July
      2,
      2007





Dear
      Fellow Employee:





We
      are
      pleased to inform you that today North Pittsburgh Systems has announced plans
      to
      merge with Consolidated Communications, creating a stronger communications
      provider to residential and business customers.  A copy of the press
      release we issued this morning is attached to this email.





As
      some
      of you may already know, Consolidated Communications, the 14th largest local
      telephone company in the U.S., is an established rural local exchange company
      that provides voice, data and video services to residential and business
      customers in Illinois and Texas.  Consolidated offers a wide range of
      telecommunications services, including local and long distance service, custom
      calling features, private line services, dial-up and high-speed Internet access,
      digital TV, carrier access services, and directory publishing.  The
      combined entity will have in excess of 300,000 access lines and 73,000 DSL
      subscribers and will position us to more rapidly deploy our video service
      offering.





Both
      North Pittsburgh and Consolidated have a rich history.  Both companies
      share a common vision for the industry and the growth potential of our
      companies.  Together, North Pittsburgh and Consolidated will have the
      features of the largest carriers, while maintaining the proven commitment to
      excellent service that our customers have come to expect.  We will
      have a presence in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Texas, positioning us to
      capitalize on growth and customer service opportunities in the areas we
      serve.





This
      strategic combination is about scale, scope and growth.  Consolidated
      has emphasized the attractiveness of our geographic presence in Western
      Pennsylvania and the importance of our employees and customer base to the future
      of the combined company.  For most of North Pittsburgh employees, this
      transaction will not make a significant difference to your day-to-day life
      at
      work.  Overall, we believe that the combined company will be stronger
      and have a greater capacity to compete.





I
      realize
      that you will have many questions and concerns, and we will do our very best
      to
      keep you informed in a timely manner.  We are planning a series of
      employee meetings shortly and will provide those details when arrangements
      are
      complete.  Let me assure you that as we move through the integration
      process and through closing, it will remain “business as usual,” and North
      Pittsburgh and Consolidated will continue to operate as separate
      companies.  Additionally, this is an important time for both of our
      organizations and it is essential that we speak with one
      voice.  Consequently, should you receive calls or inquiries from the
      media or other interested parties, please direct them to Pete Gyrich at
      724.933.9527.





We
      want
      to thank all of you in advance for your diligence, support and continued focus
      on our customers’ needs.  Our number one priority will, as always, be
      maintaining customer satisfaction through this transaction and
      beyond.  The key to the success of our business has – and will
      continue to be – the energy, talent and dedication of our
      employees.





Sincerely,







Harry
      R.
      Brown


Chief
      Executive Officer


North
      Pittsburgh Systems












**Prospectus/Proxy
      Statement**


This
      material is not a substitute for the prospectus/proxy statement Consolidated
      Communications Holdings, Inc and North Pittsburgh Systems, Inc. will file with
      the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are urged to read the
      prospectus/proxy statement, which will contain important information, including
      detailed risk factors, when it becomes available. The prospectus/proxy statement
      and other documents which will be filed by Consolidated Communications Holdings,
      Inc. and North Pittsburgh Systems, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange
      Commission will be available free of charge at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov,
      or by directing a request when such a filing is made to Consolidated
      Communications, 121 South 17th Street, Mattoon, IL 61938, Attention: Investor
      Relations; or to North Pittsburgh Systems, Inc., 4008 Gibsonia Road, Gibsonia,
      Pennsylvania 15044, Attention: Investor Relations. The final prospectus/proxy
      statement will be mailed to shareholders of North Pittsburgh Systems,
      Inc.





This
      communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of
      an
      offer to buy 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 such
      jurisdiction.





**Proxy
      Solicitation**


Consolidated
      Communications Holdings, Inc and North Pittsburgh Systems, Inc., and certain
      of
      their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management
      and employees are participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection
      with
      the proposed transactions. Information about the directors and executive
      officers of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. is set forth in the
      proxy
      statement for Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.’s 2007 annual meeting
      of shareholders. Information about the directors and executive officers of
      North
      Pittsburgh Systems, Inc. is set forth in the company’s Annual Report on Form
      10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as amended. Investors may obtain
      additional information regarding the interests of such participants in the
      proposed transactions by reading the prospectus/proxy statement for such
      proposed transactions when it becomes available.