FairPoint Launches Cloud Services with Hosted PBX

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- FairPoint Communications, Inc. (NasdaqCM: FRP), a leading provider of advanced communications in northern New England, today announced its introduction of cloud services with the availability of Hosted Private Branch Exchange (Hosted PBX) service over the largest fiber network in the region.

FairPoint's Hosted PBX is an Internet Protocol-based voice and unified communications application that provides organizations the flexibility and mobility to help simplify operations and improve productivity. This Voice over IP (VoIP) solution offers a powerful, dedicated, feature-rich voice and data connection without the costs or challenges of having to install and maintain an on-site, customer-owned phone system.

"We're proud to introduce cloud services to our business customers," said Tony Tomae, FairPoint executive vice president and chief revenue officer. "This exciting new product demonstrates our continued commitment to offering customers the latest technology to help their businesses grow. The feedback from our initial Hosted PBX customers reinforces the value of this new business voice and data solution."

FairPoint provisions a virtual IP PBX on its softswitch platform and delivers functionality over its Ethernet transport service — the same connection that provides the customer's Internet access, as well as any other point-to-point or point-to-multipoint Ethernet data transport services. Hosted PBX is delivered on FairPoint's Ethernet network so calls are transmitted over a high-quality, reliable, private network — not the open Internet.

Since 2008, FairPoint has invested more than $195 million in communications infrastructure and technology to upgrade its fiber-based core network in northern New England, including expanding access to its Ethernet network. In fact, FairPoint's network reaches more than 95 percent of businesses in northern New England.

"Today's competitive business environment demands high-quality, easy-to-use, managed tools that enhance productivity and efficiency," said Chris Alberding, FairPoint vice president of product management. "With FairPoint's Hosted PBX, our customers enjoy a robust, carrier-class network that enables communications anywhere, anytime and that provides constant flexibility and scalability as their needs grow or change."

FairPoint's Hosted PBX helps customers make more proactive choices about call features to better manage their business operations. Since it is offered using the latest version of the software platform, customers have access to basic features, such as voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, abbreviated dialing and call routing, as well as advanced features including call handling, mobile functionality, remote access and disaster recovery capabilities. These features are especially useful for companies with traveling sales teams, multiple office locations, or employees who work remotely or need to be reached around the clock; for example, realtors, maintenance and repair technicians, medical personnel and lawyers. In addition, customers have access to a customized Web portal that allows them to conveniently manage their phone systems in real time from the cloud.

"Demand for VoIP services is growing rapidly as businesses increasingly seek comprehensive cloud solutions that address security, reliability and feature requirements," said Elka Popova, North American Program Director, Unified Communications & Collaboration Information and Communication Technologies, Frost & Sullivan. "FairPoint's cloud solution is well-positioned to address evolving customer needs with extensive functionality delivered on an advanced software platform. Furthermore, the new solution meets stringent reliability and quality requirements as it leverages FairPoint's own private Ethernet network."

For more information, visit www.FairPoint.com/hostedvoice, contact your local FairPoint account manager or submit an online request for information.

About FairPoint Communications, Inc.
FairPoint Communications, Inc. (NasdaqCM: FRP) is a leading communications provider of broadband Internet access, local and long-distance phone, television and other high-capacity data services to customers in communities across 17 states. Through its fast, reliable fiber network, FairPoint delivers high-quality data and voice networking communications solutions to residential, business and wholesale customers. FairPoint delivers Internet services through its resilient IP-based network in northern New England. This state-of-the-art fiber network provides carrier Ethernet connections to support the surging bandwidth and performance requirements for cloud-based applications like network storage, disaster recovery, distance learning, medical imaging, video conferencing and CAD/CAM along with traditional voice, VoIP, video and Internet access solutions. Additional information about FairPoint products and services is available at www.FairPoint.com. You can also connect with FairPoint on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/fairpoint), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/myfairpoint) and LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/company/fairpoint-communications).

SOURCE FairPoint Communications, Inc.