Consolidated Communications Holdings Reports Third Quarter 2007 Results

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

  • Total Connections Top 300,000
  • DSL Subscribers Increase 4,300 and IPTV Subscribers Increase 1,500 in the Quarter
  • High Definition TV Service Launches in Illinois
  • Successful Completion of Billing Integration

MATTOON, Ill. — Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNSL) today announced results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

“We had another solid quarter, both operationally and financially,” said Bob Currey, Consolidated’s president and chief executive officer. “Total connections grew by 4,000 in the third quarter and now exceed 300,000. Broadband growth continues to be a strategic focus for the company and the results demonstrate our success. DSL increased by over 4,300 net new subscribers in the quarter, making this the strongest third quarter in the company’s history and increasing the penetration of primary residential lines to 38.6 percent. IPTV growth was also strong, adding almost 1,500 subscribers and bringing the total subscriber base to over 11,000.”

Currey continued, “With the launch of our high definition (HD) product in Illinois midway through the third quarter, we have successfully completed the HD rollout there and in Texas. Customer reaction continues to be positive. Our digital video recorder (DVR) product is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter, which will complete our current product suite.”

“Additionally, the North Pittsburgh acquisition is on track. Assuming approval by the NPSI shareholders on November 13, 2007, we anticipate completing the regulatory approval process and closing on the transaction by either the end of 2007 or early in 2008,” Currey concluded.

Operating Statistics at September 30, 2007, Compared to September 30, 2006

  • Total connections were 300,795, an increase of 9,814, or 3.4 percent.
  • Total local access lines were 227,186, a decrease of 8,797, or 3.7 percent.
  • Broadband connections were 73,609, an increase of 18,611 or 33.8 percent.
  • DSL subscribers were 62,546, an increase of 13,186, or 26.7 percent.
  • IPTV subscribers were 11,063, an increase of 5,425, or 96.2 percent.
                         Consolidated Communications
                           Key Operating Statistics

                                         September 30,  June 30, September 30,
                                             2007         2007         2006
    Local access lines in service
        Residential                        149,735       151,645      157,609
        Business                            77,451        77,362       78,374
        Total local access lines           227,186       229,007      235,983

    Total IPTV subscribers                  11,063         9,577        5,638

    DSL subscribers                         62,546        58,225       49,360
    Broadband Connections                   73,609        67,802       54,998

    Total connections                      300,795       296,809      290,981

    Long distance lines (1)                151,320       150,863      148,167
    Dial-up subscribers                      8,858        10,223       11,740
    VoIP subscribers                         2,172         1,822          990

    IPTV Homes passed                      107,631       107,631       72,139

    (1) Reflects the inclusion of long distance service provided as part of
        the VoIP offering