Organization and Principles of Consolidation (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Principles of Consolidation

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, next-generation fiber network with more than 16,000 miles of fiber optic cable in addition to Internet access, high-speed data ("HSD") and local and long distance voice services. As of December 31, 2014, 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 December 31, 2014, the Company operated with approximately 1.1 million access line equivalents in service, including approximately 322,000 broadband subscribers.

Principles of Consolidation

The 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.

Reorganization

On October 26, 2009, the Company and substantially all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of title 11 ("Chapter 11") of the United States Code. These cases were jointly administered under the caption In re FairPoint Communications, Inc. (collectively, the "Chapter 11 Cases") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the "Bankruptcy Court"). On January 24, 2011 (the "Effective Date"), the Company substantially consummated its reorganization through a series of transactions contemplated by its Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization Under Chapter 11 of the United States Code (as confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court, the "Plan").