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N.H. Delays Action On $13M FairPoint Contract Amid Service Concerns

State officials have delayed action on a $13 million contract with FairPoint Communications amid concerns about how the company’s ongoing labor dispute is impacting services.

The contract was set to go before the Executive Council today, but the commissioner of administrative services agreed to put it off until next month.

Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern says he’s received numerous complaints from FairPoint customers about issues with their phone and internet service.

“They need to be able to provide us with answers," he said. "What are their dependability levels in the state right now? How many people don’t have service? What’s their plan for getting it fixed? And if we’re going to enter into a new five-year contract with them, how can we be sure we won’t be seeing what we’re seeing today?”

The contract would expand phone and internet services throughout New Hampshire.

It’s been more than two months since more than 1,700 FairPoint workers in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont walked off the job.

The state’s Public Utilities Commissions has reported an increase in complaints about FairPoint’s service during that time.

Michael serves as NHPR's Program Director. Michael came to NHPR in 2012, working as the station's newscast producer/reporter. In 2015, he took on the role of Morning Edition producer. Michael worked for eight years at The Telegraph of Nashua, covering education and working as the metro editor.
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