annual effective tax rate differs from the 35% federal statutory rate primarily

14

due to a benefit for state taxes offset by a tax expense associated with an increase in the valuation allowance. For 2016, the projected annual effective tax rate differs from the 35% federal statutory rate primarily due to a tax benefit associated with a decrease in the valuation allowance offset by state tax expense.
Deferred Income Taxes
At March 31, 2017, the Company had gross federal NOL carryforwards of $290.5 million. The Company's remaining federal NOL carryforwards will expire from 2019 to 2037. At March 31, 2017, the Company had a net, after attribute reduction, state NOL deferred tax asset of $11.5 million. The Company's remaining state NOL carryforwards will expire from 2018 to 2037. At March 31, 2017, the Company had a negligible alternative minimum tax credit carryover and had $4.3 million in state credit carryovers. Telecom Group completed an initial public offering on February 8, 2005, which resulted in an "ownership change" within the meaning of the United States of America federal income tax laws addressing NOL carryforwards, alternative minimum tax credits and other similar tax attributes. The Spinco Merger and the Company's emergence from Chapter 11 protection also resulted in ownership changes. As a result of these ownership changes, there are specific limitations on the Company's ability to use its NOL carryforwards and other tax attributes. The Company believes that it can use the NOLs even with these restrictions in place.
Valuation Allowance. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company established a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets of $48.8 million and $41.5 million, respectively, which consists of a $39.4 million and $29.2 million federal allowance, respectively, and a $9.4 million and $12.3 million state allowance, respectively.
Income Tax Returns
The Company and its eligible subsidiaries file consolidated income tax returns in the United States of America federal jurisdiction and certain consolidated, combined and separate entity tax returns, as required, with various state and local governments. Based solely on statutes of limitations, the Company would not be subject to United States of America federal, state and local, or non-United States of America income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2012. However, tax years prior to 2012 may be subject to examination by federal or state taxing authorities if the Company's NOL carryovers from those years are utilized in the future. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company does not have any significant jurisdictional income tax audits.
(7) Long-term Debt
Long-term debt for the Company at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is shown below (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Term Loan, due 2019 (weighted average rate of 7.50%)
$
614,400

 
$
616,000

Discount on Term Loan (a)
(6,980
)
 
(7,834
)
Debt issuance costs
(3,054
)
 
(3,396
)
Notes, 8.75%, due 2019
300,000

 
300,000

Total long-term debt
904,366

 
904,770

Less: current portion
(6,400
)
 
(6,400
)
Total long-term debt, net of current portion
$
897,966

 
$
898,370

(a)
The $7.0 million and $7.8 million discount on the Term Loan (as defined below) as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, is being amortized using the effective interest method over the life of the Term Loan.
As of March 31, 2017, the Company had $61.1 million, net of $13.9 million outstanding letters of credit, available for additional borrowing under the Revolving Facility (as defined below).

15

The approximate aggregate maturities of long-term debt, excluding the debt discount on the Term Loan, for each of the three years subsequent to March 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands):
Trailing twelve months ending March 31,
Balance Due
2018
$
6,400

2019
608,000

2020
300,000

Total long-term debt, including current portion
$
914,400

Refinancing. On February 14, 2013 (the "Refinancing Closing Date"), FairPoint Communications refinanced its old credit agreement (the "Refinancing"). In connection with the Refinancing, FairPoint Communications (i) issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.75% senior secured notes due 2019 (the "Notes") in a private offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to an indenture (the "Indenture") that FairPoint Communications entered into on the Refinancing Closing Date with certain of its subsidiaries that guarantee the indebtedness under the Credit Agreement (as defined herein) (the "Subsidiary Guarantors") and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral agent, and (ii) entered into a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), dated as of the Refinancing Closing Date, with the lenders party thereto from time to time and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and letter of credit issuer. The Credit Agreement provides for a $75.0 million revolving credit facility (the ''Revolving Facility''), which has a sub-facility providing for the issuance of up to $40.0 million in letters of credit, and a $640.0 million term loan facility (the ''Term Loan'' and, together with the Revolving Facility, the ''Credit Agreement Loans"). On the Refinancing Closing Date, FairPoint Communications used the proceeds of the Notes offering, together with $640.0 million of borrowings under the Term Loan and cash on hand to (i) repay principal of $946.5 million outstanding on the old term loan, plus approximately $7.7 million of accrued interest and (ii) pay approximately $32.6 million of fees, expenses and other costs related to the Refinancing.
The Credit Agreement. The principal amount of the Term Loan and commitments under the Revolving Facility may be increased by an aggregate amount of up to $200.0 million, subject to certain terms and conditions specified in the Credit Agreement. The Term Loan will mature on February 14, 2019 and the Revolving Facility will mature on February 14, 2018, subject in each case to extensions pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement.
Interest Rates and Fees. Interest on borrowings under the Credit Agreement Loans accrue at an annual rate equal to either a British Bankers Association London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or the base rate, in each case plus an applicable margin. LIBOR is a per annum rate for dollar deposits with an interest period of one, two, three or six months (at FairPoint Communication's election), subject to a minimum LIBOR floor of 1.25% for the Term Loan. The base rate is the per annum rate equal to the greatest of (x) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, (y) the rate of interest publicly quoted from time to time by The Wall Street Journal as the United States ''Prime Rate'' and (z) LIBOR with an interest period of one month plus 1.00%. The applicable margin for the Term Loan is (a) 6.25% per annum with respect to term loans bearing interest based on LIBOR or (b) 5.25% per annum with respect to term loans bearing interest based on the base rate. The applicable interest rate for the Revolving Facility is, initially, (a) 5.50% with respect to revolving loans bearing interest based on LIBOR or (b) 4.50% per annum with respect to revolving loans bearing interest based on the base rate, in each case subject to adjustment based on FairPoint Communication's consolidated total leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. FairPoint Communications is required to pay a quarterly letter of credit fee on the average daily amount available to be drawn under letters of credit issued under the Revolving Facility equal to the applicable interest rate for revolving loans bearing interest based on LIBOR, plus a fronting fee of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount available to be drawn under such letters of credit. In addition, FairPoint Communications is required to pay a quarterly commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the New Revolving Facility, which is 0.50% initially, subject to reduction to 0.375% based on FairPoint Communication's consolidated total leverage ratio.
Security/Guarantors. All obligations under the Credit Agreement, together with certain designated hedging obligations and cash management obligations, are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by certain subsidiaries of FairPoint Communications (the "Subsidiary Guarantors") and secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all personal property of FairPoint Communications and the Subsidiary Guarantors, subject to certain exclusions set forth in the related security documents, pari passu with the lien securing the obligations under the Notes.
Mandatory Repayments. FairPoint Communications is required to make quarterly repayments of the Term Loan in a principal amount of $1.6 million during the term of the Credit Agreement. In addition, mandatory repayments are required under the Credit Agreement with (i) a percentage, initially equal to 50% and subject to reduction to 25% based on FairPoint Communication's consolidated total leverage ratio, of FairPoint Communication's excess cash flow, as defined in the Credit Agreement, (ii) the net cash proceeds of certain asset dispositions, insurance proceeds and condemnation awards and (iii) issuances of debt not permitted to be incurred under the Credit Agreement. No premium is required in connection with prepayments.

16

Covenants. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants for a transaction of this type, including two financial maintenance covenants: (i) a consolidated interest coverage ratio and (ii) a consolidated total leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement also contains a covenant limiting the amount of capital expenditures that FairPoint Communications and its subsidiaries may make in any fiscal year. As of March 31, 2017, FairPoint Communications was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.
Events of Default. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default.
The Notes. On the Refinancing Closing Date, FairPoint Communications issued $300.0 million of the Notes pursuant to the Indenture in a private offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
The terms of the Notes are governed by the Indenture. The Notes are senior secured obligations of FairPoint Communications and are guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Notes and the guarantees thereof are secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all personal property of FairPoint Communications and the Subsidiary Guarantors, subject to certain exclusions set forth in the related security documents, pari passu with the lien securing the obligations under the Credit Agreement. The Notes will mature on August 15, 2019 and accrue interest at a rate of 8.75% per annum, which is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year.
Notes redeemed after February 15, 2017 and prior to February 15, 2018 may be redeemed at 102.188% of the aggregate principal amount; and Notes redeemed on or after February 15, 2018 may be redeemed at their par value.
The holders of the Notes have the ability to require FairPoint Communications to repurchase all or any part of the Notes if FairPoint Communications experiences certain kinds of changes in control or engages in certain asset sales, in each case at the repurchase prices and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains certain covenants which are customary with respect to non-investment grade debt securities, including limitations on FairPoint Communication's ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on or make other distributions or repurchase FairPoint Communication's capital stock, make certain investments, enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates, create liens and sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. As of March 31, 2017, FairPoint Communications was in compliance with all covenants under the Indenture.
The Indenture also provides for customary events of default, including cross defaults to other specified debt of FairPoint Communications and certain of its subsidiaries.
(8) Interest Rate Swap Agreements
The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to protect the Company against future adverse fluctuations in interest rates by reducing its exposure to variability in cash flows relating to interest payments on a portion of its outstanding debt. The Company's interest rate swaps, which are designated as cash flow hedges, involve the receipt of variable amounts from counterparties in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the effective term of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. The Company does not hold or issue any derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
In the third quarter of 2013, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements with a combined notional amount of $170.0 million with three counterparties that are effective for a two year period. Such swaps became effective on September 30, 2015 and mature on September 30, 2017. Each respective swap agreement requires the Company to pay a fixed rate of 2.665% and provides that the Company will receive a variable rate based on the three month LIBOR rate subject to a minimum LIBOR floor of 1.25%. Amounts payable by or due to the Company are net settled with the respective counterparties on the last business day of each fiscal quarter.
The effect of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is shown below (in thousands):
 
As of March 31, 2017
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
Interest rate swaps, Current
Other accrued liabilities
 
$
1,158

 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
Interest rate swaps, Current
Other accrued liabilities
 
$
1,762


17

The gross effect of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements on the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is shown below (in thousands):
 
Amount Recognized in Interest Expense (Pre-Tax)
Amount of Loss/(Gain) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) on Derivative (Effective Portion) (Pre-Tax)
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Interest rate swaps
$
601

$
609

$
(604
)
$
(208
)

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to interest rate swaps will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Term Loan. The Company estimates that approximately $1.2 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense in the next 12 months.
Each interest rate swap agreement contains a provision whereby if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, the Company may also be declared in default under the interest rate swap agreements.
(9) Fair Value
In determining fair value, the Company uses a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:
Level 1 -
Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.
Level 2 -
Valuations based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 -
Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The Company's non-financial assets and liabilities, including its long-lived assets and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are measured and subsequently adjusted, if necessary, to fair value on a non-recurring basis. The Company periodically performs routine reviews of triggering events and/or an impairment test, as applicable. Based on these procedures, the Company did not require an adjustment to fair value to be recorded to these assets in the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016.
The Company's financial instruments, other than interest rate swap agreements and long-term debt, consist primarily of cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments are estimated to approximate fair value due to the relatively short period of time to maturity for these instruments. As of March 31, 2017, interest rate swap agreements are carried at their fair value and measured on a recurring basis as follows (in thousands):

 Fair Value Measurements Using

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3
Interest rate swaps, Current (a)
$
—


$
1,158


$
—

As of December 31, 2016, interest rate swap agreements are carried at their fair value and measured on a recurring basis as follows (in thousands):
 
 Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Interest rate swaps, Current (a)
$
—

 
$
1,762

 
$
—

(a)
The fair value is determined using valuation models which rely on the expected LIBOR based yield curve and estimates of counterparty and the Company’s non-performance risk.  Because each of these inputs are directly observable or can be corroborated by observable market data, the Company has categorized these interest rate swaps as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

18

The estimated fair values of the Company's long-term debt as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):

March 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

Carrying Amount

Fair Value (a)

Carrying Amount

Fair Value (a)
Term Loan, due 2019 (b)
$
607,420


$
616,704


$
608,166


$
620,620

Notes, 8.75%, due 2019
300,000


307,500


300,000


312,375

Total
$
907,420

 
$
924,204

 
$
908,166

 
$
932,995

(a)
The Company estimated fair value based on market prices of the Company's debt securities at the balance sheet dates, which falls within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
(b)
The carrying amount of the Term Loan is net of the unamortized discount of $7.0 million and $7.8 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
(10) Employee Benefit Plans
The Company sponsors noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plans ("qualified pension plans") and post-employment benefit plans which provide certain cash payments and medical, dental and life insurance benefits to eligible retired employees and their beneficiaries and covered dependents. The qualified pension plans and certain post-employment benefit plans were created as part of the acquisition of the Northern New England operations from Verizon and mirrored the prior Verizon plans.
The qualified pension plan available to represented employees was closed to new participants and benefits under the prior formula were frozen as of October 14, 2014. For existing participants, future benefit accruals for service on and after February 22, 2015 are at 50% of prior rates and are capped at 30 years of total credited service. The qualified pension plan available to non-represented employees remains frozen.
The post-employment benefit plan provides medical, dental and life insurance benefits to eligible non-represented employees and former represented employees and, in some instances, to their spouses and families. Effective August 28, 2014, active represented employees are no longer eligible for this post-employment benefit plan. Upon ratification of the collective bargaining agreements on February 22, 2015 and for 30 months thereafter, active represented employees who retire and meet the eligibility requirements and their spouses are eligible to receive certain monthly reimbursements of medical insurance premiums until the retired employee reaches age 65 or dies, at which time the benefit will cease for the spouse as well.
The Company makes contributions to the qualified pension plans to meet minimum funding requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and has the ability to elect to make additional discretionary contributions. The other post-employment benefit plans are unfunded and the Company funds the benefits that are paid. Annually, and as necessary, the Company remeasures the net liabilities of its qualified pension and other post-employment benefit plans.
Net Periodic Benefit Cost. The Company capitalizes a portion of net periodic benefit cost in conjunction with its use of internal labor resources utilized on capital projects. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized settlement charges in the qualified pension plan that covers non-represented employees of $0.4 million.  The settlements were incurred when the cumulative amount of lump sums paid to participants in the respective years exceeded the expected service and interest cost for the respective years. Components of the net periodic benefit cost related to the Company's qualified pension plans and other post-employment benefit plans for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Qualified
Pension Plans
 
Post-
employment Benefit Plans
 
Qualified
Pension Plans
 
Post-
employment Benefit Plans
Service cost
$
1,787

 
$
31

 
$
1,593

 
$
41

Interest cost
3,946

 
959

 
3,821

 
1,008

Expected return on plan assets
(4,178
)
 
—

 
(3,834
)
 
—

Amortization of actuarial loss
1,190

 
271

 
1,349

 
31,704

Amortization of prior service cost
(761
)
 
(455
)
 
(761
)
 
(88,017
)
Plan settlement
441

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net periodic benefit cost
2,425

 
806

 
2,168

 
(55,264
)
Less capitalized portion
(134
)
 
—

 
(132
)
 
—

Other post-employment benefit and pension expense/(benefit)
$
2,291

 
$
806

 
$
2,036

 
$
(55,264
)

19

Return on Plan Assets. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the actual return on the pension plan assets were annualized gains/(losses) of approximately 16.6% and 3.5%, respectively. Net periodic benefit cost for 2017 assumes a weighted average annualized expected return on plan assets of approximately 7.5%.
Contributions and Benefit Payments. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, contributions of $3.6 million were made to the Company-sponsored qualified defined benefit pension plans and the Company funded benefit payments of $1.2 million under its post-employment benefit plans.
(11) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The following table provides a reconciliation of adjustments reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to the condensed consolidated statement of operations (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Employee benefits:
 
Amortization of actuarial loss (2.64 years to 10.91 years) (a)
$
1,461

Amortization of net prior service credit (9.82 years to 22.91 years) (a)
(1,216
)
Plan settlement (a)
441

Total employee benefits reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
686

Tax expense
(274
)
Total employee benefits reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net
$
412

 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
Interest rate swaps reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (b)
$
601

Tax expense
(241
)
Total interest rate swaps reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
$
360

 
 
Total amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net
$
772

(a)
These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See note (10) "Employee Benefit Plans" for details.
(b)
These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in interest expense. See note (8) "Interest Rate Swap Agreements" for details.
(12) Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share of the Company is computed by dividing net income/(loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Except when the effect would be anti-dilutive, the diluted earnings per share calculation using the treasury stock method includes the impact of stock units, shares of non-vested restricted stock and shares that could be issued under outstanding stock options.
Weighted average number of common shares used for basic earnings per share excludes weighted average shares of non-vested restricted stock of 250,738 and 214,094 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Non-vested restricted stock is included in common shares issued and outstanding in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Potentially dilutive shares exclude warrants and stock options in accordance with the treasury stock method primarily due to exercise prices exceeding the average market value. Since the Company incurred a loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017, all potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive and, therefore, are excluded from the determination of diluted earnings per share.

20

The following table provides a reconciliation of the common shares used for basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017

2016
Weighted average number of common shares used for basic earnings per share
26,961,440

 
26,811,697

Effect of potential dilutive shares
—

 
307,184

Weighted average number of common shares and potential dilutive shares used for diluted earnings per share
26,961,440

 
27,118,881

Weighted average number of anti-dilutive shares outstanding at period-end that are excluded from the above reconciliation
5,640,942

 
3,893,270

(13) Stockholders' Deficit
At March 31, 2017, 37,500,000 shares of common stock were authorized and 27,266,792 shares of common stock (including shares of non-vested restricted stock) and 3,582,402 warrants, each eligible to purchase one share of common stock, were outstanding.
The initial exercise price applicable to the warrants is $48.81 per share of common stock. The exercise price applicable to the warrants is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events described in the warrant agreement. The warrants may be exercised at any time on or before January 24, 2018.
(14) Commitments and Contingencies
(a) Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company is party to various legal and regulatory proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Company is a defendant in approximately 16 lawsuits filed by two long distance communications companies, who as plaintiffs have collectively filed over 60 lawsuits arising from switched access charges for calls originating and terminating within the same wireless major trading area. These cases have all been consolidated and transferred to federal district court (the "Court") in Dallas, Texas. The defendants filed joint motions to dismiss these actions. On November 17, 2015, the Court granted the defendants' motions dismissing the plaintiffs' federal law based claims with prejudice. The state law based claims were allowed to be amended and refiled. The Court denied the plaintiffs' request for an immediate appeal of the dismissal of the federal law based claims. Counterclaims against the plaintiffs for the failure to pay these access charges have been filed by the Company. The Company and some of the co-defendants have filed lawsuits against a third long distance communications company for the failure to pay this same type of access charge. These additional lawsuits have also been consolidated and transferred to the Court. On March 22, 2017, the Court denied the third long distance communications company's motion to dismiss the actions regarding its failure to pay access charges. On May 3, 2017, the Court granted the defendants’ motions to dismiss the amended refiled state law based claims. Certain motions that have been filed by the plaintiffs and defendants are still pending. At this time, an estimate of the impact, if any, of these claims cannot be made.
While management presently believes that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not materially harm the Company’s financial position, cash flows, or overall trends in results of operations, legal proceedings are inherently uncertain, and unfavorable rulings could, individually or in aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, or operating results.
(b) Restricted Cash
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had $0.7 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of restricted cash, which is restricted for regulatory purposes and is included in long-term restricted cash on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

21

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. The following discussion includes certain forward-looking statements. For a discussion of important factors, including the continuing development of our business, actions of regulatory authorities and competitors and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results referred to in the forward-looking statements, see "Item 1A. Risk Factors" contained in the 2016 Annual Report and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are presented in the following sections:
•Overview
•Executive Summary
•Proposed Merger with Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.
•Regulatory and Legislative
•Basis of Presentation
•Results of Operations
•Non-GAAP Financial Measures
•Liquidity and Capital Resources
•Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
•Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
•New Accounting Standards
Overview
We are a leading provider of advanced communications services to business, wholesale and residential customers within our service territories. We offer our customers a suite of advanced services including Ethernet, SIP-Trunking, hosted PBX, managed services, data center colocation services, high capacity data transport and other IP-based services over our fiber-based network, in addition to Internet access, HSD and local and long distance voice services. Our service territory spans 17 states where we are the incumbent communications provider primarily serving rural communities and small urban markets. Many of our LECs have served their respective communities for more than 80 years. As of March 31, 2017, we operated with approximately 305,400 broadband subscribers, approximately 16,000 Ethernet circuits and approximately 356,100 residential voice lines.
We own and operate an extensive fiber-based Ethernet network with more than 22,000 miles of fiber optic cable, including approximately 18,000 miles of fiber optic cable in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, giving us capacity to support more HSD services and extend our fiber reach into more communities across the region. The IP/Multiple Protocol Label Switched ("IP/MPLS") network architecture of our fiber-based network allows us to provide Ethernet, transport and other IP-based services with the highest level of reliability at a lower cost of service. This fiber-based Ethernet network also supplies critical infrastructure for wireless carriers serving the region as their bandwidth needs increase, driven by mobile data from smartphones, tablets and other wireless devices. As of March 31, 2017, we provide cellular transport, also known as backhaul, through over 1,900 mobile Ethernet backhaul connections. We have fiber connectivity to approximately 1,300 cellular communications towers in our service footprint.
Executive Summary
Our mission is to empower businesses, consumers and communities with advanced data, IT and voice services by leveraging our network, technology and operational expertise to exceed their expectations. Our vision includes operating and technology platforms that will meet our customers' technology needs by providing them with reliable and secure connections and ready access to what matters most to them.
Our executive management team is focused on utilizing our network assets, our outstanding operating platform and our proven ability to develop and deploy market-driven products to build brand awareness, aid in generating new revenue and sustain existing revenue. We will enhance our network to bring new services and more robust technologies to our markets, enable effective and secure technology to ensure our product and service offerings remain competitive, and provide excellent customer service to create a loyal customer base, all while maintaining a sharp focus on managing costs.
Our objective is to transform our revenue by continuing to add advanced data products and services such as Ethernet, high capacity data transport and other IP-based services over our fiber-based network in addition to HSD services, to minimize our dependence on voice access lines. Communications companies, including us, continue to experience a decline in access lines due

22

to increased competition from wireless carriers, cable television operators and competitive local exchange carriers ("CLECs") and increased availability of alternative communications services, including wireless and voice over IP ("VoIP"). We will continue our efforts to retain customers to mitigate the loss of voice access lines through bundled packages, including video and other value added services. We believe access lines as a measure of the business are increasingly less meaningful measures of trend and are being replaced by revenue generating broadband subscribers and Ethernet circuits.
Over the past few years, we have made significant capital investments in our fiber-based Ethernet network to expand our business service offerings to meet the growing data needs of our customers and to increase broadband speeds and capacity in our consumer markets. We have also focused our sales and marketing efforts on these advanced data solutions. Specifically, within the last few years, we built and launched high capacity Ethernet services to allow us to meet the capacity needs of our business customers as well as supply high capacity infrastructure to our wholesale customers. In the past year, Ethernet demand has remained strong amid increased price pressure. We continue to see a market trend, largely led by cable companies, of reduced Ethernet prices to business and wholesale customers. We continue to see growth in Ethernet units and speeds amid declining prices in the market. Ethernet high-capacity transport data services are our flagship product and are laying the foundation not only for new business but also for additional IP-based advanced services in the future.
We believe that our extensive fiber network, with more than 22,000 miles of fiber optic cable, including approximately 18,000 miles of fiber optic cable in northern New England and approximately 1,300 cellular communications towers currently served with fiber, puts us in an excellent position to serve the cellular backhaul needs in our markets. We further believe the bandwidth needs of cellular backhaul will grow with the continued adoption of bandwidth-intensive technology. As a result, we expect to see wireless carriers developing new technologies as demand increases on existing fiber-connected towers, including the use of "small cell" architecture. By satisfying additional demand for bandwidth, both traditionally and through new and evolving technology, we expect to partially offset the decline we have seen, and expect to continue to see, in legacy wholesale offerings, including TDM transport services, DS1s, DS3s and wholesale switched access.
We believe that there is a significant organic growth opportunity within the business and wholesale markets given our extensive fiber network and IP-based product suite, combined with our relative low market share in these areas.
Proposed Merger with Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.
On December 3, 2016, FairPoint Communications entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Consolidated and Falcon Merger Sub, Inc., a newly formed Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Consolidated ("Merger Sub"), which provides for, among other things, a business combination whereby Merger Sub will merge with and into FairPoint Communications, with FairPoint Communications as the surviving entity (the "Merger"). As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease, and FairPoint Communications will survive as a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated. Consolidated is a leading business and broadband communications provider throughout its 11-state service area.
If the Merger is completed, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, stockholders of FairPoint Communications will receive 0.7300 shares of common stock of Consolidated for each share of FairPoint Communications common stock that they own immediately before this transaction. The Merger is expected to close around the middle of 2017 and is subject to standard closing conditions, including federal and state regulatory approvals. Both Consolidated’s and FairPoint Communications’ stockholders provided required approvals for the Merger on March 28, 2017. The required waiting period under the HSR Act was terminated on January 11, 2017.
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, we recognized $1.2 million of merger related expenses, primarily for legal and advisory costs.
The award agreements under the Long Term Incentive Plan provide that upon the occurrence of a change in control, unvested benefits will be accelerated and vest in full. The Merger Agreement provides for the exchange of these vested awards for merger consideration upon the terms set forth therein.
Regulatory and Legislative
We are generally subject to common carrier regulation primarily by federal and state governmental agencies. At the federal level, the FCC generally exercises jurisdiction over common carriers, such as us, to the extent those carriers provide, originate or terminate interstate or international communications. State regulatory commissions generally exercise jurisdiction over common carriers to the extent those carriers provide, originate or terminate intrastate telecommunications. In addition, pursuant to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which amended the Communications Act of 1934 (as amended, the "Communications Act"), state and federal regulators share responsibility for implementing and enforcing the domestic pro-competitive policies introduced by that legislation.

23

We are required to comply with the Communications Act, which requires, among other things, that common carriers offer communications services at just and reasonable rates and on terms and conditions that are not unreasonably discriminatory. The Communications Act also contains requirements intended to promote competition in the provision of local services and lead to deregulation as markets become more competitive.
For a detailed description of the federal and state regulatory environment in which we operate and the FCC's CAF/ICC Order promulgated in 2011 and subsequent regulatory changes, as well as the effects and potential effects of such regulation on us, see "Item 1. Business—Regulatory and Legislative" in our 2016 Annual Report. The impact of these changes for 2017 is described further below. However, in the long run, we are uncertain of the ultimate impact as federal and state regulations continue to evolve.
Overview of FCC CAF/ICC Order to Reform Universal Service and Intercarrier Compensation
On March 16, 2010, the FCC submitted the National Broadband Plan ("NBP") to the United States Congress. The NBP is a plan to bring high-speed Internet services to the entire country, including remote and high-cost areas. In accordance with the NBP, the FCC commenced several rulemakings that concern, among other things, reforming high-cost and low-income programs to promote universal service to make those funds more efficient while promoting broadband communications in areas that otherwise would be unserved and to address changes to interstate access charges and other forms of ICC.
On November 18, 2011, the FCC released its comprehensive landmark order to modify the nationwide system of universal support and the ICC system (the "CAF/ICC Order"). In this order, the FCC replaced all existing USF for price cap carriers with its CAF. The intent of CAF is to bring high-speed affordable broadband services to all Americans. The CAF/ICC Order fundamentally reforms the ICC process that governs how communications companies bill one another for exchanging traffic, gradually phasing down these charges.
In conjunction with the CAF/ICC Order, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to deal with related matters, including but not limited to: (i) the actual cost model to be adopted for CAF Phase II funding, (ii) treatment of originating access charges, (iii) modifications to CAF for rate-of-return ILECs, (iv) development of CAF Phase II for mobility, (v) CAF Phase II competitive bidding rules, (vi) remote areas funding and (vii) IP to IP interconnection issues. In its Order released December 18, 2014, the FCC stated its intention to extend its offer of CAF Phase II support to price cap carriers in early 2015 and to implement the CAF Phase II program for price cap carriers during 2015. On April 29, 2015, the FCC released a Public Notice extending the offer of CAF Phase II funding to price cap carriers, as described in more detail below. As of March 31, 2017, the FCC has issued competitive bidding guidelines but has not finalized rules for the competitive bidding process. It is not known how these rules may impact us.
CAF Phase I and Phase II Support. Pursuant to the CAF/ICC Order, beginning in 2012, we started receiving monthly CAF Phase I frozen support, which is based on and equal to all forms of USF high-cost support we received during 2011. This support was considered transitional funding while the FCC developed its CAF Phase II program. FCC rules required that if we continued receiving CAF Phase I frozen support beyond 2012, which we have, we would have specific broadband spending obligations starting in 2013, which we did and have met. According to the FCC rules, in 2013, we were required to spend, and did spend, one-third of the frozen support to "build and operate broadband-capable networks used to offer the provider's own retail broadband service in areas substantially unserved by an unsubsidized competitor." According to the FCC rules, in 2014, we were required to spend, and did spend, two-thirds of the frozen support to "build and operate broadband-capable networks used to offer the provider's own retail broadband service in areas substantially unserved by an unsubsidized competitor." For the CAF Phase I frozen support we receive, this spending obligation increased to 100% of the frozen support received in 2015 and subsequent years to "build and operate broadband-capable networks used to offer the provider's own retail broadband service in areas substantially unserved by an unsubsidized competitor." We were in compliance with the 2016 spending obligation and expect to be in compliance in 2017.
In a Public Notice released on April 29, 2015, the FCC extended an offer of CAF Phase II support to price cap carriers to fund the building and operation of voice and broadband-capable services in their service territories. In this Public Notice, the FCC offered $38.2 million of annual funding to us for six years in return for providing broadband services to a specified number of locations in eligible census blocks specified by the FCC. This compares with $39.3 million in annual CAF Phase I frozen funding that we received in 2014. On August 18, 2015, we announced our acceptance of $37.4 million in annual CAF Phase II support, which was effective retroactive to January 1, 2015. This includes support in all our operating states except Colorado and Kansas where we declined the offered CAF Phase II support.
The specific obligations associated with CAF Phase II funding include the obligation to serve approximately 105,000 locations in approximately 16,000 census blocks by December 31, 2020 (with interim milestones of 40%, 60% and 80% completion by December 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively); to provide broadband service to those locations with speeds of 10 megabits per second down and 1 megabit per second up; to achieve latency of less than 100 milliseconds; to provide data of at least 100 gigabytes per month; and to offer pricing reasonably comparable to pricing in urban areas.

24

For the two states where we declined CAF Phase II support, we will continue to receive CAF Phase I frozen support until such time as the FCC conducts a competitive bidding process. We expect the FCC to conduct the competitive bidding process during 2017. The FCC has determined that price cap carriers declining CAF Phase II support can participate in the competitive bidding process along with any other interested carriers. As of March 31, 2017, the FCC has not yet adopted final rules governing the competitive bidding process.
In addition, there is a three year transition for price cap carriers that choose to accept model-based support in states where the accepted support is less than the CAF Phase I frozen support. The determination of transition funding is made at the state level. From January 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015, and as prescribed by the FCC, such carriers received 100% of the difference between the annualized amount of CAF Phase II support that they accepted and the amount of CAF Phase I frozen support that they received in 2014. Beginning August 1, 2015, transitional funding stepped down to 75% of that amount and on August 1, 2016 transitional funding stepped down to 50% of the difference. On August 1, 2017, transitional funding steps down to 25% of the difference. Transitional support will terminate as of July 31, 2018, after which time carriers will receive only CAF Phase II support.
As prescribed by the FCC’s transitional plan and the transitional funding calculation, we have recognized or expect to recognize transitional funding, in addition to the $37.4 million annual CAF Phase II funding, based on the following schedule:

•
January 1, 2015 - July 31, 2015: $824,000 per month in transitional funding
•
August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016: $618,000 per month in transitional funding
•
August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017: $412,000 per month in transitional funding
•
August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018: $206,000 per month in transitional funding
•
August 1, 2018 and after: no transitional funding
FCC Rules for ICC Process. The CAF/ICC Order reformed rules associated with local, state toll and interstate toll traffic exchanged among communications carriers including ILECs, CLECs, cable companies, wireless carriers and VoIP providers. The revised rules, the majority of which were effective beginning July 1, 2012, establish separate rules for price cap carriers and rate-of-return carriers. Although the FCC order treats our rate-of-return carriers (including companies operating under average schedules) as price cap carriers for CAF funding, it treats them as rate-of-return carriers for purposes of ICC reform. For both price cap and rate-of-return carriers, the FCC established a multi-year transition of terminating traffic compensation to "bill and keep", or zero compensation. For both price cap and rate-of-return carriers, the FCC required carriers to establish fiscal year 2011 ("FY2011") baseline compensation, which was the amount of relevant compensation billed during the period beginning October 1, 2010 and ending September 30, 2011, and collected by March 31, 2012. This FY2011 revenue was used as a starting point for revenue for the transitional period, which is six years for price cap operations and nine years for rate-of-return operations. For each FairPoint ILEC, the FY2011 baseline revenue is reduced by a specified percent during each year of the transition, resulting in a target revenue for each tariff year of the transitional period. At the same time, the FCC rules require reductions in ICC rates for specified services and jurisdictions. As the recoverable revenue declines and the rates decline, any target revenue which will not be covered by ICC revenue can be recovered, in part, from end users through an access recovery charge ("ARC"). Price cap ILECs are permitted to implement monthly end user ARCs with five annual increases of no more than $0.50 for residential/single-line business consumers, for a total monthly ARC of no more than $2.50 in the fifth year; and no more than $1.00 (per month) per line for multi-line business customers, for a total of $5.00 (per month) per line in the fifth year, provided that: (1) any such residential increases would not result in regulated residential end user rates that exceed the $30.00 residential rate ceiling; and (2) any multi-line business customer's total subscriber line charge ("SLC") plus ARC does not exceed $12.20. Rate-of-return ILECs are permitted to implement monthly end user ARCs with six annual increases of no more than $0.50 (per month) for residential/single-line business consumers, for a total ARC of no more than $3.00 in the sixth year; and no more than $1.00 (per month) per line for multi-line business customers for a total of $6.00 (per month) per line in the sixth year, provided that: (1) such increases would not result in regulated residential end user rates that exceed the $30.00 Residential Rate Ceiling; and (2) any multi-line business customer's total SLC plus ARC does not exceed $12.20. We began billing the ARC charges for our price cap and rate of return companies in July 2012 as outlined by the rules above. If the combination of ICC and ARC revenue is not sufficient to cover the targeted revenue, then additional funding will be provided by the CAF in certain circumstances, though there is no guarantee that the ILEC will be made whole.
FCC Rules for Business Data Services. On April 20, 2017, the FCC adopted new rules for Business Data Services. A summary of the order has been published, but the full text of the order has not yet been released. Business Data Services are high speed data services provided to wholesale and retail customers including traditional special access services, such as DS1 and DS3 services, and packet switched services such as Ethernet services. The new rules will eliminate price regulation for Business Data Services offered by FairPoint in counties that are deemed competitive under a competitive market test adopted by the FCC. The FCC has not yet disclosed which counties will be deemed competitive under its new rules and the timing of full implementation of these new rules is uncertain due to the potential for appeals. These rules apply to FairPoint’s Northern New England operations which operate under federal price cap regulation. We are evaluating the opportunities that may arise from the elimination of price regulation in counties deemed competitive.

25

Regulatory and Legislative for Vermont
Effective April 6, 2016, we entered into an Incentive Regulation Plan ("IRP") governing our Vermont service territory within our Northern New England operations. The IRP includes retail service quality reporting requirements. The new IRP is similar to our previous IRP which expired on April 5, 2016 and we believe the IRP has allowed our Northern New England operations' retail rates in Vermont to compete with those competitive carriers under a relatively level regulatory scheme, while preserving certain regulatory protections for consumers seeking basic voice services in areas where competition may not be adequate. This IRP allows the same regulatory flexibility in our Telecom Group retail operations in Vermont and is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2019.  On August 10, 2015, we concluded a retail service quality investigation by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") between us and the Vermont Department of Public Service ("VDPS"), which was approved by the Vermont Public Service Board ("VPSB") on December 18, 2015. In accordance with the August 10, 2015 MOU and the December 18, 2015 VPSB Order, on February 16, 2016, we requested the VPSB to open a new investigation to evaluate the appropriateness of certain service quality metrics and to determine whether customer service quality metrics should apply in the future to customers with access to an alternative telecommunications provider. This investigation is in progress and any outcome from this investigation will be incorporated into the new IRP, if necessary.
On July 15, 2016, the VPSB opened a rulemaking proceeding to consider amending VPSB Rule 3.706(D)(1) regarding the rental calculation for pole attachments. The rulemaking is in its early stages, and neither a schedule nor scope of this rulemaking has been determined.
Regulatory and Legislative for Maine
Under the Maine Public Utilities Commission ("MPUC") rules (Chapter 201), which went into effect August 1, 2014, the MPUC may open an investigation regarding the failure to meet any of the established SQI benchmarks and has the authority to impose penalties. The MPUC opened an investigation into our failure to meet some third quarter 2014 SQI benchmarks and subsequently opened an investigation into the fourth quarter of 2014 and then with respect to each of the quarterly periods in 2015. On March 29, 2016, the MPUC consolidated the investigations of the six quarters into one investigation. On September 14, 2016, a hearing examiner for the MPUC issued a report recommending that the MPUC find that FairPoint had failed to meet SQI benchmarks for the period under review and impose a $500,000 penalty as allowed by statute, and provided until October 7, 2016 for comments or exceptions to be filed by interested parties. This recommendation did not constitute MPUC action. The Company promptly filed a motion to implement adjudicatory procedures prior to entry of any final order. After the Company’s motion to implement adjudicatory procedures was briefed by the parties, the Hearing Examiner issued an order on November 30, 2016 granting the Company’s motion in part and permanently withdrawing the Examiner’s September 14, 2016 report.  A case schedule was established by the Hearing Examiner, and a hearing is currently scheduled to begin May 11, 2017 in the event the parties have not reached a settlement prior to this date.
Subsequent legislation in Maine has superseded the SQI benchmarks applied in the examiner’s report. Effective with the new legislation, the reporting of service quality will be required only in the areas of the state where POLR is still required and will be filed and treated as confidential. The number of SQI reporting metrics has been reduced and the benchmarks are less stringent than under previous Commission rules.
During 2014, we filed a rate case with the MPUC seeking increases in rates for POLR customers and seeking Maine Universal Service Fund ("MUSF") support for unrecovered costs associated with our obligation to provide POLR service to high cost areas. The MPUC allowed increases to the end user POLR rates, but denied MUSF support to us.
On April 13, 2016, LD 466, An Act to Increase Competition and Ensure a Robust Information and Telecommunications Market, was passed into law and became effective on July 28, 2016. The new law removes the regulation on POLR service in the most competitive municipalities on a phased in approach. The seven largest municipalities were deregulated effective August 28, 2016 (the POLR rate is grandfathered for one year), followed by five communities every six months until reaching a total of 22. These 22 municipalities represent approximately one third of the population and POLR customers. LD 466 provides a path forward for additional municipalities to be deregulated upon petitioning the PUC. Also included in the law is the removal of POLR tariffs statewide.
Reporting of service quality will be required only in the areas of the state where POLR is still required and will be filed and treated as confidential. The number of SQI reporting metrics has been reduced and the benchmarks are less stringent than under previous Commission rules. The Commission is empowered to investigate failures to meet a service quality requirement. If the Commission concludes after investigation that the failure to meet a service quality requirement is due to factors within the control of the price cap ILEC, the Commission shall, by order, impose such steps as the Commission determines necessary to meet the requirement. If the provider fails to comply with the order, the Commission shall impose a penalty in an amount sufficient to ensure compliance with that order.

26

New York Broadband Grants
In 2015, New York established the $500 million New NY Broadband Program (the "NYBB") to provide state grant funding to support projects that deliver high-speed Internet access to unserved and underserved areas with a goal of achieving statewide broadband access in New York by the end of 2018.
We were notified and received award letters on March 8, 2017 for grant awards totaling $36.7 million from the NYBB Phase 2 grants. These grants, combined with an estimated $9.3 million in investment by us, will support the extension and upgrading of high-speed broadband services to over 10,321 locations in our New York service territory. We expect to enter into grant agreements during the second quarter of 2017 and treat the reimbursements as a contribution in aid of construction.
The network must be capable of delivering speeds of 100 megabits per second or greater in unserved and underserved locations. As a condition of the grant, we are required to offer the NYBB’s Required Pricing Tier as a service option to residential users for a period of five years from completion of construction of the network. This pricing requirement will provide for broadband Internet service at minimum speeds of 25/4 megabits per second (download/upload).
Basis of Presentation
We view our business of providing data, voice and communications services to business, wholesale and residential customers as one reportable segment.

27

Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated operating results reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands, except for operating metrics):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
Voice services
$
68,878

 
$
75,903

Access
56,337

 
61,933

Data and Internet services
49,128

 
44,560

Regulatory funding
14,651

 
13,117

Other
12,913

 
11,303

Total revenues
201,907

 
206,816

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
Cost of services and sales, excluding depreciation and amortization
97,806

 
105,039

Other post-employment benefit and pension expense/(benefit)
3,097

 
(53,228
)
Selling, general and administrative expense
49,853

 
50,336

Depreciation and amortization
54,794

 
57,638

Total operating expenses
205,550

 
159,785

Income/(loss) from operations
(3,643
)
 
47,031

Other income/(expense):
 
 
 
Interest expense
(20,378
)
 
(20,610
)
Other, net
163

 
158

Total other expense
(20,215
)
 
(20,452
)
Income/(loss) before income taxes
(23,858
)
 
26,579

Income tax benefit/(expense)
3

 
(8,011
)
Net income/(loss)
$
(23,855
)
 
$
18,568

 
 
 
 
 
As of March 31,
Select Operating Metrics:
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Broadband subscribers
305,353

 
311,323

 
 
 
 
Ethernet circuits
15,974

 
14,813

 
 
 
 
Residential voice lines
356,144

 
398,488

Voice Services Revenues
We receive revenues through the provision of local calling services to business and residential customers, generally for a fixed monthly charge and service charges for special calling features. We also generate revenue through long distance services within our service areas on our network and through resale agreements with national interexchange carriers. For the periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, residential voice lines in service decreased 10.6% and 11.7% year-over-year, respectively, which directly impacts local voice services revenues and our opportunity to provide long distance services to our customers, resulting in a decrease of minutes of use. Evolving competition, including reduced voice pricing from cable competitors as well as cellular adoption, has contributed to the decrease in residential voice lines. There are very few areas within our northern New England footprint where cable voice service and cellular are not alternatives for our customers. In addition, business voice services revenue also declined in part because of reduced access lines as businesses continue to shift from traditional voice products to our Ethernet or other advanced services. We expect the trend of decline in voice lines in service, and thereby a decline in aggregate voice services revenue, to continue as customers continue to turn to the use of alternative communication services as a result of ever-increasing competition.

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Effective June 1, 2015, we began measuring and reporting certain wholesale local service performance results in each of the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont under the WPP. There was an insignificant amount of WPP service credits during both the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. A portion of the service credits were recorded to voice services revenues; however, the majority were recorded to access revenues.
The following table reflects the primary drivers of year-over-year changes in voice services revenues (dollars in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 vs. March 31, 2016
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
%
Local voice services revenues, excluding:
 
$
(5.5
)
 
Long distance services revenues
 
(1.5
)
 
Total change in voice services revenues
 
$
(7.0
)
(9
)%
Access Revenues
We receive revenues for the provision of network access through carrier Ethernet based products and legacy access products to end user customers and long distance and other competing carriers who use our local exchange facilities to provide interexchange services to their customers. Network access can be provided to carriers and end users that buy dedicated local and interexchange capacity to support their private networks (i.e. special access) or it can be derived from fixed and usage-based charges paid by carriers for access to our local network (i.e. switched access).
Carriers are migrating from legacy access products, such as DS1, DS3, frame relay, ATM and private line, to carrier Ethernet based products. For the periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, wholesale Ethernet circuits grew by 10.4% and 17.2% year-over-year, respectively. These carrier Ethernet based products are more sustainable, but generally, at the outset, have lower average revenue per user of broadband capacity than the legacy products they are replacing, resulting in a decline in access revenues. We expect the decline in access revenues to continue with customer migration. This decline in legacy access products is expected to be partially offset with the increasing need for bandwidth, including cellular backhaul and demand for carrier Ethernet based products, both of which are expected to increase over time. With the entry of cable competitors into the wholesale market, we continue to experience an increased decline in access lines due to this new competition. However, our extensive fiber-based Ethernet network with more than 22,000 miles of fiber optic cable (of which approximately 18,000 miles are in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont), including approximately 1,300 cellular communications towers currently served with fiber, puts us in a position to grow our revenue base as demand for cellular backhaul and other Ethernet services expands. We also construct new fiber routes to cellular communications towers when the business case presents itself. Additionally, we continue to evaluate new services to provide to carriers, including the selective use of dark fiber and professional services, to continue to meet carrier access needs.
As described above, the WPP service credits are allocated to access revenues or voice services revenues based on services provided to the wholesale carrier.
The following table reflects the primary drivers of year-over-year changes in access revenues (dollars in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 vs. March 31, 2016
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
%
Carrier Ethernet services (1)
 
$
(0.3
)
 
Legacy access services (2)
 
(5.3
)
 
Total change in access revenues
 
$
(5.6
)
(9
)%
(1)
We offer carrier Ethernet services throughout our market to our business and wholesale customers, which include Ethernet virtual circuit technology for cellular backhaul. We provide cellular transport on our fiber-based Ethernet network through over 1,900 fiber-to-the-tower connections.
(2)
Legacy access services include products such as DS1, DS3, frame relay, ATM and private line.
Data and Internet Services Revenues
We receive revenues from monthly recurring charges for the provision of data and Internet services to residential and business customers through DSL technology, fiber-to-the-home technology, retail Ethernet, Internet dial-up, high speed cable modem and wireless broadband.

29

We have invested in our broadband network to extend the reach and capacity of the network to customers who did not previously have access to data and Internet products and to offer more competitive services to existing customers, including retail Ethernet products. For the periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, retail Ethernet circuits grew by 4.3% and 8.1% year-over-year, respectively. Our broadband subscribers decreased 1.9% and 1.7% year-over-year for the periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which directly impacts data and Internet services revenues. We expect to continue our investment in our broadband network to further grow data and Internet services revenues in the coming years.
The following table reflects the primary drivers of year-over-year changes in data and Internet services revenues (dollars in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 vs. March 31, 2016
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
%
Retail Ethernet services (1)
 
$
0.9

 
Other data and Internet technology based services (2)
 
3.7

 
Total change in data and Internet services revenues
 
$
4.6

10
%
(1)
Retail Ethernet services revenue is comprised of data services provided through E-LAN, E-LINE and E-DIA technology on our fiber-based Ethernet network. We recognized $11.0 million and $10.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of retail Ethernet revenues.
(2)
Includes all other services such as DSL, dial-up, high speed cable modem and wireless broadband.
Regulatory Funding Revenues
We receive certain federal and state government funding that we classify as regulatory funding, which is further described in "Regulatory and Legislative" herein, including: CAF Phase II support effective January 1, 2015 to build and operate broadband services; CAF Phase II transition funding; CAF Phase I frozen support (for Kansas and Colorado until a reverse auction is completed); CAF funding under the CAF/ICC Order; and universal service fund support from certain states in which we operate. We recognized $14.7 million and $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of regulatory funding revenues. The year-over-year change was primarily due to a non-recurring recovery of CAF/ICC for local switching support ("LSS") revenue of approximately $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2017 partially offset by the annual August step-down of CAF Phase II transitional revenue. CAF Phase II support revenue does not include any funding for Colorado and Kansas. We expect the amount of regulatory funding revenue to decline as the amount of CAF Phase II transition funding decreases in 2017 and is phased out through 2018.
Other Services Revenues 
We receive revenues from other services, including special purpose projects on behalf of third parties, video services (including cable television and video-over-DSL), billing and collection, directory services, the sale and maintenance of customer premise equipment and certain other miscellaneous revenues. Other services revenues also include revenue we receive from late payment charges to end users and interexchange carriers. Due to the composition of other services revenues, it is difficult to predict future trends.
The following table reflects the primary drivers of year-over-year changes in other services revenues (dollars in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 vs. March 31, 2016
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
%
Special purpose projects (1)
 
$
0.4

 
Late payment fees (2)
 
0.3

 
Other (3)
 
0.9

 
Total change in other services revenues
 
$
1.6

14
%
(1)
Special purpose projects are completed on behalf of third party requests.
(2)
Late payment fees are related to customers who have not paid their bills in a timely manner.
(3)
Other revenues were primarily attributable to revenue from value added reseller of unified communications, data networking and cabling infrastructure solutions in addition to fluctuations in directory services, billing and collections and in various other miscellaneous services revenues.

30

Supplementary revenue information. In addition to the revenue information discussed above, we are providing the following additional strategic revenue categorization information. Management believes that providing this additional revenue information will afford better visibility into our revenue trends as a result of product and service evolution within our industry. Management believes these metrics will enhance investors' ability to evaluate our business and assist investors in their understanding of the changing composition of our revenue (in millions).
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Growth (1)
 
 
 
Broadband (1a)
$
37.0

 
$
34.0

Ethernet (1b)
24.5

 
23.6

Hosted and Advanced Services (1c)
5.2

 
3.8

Subtotal Growth
66.7

 
61.4

Growth as a % of Total Revenue
33.0
%
 
29.7
%
 
 
 
 
Convertible (2)
 
 
 
Non-Ethernet Special Access (2a)
15.1

 
18.2

Business Voice (2b)
28.6

 
30.5

Other Convertible (2c)
4.9

 
5.4

Subtotal Convertible
48.6

 
54.1

Convertible as a % of Total Revenue
24.1
%
 
26.2
%
 
 
 
 
Legacy (3)
 
 
 
Residential Voice (3a)
48.8

 
53.9

Switched Access and Other (3b)
15.9

 
17.7

Subtotal Legacy
64.7

 
71.6

Legacy as a % of Total Revenue
32.0
%
 
34.6
%
 
 
 
 
Regulatory funding (4)
14.7

 
13.1

Regulatory funding as a % of Total Revenue
7.3
%
 
6.3
%
 
 
 
 
Miscellaneous (5)
7.2

 
6.6

Miscellaneous as a % of Total Revenue
3.6
%
 
3.2
%
 
 
 
 
Total Revenue
$
201.9

 
$
206.8


(1) Growth revenue is comprised of products and services that are generally viewed as in-demand by communications consumers over the medium- to long-term and are expected to increase over time.
a) Broadband revenue is comprised of both residential and business customers delivered through DSL, ADSL, VDSL or other similar services.
b) Ethernet revenue includes Ethernet over copper ("EOC") or Ethernet over fiber ("EOF") services delivered to end-users or to wholesalers, who then sell to their end-users.
c) Hosted and Advanced Services includes VoIP and other digital voice services including unified messaging and other IP features as well as revenue generated from our various advanced services including our value added reseller of unified communications, data networking and cabling infrastructure solutions, the next-generation emergency 9-1-1 contracts in several of our service territories as well as data center and managed services.
(2) Convertible revenues are revenues that could move from TDM-based technologies to Ethernet or other advanced services.
a) Non-Ethernet Special Access includes high-capacity circuits. The revenues are primarily comprised of business revenue from T1's, DS3's and SONET products.
b) Business Voice is traditional voice, long distance, ISDN and Centrex services for a business customer.
c) Other Convertible primarily includes Unbundled Network Element ("UNE"), Asynchronous Transfer Mode ("ATM"), Frame Relay, ISDN, Analog Private Line and Internet services such as dial-up.
(3) Legacy revenues are TDM-based voice related consumer revenue largely related to residential customers.
a) Residential Voice is comprised of TDM voice services to residential customers.
b) Switched Access and Other primarily includes Switched Transport, Local Switching, NECA pooling elements and colocation of miscellaneous equipment.

31

(4) Refer to the definition of "Regulatory Funding Revenues" above.
(5) Miscellaneous is comprised of special purpose projects, late payment fees from our customers and pole rental revenues among other various service revenues.
The primary drivers of the year-over-year changes in the strategic revenue categorization for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 (dollars in millions) were:

•
Growth revenue increased by $5.3 million as we experienced growth in broadband revenue as speed upgrades and rate increases helped offset a decline in broadband subscribers as well as increased hosted and advanced services revenue and increased Ethernet revenue due to customer growth compared to the prior year.
•
Convertible revenue decreased by $5.5 million as customers continued to migrate from non-Ethernet circuits and businesses shifted from traditional voice products to VoIP and hosted products.
•
Legacy revenue decreased by $6.9 million resulting from a decline in voice access lines due to fewer lines in service and lower legacy switched access revenue versus a year ago.
•
Regulatory funding revenue increased by $1.6 million primarily due to a non-recurring recovery of CAF/ICC for LSS revenue of approximately $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2017 partially offset by the annual August step-down of CAF Phase II transitional revenue.
•
Miscellaneous revenue increased by $0.6 million due to higher special purpose construction projects and higher late payment fees compared to the prior year.
Cost of Services and Sales
Cost of services and sales includes the following costs directly attributable to a service or product: salaries and wages, benefits (including stock based compensation, but excluding the net periodic benefit cost of other post-employment benefit plans and qualified pension plans), materials and supplies, contracted services, network access and transport costs, customer provisioning costs, computer systems support and cost of products sold. Aggregate customer care costs, which include billing and service provisioning, are allocated between cost of services and sales and selling, general and administrative expenses. We expect the cost of services and sales to fluctuate with revenue and decrease due to lower employee expenses from a reduction in headcount.
The following table reflects the primary drivers of year-over-year changes in cost of services and sales (dollars in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 vs. March 31, 2016
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
%
Employee expense (1)
 
$
(3.9
)
 
Severance expense (2)
 
(0.6
)
 
Network and access expense (3)
 
(1.5
)
 
Other (4)
 
(1.2
)
 
Total change in cost of services and sales
 
$
(7.2
)
(7
)%
(1)
We recognized $44.0 million and $47.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of employee expense as cost of services and sales. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the comparable period of 2016 is primarily due to a reduction in headcount and a lower bonus accrual.
(2)
We recognized $0.1 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of severance expense attributed to the reduction in our workforce.
(3)
Network and access expense continues to decrease primarily due to lower revenue as well as cost management efforts.
(4)
Other cost of services and sales has decreased primarily due to lower provisioning and lower back-office expenses.
Other Post-Employment Benefit and Pension (Benefit)/Expense
We expect other post-employment benefit and pension (benefit)/expense to increase in 2017 compared to 2016 since the prior service credit was fully amortized during 2016.

32

The following table reflects the primary drivers of year-over-year changes in other post-employment benefit and pension (benefit)/expense (dollars in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 vs. March 31, 2016
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
%
Other post-employment benefits expense/(benefit) (1)
 
$
56.0

 
Pension expense (2)
 
0.3

 
Total change in other post-employment benefit and pension (benefit)/expense
 
$
56.3

(106
)%
(1)
The increase in the net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the comparable period of 2016 for our other post-employment benefit plans is primarily attributable to lower amortization of the net prior service credits of $87.6 million partially offset by lower amortization of the net actuarial loss of $31.4 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the comparable period of 2016.
(2)
The increase in the net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the comparable period of 2016 for our qualified pension plans is primarily attributable to a plan settlement in the first quarter of 2017.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expense includes salaries and wages and benefits (including stock based compensation, but excluding the net periodic benefit cost of other post-employment benefit plans and qualified pension plans) not directly attributable to a service or product, bad debt charges, taxes other than income, advertising and sales commission costs, customer billing, call center and information technology costs, professional service fees and rent for administrative space. We expect SG&A expense to increase primarily due to expected merger related expenses in 2017, including increased stock-based compensation expense due to the acceleration of vesting of stock-based awards described in "Proposed Merger with Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc." herein.
The following table reflects the primary drivers of year-over-year changes in SG&A expense (dollars in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 vs. March 31, 2016
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
%
Employee expense (1)
 
$
(4.5
)
 
Operating taxes
 
0.7

 
Bad debt expense (2)
 
2.1

 
Severance expense (3)
 
(0.6
)
 
Merger related expense (4)
 
1.2

 
Other (5)
 
0.6

 
Total change in SG&A expense
 
$
(0.5
)
(1
)%
(1)
We recognized $23.4 million and $27.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of employee expense in SG&A expense. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the comparable period of 2016 is primarily due to a reduction in headcount and a lower bonus accrual.
(2)
We recognized $0.7 million and $(1.4) million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of bad debt expense. The first quarter of 2016 included nonrecurring write-off recoveries.
(3)
We recognized $0.1 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of severance expense attributed to the reduction in our workforce.
(4)
Merger related expense is primarily related to legal and advisory costs during the three months ended March 31, 2017 in connection with the Merger described in "Proposed Merger with Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc." herein.
(5)
The change in other expenses was primarily due to the timing of spending for contracted services and advertising costs.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation of our communications network and equipment and amortization of intangible assets. We require significant capital expenditures to maintain, upgrade and enhance our network facilities and operations.

33

We expect our capital expenditures and depreciation expense to remain consistent in the coming years. We expect amortization expense to remain consistent throughout the remainder of our intangible assets' useful lives.
We recognized $52.0 million and $54.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of depreciation expense. We recognized $2.8 million of amortization expense in each of the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Interest Expense
The following table reflects a summary of interest expense recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Credit Agreement Loans (as defined hereinafter)
 
$
11.9

 
$
12.1

Notes (as defined hereinafter)
 
6.6

 
6.6

Amortization of debt issue costs
 
0.3

 
0.3

Amortization of debt discount
 
0.8

 
0.8

Interest rate swap agreements
 
0.6

 
0.6

Other interest expense
 
0.2

 
0.2

Total interest expense
 
$
20.4

 
$
20.6

Interest expense decreased $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016.
For further information regarding the Credit Agreement Loans and the Notes, see "Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt" herein and note (7) "Long-term Debt" to our condensed consolidated financial statements in "Part I. Financial Information - Item 1. Financial Statements" included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Income Taxes
The Company recorded tax benefit on the pre-tax net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 of $0.0 million and tax expense on the pre-tax net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 of $8.0 million, which equates to an effective tax rate of 0.0% and 30.1%, respectively, by applying the projected full year effective rate. For 2017, the statutory federal income tax is a benefit due to the pre-tax net loss; the projected annual effective tax rate differs from the 35% federal statutory rate primarily due to a benefit for state taxes offset by a tax expense associated with an increase in the valuation allowance. For 2016, the projected annual effective tax rate differs from the 35% federal statutory rate primarily due to a tax benefit associated with a decrease in the valuation allowance offset by state tax expense.
For further information, see note (6) "Income Taxes" to our condensed consolidated financial statements in "Part I. Financial Information - Item 1. Financial Statements" included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The table below includes certain non-GAAP financial measures and the adjustments to the most directly comparable GAAP measure used to determine the non-GAAP measures. Management believes that the non-GAAP measures may be useful to investors in understanding period-to-period operating performance and in identifying historical and prospective trends that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures. In addition, management believes the non-GAAP measures are useful for investors because they enable them to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by the Company's management. Management believes earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), as adjusted to exclude the effect of items that are further described below ("Adjusted EBITDA"), provides a useful measure of covenant compliance and Unlevered Free Cash Flow (as defined in footnote (2) to the table below) may be useful to investors in assessing the Company's ability to generate cash and meet its debt service requirements. The maintenance covenants contained in the Company's credit facility are based on Consolidated EBITDA, which is consistent with the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA below.
The non-GAAP financial measures, as used herein, are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Furthermore, these non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation from, or as an alternative to, net income or loss, operating income, cash flow or other combined income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA and Unlevered Free Cash Flow should not be considered

34

as measures of discretionary cash available to invest in business growth or reduce indebtedness. The Company compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on its GAAP results and using the non-GAAP measures only supplementally.
A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Unlevered Free Cash Flow to net income/(loss) is provided in the table below (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net income/(loss)
$
(23,855
)
 
$
18,568

Income tax (benefit)/expense
(3
)
 
8,011

Interest expense
20,378

 
20,610

Depreciation and amortization
54,794

 
57,638

Pension expense (1a)
2,291

 
2,036

Other post-employment benefits expense/(benefit) (1a)
806

 
(55,264
)
Compensated absences (1b)
5,886

 
6,287

Severance
230

 
1,459

Other non-cash items, net (1d)
1,687

 
2,694

All other allowed adjustments, net (1e)
1,142

 
(88
)
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
$
63,356

 
$
61,951

 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
$
63,356

 
$
61,951

Pension contributions
(3,372
)
 
—

Other post-employment benefits payments
(1,208
)
 
(1,414
)
Capital expenditures
(22,066
)
 
(25,880
)
Unlevered Free Cash Flow (2)
$
36,710

 
$
34,657


(1) For purposes of calculating Adjusted EBITDA (in accordance with the definition of Consolidated EBITDA in the Credit Agreement), the Company adjusts net income/(loss) for interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, in addition to:
(a)the add-back of aggregate pension and other post-employment benefits expense,
(b)the add-back (or subtraction) of the adjustment to the compensated absences accrual to eliminate the impact of changes in the accrual,
(c)the add-back of costs related to the reorganization, including professional fees for advisors and consultants,
(d)the add-back of costs and expenses, including those imposed by regulatory authorities, with respect to casualty events, acts of God or force majeure to the extent they are not reimbursed from proceeds of insurance,
(e)the add-back of other non-cash items, including stock compensation expense, except to the extent they will require a cash payment in a future period, and
(f)the add-back (or subtraction) of other items, including facility and office closures, expenses related to permitted transactions, labor negotiation related expenses (including losses related to disruption of operations), non-cash gains/losses and non-operating dividend and interest income and other extraordinary gains/losses.
(2) Unlevered Free Cash Flow refers to Adjusted EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the definition of Consolidated EBITDA in the Credit Agreement) minus capital expenditures, cash pension contributions and other post-employment benefits cash payments.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our current and future liquidity is dependent upon our operating results. We expect that our primary sources of liquidity will be net cash provided by operating activities, cash on hand and funds available under the Revolving Facility. Our short-term and long-term liquidity needs arise primarily from:
(i)
interest and principal payments on our indebtedness;
(ii)
capital expenditures;
(iii)
working capital requirements as may be needed to support and grow our business; and

35

(iv)
contributions to our qualified pension plans and payments under our other post-employment benefit plans.
Based on our current and anticipated levels of operations and conditions in our markets, we believe that cash on hand, the Revolving Facility and net cash provided by operating activities will enable us to meet our working capital, capital expenditure, debt service and other funding requirements for at least the next 12 months. We were in compliance with the maintenance covenants contained in the Credit Agreement (as defined below) as of March 31, 2017 and expect to remain in compliance for the remainder of 2017.
Cash Flows
Cash at March 31, 2017 totaled $38.7 million compared to $34.9 million at December 31, 2016, excluding restricted cash of $0.7 million and $0.7 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the change in net cash was primarily due to net cash flows from operations of $28.2 million (which included outflows due to the scheduled semi-annual interest payments on the Notes and the payment of 2016 annual performance bonuses), partially offset by cash outflows for capital expenditures of $22.1 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the change in net cash was primarily due to net cash flows from operations of $24.4 million (which included outflows due to the scheduled semi-annual interest payments on the Notes and the payment of 2015 annual performance bonuses), partially offset by cash outflows for capital expenditures of $25.9 million.
The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated cash flow results reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Net cash flows provided by (used in):
2017
 
2016
Operating activities
$
28.2

 
$
24.4

Investing activities
(21.8
)
 
(25.7
)
Financing activities
(2.6
)
 
(2.2
)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash
$
3.8

 
$
(3.5
)
Operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities is our primary source of funds. Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased $3.8 million primarily due to lower operating expenses partially offset by higher pension contributions, higher Merger related expenses and lower revenue in 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.
Investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased $3.9 million compared to the same period in 2016. Capital expenditures were $22.1 million and $25.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Financing activities. Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased $0.4 million primarily due to higher settlement of taxes on restricted stock vesting in 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.
Pension Contributions and Post-Employment Benefit Plan Expenditures
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we contributed $3.6 million to our Company-sponsored qualified defined benefit pension plans and funded benefit payments of $1.2 million under our post-employment benefit plans.
On August 8, 2014, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act (the "Act") was signed into law. This Act contained a pension funding stabilization provision which allows pension plan sponsors to use higher discount rate assumptions when determining the funded status and, accordingly, the funding obligations for its pension plans.
The provisions of the Act resulted in our 2016 minimum required pension plan contribution being lower than it would have been in the absence of this stabilization provision. We believe that the intent of the stabilization provision is to alter the timing of pension plan contributions, not to reduce the long-term funding of pension plans. Accordingly, the relief we will receive as a result of the stabilization provision may be temporary in nature in that our near-term minimum required contributions will be less than they otherwise would have been without the passage of this Act and will increase in the medium to long-term.
In 2017, we expect our aggregate cash pension contributions and cash post-employment benefit payments to be approximately $24 million. See "Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2016 Annual Report —The amount we are required to contribute to our qualified pension plans and post-employment benefit plans is impacted by several factors that are beyond our control and changes in those factors may result in a significant increase in future cash contributions."

36

Capital Expenditures
We require significant capital expenditures to maintain, upgrade and enhance our network facilities and operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, our net capital expenditures totaled $22.1 million, compared to $25.9 million during the comparable period in 2016. We anticipate that we will fund future capital expenditures through cash flows from operations and cash on hand (including amounts available under the Revolving Facility). In 2017, capital expenditures are expected to be between $110 million to $115 million. Our capital expenditures in the coming years will be impacted by our CAF Phase II elections as further described in "Regulatory and Legislative" herein.
Debt
February 2013 Refinancing. On February 14, 2013 (the "Refinancing Closing Date"), we completed the refinancing of our old credit agreement (the "Refinancing"). In connection with the Refinancing, we (i) issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior secured notes due in 2019 (the "Notes") in a private offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to an indenture that we entered into on the Refinancing Closing Date (the "Indenture") and (ii) entered into a new credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), dated as of the Refinancing Closing Date. The Credit Agreement provides for a $75.0 million revolving credit facility, including a sub-facility for the issuance of up to $40.0 million in letters of credit (the "Revolving Facility"), and a $640.0 million term loan facility (the "Term Loan" and, together with the Revolving Facility, the " Credit Agreement Loans"). On the Refinancing Closing Date, we used the proceeds of the Notes offering, together with $640.0 million of borrowings under the Term Loan and cash on hand to (i) repay principal of $946.5 million outstanding on the old term loan, plus approximately $7.7 million of accrued interest and (ii) pay approximately $32.6 million of fees, expenses and other costs related to the Refinancing.
The Credit Agreement. In connection with the Refinancing, we entered into the Credit Agreement, which provides for the $75.0 million Revolving Facility, including a sub-facility for the issuance of up to $40.0 million in letters of credit, and the $640.0 million Term Loan. The principal amount of the Term Loan and commitments under the Revolving Facility may be increased by an aggregate amount up to $200.0 million, subject to certain terms and conditions specified in the Credit Agreement. The Term Loan will mature on February 14, 2019 and the Revolving Facility will mature on February 14, 2018, subject in each case to extensions pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement. As of March 31, 2017, we had $61.1 million, net of $13.9 million of outstanding letters of credit, available for borrowing under the Revolving Facility.
Interest Rates and Fees. Interest on borrowings under the Credit Agreement Loans accrue at an annual rate equal to either LIBOR or the base rate, in each case plus an applicable margin. LIBOR is the per annum rate for an interest period of one, two, three or six months (at our election), with a minimum LIBOR floor of 1.25% for the Term Loan. The base rate for any date is the per annum rate equal to the greatest of (x) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, (y) the rate of interest publicly quoted from time to time by The Wall Street Journal as the United States ''Prime Rate'' and (z) LIBOR with an interest period of one month plus 1.00%. The applicable margin for the Term Loan is (a) 6.25% per annum with respect to term loans bearing interest based on LIBOR or (b) 5.25% per annum with respect to term loans bearing interest based on the base rate. The applicable rate for the Revolving Facility is, initially, (a) 5.50% with respect to revolving loans bearing interest based on LIBOR or (b) 4.50% per annum with respect to revolving loans bearing interest based on the base rate, in each case subject to adjustment based on our consolidated total leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. We are required to pay a quarterly letter of credit fee on the average daily amount available to be drawn under letters of credit issued under the Revolving Facility equal to the applicable rate for revolving loans bearing interest based on LIBOR plus a fronting fee of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount available to be drawn under such letters of credit. In addition, we are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Facility, which is 0.50% initially, subject to reduction to 0.375% based on our consolidated total leverage ratio. In the third quarter of 2013, we entered into interest rate swap agreements with a combined notional amount of $170.0 million with three counterparties that are effective for a two year period beginning on September 30, 2015 and maturing on September 30, 2017. Each respective swap agreement requires us to pay a fixed rate of 2.665% and provides that we will receive a variable rate based on the three month LIBOR rate, subject to a minimum LIBOR floor of 1.25%. Amounts payable by or due to us will be net settled with the respective counterparties on the last business day of each fiscal quarter, commencing December 31, 2015. For further information regarding these agreements, see note (8) "Interest Rate Swap Agreements" to our condensed consolidated financial statements in "Item 1. Financial Statements" included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Security/Guarantors. All obligations under the Credit Agreement, together with certain designated hedging obligations and cash management obligations, are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by certain subsidiaries of FairPoint Communications (the "Subsidiary Guarantors") and secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all personal property of FairPoint Communications and the Subsidiary Guarantors, subject to certain exclusions set forth in the related security documents, pari passu with the lien securing the obligations under the Notes.
Mandatory Repayments. We are required to make quarterly repayments of the Term Loan in a principal amount equal to $1.6 million during the term of the Credit Agreement, with such repayments being reduced based on the application of mandatory

37

and optional prepayments of the Term Loan made from time to time. In addition, mandatory repayments are due under the Credit Agreement with (i) a percentage, initially equal to 50% and subject to reduction to 25% in subsequent fiscal years based on our consolidated total leverage ratio, of our excess cash flow, as defined in the Credit Agreement, (ii) the net cash proceeds of certain asset dispositions, insurance proceeds and condemnation awards and (iii) issuances of debt not permitted to be incurred under the Credit Agreement. No premium is required in connection with prepayments. We did not make any optional or mandatory prepayments under the Credit Agreement, excluding mandatory quarterly repayments discussed above, during the three months ended March 31, 2017.
Covenants. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants for a transaction of this type, including two financial maintenance covenants: (i) a consolidated interest coverage ratio and (ii) a consolidated total leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement also contains a covenant limiting the maximum amount of capital expenditures that we and our subsidiaries may make in any fiscal year.
Events of Default. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default.
The Notes. On the Refinancing Closing Date, we issued $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes pursuant to the Indenture in a private offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
The terms of the Notes are governed by the Indenture. The Notes are senior secured obligations of FairPoint Communications and are guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Notes and the guarantees thereof are secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all personal property of FairPoint Communications and the Subsidiary Guarantors, subject to certain exclusions set forth in the related security documents, pari passu with the lien securing the obligations under the Credit Agreement. The Notes will mature on August 15, 2019 and accrue interest at a rate of 8.75% per annum, which is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year.
Notes redeemed after February 15, 2017 and prior to February 15, 2018 may be redeemed at 102.188% of the aggregate principal amount; and Notes redeemed on or after February 15, 2018 may be redeemed at their par value.
The holders of the Notes have the ability to require us to repurchase all or any part of the Notes if we experience certain kinds of changes in control or engage in certain asset sales, in each case at the repurchase prices and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains certain covenants which are customary with respect to non-investment grade debt securities, including limitations on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on or make other distributions or repurchase our capital stock, make certain investments, enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates, create liens and sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions.
The Indenture also provides for customary events of default, including cross defaults to other specified debt of FairPoint Communications and certain of its subsidiaries.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 we had $13.9 million and $13.9 million, respectively, in outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Facility and $4.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively, of surety bonds. We do not have any other off-balance sheet arrangements, other than our operating lease obligations, which are not reflected on our balance sheets.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our critical accounting policies are as follows:
•Revenue recognition;
•Allowance for doubtful accounts;
•Accounting for qualified pension and other post-employment benefits;
•Accounting for income taxes;
•Depreciation of property, plant and equipment;
•Stock-based compensation; and
•Valuation of long-lived assets and indefinite-lived intangible assets.
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies described in the 2016 Annual Report.

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New Accounting Standards
For details of recent Accounting Standards Updates and our evaluation of their adoption on our condensed consolidated financial statements, see note (4) "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" to our condensed consolidated financial statements in "Part I. Financial Information - Item I. Financial Statements" included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
We are exposed to market risk in the normal course of our business operations due to ongoing investing and funding activities, including those associated with the variable interest rate in our Credit Agreement and our qualified pension plan assets. Market risk refers to the potential change in fair value of a financial instrument as a result of fluctuations in interest rates, fixed income securities and equity prices. We do not hold or issue derivative instruments, derivative commodity instruments or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Our primary market risk exposures are interest rate risk and investment risk as follows:
Interest Rate Risk - Long-Term Debt. We are exposed to interest rate risk, primarily as it relates to the variable interest rates we are charged under credit agreements to which we are a party. As of March 31, 2017, our interest rate risk exposure was attributable to the Credit Agreement, which includes the Term Loan and the Revolving Facility, each of which is subject to variable interest rates. We use our variable rate debt, in addition to fixed rate debt, to finance our operations and capital expenditures and believe it is prudent to limit the variability of our interest payments on our variable rate debt. To meet this objective, from time to time, we may enter into interest rate derivative agreements to manage fluctuations in cash flows resulting from interest rate risk.
As of March 31, 2017, we were party to interest rate swap agreements in connection with borrowings under the Credit Agreement covering a combined notional amount of $170.0 million. These agreements were effective on September 30, 2015. Accordingly, on March 31, 2017, only $444.4 million principal balance of the Term Loan was subject to interest rate risk. Interest payments on the Term Loan are subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.25%. As a result, while LIBOR remains below 1.25%, we incur interest at above market rates. To the extent that LIBOR remains below 1.25%, we are buffered from the full financial impact of interest rate risk; however, as LIBOR rises, a change in interest rates could materially affect our condensed consolidated financial statements. For example, with the principal balance of the Term Loan as of March 31, 2017, a 1% increase in the interest rate above the LIBOR floor of 1.25% would unfavorably impact interest expense and pre-tax earnings by approximately $4.4 million on an annual basis.
For further information regarding the Credit Agreement, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources," and note (7) "Long-Term Debt" and note (8) "Interest Rate Swap Agreements" to our condensed consolidated financial statements in "Part I. Financial Information - Item 1. Financial Statements" included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Interest Rate and Investment Risk - Pension Plans. We are exposed to risks related to the fair value of our pension plan assets and the discount rate used to value our pension plan liabilities and the amount of lump-sum payments made to certain participants. Our pension plan assets consist of a portfolio of fixed income securities, equity securities and cash. Changes in the fair value of this portfolio can occur due to changes in interest rates and the general economy. In addition, interest rates are a primary factor in the determination of our actuarially determined liabilities and, if applicable, the amount of the accrued benefit paid in the form of a lump-sum to a pension plan retiree when requested. Our qualified pension plan assets have historically funded a large portion of the benefits paid under our qualified pension plans. Lower returns on plan assets, decreases in the fair value of plan assets and lower discount rates could negatively impact the funded status of our pension plans and we may be required to make larger contributions to our pension plans than currently anticipated. Due to uncertainties in the pension funding calculation, the amount and timing of pension contributions are unknown other than as disclosed in this Quarterly Report. For activity in our qualified pension plan assets, see note (10) "Employee Benefit Plans" to our condensed consolidated financial statements in "Part I. Financial Information - Item 1. Financial Statements" included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our "disclosure controls and procedures" (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC.

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Based upon this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2017.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
From time to time, we are involved in litigation and regulatory proceedings arising out of our operations. For details of legal proceedings, see note (14) "Commitments and Contingencies" to our condensed consolidated financial statements in "Item 1. Financial Statements" included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Management believes that we are not currently a party to any legal or regulatory proceedings, the adverse outcome of which, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of the 2016 Annual Report.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Period
(a)
Total number of shares (or units) purchased
(b)
Average price paid per share (or unit)
(c)
Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
(d)
Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
January 1, 2017 - January 31, 2017
27,106 (1)
$18.45
—
N/A
February 1, 2017 - February 28, 2017
—
—
—
N/A
March 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017
—
—
—
N/A
(1) Represents shares delivered to the Company by Company employees upon the vesting of restricted stock for the funding of the recipient's tax withholding obligations.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Exhibits.
The exhibits filed as part of this Quarterly Report are listed in the index to exhibits immediately preceding such exhibits, which index to exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 4, 2017
By:
/s/ Karen D. Turner
 
 
Name:
Karen D. Turner
 
 
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(duly authorized officer and principal financial officer)


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Exhibit Index
Exhibit
No.
 
Description
2.1
 
Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.(1)
2.2
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 3, 2016, by and among Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., FairPoint Communications, Inc. and Falcon Merger Sub, Inc. (2) **
2.3
 
First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 20, 2017, by and among Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., FairPoint Communications, Inc. and Falcon Merger Sub, Inc. (3)
3.1
 
Ninth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of FairPoint.(4)
3.2
 
Second Amended and Restated By-Laws of FairPoint.(4)
4.1
 
Warrant Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2011, by and between FairPoint and The Bank of New York Mellon.(5)
4.2
 
Specimen Stock Certificate.(4)
4.3
 
Specimen Warrant Certificate.(5)
4.4
 
Indenture, dated as February 14, 2013, among FairPoint Communications, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.(6)
4.5
 
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 16, 2013, among FairPoint Communications, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.(7)
11
 
Statement Regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings (included in the financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report).
31.1
 
Certification as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2
 
Certification as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1
 
Certification required by 18 United States Code Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.‡
32.2
 
Certification required by 18 United States Code Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.‡
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.*
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.*
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.*
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.*
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.*
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.*

*
Filed herewith.
**
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, the schedules to the Merger Agreement (identified therein) have been omitted from this Report and will be furnished supplementally to the SEC upon request.
‡
Submitted herewith. Pursuant to SEC Release No. 33-8238, this certification will be treated as "accompanying" this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and not "filed" as part of such report for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and this certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.

(1)
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K of FairPoint filed on January 14, 2011.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K of FairPoint filed on December 5, 2016.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of FairPoint for the period ended December 31, 2016.

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(4)
Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A of FairPoint filed on January 24, 2011.
(5)
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K of FairPoint filed on January 25, 2011, Film Number 11544980.
(6)
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K of FairPoint filed on February 14, 2013.
(7)
Incorporated by reference to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of FairPoint for the period ended September 30, 2013.

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FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS INC Reports

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