CEO says FairPoint poised to win back customers lost during Verizon deal

The CEO of FairPoint Communications says he's confident the company will win back customers in northern New England.

Gene Johnson says Jan. 31 will make a new beginning when FairPoint take full control of all landline telephone and Internet systems from Verizon.

Last March FairPoint paid $2.3 billion for the Verizon system in northern New England.

Since then FairPoint has lost more than 80,000 customers and its stock has plummeted.

Johnson says the switchover will mark the first time the northern New England operation fully controlled by FairPoint.

Johnson says when the cutover is complete, the company will launch new pricing plans and marketing efforts, which should increase customers.