Filed by Consolidated CommunicationsHoldings,Inc. pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Actof1933, as amended, and deemed filed pursuant toRule14a-12 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, asamended Subject Company: FairPointCommunications,Inc. File No. of Related Registration Statement:333-215758 THOMSON REUTERSSTREETEVENTS EDITEDTRANSCRIPT CNSL –Q4 2016 CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS INC EARNINGSCALL EVENT DATE/TIME: FEBRUARY 23, 2017 / 4:00PMGMT Client Id:77 -------------------------------------------- Street Events DigitalWatermark

Client Id:77 FEBRUARY 23, 2017/4:00PM,CNSL-Q42016 ConsolidatedCommunicationsHoldingsIncEarningsCall CORPORATE PARTICIPANTS Jennifer SpaudeConsolidatedCommunications HoldingsInc.-DirectorofIR Bob UdellConsolidated Communications Holdings Inc. -President & CEO Steve ChildersConsolidated Communications Holdings Inc. -CFO CONFERENCE CALL PARTICIPANTS ScottGoldmanJefferiesLLC-Analyst BarrySineDrexelHamilton-Analyst JonCharbonneauCowenandCompany-Analyst AdamIlkowitzCitigroup-Analyst PRESENTATION Operator Goodday,ladiesandgentlemen,andwelcometoConsolidatedCommunicationsHoldings,Inc'sfourth-quarter2016resultsconferencecall. (OperatorInstructions) Iwouldliketointroduceyourhostfortoday'sconference,Ms.JenniferSpaude,DirectorofInvestorRelations.Ma'am,pleasebegin. JenniferSpaude-ConsolidatedCommunications HoldingsInc.-DirectorofIR Thankyou,andgoodmorningeveryone.Weappreciateyoujoiningustodayforourfourth-quarterearningscall.Joiningmeonthecalltodayare BobUdell,PresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficer,andSteveChilders,ChiefFinancialOfficer.Afterourpreparedremarkswewillopenthecallup forquestions. PleasereviewtheSafeHarborprovisionsinourpressreleaseandinourSECfilingsforinformationaboutforward-lookingstatementsand related riskfactors.Thiscallmaycontainforward-lookingstatementswithinthemeaningsofthefederalsecuritieslaws.Suchforward-looking statementsreflect,amongotherthings,management'scurrentexpectations,plans,andstrategies,andanticipatedfinancialresults.Allofwhich aresubject toknownandunknownrisks,uncertainties,andfactorsthatmaycauseactualresultstodiffermateriallyfromthoseexpressedor impliedbytheseforward-lookingstatements. Today'sdiscussionwillalsoincludecertainnon-GAAPfinancialmeasures.Ourearningsreleaseforthefourth-quarterresultshavebeenpostedon theInvestorRelationssectionofourwebsiteatConsolidated.com.ItdoesincludereconciliationofthesemeasurestothenearestGAAP equivalent.IwillnowturnthecallovertoBobUdell. BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO Thanks Jennifer, and good morning everyone. I appreciate you joining us today. I will provide highlights for both the fourth quarter and the full year, and Steve will provide a more detailed review of thefinancials. Wetookimportantstepsthroughseveralstrategictransactionstosharpenandrefineourfocusonourcorebusinessandbroadbandstrategy while enhancing shareholder value. Most recently, we announced our agreement to acquire FairPoint Communications, an acquisition consistentwith Client Id:77 -------------------------------------------- Street Events DigitalWatermark 2 THOMSON REUTERS STREETEVENTS | www.streetevents.com| ContactUs ©2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. 'Thomson Reuters' and the Thomson Reuters logo are registered trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.

Client Id:77 FEBRUARY 23, 2017/4:00PM,CNSL-Q42016 ConsolidatedCommunicationsHoldingsIncEarningsCall ourstrategytosustainandgrowcashflow.TheadditionofFairPointwillsignificantlyexpandConsolidated'sbroadbandreachandscaleby addingmorethan21,000fiberroutemilesand13newstatestoourservicearea. Webelievethiscombinationwillcreatesignificantbenefitsforourcombinedcustomersandshareholdersaswerealizeimportantgrowth opportunities,andultimatelybecomeastrongerCompany. ConsolidatedhasasuccessfultrackrecordofintegratingCompanies.WebelieveweareinanexcellentpositiontoleverageFairPoint'senterprise-class fiberopticnetworkalongwithourextensiveproductandserviceportfoliothatbenefitourcarrier,commercial,andconsumercustomergroups. Wearecurrentlyworkingontherequiredapprovalsandaremakinggreatprogresswiththetargetofclosingonthetransactionbymid-2017. InJanuary,weweregrantedHart-Scott-Rodinoapprovalandsecuredthefinancingtofundtheacquisitiononveryfavorableterms.We,in collaborationwithFairPoint,havecompletedallrequiredstateandfederalmergerapplications.Thecalendarshavebeensetandweareworking throughtheregulatoryprocessineachstate.Overall,IamverypleasedwiththeprogressmadetodateontheFairPointacquisition,andI'mvery confidentinthemanybenefitswewillrealizewiththismergerandtheincreaseinscale. Additionally,ouracquisitionofIllinois-basedChampaignTelephoneCompanyclosedonJuly1,2016.Thisisagreatexampleofasuccessfultuck-in acquisitionandanotherimportantstepwetooktoexpandourcommercialstrategyandourfibernetwork.Itbroughtusametrofibernetworkin theChampaign-Urbanaarea,connectingmorethan300litbuildingsandacommercialandenterprisecustomerbasewhichisadjacenttoour existingIllinoisoperations. Wealsotookstepsin2016torefineandfocusonourcorestrategybycompleting2divestitures.FirstwesoldourruralIowaILECpropertylast August.Thesecommunitieswillbebetterservedbyadjacentincumbentswhoacquiredtheassets,allowingustoallocateourcapitaldollarsto bestsupportourbroadbandstrategyinthesemarketswithhigherreturns. Second,wecompletedthedivestitureofourequipmentandservicesbusinessinDecember,whichallowsustoconcentrateonournetwork-based businessandbroadbandservices.WeformedapartnershipwiththeacquiringCompanytosupportournetworkcustomerswithITservices nationwide.Itisthecombinationofthesefourtransactionsthatsharpensandrefinesourfocusonourcorebusinessandbroadbandstrategy. Thesetransitionsstrengthenourbusiness,improveEBITDAmargins,cashflows,andourabilitytodeliverlong-termgrowthandshareholdervalue. Nowletmegiveyouanoverviewofourfourth-quarterresults.Wecontinuedourstrategyofextendingourfibernetwork,maximizingcommercial andcarrierrevenueswhileproducingcashflowswhichsupportourdividend.Revenuetotaled$175.9millioninthefourthquarterandadjusted EBITDAwas$72million.In2016weinvestedmorethan$125million,or16%ofrevenue,backintothebusiness,andreturned$78.4milliontoour shareholdersindividends.Thisresultedinasolidpayoutratiofortheyearof71%. Letmehighlightsomeoftheresultswithinthequarter,andourcustomerchannels.First,withinourcommercialchannelwehadanotherstrong quarterofgrowthinMetroethernetanddataconnectionswithanincreaseof7%inthequarterand22%fortheyear.Werecentlywonacontract fora34-sitemedicalservicenetworkinTexas,providingaprivateethernetnetworksolutionwithgigabitcapacity,whichwillbeutilizedfor telemedicine.Thesolution,whichisagoodexampleofourconsultativesalesapproach,willbefullyinstalledbymid-year,andbringswithitatotal contractvalueof$16million. In2016,wecontinuedtoexpandourfiberfootprint,growingournetworkby434routemiles,whichsupportedourcarrierteams'additionofanet 28newtowersand270additionalon-netbuildings,whichalsocreateanopportunityforourcommercialteam. Inadditionwesecuredourfirstsmall-cellcontractsandsawdemandforproposalsofthesepickingup.Despiteincreasedpricecompression,we grewcarrierandcommercialrevenues2%in2016. Withinourconsumerchannel,wecontinuetofocusonsecuringthebroadbandpipetothehomeandofferinghigher-speedconnectionsat competitiveprices.Wenowofferover90%ofourmarketablehomesabroadbandconnectionof20megpersecondorhigherand42%canreceive Client Id:77 -------------------------------------------- Street Events DigitalWatermark 3 THOMSON REUTERS STREETEVENTS | www.streetevents.com| ContactUs ©2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. 'Thomson Reuters' and the Thomson Reuters logo are registered trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.

Client Id:77 FEBRUARY 23, 2017/4:00PM,CNSL-Q42016 ConsolidatedCommunicationsHoldingsIncEarningsCall our100megproduct.Thenumberofcustomerssubscribingtoour1-gigspeedofferinghasmorethandoubledinthelastyear.Andthedemands forhigherspeedswillcontinueandournetwork,ourservice,andoursupportarekeydifferentiators. InQ4,dataandbroadbandconnectionsgrewby2,900.However,consumerrevenuewasdown,primarilyduetovoiceservicesanddigitalTV declines.Asyouknow,wearefocusedondeliveringaprofitablevideoproductwhilewefocusourcustomersonover-the-topversustraditional cableTVofferings.Withthat,IwillturnthecallovertoSteveforthefinancialreview.Steve. SteveChilders-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-CFO ThanksBob,andgoodmorningtoeveryone.AsBobmentioned,thefourthquarterwasaveryimportantquarterforusaswecompletedseveral strategictransactions.ThismorningIwillreviewourfourth-quarterfinancialresultscomparedtothefourthquarter2015.Iwillalsoupdateyouon 2financingswedidinthequarter,andIwillendbyupdatingourguidancefor2017. Operatingrevenueforthefourthquarterwas$175.9millioncomparedto$188.2millionayearago.Overhalfofthe$12.3milliondeclinewasdue todivestituresofourequipmentservicesbusinessandtheIowaILEC.SubsidyrevenuenetoftheIowaILECsalewasdown$1.0millionforthe quarterafterthesecondstepdownofCAF-IIfundingwhichoccurseachyearinthethirdquarter. Wegrewcommercialandcarrierrevenuedespitepricecompressionandchurnoncarrieraccounts.Consumerrevenuewasimpactedbythesale ofourIowaILEC,andcontinuingdeclineinvoiceandaccessrevenue.82%ofourrevenuemixinthefourthquarterwasfrombusinessandbroadband servicesaswecontinuetogrowstrategicrevenuetocountertheexpectedlegacydeclines. Totaloperatingexpensesexclusiveofdepreciationandamortizationwere$115.3millioncomparedto$121.8millionforthesamequarterlast year.Theimprovementinoperatingexpensesin2016istheresultofourcontinuedfocusoncoststructure,productmarginexpansion,aswellas thesaleoftheequipmentbusinessandtheIowaILEC. Netinterestexpenseforthequarterwas$20millioncomparedto$19.3millionforthefourthquarterof2015.InOctoberwedidarefinancingof ourtermdebtthatresultedina25basispointratereductionforanannualizedcashinterestsavingsofover$2million.Wealsoamortizedone monthor$1.2millionasacommitmentfeeontheFairPointacquisitionfinancing.Iwilltalkinalittlebitmoredetailabouteachofthesefinancings inafewminutes. Otherincomenetwas$9.8millioncomparedto$9.4millioninthefourthquarterof2015.Cashdistributionsfromourwirelesspartnershipsinthe quarterwere$8.9millionascomparedto$11.2millionayearago.Distributionstotaled$32.1millionin2016,down$13.2millionfrom2015,which didincludeapproximately$10millioninnonrecurringdistribution,forourshareofproceedsfromthesaleofpartnership-ownedtowersales. Weighingallthesefactorsandadjustingforcertainitemsasoutlinedinthetableonourpressrelease,adjustednetincomewas$5.5millioninthe fourthquarterandadjustednetincomepersharewas$0.11,whichcomparesto$8.1millionand$0.16pershareinthesameperiod2015. AdjustedEBITDAwas$72millioninthefourthquartercomparedto$79.4millionintheprioryear.Approximately$2millionofthedeclineisdue tothefourth-quarterperformanceoftheequipmentservicesbusinessandasaresultofthesaleofthebusinessonDecember6,aswellasthe September1saleoftheIowaILEC. Cashdistributionsfromwirelessweredown$2.3million.Asmentionedearlier,wealsosawdeclinesinsubsidiesduetothesecondannualstep downinConnectAmericaFundinthethirdquarter.Wealsocontinuedtoexperienceerosioninlegacyvoiceandaccessrevenues. AdjustedEBITDAfor2016was$305.8millioncomparedto$328.9millionfor2015.Theprimarydifferencesintheyear-over-yearresultsarethat 2015includeda$10millionofnonrecurringwirelessdistributionaswellasthefourth-quartersaleoftheEnventisbillingsoftwarebusiness.2016 includesthedivestituresoftheequipmentbusinessandtheIowaILEC. Client Id:77 -------------------------------------------- Street Events DigitalWatermark 4 THOMSON REUTERS STREETEVENTS | www.streetevents.com| ContactUs ©2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. 'Thomson Reuters' and the Thomson Reuters logo are registered trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.

Client Id:77 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Operator (OperatorInstructions) The first question is from Scott Goldman, Jefferies, your line isopen. FEBRUARY 23, 2017/4:00PM,CNSL-Q42016 ConsolidatedCommunicationsHoldingsIncEarningsCall Inthequarterwemade$31millionincapitalinvestmentsandinvested$125millionintothebusinessforthefullyear2016.Wehaveflexibilityin ourcapitalplanswithtwo-thirdstiedtosuccess-basedopportunitieswithacontinuedfocusonfiberdeployment,andourcapitalinvestments havetomeetourinternalpaybacksandreturns. Fromaliquiditystandpoint,weendedthequarterwithapproximately$27millionincashandthefull$110millionavailableinourrevolver.For thequarter,ourtotalnetleverageratiowas4.46. Cashavailableto[pay]dividendswas$25.1millionresultinginapayoutratioof78.2%forthequartercomparedtoour2016full-yearpayout ratioof71%.Lastyearwedeliveredvaluetoourshareholdersthrough$78.4millionindeclareddividends.Andwithrespecttoourdividend,our Board ofDirectorsdeclaredthenextquarterlydividendofapproximately$0.39percommonsharepayableonMay2,2017,toshareholdersof recordonApril15,2017.Thiswillrepresentour47thconsecutivequarterlydividend. Wesignificantlyimprovedourfinancialflexibilityandcapitalstructurewithtwofinancingsinthefourthquarter.InOctoberwerefinancedour legacysecuredtermdebt,whichresultedinextendingtermby3yearsandthecouponinterestratewasreduced25basispointsasitwasrepriced to3%.Wealsoextendedthematurityoftherevolverby3years,andupsizeditfrom$75millionto$110million.Aspartoftherefinance,the [recurrence]assessedforsecuredleveragewasincreasedto3timesfrom2.75times. Additionally,inthefourthquarter,wealsosecuredfinancingcommitmentsunderanewincrementaltermloanfacilityfortheacquisitionofFairPoint Communications.Thenewloanfacilityprovidesupto$935millionthatwillbedrawnatclosing.Theterms,conditions,andcovenantsofanew incrementaltermloanfacilityaremateriallyconsistentwiththeCompany'sexistingtermloanandwillbetreatedasafungibletack-ontothe existingfacilityatclose.ThenewfacilityhasaninterestrateofLIBORpus3%witha1%LIBORfloor. Weareextremelypleasedwiththeoutcomeofbothofthesetransactionsandwehavesignificantlyde-riskedourcapitalstructurebygettingthe acquisitionfinancingbehindus.Wewillpaymonthlytickingfees,whichstartedtoaccrueJanuary2015throughtheclosingatasimilarratetothe effectiverateonthetermdebt.WegreatlyappreciatethestrongsupportofourplantoacquireFairPointbyourunderwritersandourbankgroup. Nowletmeshareourguidancefor2017.OnastandalonebasisandwithoutgivingeffectofthependingFairPointacquisition,weexpectcash interestcosttobeintherangeof$70millionto$72million.Cashincometaxesareexpectedtobelessthan$2million.Andweexpectcapital expenditurestobeintherangeof$115millionto$120million. WewillresetguidanceafterwecloseontheFairPointtransaction.Withthat,IwillnowturnthecallbackovertoBobforclosingremarks. BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO ThanksSteve.InclosingtodayI'mconfidentinourabilitytoexecute,deliverresults,andreturnvaluetoourshareholders.Wearefocusedon investingforthefuture,expandingourfiberfootprint,andgrowingourstrategicrevenues.Itisthecombinationofthesestepsthatprovide long-termsustainabilityandvaluetoourshareholders,ourcustomers,andouremployees.WelookforwardtoclosingontheFairPoint acquisition. Oncewedo,wewillbededicatedtoensuringasmoothandseamlessintegrationwhileextendingourbusinessandbroadband strategyacrossthecombinedfootprint.Withthat,Vincewilltakeanyquestionsatthistime. Client Id:77 -------------------------------------------- Street Events DigitalWatermark 5 THOMSON REUTERS STREETEVENTS | www.streetevents.com| ContactUs ©2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. 'Thomson Reuters' and the Thomson Reuters logo are registered trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.

Client Id:77 ScottGoldman-JefferiesLLC-Analyst Hey.Goodmorningeverybody,coupleofquestionsifIcould.Firstontherevenuesideoftheequationlookingparticularlyatcommercialand carrier.Iguessatwo-parter.I'mwonderingifthereisanyimpactfromthetimingofanyofthesalesortransactionsthatwouldhaveimpactedthe 4Qresults?Butthenaswelookoutinto2017,IthinkBob,youmentioned,maybeSteveaswell,pricecompressionandchurnoffsettingsomeof thegainsyouareseeinginMetroethernet.Wonderinghowweshouldthinkaboutpricecompressionandchurnandhowthatmightimpact2017 commercialandcarrierrevenue? Andthensecondly,Bob,ontheFairPoint,obviouslyyouhadacoupleofmoremonthstomaybedigunderthehoodalittlebit.I'mwonderingif thereisanythingyou'vediscoveredyouknowasyouhavebeendiggingdeeperthatgetsyoumoreexcitedaboutthatdealthanwhenyoufirst announcedit? BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO YesScott,thanksforthequestion.Iwilltakethesecondpartofthefirstquestionfirst,ifyoucanfollowthat.AndthenwewillgettoFairPointafter Stevepileson. First,intermsofpricecompression.WeareseeingcostperMegaswellassomeinterestbythewirelessbackhaulcustomersofoursinlargerdeals acrossourentirefootprint.ThatiswherescalewillworktoourfavorwiththeFairPointacquisition.Andinthiscase,itcausedustorewritesome TDMcircuits,largerdeals,downasweexpandedthetermofthosecontractsandreplacedthemwithethernet.Sothatiskindoftheinflectionpoint weexperiencedinthefourthquarteronapricecompressionbasis.Intermsofthemovingpartsaroundthedeals,Steve,dowanttocommenton that? SteveChilders-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-CFO Sure.Scott,IthinkyourquestionwasdirectlywiththedivestituresofEISinIowa,theimpactthathadonfourth-quarterrevenues.SoEISdidhave amajorimpactonoverallconsolidatedrevenue.Youcanseebythebreakoutontherevenuescheduleinthepressrelease,butitwouldnothave impactedordirectlyimpactedthecommercialandcarrierlinethatyouaskedabout.TheIowasaleoftheILECortheIowaILECsalewouldhave hadmoreofanimpactonconsumerandsubsidies.Butthereareprobably$300,000to$400,000incommercialrevenuethatwedidn'tgetinthe fourthquarterduetothesale. BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO Thewaytothinkaboutthis,thewaywethinkaboutthis,isit'sa3%growthopportunitythatwepursueeachyear.Andwewouldnotexpectthat tobeanydifferent.Thepipelineisstrong,it'sbiggerthanithaseverbeenintermsofsoldrevenuetobeinstalled.Itisahigherpercentof facilities-basedorderswithourexpandedfootprintbasedonnetworkbuildoutsandsowefeelprettygoodaboutourconsultativesales approach,andtherunwayaheadfor2017. ScottGoldman-JefferiesLLC-Analyst That'sveryhelpful.Justonequickhousekeeping.Theequipmentsalesandserviceline,doesthatcompletelygoawayin2017?Isthereanything intherethatwasnotpartofthesaleofthatbusiness? FEBRUARY 23, 2017/4:00PM,CNSL-Q42016 ConsolidatedCommunicationsHoldingsIncEarningsCall Client Id:77 -------------------------------------------- Street Events DigitalWatermark 6 THOMSON REUTERS STREETEVENTS | www.streetevents.com| ContactUs ©2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. 'Thomson Reuters' and the Thomson Reuters logo are registered trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.

Client Id:77 FEBRUARY 23, 2017/4:00PM,CNSL-Q42016 ConsolidatedCommunicationsHoldingsIncEarningsCall BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO TheEISline--yes,Scott,itwillgoaway.There'sacoupleofrevenuesharingopportunitiesbasedonthepartnershipagreementthatwehavewith E-Plus, the company that bought the asset. But it will probably, that [build] revenues will probably flow through the commercialrevenueline. ScottGoldman-JefferiesLLC-Analyst Iappreciatethecolor,thanksguys. BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO AsfarastheFairPointquestion,Scott,wegrowincreasinglymoreexcitedthemorewelearnabouttheteamthere,theopportunitytoleverage thatfootprint.Theyhavedonesomethingsreallyrightonthecarrierandtheverylargecustomersidethatwearegoingtoexploitinourplaybook forcommercialandconsumer.SoIwouldsaythatourexcitementaroundtheopportunitycontinuestogrowandthatprocessisontrackandwe feelgoodabouttheprogress. ScottGoldman-JefferiesLLC-Analyst Great,thanksBob. Operator Thankyou,ournextquestionisfromBarrySineofDrexelHamilton,yourlineisopen. BarrySine-DrexelHamilton-Analyst Goodmorningfolks.Bob,kindofalongquestionforyou.Youguysobviouslyoperateinalotofprettydisparatemarketswithdifferent dynamics. Couldyougiveusaquickwhirlwindtourofthemarkets,whattheeconomyislookingat--like,whatisspendinglookinglike?You know,whatisthecompetitivesituationlookinglike? BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO Wow. BarrySine-DrexelHamilton-Analyst In10wordsorless.[laughter] BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO Yes.Letmedoitthisway.AndIwillstartatahighlevel.Ourpredominantcarrier--orpredominantcompetitorsarethecableguys.Andwherewe seethemmostaggressiveisinconsumerandsmallbiz.Ourfacilities-basedandservicedisciplinereallypositionsuswellagainstallofthem,and theone-offfibercompetitorsthatwehaveinvariousareas. Client Id:77 -------------------------------------------- Street Events DigitalWatermark 7 THOMSON REUTERS STREETEVENTS | www.streetevents.com| ContactUs ©2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. 'Thomson Reuters' and the Thomson Reuters logo are registered trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.

Client Id:77 FEBRUARY 23, 2017/4:00PM,CNSL-Q42016 ConsolidatedCommunicationsHoldingsIncEarningsCall Welookforreasonablereturns.Andsotheonlychallengingpositionsthatwegetiniswherescaleworksagainstus,andwecan'tusethescale thatothersmighthavetobenefitoffsettingpostalizedpricingthatsomeofthelargerwirelessguysarepursuing.Weareveryexcitedthatthe FairPointdealhelpsputusinabetterpositionfromascaleperspective. Sowhenyougomarketbymarketyoureallyhavetohandicapthecompetitionbasedontheeffectivenessofthecablecompetitorthatisthere. AndthesmallermorenimbleoneslikeMidcontinentintheNorth,Armstrong,theyareprettygoodcompetitorsandtheycanmovemorequickly. theComcast,theTimeWarner's,wefeelveryeffectivetocompeteagainst.AndtheyareinthehugeTexasmarkets,thePennsylvaniamarket.Some ofitisComcast,someofitisArmstrong.Soitreallyvariesmarketbymarket. Letmesaythisonabroadsense.Therewasalittlebitslowerdecision-makingthatwesawacrossallofourmarketsthroughtheelectiontime periodofthirdandfourthquarterlastyear.Thatwasobviousinalotofwirelessproposalsthatwentoutforsmallsalesaswellasonthecommercial front.Andwhenyouaremakingfacilities-baseddecisionsthereareusuallylongerleadtimes. ButIthinktherewassomeelectionparalysisthatsetinforashorttime.Thatisstartingtofreeup.AlsowhenyoulookacrosstheUSmarkets,you know,weareseeingyouknowaniceresurgenceintheSouthinTexas,eventhoughoilisstillnotgrowingtremendouslyinvalue.Thatmarket seemsnormalizedintermsofwhatweusedtoseeasleadingindicatorsasoutofbusinesslabelsthroughourdirectoryoutthere.Thatisfairlywell stabilized.I'mseeingamorepositivesignfromaneconomicleadingindicatorsthatwewatchforthestarter,butIwouldsaythirdandfourth quarterwasalittlebitsofterthanwehadseeninthepast. BarrySine-DrexelHamilton-Analyst Okay.Andnexttalkaboutthesalesforcealittlebit.Areyoustillgrowingsalesheadcount?Whereareyouatintermsofthesizeinthequota-bearing salesforce?Andwhatareyoulookinglikeintermsofproductivity?Aretheyalluptospeed,aretherestillgainsthatyoucanhavefromtheexisting salesforce? BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO Wearemakingsomeadditionsinmarketswhereweseethemoresignificantgrowthpotential.AndIwouldsaywearetradingthatheadcount aroundtomaximizeouropportunity.Weareprettystableataround80quota-bearingandwiththewholeteamatabout140,whichincludes managementandsalesengineers.WearefeelingIwouldsayprettystable. Thethingthatwehavedonetoenhanceourdistributioncapabilityisreallydevelopathree-prongedapproachonthesalesside.SoallofourFTEs, full-timeequivalentdirectsalesfolks,havestayedrelativelystableatabout80quota-bearing.Thereasonwehaveyouknow140totalinthis organizationis,we'vegotaconsultativeapproachthatsupportsnotonlyadirectchannelbutalsothetwootherchannelsagentsandinside sales. Wehavereallybeefeduptheinsidesalesthatfocusesonourbronzecustomer,sothatwecanmoreeffectivelycompetewiththecable guys,whoarefairlyeffectiveinthatcustomerprofileorsize. Andtheagentprogramisjustbeginningtogetreallygoodtractionforustowardstheendoffourthquarter.Youmayrememberwesignedan agreementwithanationalagentproviderthathasreallybeen,youknow,showinggoodsignsofbuildingasolidfunnel.Soyoucan'treallycount itexclusivelyonour80FTEagents,thatisgoingtobeafairlystablenumber,eventhoughwetradetheresourcesbetweenourmostfertilemarkets. BarrySine-DrexelHamilton-Analyst Okay.Andthenagain,shiftinggearsovertoFairPoint;justtalkabouttheapprovalprocess.Wehaveprettygoodvisibilityinthe3NewEngland states,hearingsaregoingon,andIhaven'tseenmanymajorissuescropup.Thetelecomgroupofpropertiesthere'salotofstatesgoingonthere. HowmanydoyouneedtoactuallygothroughaPUCprocess?Andonceyougetthatclosed,doyouseesynergies?Iknowforexample,Pennsylvania hasapropertyjustsouthofyourPittsburghproperty. Client Id:77 -------------------------------------------- Street Events DigitalWatermark 8 THOMSON REUTERS STREETEVENTS | www.streetevents.com| ContactUs ©2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. 'Thomson Reuters' and the Thomson Reuters logo are registered trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.

Client Id:77 BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO Ican'tanswerspecificsynergyquestionsatthisstagearoundPennsylvania,becauseIjustdon'tknow.Youknow,untilwegetunderneaththe coversandworkmorecloselywithmanagementwhowillbeinvolvedinthatdecision-makingprocess,whatthosesynergiesaregoingtolooklike. ButwhatIdoknowis,wearewellalongintheprocess.Ican'tremember--Steve,doyouhavethenumber?Outofthe17statesthereare14of themthataretelecom.Thereareroughly7or8thatrequireformalapprovalprocess.Andthereisacorresponding5or6Ithinkthatwehave alreadygottenapprovalin.Andsoitismovingalongquiteefficiently.Youknowtherearenormalsnagshereandthere,butnothingthat'ssurprising andnothingwehaven'tfacedbefore. BarrySine-DrexelHamilton-Analyst Okay,mylastquestionisontheVerizondistribution.Thestepdownin4Qversusayearago.Wasthatdue,weretheresometowerproceedsinthe year-agofourthquarter?Ifnot,whatisdrivingthat?Andthenifyouhaveanysenseofwhat2017willlooklike?Specifically,arethereanyknown one-timersthatmayimpactyourdistributionsontheVerizonproperties? SteveChilders-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-CFO ThisisSteve.Thedistributionsforfull-year2016are$32millioncomparedtokindofournormalizedrunratefortheprioryearsofbeing around $35million.AndIthinkontheone-timedistributionsfortowersaleswecalledoutthe$10millionthatwereceivedlastyear.Iguesstheyactually soldthetowersecondquarter,wegotourproratashareoftheproceedsinthirdquarter. Thereisnothingrelativetothetowersaleshashappenedsubsequentlytothat.Ithinkwhatweareseeingarethedistributionswereprimarilyin acoupleofspecificmarketsforthepartnershipsthatweareinvolvedin.OneinTexas,theHoustonSMSA,aswellasoneofthePittsburghRSAs thatVerizonisjustacceleratingsomeofthe4GLTEbuildoutinthosemarkets.ParticularlyinHouston,theyweredoingalittlebitofprepforthe Superbowlthatjusthappened. Soagain,ifthey'rebuildingonthedatasideofthenetwork,maybeit'sashort-terminconveniencerelativetothedistributions.Buthopefullywe willseegreaterdistributionsdowntheroadastheyenhancethedataprofile.Theyarealsomaking--theyaregettingmuchmorecompetitivewith SprintandT-Mobilenowwiththedeviceplans.Ithinkthey'rereallyjuststartingtomatchkindoftheofferingsforthoseprograms.Soweexpect toseethenumbersimprovegoingforward. Butagain,for2016,Iwouldkindofputyouinthe$32millionto$35millionrange.Wehopewestartseeingandgettingtothehighsideasthey movethroughsomeoftheCapExdeployment. BarrySine-DrexelHamilton-Analyst Okay,that'smyquestions.Thankyougentlemen. Operator Thankyou.OurnextquestionisfromJonCharbonneauofCowenandCompany,yourlineisopen. FEBRUARY 23, 2017/4:00PM,CNSL-Q42016 ConsolidatedCommunicationsHoldingsIncEarningsCall Client Id:77 -------------------------------------------- Street Events DigitalWatermark 9 THOMSON REUTERS STREETEVENTS | www.streetevents.com| ContactUs ©2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. 'Thomson Reuters' and the Thomson Reuters logo are registered trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.

Client Id:77 FEBRUARY 23, 2017/4:00PM,CNSL-Q42016 ConsolidatedCommunicationsHoldingsIncEarningsCall JonCharbonneau-CowenandCompany-Analyst Great,thankyoufortakingthequestions.CanyoujustgiveusanupdateonhowweshouldbethinkingaboutEBITDAmargins,thisyear,especially giventhesaleofyourequipmentbusiness?Andthenwithinyourconsumerbusiness,canyoualsogiveanupdateonhowweshouldbethinking aboutpotentialpriceincreasesoverthecourseofthisyear?Thankyou. SteveChilders-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-CFO John,thisisSteve.Iwilltakethefirstpart.OverallonEBITDAmargins,Ithinkforthefourthquarterwewereroughly41%andthat'swithwireless beingdownjustalittlebit.IfyoutakeEISoutofthere,andthatisbasicallyforfull-year,itis$45millioninrevenue,roughly$4millioninEBITDA.I wouldprobablyexpecttosee,again,ifeverythingelseremainedsteady,justfromaEBITDAmarginperspective,EBITDAmarginsprobablyimprove 200basispoints. BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO Withrespecttotheconsumerbusiness,wecontinueasyouknowtofocusonprofitabilityandatransitionofthevideoproductoverthetop. RPUremainsrelativelystableifnotslightlyincreasing.Priceincreaseswerejustputinplaceatthebeginningofthisyearortowardtheendof--I guesswasitwastheendofDecember?Sothosewillbegettingtractionhereinthenextquarter'sresults. JonCharbonneau-CowenandCompany-Analyst Great,thankyou. Operator Thankyou,ournextquestionisfromAdamIlkowitzofCiti,yourlineisopen. AdamIlkowitz-Citigroup-Analyst Thankyouverymuch.Iwantedtorevisitthewirelessbackhaulpricingthatyouhadmentioned--alotofothersintheindustryhaveseenittoo.Is thatsomethingthatisfullypricedintothefourthquarter?Andwiththechangeinpricing,haveyoucompletelyormostlymitigatedthepricing changefrommovingfromTDMtoethernetforthatcustomer? BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO Yes,specifictoactuallytwoofthosecustomers.Butthatisanevolutionaryitemforus.Andfortheindustry.Therearefewerandfewerofthose TDM-orientedoverhangsoutthere.SoIdon'texpectthemtobeassignificantasweexperiencedthispastquarter.However,wehavebeenincredibly successfulatturningthemintoextendedtermsoradditionalsitesthatweareeithercurrentlybuildingout,orwill,aswecompleteadditional negotiations.SothatisaboutasmuchspecificityasIcangiveonthatfornow. AdamIlkowitz-Citigroup-Analyst Iguessjusttofinalizethat,doyouexpectadditionalpressurefromthosetwocontractsinthefirstquarter?Orwasthefourthquarterfullypriced inthatpressure? Client Id:77 -------------------------------------------- Street Events DigitalWatermark 10 THOMSON REUTERS STREETEVENTS | www.streetevents.com| ContactUs ©2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. 'Thomson Reuters' and the Thomson Reuters logo are registered trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.

Client Id:77 FEBRUARY 23, 2017/4:00PM,CNSL-Q42016 ConsolidatedCommunicationsHoldingsIncEarningsCall BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO Withthose,withoneofthosecontractsitisfullypricedin.Withthesecond,thereisstillalittleoverhang. AdamIlkowitz-Citigroup-Analyst Andthenifweweretoremovethosetwocontractsfromthequarter,wouldyouhavebeenabletogrowcommercialrevenuesequentially,orjust thedataandtransportlinessequentially?Maybeyoucouldhelpusunderstandhowthatimpactedthesequentialchangeincommercialand carrier? BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO Eric,wearelookingatouranalysishere.Ithinktheansweris,growthobviouslywouldhavebeenalittlebithigher.Butrightnowwecouldn'tgive youafirmnumberonthat.Sowecouldgetbacktoyouonthat.Butobviouslywithpricecompressionandthechurnwehadinthelatethird-quarter earlyfourth-quarterdidimpactfourth-quarternumbers.Andwewilljustyouknow[willask].Ithinkwewouldhavebeenpositiveoverall,Ijust can'ttellyouhowmuchrightnow. AdamIlkowitz-Citigroup-Analyst Andthenjustonefinalone.GiventhattheFairPointacquisitionisgoingtobeincreasingthescale,Idon'tknowhowhandyanynumbersareon this.Butdoyouhaveasenseofhowmuchofyourcommercialandcarrierrevenueiscomingfromperhapsmultipleregionsversusjustoneregion? HowmanysellinIllinoisandHoustonforexampleversusjustHouston. BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO Thatisagoodquestion.Wedolookatthat.Wedon'tquitefranklydiscloseinthatlevelofdetail,wedon'tdisclosemarketdataonaspecificbasis. Iwouldtellyouthis.Thenumberofmultiplestateinquiriesonespeciallythecarrierfrontareincreasing.It'sjustanaturalevolutionthatthecarrier islookingtoremaincompetitiveontheircoststructure,wirelesscarriers,andsqueezethenetworkprovidersasaresult.Sothatiswherescale hasbeenasignificantpriorityofoursyouknowwithinourplaybookforthatcustomerchannel.Sowhatitwasfiveyearsago,oreventwoyears ago,isdifferentthanwhatitisnow.Anditwouldbetoughtogiveyouknowevenaroughpercentage. AdamIlkowitz-Citigroup-Analyst Okay,thankyouverymuch. Operator Thankyou.Atthistimetherearenootherquestionsinqueue,IwouldliketoturnitbacktoMr.Udellforanyclosingcomments. BobUdell-Consolidated Communications HoldingsInc.-President&CEO ThanksVincent.Thankyouallagainforjoiningustoday.WelookforwardtoupdatingyouonourfirstquarterresultsandprogresswiththeFairPoint acquisitioninthenearfuture.Withthat,thankyouandhaveagreatday. Client Id:77 -------------------------------------------- Street Events DigitalWatermark 11 THOMSON REUTERS STREETEVENTS | www.streetevents.com| ContactUs ©2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. 'Thomson Reuters' and the Thomson Reuters logo are registered trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.

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SafeHarbor The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. Certain statements in this communication are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect, among other things, current expectations, plans, strategies, and anticipated financial results of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) and FairPoint Communications, Inc. (“FairPoint”), both separately and as a combined entity. There are a number of risks, uncertainties, and conditions that may cause the actual results of the Company and FairPoint, both separately and as a combined entity, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the timing and ability to complete the proposed acquisition of FairPoint by the Company, the expected benefits of the integration of the two companies and successful integration of FairPoint’s operations with those of the Company and realization of the synergies from the integration, as well as a number of factors related to the respective businesses of the Company and FairPoint, including economic and financial market conditions generally and economic conditions in the Company’s and FairPoint’s service areas; various risks to stockholders of not receiving dividends and risks to the Company’s ability to pursue growth opportunities if the Company continues to pay dividends according to the current dividend policy; various risks to the price and volatility of the Company’s common stock; changes in the valuation of pension plan assets; the substantial amount of debt and the Company’s ability to repay or refinance it or incur additional debt in the future; the Company’s need for a significant amount of cash to service and repay the debt and to pay dividends on its common stock; restrictions contained in the Company’s debt agreements that limit the discretion of management in operating the business; legal or regulatory proceedings or other matters that impact the timing or ability to complete the acquisition as contemplated, regulatory changes, including changes to subsidies, rapid development and introduction of new technologies and intense competition in the telecommunications industry; risks associated with the Company’s possible pursuit of acquisitions; system failures; losses of large customers or government contracts; risks associated with the rights-of-way for the network; disruptions in the relationship with third party vendors; losses of key management personnel and the inability to attract and retain highly qualified management and personnel in the future; changes in the extensive governmental legislation and regulations governing telecommunications providers and the provision of telecommunications services; telecommunications carriers disputing and/or avoiding their obligations to pay network access charges for use of the Company’s and FairPoint’s network; high costs of regulatory compliance; the competitive impact of legislation and regulatory changes in the telecommunications industry; liability and compliance costs regarding environmental regulations; the possibility of disruption from the integration of the two companies making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; the possibility that the acquisition is not consummated, including, but not limited to, due to the failure to satisfy the closing conditions; the possibility that the merger or the acquisition may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; and diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that the Company filed with the SEC on January 26, 2017, as amended on February 24, 2017, that includes a joint proxy statement of the Company and FairPoint and which also constitutes a prospectus of the Company and in the Company’s and FairPoint’s respective filings with the SEC, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on February 29, 2016, under the heading “Item 1A—Risk Factors,” and the Annual Report on Form 10-K of FairPoint for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on March 2, 2016, under the heading “Item 1A—Risk Factors,” and

in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by each of the Company and FairPoint. Many of these circumstances are beyond the ability of the Company and FairPoint to control or predict. Moreover, forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions on the part of the Company and FairPoint. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “should,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company and FairPoint, and their respective subsidiaries, both separately and as a combined entity to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward- looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on the respective behalf of the Company or FairPoint are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements that appear throughout this communication. Furthermore, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the SEC, each of the Company and FairPoint disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important Merger Information and AdditionalInformation This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company and FairPoint have and will file relevant materials with the SEC. The Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 on January 26, 2017, as amended on February 24, 2017, that includes a joint proxy statement of the Company and FairPoint and which also constitutes a prospectus of the Company. The Company and FairPoint will mail the final definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to their respective stockholders when it becomes available. Investors are urged to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction, which contains important information, and any amendments thereto when they become available. The joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents that have been or will be filed by the Company and FairPoint with the SEC are or will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov,or by directing a request when such a filing is made to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., 121 South 17th Street, Mattoon, IL 61938, Attention: Investor Relations or to FairPoint Communications, Inc., 521 East Morehead Street, Suite 500, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, Attention:Secretary. TheCompany,FairPointandcertainoftheirrespectivedirectors,executiveofficersandothermembersof managementandemployeesmaybeconsideredparticipantsinthesolicitationofproxiesinconnectionwith theproposedtransaction.InformationaboutthedirectorsandexecutiveofficersoftheCompanyisset forthinitsdefinitiveproxystatement,whichwasfiledwiththeSEConMarch28,2016.Information aboutthedirectorsandexecutiveofficersofFairPointissetforthinitsdefinitiveproxystatement, whichwasfiledwiththeSEConMarch25,2016,andinthejointproxystatement/prospectus.These documentscanbeobtainedfreeofchargefromthesourceslistedabove.Investorsmayobtainadditional informationregardingtheinterestsofsuchparticipantsbyreadingthejointproxystatement/prospectus, andanyamendmentstheretothattheCompanyandFairPointfilewiththeSECwhentheybecomeavailable.