425 1 a07-17964_1425.htm 425

Filed by FairPoint Communications, Inc.

Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933

Subject Company: FairPoint Communications, Inc.

Commission File No. 001-32408

 

This filing relates to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 15, 2007, by and among FairPoint Communications, Inc. (the “Company”), Verizon Communications Inc. (“Verizon”) and Northern New England Spinco Inc. (“Spinco”), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 20, 2007, and Amendment No. 2 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 28, 2007 (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”), in each case, by and among the Company, Verizon and Spinco, pursuant to which, subject to certain conditions, the Company and Spinco will merge, with the Company as the surviving entity (the “Merger”).

 

Important Information About the Merger

 

The Company has filed a registration statement, including a proxy statement, and other materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in connection with the Merger. The Company urges investors to read the documents when they become available because they will contain important information. Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and proxy statement, as well as other filed documents containing information about the Company and the Merger, at www.sec.gov, the SEC’s website, when they are available. Investors may also obtain free copies of these documents and the Company’s SEC filings at www.fairpoint.com under the Investor Relations section, or by written request to FairPoint Communications, Inc., 521 E. Morehead Street, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28202, Attention: Investor Relations.

 

The Company and the Company’s directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s stockholders with respect to the Merger and related transactions. Information about the Company’s directors and executive officers is available in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Additional information regarding the interests of potential participants will be included in the registration statement and proxy statement and other materials filed or to be filed by the Company with the SEC.

 

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 



Forward-Looking Statements

 

This filing and the attached material may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including without limitation, statements containing the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions and statements related to potential cost savings and synergies expected to be realized in the Merger. Because these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results, events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such factors include those risks described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including, without limitation, the risks described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K/A on file with the SEC. These factors should be considered carefully and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. All information is current as of the date of this filing, and the Company undertakes no duty to update this information.

 

Attached as Annexes 1, 2 and 3 hereto are advertisements which were published in newspapers in Maine, New Hampshire and/or Vermont beginning on July 1, 2007. The material attached as Annexes 1, 2 and 3 may be deemed soliciting material in connection with the meeting of the Company’s stockholders to be held pursuant to the Merger Agreement and a prospectus in connection with the issuance of common stock of the Company to stockholders of Spinco in the Merger.

 


 

 


 

 

 

Annex 1

 

GRAPHIC

FairPoint Communications Connecting Maine to a Brighter Future FairPoint is my connection around the corner or across the world. “I owned a business in Fort Kent for 34 years. As a business woman in a rural part of Maine, I have always appreciated excellent phone and internet service from FairPoint. I value the way they take care of their customers and their true commitment to the community.” Rita Cannan FairPoint Customer Fort Kent, Maine FairPoint Communications Full Range of Services: Local & Long Distance Telephone Service Calling Features Internet Video & Data Business Services Including; Centrex, Web Hosting and Conference Calling Plans Wireless Hotspots and more For more information, contact us at 800-400-5568 or visit www.fairpoint.com FairPoint Communications will soon become Maine’s No. 1 telecommunications provider. It’ll take a lot of talented employees though, as we recently announced 125 new jobs planned for Portland, 125 in Bangor and 30 in other parts of the state. In addition to these anticipated new jobs, FairPoint has already dedicated considerable resources and expertise to deliver the services Maine needs for a brighter future! This growth is a result of the announced acquisition of Verizon Communications’ wireline operations in Maine expected to be completed after regulatory approval, and with it will come great things for this great state! What will we bring the people of Maine? 280 new jobs, for a start!


Annex 2

 

GRAPHIC

FairPoint Communications Connecting New Hampshire to a Brighter Future “We love living on our farm, and we also love staying connected to the world with high speed internet, reliable phone service, responsive customer service, and excellent technicians. FairPoint has been our provider for years.” Vicky Tebbets and her family FairPoint Customers FairPoint Communications Full Range of Services: Local & Long Distance Telephone Service Calling Features Internet Video & Data Business Services Including; Centrex, Web Hosting and Conference Calling Plans Wireless Hotspots and more   FairPoint Communications will soon become New Hampshire’s No. 1 telecommunications provider. It’ll take a lot of talented employees though, as we recently announced 190 new jobs planned for Manchester, 50 in Littleton and 10 in other parts of the state. In addition to these anticipated new jobs, FairPoint has already dedicated considerable resources and expertise to deliver the services New Hampshire needs for a brighter future! This growth is a result of the announced acquisition of Verizon Communications’ wireline operations in New Hampshire expected to be completed after regulatory approval, and with it will come great things for this great state!  What will we bring the people of New Hampshire? 250 new jobs, for a start! For more information, contact us at 800-400-5568 or visit www.fairpoint.com


Annex 3

 

GRAPHIC

FairPoint Communications Connecting Vermont to a Brighter Future “We love living on our Cabot farm, and we also love staying connected to the world with high speed internet, reliable phone service, responsive customer service, and excellent technicians. FairPoint has been our provider for years.” Vicky Tebbets and her family FairPoint Customers Cabot, Vermont FairPoint Communications Full Range of Services: Local & Long Distance Telephone Service Calling Features Internet Video & Data Business Services Including; Centrex, Web Hosting and Conference Calling Plans Wireless Hotspots and more  FairPoint Communications will soon become Vermont’s No. 1 telecommunications provider. It’ll take a lot of talented employees though, as we recently announced new and expanded broadband services to 72 Vermont communities. Our $13.8 million expansion will also create up to 145 full time jobs. In addition to these anticipated new jobs and broadband growth, FairPoint has already dedicated considerable resources and expertise to deliver the services Vermont needs for a brighter future! This growth is a result of the announced acquisition of Verizon Communications’ wireline operations in Vermont expected to be completed after regulatory approval, and with it will come great things for this great state!  What will we bring the people of Vermont? 145 new jobs, for a start!  For more information, contact us at 800-400-5568 or visit www.fairpoint.com