20121128Notice of Name Change.pdf

Jean Jewell, Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
November 28, 2012
Page 2
Blackfoot currently conducts business in Idaho as Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative, providing
service in the Powell, Idaho area. In addition, Blackfoot provides both incumbent and competitive
local exchange and high speed data services throughout Montana.
We are attaching the Blackfoot press release being issued today that provides additional information
regarding the stock transfer.
Because the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued by the Commission to Fremont
will be unchanged after closing, and Fremont's status as a regulated company will likewise be
unchanged, we do not believe formal approval of the stock transfer is required.
Please feel free to contact either of the undersigned if there are any questions.
Very Truly Yours,
McDevitt & Miller LLP
U
Dean J Miller
And
Jason B. Williams
VP General Counsel
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group
1221 North Russell Street
Missoula, MT 59808
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
jwilliams(blackfoot.com
www.blackfoot.com
Attorn ejisfor Blackfoot Telecommunications Group
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Attorneyfor FairPoint Communications
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cc: The Hon. Paul Kjellander
The Hon. Marsha Smith
The Hon. Mack Redford
Donald Howell III, Esq.
Joe Cusick
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group
FairPoint Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Blackfoot to Expand In Idaho, Broadening Access
to Its Cutting-Edge Services & Technologies
New market expansion drives Blackfoot's high-capacity fiber network across 8,500 square miles
throughout Montana and Idaho.
Missoula, MT, November 28, 2012- Blackfoot Telecommunications Group (Blackfoot) today announced it has
entered into an agreement to acquire Fremont Telcom Co. (Fremont) and Fretel Communications, LLC
(Fretel), which are both part of FairPoint Communications, a publicly traded service provider headquartered
in Charlotte, NC. (NASDAQ: FRP).
Fremont and Fretel, collectively known as FairPoint Idaho, provide data and voice for thousands of local
homes and businesses. The expanded network will bring innovative technology products and services from
Blackfoot's successful IP network to the doorstep of eastern Idaho customers and nearby communities.
We welcome the opportunity to serve our neighbor state. As a locally owned business, we understand the
value of our strong customer relationships in western Montana and are eager to earn the same trust in
Idaho," said Bill Squires, Blackfoot's chief executive officer.
Squires continued, "We believe the stability of our top tier I network adds significant value to eastern
Idaho. It will improve the area's ability to attract new businesses while giving owners and residents more
service options to meet their growing communications needs. Through our advanced wireless and fiber
connectivity, Blackfoot can offer a new world of more competitive products and services to the region."
This expansion is part of the company's "Smart Growth" initiative and is the shared vision between
Blackfoot's board of trustees and Blackfoot's executive team to become the region's technology leader.
Overall, the acquisition adds 5,400 business and residential customers to Blackfoot's growing network,
boosting its high-capacity fiber backbone by 25 percent across 8,500 square miles in both states. It also
includes a minority investment in Syringa Networks, LLC, which is a rapidly growing fiber transport and
related services business.
The sale is expected to close in early 2013, pending approval by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC). The process of integrating employees as well as Fremont and Fretel customers into the Blackfoot
family of companies will begin immediately thereafter.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MORE
BLACKFOOT EXPANDS IDAHO FOOTPRINT PAGE 2
Currently, Fretel serves Idaho Falls, the largest city in eastern Idaho, and Rexburg, which is home to
Brigham Young University - Idaho (BYU-I) formerly known as Rick's College, the largest private university
in the state. Fremont serves St. Anthony, Teton, Ashton and Island Park. Using its fiber-based strategy,
Blackfoot will also seek expansion opportunities south to Pocatello, Idaho's fifth largest city.
Tom Eggensperger, Blackfoot's board president, said, "Blackfoot has been a cornerstone in western
Montana since 1954. As board president, I'm pleased with Blackfoot's progress as an innovative leader. As
a cooperative resident and business owner, I believe these new neighboring communities will appreciate
Blackfoot's solid reputation and outstanding commitment as a community friend and supporter."
Joel Block, Blackfoot's vice president of customer care and marketing added, "For eight consecutive years,
Blackfoot has earned stellar customer satisfaction ratings for both its residential and business services.
We're a high-tech, high-touch company and take pride in maintaining an unparalleled customer care group
and one of the largest teams of technical support experts in the region."
This acquisition is Blackfoot's third smart growth initiative this year. In early 2012, Blackfoot purchased
Modwest, a local web hosting company, and is currently acquiring Cutthroat Communications, a
communications services provider offering wireless and fiber optic technologies, which is expected to close
by the end of 2012. Another thriving expansion occurred in the late 1990s when Blackfoot purchased nine
rural exchanges from U.S. West, Inc. (now CenturyLink). Within two years, Blackfoot fully upgraded all
outdated U.S. West systems, bringing the most advanced communications services to rural businesses and
consumers in Western Montana.
'We're pleased to be in a position to build on the success of these past acquisitions which enables us to
offer our exceptional products and services to our neighbors in eastern Idaho," said Squires.
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group (Blackfoot) offers advanced telecommunications solutions to customers in Western Montana including voice,
data, IT and security services. Named after the Blackfoot River running through much of the territory it serves, Blackfoot was originally established in
1954 as Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative and is headquartered in Missoula, Montana. Today, the Blackfoot family of companies include Blackfoot
Telephone Cooperative - a member-owned cooperative; Blackfoot Communications - a competitive local exchange company; and TeleSphere Software,
Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary offering professional services to the telecom industry. Read about Blackfoot products and services at www.blackfoot.com .
Learn about Blackfoot in our communities on Facebook at wwiv.facebook.comlBlackfootTelecomm. _______
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. Additional information about FairPoint products and
services is available at www.FairPoinf.com. You can also connect with FairPoint on Twitter (htto.//wvw. twitter. comflairnoint) and Facebook
(htto://www.facebook.com/mvfai,point).
Company Contact - For General Questions Press Contact - For Media Questions
Joel Block, VP of Customer Care & Marketing Lucy Beighle, Media Relations
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group Lucy Beighle Consulting
V: 406-541-5400 I M: 406-532-5400 V: 406-239-3193
[e-mail] lucybeighle©yahoo.com