Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.7

                       SIXTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT
                     AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO PLEDGE AGREEMENT

            SIXTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO PLEDGE
AGREEMENT (collectively, this "Amendment") dated as of March 30, 2001, among
FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (f/k/a MJD Communications, Inc.), a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower"), the lenders from time to time party to the Credit
Agreement referred to below (the "Lenders"), FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as
Documentation Agent (the "Documentation Agent"), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (f/k/a
Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, successor by merger to
Bank of America, N.A. f/k/a Nationsbank, N.A. successor by merger to NATIONSBANK
OF TEXAS, N.A.), as Syndication Agent (the "Syndication Agent"), BANKERS TRUST
COMPANY, as Administrative Agent (the "Administrative Agent" and, together with
the Documentation Agent and the Syndication Agent, collectively, the "Agents")
and BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Pledgee under the Pledge Agreement referred to
below (the "Pledgee"). Unless otherwise indicated, all capitalized terms used
herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings provided
such terms in the Credit Agreement referred to below.

                             W I T N E S S E T H:
                             - - - - - - - - - -

            WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agents are parties to a
Credit Agreement, dated as of March 30, 1998 (as amended, modified or
supplemented to but not including the date hereof, the "Credit Agreement");

            WHEREAS, the Borrower, various Subsidiaries of the Borrower and the
Pledgee are parties to a Pledge Agreement, dated as of March 30, 1998 (as
amended, modified or supplemented to, but not including, the date hereof, the
"Pledge Agreement"); and

            WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, the
parties hereto wish to amend the Credit Agreement and the Pledge Agreement, in
each case as herein provided;

            NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed:

I.    AMENDMENTS TO CREDIT AGREEMENT.

            1. Section 1.01(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting said Section in its entirety and inserting the following new Section
1.01(a) in lieu thereof:

            "(a) Loans under the Initial B Term Facility (each, an "Initial B
      Term Loan" and, collectively, the "Initial B Term Loans") (i) shall be
      made to the Borrower pursuant to one or more drawings on and after the
      Closing Date and prior to the Initial B Termination Date, provided that
      Initial B Term Loans incurred pursuant to Initial B Term Commitments
      created pursuant to an Initial B Term Commitment Renewal shall not be
      subject to

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      the foregoing but shall be made within the time frame specified in the
      definition of Initial B Term Commitment Renewal, (ii) except as
      hereinafter provided, may, at the option of the Borrower, be incurred and
      maintained as, and/or converted into, Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans,
      provided that all Initial B Term Loans made as part of the same Borrowing
      shall, unless specifically provided herein, consist of Loans of the same
      Type and (iii) shall not exceed in aggregate principal amount for any
      Lender in respect of any incurrence of Initial B Term Loans the Initial B
      Term Commitment, if any, of such Lender as in effect immediately prior to
      such incurrence. Once repaid, Initial B Term Loans may not be reborrowed,
      provided that Initial B Term Loans may be subsequently incurred to the
      extent of the Initial B Term Commitments created pursuant to the Initial B
      Term Commitment Renewal.".

            2. Section 1.01(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting said Section in its entirety and inserting the following new Section
1.01(b) in lieu thereof:

            "(b) Loans under the Initial C Term Facility shall be made pursuant
      to the Total Initial C Term Commitment (each, an "Initial C Term
      Loan-Floating Rate" and, collectively, the "Initial C Term Loans-Floating
      Rate") and pursuant to the CoBank Commitment (each, a "C Term Loan-Fixed
      Rate" and, collectively, the " C Term Loans-Fixed Rate"), with (A) the
      Initial C Term Loans-Floating Rate (i) to be made to the Borrower pursuant
      to a single drawing on the Closing Date (and not thereafter), (ii) except
      as hereinafter provided, and, in any event, at the option of the Borrower,
      to be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, Base Rate Loans
      or Eurodollar Loans, provided that all Initial C Term Loans-Floating Rate
      made as part of the same Borrowing shall, unless specifically provided
      herein, consist of Loans of the same Type and (iii) not to exceed in
      aggregate principal amount for any Lender at the time of incurrence of
      Initial C Term Loans-Floating Rate on the Closing Date the Initial C Term
      Commitment, if any, of such Lender as in effect on such date immediately
      prior to such incurrence and (B) the C Term Loans-Fixed Rate to be made to
      the Borrower by CoBank on the Closing Date (and not thereafter) by
      converting the CoBank Continuing Loans into C Term Loans-Fixed Rate in the
      aggregate amount of the CoBank Commitment. Once repaid, Initial C Term
      Loans-Floating Rate and C-Term Loans-Fixed Rate may not be reborrowed.".

            3.    Section 1.01 of the Credit  Agreement  is hereby  amended by
inserting the following new clauses (e) and (f) at the end of said Section:

            "(e) Subject to Section 1.14 and the other terms and conditions set
      forth herein, Loans under the Incremental B Term Facility (each, an
      "Incremental B Term Loan" and, collectively, the "Incremental B Term
      Loans") (i) shall be made to the Borrower pursuant to a single drawing on
      the respective Incremental B Term Borrowing Date (which date, in any
      event, shall be the date of effectiveness of the applicable Incremental
      Term Loan Commitment Agreement pursuant to which such Incremental B Term
      Loans are to be made and shall not be later than the Incremental Term
      Commitment Termination Date); (ii) except as hereinafter provided, may, at
      the option of the Borrower, be incurred and maintained as, and/or
      converted into, Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, provided that

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      all Incremental B Term Loans made as part of the same Borrowing shall,
      unless specifically provided herein, consist of Loans of the same Type and
      (iii) shall not exceed in aggregate principal amount for any Lender in
      respect of any incurrence of Incremental B Term Loans the Incremental B
      Term Commitment, if any, of such Lender as in effect immediately prior to
      such incurrence. Once repaid, Incremental B Term Loans may not be
      reborrowed.

            (f) Subject to Section 1.14 and the other terms and conditions set
      forth herein, Loans under the Incremental C Term Facility (each, an
      "Incremental C Term Loan" and, collectively, the "Incremental C Term
      Loans") (i) shall be made to the Borrower pursuant to a single drawing on
      the respective Incremental C Term Borrowing Date (which date, in any
      event, shall be the date of effectiveness of the applicable Incremental
      Term Loan Commitment Agreement pursuant to which such Incremental C Term
      Loans are to be made and shall not be later than the Incremental Term
      Commitment Termination Date); (ii) except as hereinafter provided, may, at
      the option of the Borrower, be incurred and maintained as, and/or
      converted into, Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, provided that all
      Incremental C Term Loans made as part of the same Borrowing shall, unless
      specifically provided herein, consist of Loans of the same Type and (iii)
      shall not exceed in aggregate principal amount for any Lender in respect
      of any incurrence of Incremental C Term Loans the Incremental C Term
      Commitment, if any, of such Lender as in effect immediately prior to such
      incurrence. Once repaid, Incremental C Term Loans may not be reborrowed.".

            4. Section 1.05(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i)
inserting the text "(or, if issued after the Closing Date, be dated the date of
the issuance thereof)" immediately following the text "Closing Date" in
subclause (ii) of said Section and (ii) deleting the parenthetical appearing in
subclause (iii) of said Section and inserting the text "(or, if issued after the
Closing Date, be in a stated principal amount equal to the outstanding principal
amount of B Term Loans of such Lender at such time)" in lieu thereof.

            5. Section 1.05(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i)
inserting the text "(or, if issued after the Closing Date, be dated the date of
the issuance thereof)" immediately following the text "Closing Date" in
subclause (ii) of said Section and (ii) deleting the parenthetical appearing in
subclause (iii) of said Section and inserting the text "(or, if issued after the
Closing Date, be in a stated principal amount equal to the outstanding principal
amount of C Term Loans-Floating Rate of such Lender at such time)" in lieu
thereof.

            6. Section 1.07 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting the first sentence of said Section in its entirety and inserting the
following new sentence in lieu thereof:

            "All Loans under this Agreement (other than C Term Loans-Fixed Rate)
      shall be made by the Lenders PRO RATA on the basis of their Initial B Term
      Commitments, Incremental B Term Commitments, Initial C Term Commitments,
      Incremental C Term

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      Commitments, Revolving Commitments or Acquisition Commitments, as the case
      may be, if any.".

            7. Section 1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting
the following new Section 1.14 immediately after Section 1.13 appearing therein:

            "1.14. INCREMENTAL TERM COMMITMENTS. (a) So long as no Default or
      Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, the Borrower
      shall, in consultation with the Administrative Agent, have the right to
      request on one or more occasions on and after the Sixth Amendment
      Effective Date and prior to the Incremental Term Commitment Termination
      Date that one or more Lenders (and/or one or more other Persons which will
      become Lenders as provided below) provide Incremental B Term Commitments
      and/or Incremental C Term Commitments and, subject to the terms and
      conditions contained in this Agreement, make Incremental B Term Loans
      and/or Incremental C Term Loans pursuant thereto, as the case may be, it
      being understood and agreed, however, that (i) no Lender shall be
      obligated to provide an Incremental Term Commitment as a result of any
      such request by the Borrower, and until such time, if any, as such Lender
      has agreed in its sole discretion to provide an Incremental Term
      Commitment and executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent an
      Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement as provided in clause (b) of
      this Section 1.14, such Lender shall not be obligated to fund any
      Incremental B Term Loans and/or Incremental C Term Loans, as the case may
      be, (ii) any Lender (or, in the circumstances contemplated by clause (vii)
      below, any other Person which will qualify as an Eligible Transferee) may
      so provide an Incremental Term Commitment without the consent of any other
      Lender, (iii) each provision of Incremental Term Commitments pursuant to
      this Section 1.14 on a given date shall be in a minimum aggregate amount
      (for all Lenders (including in the circumstances contemplated by clause
      (vii) below, Eligible Transferees who will become Lenders)) of at least
      $30,000,000, (iv) the aggregate amount of all Incremental Term Commitments
      permitted to be provided pursuant to this Section 1.14 and the aggregate
      principal amount of all Incremental Term Loans permitted to be made
      pursuant to Sections 1.01(e) and (f) shall not, in either case, exceed
      $150,000,000, (v) the relevant Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreements
      shall specifically set forth whether the Incremental Term Commitments in
      respect thereof shall constitute either Incremental B Term Commitments or
      Incremental C Term Commitments, (vi) the upfront fees payable in respect
      of the relevant Incremental Term Commitments, the applicable voluntary
      prepayment premiums (if any) payable in respect of the Incremental B Term
      Loans and/or Incremental C Term Loans and the interest rate margin
      applicable to the Incremental B Term Loans and/or Incremental C Term Loans
      shall be as set forth in the relevant Incremental Term Loan Commitment
      Agreement; PROVIDED that in no event shall the applicable interest rate
      margin set forth in any such Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement
      for any Incremental Term Loans exceed the Applicable Base Rate Margin or
      Applicable Eurodollar Margin (in each case, as in effect on the Sixth
      Amendment Effective Date) by more than 1.00%, (vii) if, within 10 Business
      Days after the Borrower has requested the then existing Lenders (other
      than Defaulting Lenders) to provide Incremental Term Commitments pursuant
      to this Section 1.14 the Borrower has not received Incremental Term
      Commitments in an aggregate

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      amount equal to that amount of Incremental Term Commitments which the
      Borrower desires to obtain pursuant to such request (as set forth in the
      notice provided by the Borrower as provided below), then the Borrower may,
      with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be
      unreasonably withheld or delayed), request Incremental Term Commitments
      from Persons which would qualify as Eligible Transferees hereunder in an
      aggregate amount equal to such deficiency (and with the fees to be paid to
      such Eligible Transferee to be no greater than that to be paid to the then
      existing Lenders providing Incremental Term Commitments), (viii) on each
      Incremental Term Borrowing Date, each of the Administrative Agent and each
      trustee for the Permitted Subordinated Debt shall have received an
      officer's certificate from the chief financial officer of the Borrower in
      form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
      which certificate shall (I) contain a representation and warranty that (x)
      the Borrowing of Incremental B Term Loans and/or Incremental C Term Loans
      (and the incurrence of Liens by the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors
      to secure such Obligations) do not conflict and are not inconsistent with
      and do not result in any breach or violation of, any of the terms,
      covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any
      terms of any Permitted Subordinated Debt or the documentation governing
      the same, (y) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Loans, all of
      the Obligations constitute "Senior Debt" under the documentation governing
      the Permitted Subordinated Debt and (z) the respective Incremental Term
      Loans are being incurred under the documentation governing each incurrence
      of Permitted Subordinated Debt in reliance on the "Leverage Ratio"
      incurrence test referred to therein and subclause (II) below (and that the
      Borrower will not take a contrary position for any purpose), (II) certify
      that the Borrower is in compliance with a Leverage Ratio (as defined in
      the documentation governing the respective Permitted Subordinated Debt) of
      not greater than 7.0:1.0 (after giving PRO FORMA effect to the incurrence
      of the Incremental Term Loans to be incurred and as determined in
      accordance with the requirements of the documentation governing the
      respective Permitted Subordinated Debt), (III) be accompanied by financial
      calculations in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
      Administrative Agent establishing compliance with the Leverage Ratio
      referred to in preceding clause (II) and (IV) certify compliance with the
      requirements of the documentation governing all Permitted Subordinated
      Debt and all applicable covenants contained therein; and (ix) all actions
      taken by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 1.14 shall be done in
      coordination with the Administrative Agent.

            (b) At the time of any provision of Incremental Term Commitments
      pursuant to this Section 1.14, (i) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent
      and each such Lender or other Eligible Transferee (each, an "Incremental
      Term Lender") which agrees to provide an Incremental Term Commitment shall
      execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Term Loan
      Commitment Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit L (appropriately
      completed), with the effectiveness of such Incremental Term Lender's
      Incremental Term Commitment to occur upon delivery of such Incremental
      Term Loan Commitment Agreement to the Administrative Agent and the payment
      of any fees (including, without limitation, any fees payable pursuant to
      clause (ii) below) required in connection therewith, (ii) the
      Administrative Agent shall receive from the Borrower (or,

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      to the extent agreed to by the Borrower and the respective Incremental
      Term Lender, from such respective Incremental Term Lender) the payment of
      a non-refundable fee of $3,500 for each Eligible Transferee which becomes
      a Lender pursuant to this Section 1.14 and (iii) the Borrower shall
      deliver to the Administrative Agent an opinion or opinions, in form and
      substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, from
      counsel to the Borrower reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
      Agent and dated such date, covering such of the matters set forth in the
      opinions of counsel delivered to the Administrative Agent on the Closing
      Date pursuant to Section 4.01(b) as may be reasonably requested by the
      Administrative Agent, and such other matters as the Administrative Agent
      may reasonably request (including an opinion as to no conflict with all
      Permitted Subordinated Debt and the documentation governing the same). The
      Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the
      effectiveness of each Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement, and (i)
      at such time Annex I shall be deemed modified to reflect the Incremental B
      Term Commitments and/or Incremental C Term Commitments, as the case may
      be, of such Incremental Term Lenders and (ii) to the extent requested by
      such Incremental Term Lenders, B Term Notes and/or C Term Notes-Floating
      Rate will be issued, at the Borrower's expense, to such Incremental Term
      Lenders, to be in conformity with the requirements of Section 1.05 (with
      appropriate modifications) to the extent needed to reflect the new
      Incremental Term Loans made by such Incremental Term Lenders.

            (c) In connection with each incurrence of Incremental B Term Loans
      pursuant to Section 1.01(e) or Incremental C Term Loans pursuant to
      Section 1.01(f), the Lenders and the Borrower hereby agree that,
      notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the
      Borrower and the Administrative Agent may take all such actions as may be
      necessary to ensure that all Lenders with outstanding B Term Loans and C
      Term Loans-Floating Rate, as the case may be, continue to participate in
      each Borrowing of outstanding B Term Loans and C Term Loans-Floating Rate
      (after giving effect to the incurrence of Incremental B Term Loans or
      Incremental C Term Loans pursuant to Section 1.01(e) or (f), as the case
      may be) on a PRO RATA basis, including by adding the Incremental B Term
      Loans or the Incremental C Term Loans to be so incurred to the then
      outstanding Borrowings of B Term Loans or C Term Loans-Floating Rate, as
      the case may be, on a PRO RATA basis even though as a result thereof such
      new Incremental B Term Loan or Incremental C Term Loan, as the case may be
      (to the extent required to be maintained as Eurodollar Loans), may
      effectively have a shorter Interest Period than the then outstanding
      Borrowings of B Term Loans or C Term Loans-Floating Rate, as the case may
      be, and it is hereby agreed that (x) to the extent any then outstanding
      Borrowings of B Term Loans or C Term Loans-Floating Rate that are
      maintained as Eurodollar Loans are affected as a result thereof, any costs
      of the type described in Section 1.11 incurred by such Lenders in
      connection therewith shall be for the account of the Borrower or (y) to
      the extent the Incremental B Term Loans and Incremental C Term Loans to be
      so incurred are added to the then outstanding Borrowings of B Term Loans
      or C Term Loans-Floating Rate, as the case may be, which are maintained as
      Eurodollar Loans, the Lenders that have made such additional Incremental B
      Term Loans or Incremental C Term Loans, as the case may be, shall be
      entitled to receive an effective

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      interest rate on such additional Incremental B Term Loans or Incremental C
      Term Loans, as the case may be, as is equal to the Eurodollar Rate as in
      effect two Business Days prior to the incurrence of such additional
      Incremental B Term Loans or Incremental C Term Loans, as the case may be,
      plus the then Applicable Eurodollar Margin for such Term Loans until the
      end of the respective Interest Period or Interest Periods with respect
      thereto."

            8.    Section 2.01 of the Credit  Agreement  is hereby  amended by
inserting the following new clause (f) at the end of said Section:

            "(f) All voluntary prepayments of principal of B Term Loans and C
      Term Loans-Floating Rate, in each case made on or after the occurrence of
      the first Incremental Term Borrowing Date to occur after the Sixth
      Amendment Effective Date and prior to the second anniversary of such
      Incremental Term Borrowing Date, will be subject to payment to the
      Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Lender with
      outstanding B Term Loans and each Lender with outstanding C Term
      Loans-Floating Rate, of a fee as follows: (x) if prior to the first
      anniversary of the first Incremental Term Borrowing Date to occur after
      the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, an amount equal to the Specified
      Prepayment Premium Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of such
      prepayment and (y) if payable on or after the first anniversary of the
      first Incremental Term Borrowing Date to occur after the Sixth Amendment
      Effective Date and prior to the second anniversary of such Incremental
      Term Borrowing Date, an amount equal to the Specified Prepayment Premium
      Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of such prepayment. Such
      prepayment fees shall be due and payable upon the date of any voluntary
      prepayment of such Term Loans.".

            9. Section 2.02(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i)
deleting the comma appearing at the end of clause (x) of said Section and
inserting the word "and" in lieu thereof and (ii) deleting the text "any
reduction of the Total Revolving Commitment or Total Acquisition Commitment, as
the case may be, pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) shall reduce the then
remaining Scheduled Reductions applicable thereto PRO RATA and (z)" appearing in
said Section.

            10. Section 2.03(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting the text "The Total Commitment (and the Commitment of each Lender)"
appearing in said Section and inserting the text "The Total Initial B Term
Commitment, the Total Initial C Term Commitment, the Co-Bank Commitment, the
Total Revolving Commitment and the Total Acquisition Commitment (and the Initial
B Term Commitment, Initial C Term Commitment, Co-Bank Commitment, Revolving
Commitment and Acquisition Commitment of each Lender with such a Commitment)" in
lieu thereof.

            11. Section 2.03(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting said Section in its entirety and inserting the following new Section
2.03(b) in lieu thereof:

            "(b) The Total Initial B Term Commitment shall (i) be reduced on the
      date any Initial B Term Loans are incurred in an amount equal to the
      aggregate principal amount

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      of Initial B Term Loans so incurred, (ii) terminate in its entirety (to
      the extent not theretofore terminated) at 5:00 P.M. (New York time) on the
      Initial B Termination Date, whether or not any Initial B Term Loans are
      incurred on such date, (iii) until terminated in full, be reduced on each
      day on which Initial B Term Loans, if still outstanding, would be required
      to be repaid pursuant to Sections 3.02(A)(c), (e) and (f) by the amount,
      if any, by which the amount required to be applied pursuant to said
      Sections to repay Initial B Term Loans (determined as if an unlimited
      amount of Initial B Term Loans were actually outstanding) exceeds the
      aggregate principal amount of Initial B Term Loans being repaid, (iv)
      terminate in its entirety (to the extent not theretofore terminated) on
      the date of the initial issuance of any Permitted Subordinated Debt, (v)
      terminate in its entirety on the day on which a Change of Control occurs
      and (vi) be increased after any Initial B Term Loans have been mandatorily
      repaid pursuant to Section 3.02 or the Total Initial B Term Loan
      Commitment has been reduced pursuant to clause (iii) or (iv) above in the
      aggregate amount of such repayment and/or reduction to the extent new
      Initial B Term Commitments are provided pursuant to an Initial B Term
      Commitment Renewal.".

            12. Section 2.03(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
inserting the word "Initial" (i) immediately following the word "Total" and (ii)
immediately preceding the text "C Term Loans-Floating Rate", in each case
appearing in said Section.

            13. Section 2.03(d) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting said Section in its entirety and inserting the following new Section
2.03(d) in lieu thereof:

            "(d) The Incremental B Term Commitment of each Lender provided
      pursuant to a particular Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement shall
      terminate in its entirety on the respective Incremental B Term Borrowing
      Date for such Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement (after giving
      effect to the incurrence of the Incremental B Term Loans on each such
      date).".

            14. Section 2.03(e) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting said Section in its entirety and inserting the following new Section
2.03(e) in lieu thereof:

            "(e) The Incremental C Term Commitment of each Lender provided
      pursuant to a particular Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement shall
      terminate in its entirety on the respective Incremental C Term Borrowing
      Date for such Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement (after giving
      effect to the incurrence of the Incremental C Term Loans on each such
      date).".

            15. Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i)
deleting the word "and" immediately prior to the text "(iv)" appearing in said
Section and (ii) inserting the following text at the end of said Section:

            "; and (v) each prepayment of B Term Loans and C Term Loans-Floating
      Rate pursuant to this Section 3.01 made on or after the occurrence of the
      first Incremental Term Borrowing Date to occur after the Sixth Amendment
      Effective Date and prior to the

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      second anniversary of such Incremental Term Borrowing Date shall be
      subject to the payment of the fee described in Section 2.01(f)".

            16. Section 3.02(A)(b)(i) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended
by (i) deleting the table appearing in said Section in its entirety and
inserting the following new table in lieu thereof:

            "DATE                                AMOUNT
             ----                                ------

            June 30, 1998                      [$171,976.35
            September 30, 1998                 $ 171,976.35
            December 31, 1998                  $ 171,976.35
            March 31, 1999                     $ 171,976.35

            June 30, 1999                      $ 171,976.35
            September 30, 1999                 $ 171,976.35
            December 31, 1999                  $ 171,976.35
            March 31, 2000                     $ 171,976.35

            June 30, 2000                      $ 171,976.35
            September 30, 2000                 $ 171,976.35
            December 31, 2000                  $ 171,976.35
            March 31, 2001                     $ 171,976.35

            June 30, 2001                      $ 171,976.35
            September 30, 2001                 $ 171,976.35
            December 31, 2001                  $ 171,976.35
            March 31, 2002                     $ 171,976.35

            June 30, 2002                      $ 171,976.35
            September 30, 2002                 $ 171,976.35
            December 31, 2002                  $ 171,976.35
            March 31, 2003                     $ 171,976.35

            June 30, 2003                      $ 171,976.35
            September 30, 2003                 $ 171,976.35
            December 31, 2003                  $ 171,976.35
            March 31, 2004                     $ 171,976.35

            June 30, 2004                      $ 171,976.35
            September 30, 2004                 $ 171,976.35
            December 31, 2004                  $ 10,719,297.50
            March 31, 2005                     $ 10,719,297.50

            June 30, 2005                      $ 10,719,297.50
            September 30, 2005                 $ 10,719,297.50

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            "DATE                                AMOUNT
             ----                                ------

            December 31, 2005                  $ 10,719,297.50
            B Maturity Date                    $ 10,719,296.10]

and (ii) deleting the proviso appearing at the end of said Section and inserting
the following sentence in lieu thereof:

            "In the event that the Borrower incurs any Incremental B Term Loans
      pursuant to Section 1.01(e), then (i) each of the foregoing Scheduled
      Repayments occurring after the date of such incurrence through and
      including September 30, 2004 shall be increased by 0.25% of the aggregate
      principal amount of the Incremental B Term Loans so incurred and (ii) each
      of the foregoing Scheduled Repayments occurring after September 30, 2004
      shall be increased by an amount equal to (x) the aggregate principal
      amount of the Incremental B Term Loans so incurred less the portion
      thereof allocated to the foregoing Scheduled Repayments as provided in the
      preceding clause (i) divided by (y) 6.".

            17. Section 3.02(A)(b)(ii) is hereby amended by (i) deleting the
table appearing in said Section in its entirety and inserting the following new
table in lieu thereof:

                                   Floating Rate                Fixed Rate
         "Date                         Amount                     Amount
---------------------             ----------------             ------------

April 1, 1998                       [$0                        $   313,567
June 30, 1998                       $ 58,734                   $   301,638
September 30, 1998                  $ 58,734                   $   307,321
December 31, 1998                   $ 58,734                   $   330,617
March 31, 1999                      $ 58,734                   $   336,530

June 30, 1999                       $ 58,734                   $   342,560
September 30, 1999                  $ 58,734                   $   348,712
December 31, 1999                   $ 58,734                   $   363,736
March 31, 2000                      $ 58,734                   $   370,135

June 30, 2000                       $ 58,734                   $   376,663
September 30, 2000                  $ 58,734                   $   383,321
December 31, 2000                   $ 58,734                   $   402,613
March 31, 2001                      $ 58,734                   $   409,540

June 30, 2001                       $ 58,734                   $   416,606
September 30, 2001                  $ 58,734                   $   515,704
December 31, 2001                   $ 58,734                   $   529,893
March 31, 2002                      $ 58,734                   $   539,266

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

                                   Floating Rate                Fixed Rate
         "Date                         Amount                     Amount
---------------------             ----------------             ------------

June 30, 2002                       $ 58,734                   $   548,826

September 30, 2002                  $ 58,734                   $   521,965
December 31, 2002                   $ 58,734                   $   531,665
March 31, 2003                      $ 58,734                   $   541,567

June 30, 2003                       $ 58,734                   $   551,674
September 30, 2003                  $ 58,734                   $   561,990
December 31, 2003                   $ 58,734                   $   572,520
March 31, 2004                      $ 58,734                   $   583,267

June 30, 2004                       $ 58,734                   $   594,237
September 30, 2004                  $ 58,734                   $    49,807
December 31, 2004                   $ 58,734                   $    49,807
March 31, 2005                      $ 58,734                   $    49,807

June 30, 2005                       $ 2,731,130                $ 4,970,106
September 30, 2005                  $ 2,731,130                $ 4,970,106
December 31, 2005                   $ 2,731,130                $ 4,970,106
March 31, 2006                      $ 2,731,130                $ 4,970,106

June 30, 2006                       $ 2,731,130                $ 4,970,106
September 30, 2006                  $ 2,731,130                $ 4,970,106
December 31, 2006                   $ 2,731,130                $ 4,970,106
C Maturity Date                     $ 2,731,130                $ 4,970,106"].
and (ii) inserting the following sentence at the end of said Section:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            "In the event that the Borrower incurs any Incremental C Term Loans
      pursuant to Section 1.01(f), then (i) each of the Scheduled Repayments for
      C Term Loans-Floating Rate occurring after the date of such incurrence
      through and including March 31, 2005 shall be increased by 0.25% of the
      aggregate principal amount of the Incremental C Term Loans so incurred and
      (ii) each of the Scheduled Repayments for C Term Loans-Floating Rate
      occurring after March 31, 2005 shall be increased by an amount equal to
      (x) the aggregate principal amount of the Incremental C Term Loans so
      incurred less the portion thereof allocated to the Scheduled Repayments
      for C Term Loans-Floating Rate as provided in the preceding clause (i)
      divided by (y) 8.".

            18. Section 5.05(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
inserting the text "(other than Incremental B Term Loans and Incremental C Term
Loans)" immediately after the text "all Term Loans" appearing in said Section.

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

            19. Section 5.05(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting said Section in its entirety and inserting the following new Section
5.05(c) in lieu thereof:

            "(c) The proceeds of AF Loans may only be used (x) for working
      capital requirements, (y) to finance capital expenditure requirements
      (including Permitted CLEC Expenditures) and Permitted Acquisitions and/or
      (z) to repay RF Loans.".

            20. Section 5.05 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended
by inserting the following new Section 5.05(e) immediately following Section
5.05(d) thereof:

            "(e) The proceeds of all Incremental Term Loans shall be utilized on
      the date of incurrence of such Loans for the same purposes as AF Loans
      specified in Section 5.05(c) above."

            21. Section 7.11(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting the table appearing in said Section in its entirety and inserting the
following new table in lieu thereof:

            "FISCAL QUARTER ENDING                     RATIO
            ----------------------                     -----

            Trigger Date through                       1.50 to 1.0
            March 31, 2003

            June 30, 2003                              1.60 to 1.0
            through September 31, 2003

            December 31, 2003                          1.65 to 1.0
            through March 31, 2004

            June 30, 2004 through                      1.75 to 1.0
            December 31, 2004

            Thereafter                                 2.0 to 1.0

            22. Section 7.12(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting the table appearing in said Section in its entirety and inserting the
following new table in lieu thereof:

            "FISCAL QUARTER ENDING                     RATIO
            ----------------------                     -----

            Trigger Date through                       6.50 to 1.0
            September 30, 2002

            December 31, 2002                          6.25 to 1.0

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

            through March 31, 2003

            June 30, 2003                              6.00 to 1.0
            through September 30, 2003

            December 31, 2003                          5.75 to 1.0
            through March 31, 2004

            Thereafter                                 5.50 to 1.0".

            23. Section 7.13(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting the table appearing in said Section in its entirety and inserting the
following new table in lieu thereof:

            "FISCAL QUARTER ENDING                     RATIO
            ----------------------                     -----

            Trigger Date
            through September 30, 2002                 4.00 to 1.0

            December 31, 2002
            through September 30, 2003                 3.50 to 1.0

            Thereafter                                 3.25 to 1.0".

            24. The definition of "Credit Documents" appearing in Section 9 of
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting the word "and" appearing
in said definition and inserting a comma in lieu thereof and (ii) inserting the
text "and each Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement" immediately following
the text "Subsidiary Guaranty" appearing in said definition.

            25. Section 9 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by
(i) deleting the definitions of "Applicable Base Rate Margin", "Applicable CC
Percentage", "Applicable Eurodollar Margin", "B Term Commitment", "B Term
Commitment Renewal", "B Term Facility", "B Termination Date", "B Term Loan", "C
Term Commitment", "C Term Facility", "C Term Loan", "C Term Loans-Floating
Rate", "Margin Reduction Discount", "Scheduled Reductions" and "Total Term
Commitment" appearing in said Section and (ii) inserting in the appropriate
alphabetical order the following new definitions:

            "Applicable Base Rate Margin" shall mean (i) in the case of AF Loans
      and RF Loans, 1.75% LESS the Margin Reduction Discount, if any, (ii) in
      the case of B Term Loans, 2.25% LESS the Margin Reduction Discount, if any
      and (iii) in the case of C Term Loans-Floating Rate, 2.50% LESS the Margin
      Reduction Discount, if any; PROVIDED that in the case of B Term Loans and
      C Term Loans-Floating Rate, in the event that the "Applicable Base Rate
      Margin" as set forth in any Incremental Term Loan Commitment

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

      Agreement with any Incremental Term Lender exceeds the Applicable Base
      Rate Margin then in effect under this Agreement (after giving effect to
      any prior increases thereto pursuant to this proviso), the Applicable Base
      Rate Margin as used herein shall be increased on the respective
      Incremental Term Borrowing Date to the Applicable Base Rate Margin set
      forth in such Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement.

            "Applicable CC Percentage" shall mean, for any day, a percentage
      equal to (i) in the case of RF Loans, (x) if the unutilized portion of the
      Total Revolving Commitment on such day is less than 50% of the Total
      Revolving Commitment on such day, 0.50% and (y) if the unutilized portion
      of the Total Revolving Commitment on such day equals or exceeds 50% of the
      Total Revolving Commitment on such day, 0.75% and (ii) in the case of AF
      Loans, (x) if the unutilized portion of the Total Acquisition Commitment
      on such day is less than 50% of the Total Acquisition Commitment on such
      day, 0.50% and (y) if the unutilized portion of the Total Acquisition
      Commitment on such day equals or exceeds 50% of the Total Acquisition
      Commitment on such day, 0.75%.

            "Applicable Eurodollar Margin" shall mean (i) in the case of AF
      Loans and RF Loans, 2.75% LESS the Margin Reduction Discount, if any, (ii)
      in the case of B Term Loans, 3.25% LESS the Margin Reduction Discount, if
      any and (iii) in the case of C Term Loans-Floating Rate, 3.50% LESS the
      Margin Reduction Discount, if any; PROVIDED that in the case of B Term
      Loans and C Term Loans-Floating Rate, in the event that the "Applicable
      Eurodollar Margin" as set forth in any Incremental Term Loan Commitment
      Agreement with any Incremental Term Lender exceeds the Applicable
      Eurodollar Margin then in effect under this Agreement (after giving effect
      to any prior increases thereto pursuant to this proviso), the Applicable
      Eurodollar Margin as used herein shall be increased on the respective
      Incremental Term Borrowing Date to the Applicable Eurodollar Margin set
      forth in such Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement.

            "B Term Commitment" of any Lender shall mean the Initial B Term
      Commitment and/or the Incremental B Term Commitment of such Lender.

            "B Term Facility" shall mean and include the Initial B Term Facility
      and the Incremental B Term Facility.

            "B Term Loans" shall mean and include Initial B Term Loans and
      Incremental B Term Loans.

            "C Term Commitment" of any Lender shall mean the Initial C Term
      Commitment and/or the Incremental C Term Commitment of such Lender.

            "C Term Facility" shall mean and include the Initial C Term Facility
      and the Incremental C Term Facility.

            "C Term Loan-Floating Rate" shall mean each Initial C Term
      Loan-Floating Rate and each Incremental C Term Loan.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

            "C Term Loans" shall mean each C Term Loan-Floating Rate and each C
      Term Loan-Fixed Rate.

            "Incremental B Term Commitment" shall mean, for each Incremental
      Term Lender, the commitment of such Incremental Term Lender to make
      Incremental B Term Loans pursuant to Section 1.01(e) on a given
      Incremental B Term Borrowing Date, as such commitment (x) is set forth in
      the respective Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement delivered
      pursuant to Section 1.14(b) and (y) may be terminated pursuant to Section
      2.03.

            "Incremental B Term Facility" shall mean the Facility evidenced by
      the Total Incremental B Term Commitment.

            "Incremental B Term Loan" shall have the meaning provided in Section
      1.01(e).

            "Incremental B Term Borrowing Date" shall mean each date on which
      the Borrower incurs a Borrowing of Incremental B Term Loans, each of which
      dates shall be the date of the effectiveness of the respective Incremental
      Term Loan Commitment Agreement pursuant to which such Incremental B Term
      Loans are to be made; PROVIDED that no such date shall occur after the
      Incremental Term Commitment Termination Date.

            "Incremental C Term Commitment" shall mean, for each Incremental
      Term Lender, the commitment of such Incremental Term Lender to make
      Incremental C Term Loans pursuant to Section 1.01(f) on a given
      Incremental C Term Borrowing Date, as such commitment (x) is set forth in
      the respective Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement delivered
      pursuant to Section 1.14(b) and (y) may be terminated pursuant to Section
      2.03.

            "Incremental C Term Facility" shall mean the Facility evidenced by
      the Total Incremental C Term Commitment.

            "Incremental C Term Loan" shall have the meaning provided in Section
      1.01(f).

            "Incremental C Term Borrowing Date" shall mean each date on which
      the Borrower incurs a Borrowing of Incremental C Term Loans, each of which
      dates shall be the date of effectiveness of the respective Incremental
      Term Loan Commitment Agreement pursuant to which such Incremental C Term
      Loans are to be made; PROVIDED that no such date shall occur after the
      Incremental Term Commitment Termination Date.

            "Incremental Term Borrowing Date" shall mean and include any
      Incremental B Term Borrowing Date and any Incremental C Term Borrowing
      Date.

            "Incremental Term Loan" shall mean each Incremental B Term Loan and
      each Incremental C Term Loan.

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

            "Incremental Term Commitment" shall mean, for each Incremental Term
      Lender, such Incremental Term Lender's Incremental B Term Commitment or
      Incremental C Term Commitment, as the case may be.

            "Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement" shall mean an
      Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement substantially in the form of
      Exhibit L (appropriately completed).

            "Incremental Term Commitment Termination Date" shall mean December
      31, 2001.

            "Incremental Term Lender" shall have the meaning provided in Section
      1.14(b).

            "Initial B Term Loan" shall have the meaning provided in Section
      1.01(a).

            "Initial B Term Commitment" shall mean, with respect to each Lender,
      the amount set forth opposite such Lender's name on Annex I hereto
      directly below the column entitled "Initial B Term Commitment", as the
      same may be (x) reduced or terminated pursuant to Sections 2.02, 3.03
      and/or 8 or (y) adjusted from time to time as a result of assignments to
      or from such Lender pursuant to Sections 1.13 and/or 11.04(b) plus the
      amount, if any, of an Initial B Term Commitment of such Lender committed
      to pursuant to an Initial B Term Commitment Renewal.

            "Initial B Term Commitment Renewal" shall mean the providing of
      additional Initial B Term Commitments from time to time after any
      mandatory repayment of Initial B Term Loans and/or mandatory reduction of
      Initial B Term Commitments pursuant to Section 2.03(b)(iii) or (iv) (each,
      a "B Reduction Event") in an aggregate amount (the "Additional B
      Commitment Amount"), selected by the Borrower, not to exceed the principal
      amount of the Initial B Term Loans so repaid and the Initial B Term
      Commitments so reduced, with any Initial B Term Commitment Renewal to be
      effected by: (i) the Borrower requesting in writing some or all of the
      Lenders and/or other Eligible Transferees acceptable to the Agents and the
      Borrower to provide an additional Initial B Term Commitment, which request
      shall be given within 90 days following the B Reduction Event but in any
      event prior to the date occurring 255 days after the Closing Date and (ii)
      each such Lender or Eligible Transferee who desires to do so, providing a
      written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in response to
      such request setting forth the additional Initial B Term Commitment it
      will offer, with the amount so specified (or such lesser amount as is
      allocated to such Lender by the Agents if the aggregate offered additional
      Initial B Term Commitments exceed the Additional B Commitment Amount) to
      be such Person's additional Initial B Term Commitment, it being agreed
      that any such additional Initial B Term Commitments shall terminate on the
      date occurring 270 days after the Closing Date (after giving effect to the
      making of Initial B Term Loans, if any, on such date) and each such Person
      with an additional Initial B Term Commitment shall be a Lender.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

            "Initial B Term Facility" shall mean the Facility evidenced by the
      Total Initial B Term Commitment.

            "Initial B Termination Date" shall mean the date occurring 270 days
      after the Closing Date.

            "Initial C Term Commitment" shall mean, for each Lender, the amount
      set forth opposite such Lender's name on Annex I hereto directly below the
      column entitled "Initial C Term Commitment," as the same may be terminated
      pursuant to Section 2.03.

            "Initial C Term Facility" shall mean the Facility evidenced by the
      Total Initial C Term Commitment and the Co-Bank Commitment.

            "Initial C Term Loan-Floating Rate" shall have the meaning provided
      in Section 1.01(b).

            "Margin Reduction Discount" shall mean zero, PROVIDED that (I) at
      any time prior to the occurrence of the first Incremental Term Borrowing
      Date to occur after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the Margin
      Reduction Discount applicable to B Term Loans and C Term Loans-Floating
      Rate shall be increased to .25% per annum, when, and for so long as, the
      Leverage Ratio as at the end of the then Relevant Fiscal Quarter is less
      than 5.0 to 1 and (II) the Margin Reduction Discount applicable to RF
      Loans and AF Loans (and only such Loans) shall be increased to .25%, .50%
      or .75% per annum, as specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) below, as
      the case may be, when, and for so long as, the ratio set forth in such
      clause has been satisfied as at the end of the then Relevant Fiscal
      Quarter:

            (i) the Margin Reduction Discount for RF Loans and AF Loans shall be
      .25% per annum in the event that as of the end of the Relevant Fiscal
      Quarter the Leverage Ratio is less than 5.50 to 1 but equal to or greater
      than 5.00 to 1;

            (ii) the Margin Reduction Discount for RF Loans and AF Loans shall
      be .50% per annum in the event that as of the end of the Relevant Fiscal
      Quarter the Leverage Ratio is equal to or greater than 4.50 to 1 but less
      than 5.00 to 1; and

            (iii) the Margin Reduction Discount for RF Loans and AF Loans shall
      be .75% per annum in the event that as of the end of the Relevant Fiscal
      Quarter the Leverage Ratio is less than 4.50 to 1.

            The Leverage Ratio shall be determined as of the last day of the
      Relevant Fiscal Quarter, by delivery of an officer's certificate of the
      Borrower to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(e), which certificate
      shall set forth the calculation of the Leverage Ratio. The Margin
      Reduction Discount so determined shall apply, except as set forth below,
      from the date on which such officer's certificate is delivered to the
      Administrative Agent to the earlier of (x) the date on which the next
      certificate is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section
      6.01(e) and (y) the 45th day following the end

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

      of the fiscal quarter in which such first certificate was delivered to the
      Administrative Agent (or the 90th day if such fiscal quarter was the last
      fiscal quarter of a fiscal year). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
      contained above, the Margin Reduction Discount shall be zero (x) if no
      officer's certificate has been delivered to the Lenders pursuant to
      Section 6.01(e) which sets forth the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of
      the Relevant Fiscal Quarter or the financial statements upon which any
      such calculations are based have not been delivered, until such a
      certificate and/or financial statements are delivered, (y) at all times
      when there shall exist a Default under Section 8.01 or an Event of Default
      and (z) in the case of B Term Loans and C Term Loans-Floating Rate only,
      at all times on and after the first Incremental Term Borrowing Date to
      occur after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date. It is understood and
      agreed that the Margin Reduction Discount as provided above shall in no
      event be cumulative and, in the case of the Margin Reduction Discount
      applicable to RF Loans and AF Loans, only the Margin Reduction Discount
      available pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of clause (II) of the
      proviso in the first sentence of this definition above, if any, contained
      in this definition shall be applicable.

            "Sixth Amendment" shall mean the Sixth Amendment to this Agreement,
      dated as of March 30, 2001.

            "Sixth Amendment Effective Date" shall have the meaning provided in
      the Sixth Amendment.

            "Scheduled Reduction" shall have the meaning provided in the Credit
      Agreement immediately prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date.

            "Specified Prepayment Premium Percentage" shall mean, at any time,
      the highest "Voluntary Prepayment Premium Percentage" specified in any
      Incremental Term Loan Commitment Agreement executed and delivered on or
      prior to such time.

            "Total Incremental B Term Commitment" shall mean the sum of the
      Incremental B Term Commitments of each of the Lenders.

            "Total Incremental C Term Commitment" shall mean the sum of the
      Incremental C Term Commitments of each of the Lenders.

            "Total Initial B Term Commitment" shall mean the sum of the Initial
      B Term Commitments of each of the Lenders.

            "Total Initial C Term Commitment" shall mean the sum of the Initial
      C Term Commitments of each of the Lenders.

            26. Section 11.04(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting the text ", with the consent of the Administrative Agent and the
Borrower (which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld)" appearing the last
sentence of said Section and inserting the text ", with prior written notice to
the Administrative Agent," in lieu thereof.

                                      -18-

<PAGE>

            27. The Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by adding new
Exhibit L thereto in the form of Exhibit L attached hereto.

II.   AMENDMENTS TO PLEDGE AGREEMENT.

            1.    The  Pledge  Agreement  is hereby  amended by  deleting  the
third recital appearing therein in its entirety.

            2. Section 1 of the Pledge Agreement is hereby amended by (i)
deleting the text "such Pledgor" in each instance where it appears in clause (i)
of said Section and inserting the text "the Borrower" in lieu thereof, (ii)
deleting the text "such Pledgor" in the first place such text appears in clause
(ii) of said Section and inserting the text "the Borrower" in lieu thereof and
(iii) deleting the text ", including all obligations, if any, of such Pledgor
under its Guaranty (if any) in respect of Secured Interest Rates Agreements"
appearing in clause (ii) of said Section.

            3. The Pledge Agreement is hereby amended by the following new
Section 26 immediately following Section 25 thereof:

            "26. At any time a payment is made by any Pledgor in respect of
      the Obligations from the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of
      Collateral owned by such Pledgor (each, a "RELEVANT PAYMENT"), the right
      of contribution of each Pledgor hereunder against each other such Pledgor
      shall be determined as provided in the immediately following sentence,
      with the right of contribution of each Pledgor to be revised and restated
      as of each date on which a Relevant Payment is made. At any time that a
      Relevant Payment is made by a Pledgor that results in the aggregate
      payments made by such Pledgor hereunder in respect of the Obligations to
      and including the date of the Relevant Payment exceeding such Pledgor's
      Contribution Percentage (as defined below) of the aggregate payments made
      by all Pledgors hereunder in respect of the Obligations from the proceeds
      of any sale or other disposition of Collateral owned by the Pledgors to
      and including the date of the Relevant Payment (such excess, the
      "AGGREGATE EXCESS AMOUNT"), each such Pledgor shall have a right of
      contribution against each other Pledgor who has made payments hereunder in
      respect of the Obligations from the proceeds of any sale or other
      disposition of Collateral owned by such Pledgor to and including the date
      of the Relevant Payment in an aggregate amount less than such other
      Pledgor's Contribution Percentage of the aggregate payments made to and
      including the date of the Relevant Payment by all Pledgors hereunder in
      respect of the Obligations from the proceeds of any sale or other
      disposition of Collateral owned by the Pledgors (the aggregate amount of
      such deficit, the "AGGREGATE DEFICIT AMOUNT") in an amount equal to (x) a
      fraction the numerator of which is the Aggregate Excess Amount of such
      Pledgor and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Excess Amount of all
      Pledgors multiplied by (y) the Aggregate Deficit Amount of such other
      Pledgor. A Pledgor's right of contribution pursuant to the preceding
      sentences shall arise at the time of each computation, subject to
      adjustment to the time of any subsequent computation; PROVIDED, that no
      Pledgor may take any action to enforce such right until the Obligations
      have been paid in full and the Total Commitment has been terminated, it
      being expressly recognized and agreed by all parties hereto that

                                      -19-

<PAGE>

      any Pledgor's right of contribution arising pursuant to this Agreement
      against any other Pledgor shall be expressly junior and subordinate to
      such other Pledgor's obligations and liabilities in respect of the
      Obligations and any other obligations owing under this Agreement. As used
      in this Section 26: (i) each Pledgor's "CONTRIBUTION PERCENTAGE" shall
      mean the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the Adjusted Net Worth (as
      defined below) of such Pledgor by (y) the aggregate Adjusted Net Worth of
      all Pledgors; (ii) the "ADJUSTED NET WORTH" of each Pledgor shall mean the
      greater of (x) the Net Worth (as defined below) of such Pledgor and (y)
      zero; and (iii) the "NET WORTH" of each Pledgor shall mean the amount by
      which the fair salable value of such Pledgor's assets on the date of any
      Relevant Payment exceeds its existing debts and other liabilities
      (including contingent liabilities, but without giving effect to any
      obligations arising under this Agreement) on such date. All parties hereto
      recognize and agree that, except for any right of contribution arising
      pursuant to this Section 26, each Pledgor who makes any payment in respect
      of the Obligations shall have no right of contribution or subrogation
      against any other Pledgor in respect of such payment. Each of the Pledgors
      recognizes and acknowledges that the rights to contribution arising
      hereunder shall constitute an asset in favor of the party entitled to such
      contribution. In this connection, each Pledgor has the right to waive its
      contribution right against any Pledgor to the extent that after giving
      effect to such waiver such Pledgor would remain solvent, in the
      determination of the Required Lenders.".

III.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

            1. In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Amendment, the
Borrower hereby represents and warrants that:

            (a) no Default or Event of Default exists as of the Sixth Amendment
      Effective Date, both before and after giving effect to this Amendment; and

            (b) all of the representations and warranties contained in the
      Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all
      material respects on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, both before and
      after giving effect to this Amendment, with the same effect as though such
      representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Sixth
      Amendment Effective Date (it being understood that any representation or
      warranty made as of a specific date shall be true and correct in all
      material respects as of such specific date).

            2. This Amendment is limited as specified and shall not constitute a
modification, acceptance or waiver of any other provision of the Credit
Agreement or any other Credit Document.

            3. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and
by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which
counterparts when executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which
shall together constitute one and the same

                                      -20-

<PAGE>

instrument. A complete set of counterparts shall be lodged with the Borrower and
the Administrative Agent.

            4. THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.

            5. This Amendment shall become effective on the date (the "Sixth
Amendment Effective Date") when each of the following conditions shall have been
satisfied:

            (i) the Administrative Agent shall have received from each Credit
      Party certified copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of such
      Credit Party with respect to the matters set forth in this Amendment and
      such resolutions shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

            (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received from Paul,
      Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, special New York counsel to the Credit
      Parties, an opinion addressed to the Agents, the Collateral Agent and each
      of the Lenders and dated the Sixth Amendment Effective Date in form and
      substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and covering such
      matters incident to this Amendment as the Administrative Agent may
      reasonably request (including an opinion as to no conflict with all
      Permitted Subordinated Debt and the documentation governing the same);

            (iii) the Borrower shall have paid to each Lender which has executed
      and delivered a counterpart of this Amendment on or prior to 5:00 P.M.
      (New York time) on Thursday, March 29, 2001, an amendment fee equal to the
      sum of (I) 0.50% of the sum of (x) the Revolving Commitment of such Lender
      as in effect on such date PLUS (y) the Acquisition Commitment of such
      Lender as in effect on such date PLUS (II) 0.25% of the aggregate
      principal amount of the Term Loans made by such Lender and outstanding on
      such date (immediately prior to the occurrence of the Sixth Amendment
      Effective Date);

            (iv) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent such
      fees as may have been agreed to in writing among such parties;

            (v) the Borrower, each Subsidiary Guarantor, the Required AF/RF
      Lenders, the Required AF Lenders, the Required RF Lenders, the Required TF
      Lenders, the Required B TF Lenders and the Required C TF Lenders shall
      have signed a counterpart hereof (whether the same or different
      counterparts) and shall have delivered (including by way of facsimile
      transmission) the same to the Administrative Agent at its Notice Office.

            6. By executing and delivering a copy hereof, each Credit Party
hereby (x) agrees that all Loans (including, without limitation, upon the
incurrence thereof, the Incremental B Term Loans and Incremental C Term Loans)
shall be fully guaranteed pursuant to the Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with
the terms and provisions thereof and shall be fully secured pursuant to the
Pledge Agreement and (y) reaffirms all of its obligations and liabilities under
the various Credit Documents to which it is a party.

                                      -21-

<PAGE>

            7. From and after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, all references
in the Credit Agreement and each of the other Credit Documents to the Credit
Agreement and the Pledge Agreement shall be deemed to be references to the
Credit Agreement or the Pledge Agreement, as the case may be, as modified
hereby.

                                      * * *

                                      -22-

<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a
counterpart of this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered as of the date
first above written.

                                       FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (f/k/a
                                          MJD Communications, Inc.)

                                       By: /s/ Timothy W. Henry
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Timothy W. Henry
                                          Title: Vice President of Finance

                                       BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, Individually
                                          and as Administrative Agent

                                       By: /s/ Anca Trifan
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Anca Trifan
                                          Title: Director

                                       BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Individually
                                          and as Syndication Agent

                                       By: /s/ Pamela S. Kurtzman
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Pamela S. Kurtzman
                                          Title: Principal

                                       FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                                          Individually and as Documentation
                                          Agent

                                       By: /s/ Franklin M. Wessmock
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Franklin M. Wessmock
                                          Title: Sr. Vice President

<PAGE>

                                       COBANK, ACB

                                       By: /s/ Rick Freeman
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Rick Freeman
                                          Title: Vice President

                                       MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER PRIME
                                          INCOME TRUST

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                       HELLER FINANCIAL, INC.

                                       By: /s/ David R. Compbell
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: David R. Compbell
                                          Title: Vice President

                                       THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY

                                       By: /s/ Allen R. Cantrell
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Allen R. Cantrell
                                          Title: Investment Officer

                                       UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.

                                       By: /s/ James C. Opdyke
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: James C. Opdyke
                                          Title: Assistant Vice President

<PAGE>

                                       CENTURA BANK

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                       THE CIT GROUP/EQUIPMENT FINANCING, INC.

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                       DELANO COMPANY
                                          By:  Pacific Investment Management
                                          Company as its Investment Advisor

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

<PAGE>

                                       FORTIS CAPITAL CORP. (f/k/a
                                          MEESPIERSON CAPITAL CORP.)

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                       SENIOR DEBT PORTFOLIO
                                          By: BOSTON MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH,
                                          as Investment Manger

                                       By: /s/ Payson F. Swaffield
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Payson F. Swaffield
                                          Title: Vice President

                                       OXFORD STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
                                          By:  Eaton Vance Management as
                                          Investment Advisor

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                       GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION

                                       By: /s/ Karl Kieffer
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Karl Kieffer
                                          Title: Duly Authorized Signatory

<PAGE>

                                       FIRSTAR BANK, N.A. (f/k/a MERCANTILE
                                          BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)

                                       By: /s/ Gail F. Scannell
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Gail F. Scannell
                                          Title: Vice President

                                       NATIONAL CITY BANK

                                       By: /s/ Elizabeth A. Brosky
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Elizabeth A. Brosky
                                          Title: Assistant Vice President

                                       EATON VANCE SENIOR INCOME TRUST
                                          By:  Eaton Vance Management as
                                          Investment Advisor

                                       By: /s/ Payson F. Swaffield
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Payson F. Swaffield
                                          Title: Vice President

            Each of the undersigned, each being a Subsidiary Guarantor under,
and as defined in, the Credit Agreement referenced in the foregoing Sixth
Amendment, hereby consents to the entering into of the Sixth Amendment and
agrees to the provisions thereof (including, without limitation, Sections 6 and
7 of Part II thereof).

                                    MJD HOLDINGS CORP.,
                                       as a Subsidiary Guarantor and a Pledgor

                                    By: /s/ Timothy W. Henry
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Timothy W. Henry
                                       Title: Vice President of Finance

                                    MJD VENTURES, INC.,
                                       as a Subsidiary Guarantor and a
                                       Pledgor

                                    By: /s/ Timothy W. Henry
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Timothy W. Henry
                                       Title: Vice President of Finance

<PAGE>

                                       MJD SERVICES CORP.
                                          as a Subsidiary Guarantor and a
                                          Pledgor

                                       By: /s/ Timothy W. Henry
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Timothy W. Henry
                                          Title: Vice President of Finance

                                       ST ENTERPRISES LTD.
                                          as a Subsidiary Guarantor and a
                                          Pledgor

                                       By: /s/ Timothy W. Henry
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Timothy W. Henry
                                          Title: Vice President of Finance

<PAGE>

                                       IBM CREDIT CORP.

                                       By: /s/ Thomas S. Curcio
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Thomas S. Curcio
                                          Title: Manager of Credit, Commercial
                                                 & Special Financing

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT L

               FORM OF INCREMENTAL TERM LOAN COMMITMENT AGREEMENT

                            [Names(s) of Lenders(s)]

                                                                          [Date]

FairPoint Communications, Inc.
[Insert Address]

re  INCREMENTAL TERM LOAN COMMITMENT

Ladies and Gentlemen:

            Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March
30, 1998 (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement"), among FairPoint Communications, Inc. (f/k/a MJD Communications,
Inc.) (the "Borrower" or "you"), the lenders from time to time party thereto
(the "Lenders") and Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative Agent (the
"Administrative Agent"). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used
herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

            Each Lender (each, an "Incremental Term Lender") party to this
letter agreement (this "Agreement") hereby severally agrees that, subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein, in Annex I hereto and in the Credit
Agreement, it shall provide the Incremental B Term Commitment and/or the
Incremental C Term Commitment set forth opposite its name on Annex I attached
hereto (for each such Incremental Term Lender, its "Incremental Term
Commitment"). Each Incremental Term Commitment provided pursuant to this
Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit
Agreement, including Section 1.14 thereof.

            Each Incremental Term Lender and the Borrower acknowledge and agree
that the Incremental Term Commitments provided pursuant to this Agreement shall
constitute either Incremental B Term Commitments or Incremental C Term
Commitments (as specified in Annex I attached hereto) under, and as defined in,
the Credit Agreement. Each Incremental Term Lender and the Borrower further
agree that (i) the maturity date, interest rate provisions (other than the
interest rate margins which may be as specified on Annex I hereto) and scheduled
amortizations applicable to each Incremental Term Loan to be made available
pursuant to its relevant Incremental Term Commitment provided pursuant to this
Agreement are set forth in the relevant provisions of the Credit Agreement, (ii)
the up-front fees payable in respect of the Incremental Term Commitment(s)
provided by it pursuant to this Agreement shall be as set forth in Annex I to
this Agreement and (iii) the "Applicable Base Rate Margin", the "Applicable
Eurodollar Margin" and the "Voluntary Prepayment Premium Percentage" applicable
to the

<PAGE>

                                                                         Annex L
                                                                          Page 2

respective Incremental Term Loans to be made available pursuant to its
Incremental Term Commitments provided pursuant to this Agreement shall be as set
forth in Annex I to this Agreement (subject, however, to the limitations and
requirements of Section 1.14 of the Credit Agreement).

            Each Incremental Term Lender party to this Agreement (i) confirms
that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents, together with copies of the financial statements referred to therein
and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make
its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and, to the
extent applicable, to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) agrees
that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent
or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking action under the Credit Agreement, (iii) appoints and authorizes the
Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to take such action as agent on
its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement and the other
Credit Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral
Agent, as the case may be, by the terms thereof, together with such powers as
are reasonably incidental thereto, (iv) agrees that it will perform in
accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the
Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender, and (v) in the
case of each lending institution organized under the laws of a jurisdiction
outside the United States, attaches the applicable forms described in Section
3.04(b) certifying as to its entitlement to a complete exemption from United
States withholding taxes with respect to all payments to be made under the
Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents. Upon the execution of a
counterpart of this Agreement by such Incremental Term Lenders, the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the delivery to the Administrative Agent
of a fully executed copy (including by way of counterparts and by facsimile)
hereof and the payment of any fees (including, without limitation, the upfront
fees payable pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph and the
administrative fee payable to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section
1.14(b)(ii) of the Credit Agreement) required in connection herewith, each
Incremental Term Lender party hereto (i) shall be obligated to make the
Incremental Term Loans provided to be made by it as provided in this Agreement
on the terms, and subject to the conditions, set forth in the Credit Agreement,
and, to the extent applicable, shall become a Lender pursuant to the Credit
Agreement and (ii) to the extent provided in this Agreement, shall have the
rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and under the other Credit
Documents.

            The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that all Obligations with
respect to the Incremental Term Loans to be made available to the Borrower shall
be fully secured pursuant to the Pledge Agreement in accordance with the terms
and provisions thereof. Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that
all Obligations with respect to the Incremental Term Loans shall be fully
guaranteed pursuant to the Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with the terms and
provisions thereof and shall be fully secured pursuant to the Pledge Agreement
in accordance with the terms and provision thereof.

<PAGE>

                                                                         Annex L
                                                                          Page 3

            This Agreement shall become effective as of the date (the "Agreement
Effective Date") when (i) the Borrower, each Subsidiary Guarantor, each
Incremental Term Lender and the Administrative Agent shall have signed a
counterpart hereof (whether the same or different counterparts) and shall have
delivered (including by way of facsimile transmission) the same to the
Administrative Agent at the Notice Office, (ii) each condition set forth in
Section 1.14 of the Credit Agreement shall have been satisfied and (iii) the
Borrower shall have paid to each Incremental Term Lender the upfront fee set
forth on Annex I.

            From and after the Agreement Effective Date, all references in the
Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents to the Credit Agreement shall be
deemed to be references to the Credit Agreement as supplemented hereby.

            You may accept this Agreement by signing the enclosed copies in the
space provided below, and returning one copy of same to us before the close of
business on __________ __, _____. If you do not so accept this Agreement by such
time, our Incremental Term Commitments set forth in this Agreement shall be
deemed canceled.

            After the execution and delivery to the Administrative Agent of a
fully executed copy of this Agreement (including by way of counterparts and by
fax) by the parties hereto, this Agreement may only be changed, modified or
varied by written instrument in accordance with the requirements for the
modification of Credit Documents pursuant to Section 11.12 of the Credit
Agreement.

<PAGE>

                                                                         Annex L
                                                                          Page 4

            THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY
THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    [NAMES OF INCREMENTAL TERM LENDERS]

                                    By
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

Agreed and Accepted
this ___ day of __________, ____:

FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(f/k/a MJD Communications, Inc.)

By:
   ------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:

[NAMES OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS]

By:
   ------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:

Agreed and Accepted by:

BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
      as Administrative Agent

By:
   ------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:

<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX I
                                                                              to
                                                                       EXHIBIT L

                            TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
                   INCREMENETAL TERM LOAN COMMITMENT AGREEMENT

1.    Agreement Effective Date:

      __________, ____ (the "Agreement Effective Date")

2.    Commitment Amounts (as of the Agreement Effective Date):

INCREMENTAL TERM LENDER INCREMENTAL B TERM COMMITMENT INCREMENTAL C TERM
                                                      COMMITMENT
----------------        ------------------            ------------------
Total                   $                             $
                        ------------------            ------------------

3.    UP-FRONT FEE(1):

4.    "APPLICABLE BASE RATE MARGIN":
                                    ------------------------------------------.

5.    "APPLICABLE EURODOLLAR MARGIN":
                                     -----------------------------------------.

6.    "VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT PREMIUM PERCENTAGE":
                                                ------------------------------.

7.    ADDITIONAL  CONDITIONS  PRECEDENT FOR PURPOSES OF  SECTION 1.14  OF THE
      CREDIT AGREEMENT.(2)

--------
(1) Insert up-front fees as may be agreed to by the Borrower, the Administrative
    Agent and Incremental Term Lenders.

(2) Insert any conditions precedent, for purposes of Sections 1.14 of the Credit
    Agreement, to the making of any Incremental Term Loans that are required by
    the Incremental Term Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with
    the provision of Incremental Term Commitments pursuant to this Agreement.
    Any officer's certificate required by Section 1.14 shall be attached hereto.

<PAGE>

                                                                        ANNEX I
                                                                         PAGE 2

8.    NOTICE AND INFORMATION:

            BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
            One Bankers Trust Plaza
            130 Liberty Street New
            York, NY 10006
            Attn:
            Telephone:
            Telecopier:

            [NAMES OF INCREMENTAL TERM LENDERS](3)
            Address:
            Attention:
            Telephone:
            Telecopier:

------------------

(3) Provide notice information for each Incremental Term Lender to be party to
    this Agreement.<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

                                 FIRST AMENDMENT

      FIRST AMENDMENT (this "Amendment"), dated as of March 9, 2001, among
FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS CORP., a Delaware corporation (the
"Borrower"), the lenders party to the Credit Agreement referred to below (each,
a "Lender" and, collectively, the "Lenders") and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as
Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent"). Unless
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein and defined in the
Credit Agreement referred to below are used as so defined.

                              W I T N E S S E T H :
                              - - - - - - - - - -

      WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent have
entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of October 20, 1999, as amended and
restated as of March 27, 2000, and as further amended and restated as of
November 9, 2000 (the "Credit Agreement"); and

      WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, the parties
hereto wish to amend the Credit Agreement as provided herein;

      NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed;

A. AMENDMENTS

            1. The definition of the term "Consolidated EBITDA" contained in
Section 1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety as
follows:

            "Consolidated EBITDA" shall mean, for any period, the sum of the
amounts for such period of, without duplication, (i) Consolidated Net Income,
(ii) provisions for taxes based on income, (iii) Consolidated Interest Expense,
(iv) the non-cash portion of any retirement, pension plan or deferred
compensation expense incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (v)
depreciation expense, (vi) amortization expense including any amortization or
write-off related to the write-up of any assets as a result of purchase
accounting, (vii) Permitted Non-recurring Cash Restructuring Charges taken on or
after October 1, 2000 to the extent that such Permitted Non-recurring Cash
Restructuring Charges otherwise reduced Consolidated Net Income for such period,
and (viii) Permitted Non-recurring Non-cash Restructuring Charges taken on or
after October 1, 2000 to the extent that such Permitted Non-recurring Non-cash
Restructuring Charges otherwise reduced Consolidated Net Income for such period,
LESS the sum of (i) gains on sales of assets (excluding sales in the ordinary
course of business) and other extraordinary gains and other one-time non-cash
gains, all as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, and
(ii) any cash payment in such period that was made in respect of any non-cash
deferred compensation expense incurred in a previous period but only to the
extent that at or about the same time as such cash payment is made the Borrower
does not receive a cash reimbursement in a like amount; PROVIDED that
Consolidated EBITDA for any such period during
<PAGE>

which a Permitted Acquisition was consummated or a disposition of a business was
effected shall be determined on a PRO FORMA basis as if such Permitted
Acquisition were consummated or disposition effected, as the case may be, on the
first day of such period; and PROVIDED FURTHER that, for purposes of calculating
compliance with Section 9.17 only, Consolidated EBITDA for any period also shall
be increased (to the extent not already increased pursuant to this definition)
by the amount of any cash income taxes recoverable by the Parent from the
Borrower pursuant to the Amended and Restated Tax Sharing Agreement during such
period and which are promptly thereafter contributed in cash to the Borrower
during such period.

            2. The definitions of the terms "Consolidated Annualized Fixed
Charges," "Consolidated Gross PP&E" and "Consolidated Senior Debt to Gross PP&E
Ratio" contained in Section 1 of the Credit Agreement are hereby deleted in
their entirety.

            3. The definition of the term "Phase I" contained in Section 1 of
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

            "Phase I" shall mean the period from the Restatement Effective Date
through the earlier of (i) the date on which the Borrower submits a Compliance
Certificate indicating that the Borrower has achieved two consecutive fiscal
quarters of positive Consolidated EBITDA or (ii) the last day of the Borrower's
fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2003.

            4. The definition of the term "Permitted Acquisition" contained in
Section 1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety as
follows:

            "Permitted Acquisition" shall mean any acquisition by the Borrower
or any Subsidiary Guarantor of a company, business, division or product line
located in the United States if (i) at least 10 Business Days prior to the
consummation of such acquisition, the Borrower shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent (A) a certificate of the Borrower's chief financial officer
certifying that (and showing calculations in reasonable detail) immediately
prior to, and after giving effect to, such acquisition all the covenants
contained in this Agreement (including Sections 9.11 through 9.17, inclusive),
shall be complied with on a PRO FORMA basis (as if the acquisition had been
consummated on the first day of the six month period then last ended) and (B)
projections (in reasonable detail) prepared by the Borrower and in form
consistent with previously delivered projections and in substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, for the period from the date of the
consummation of such acquisition to the Final Maturity Date, calculated after
giving effect to such acquisition and demonstrating the Borrower's projected
compliance with all of the covenants contained in this Agreement (including
Sections 9.11 through 9.17 inclusive) as would be required to be complied with
so that no Default or Event of Default will exist under such covenants for the
period from the date of the consummation of such acquisition to the Final
Maturity Date and (ii) the acquired company, business, division or product line
is in the Business and, after giving effect to such acquisition, constitutes a
Subsidiary of, or (in the case of a business, division or product line) is owned
by, the Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof.

            5. Section 1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by
inserting therein the following new defined terms in appropriate alphabetical
order:

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

            "First Amendment Effective Date" shall mean the First Amendment
Effective Date as defined in the First Amendment to this Agreement dated as of
March 9, 2001.

            "Permitted Non-recurring Cash Restructuring Charges" shall mean
those non-recurring cash restructuring charges identified in, and up to the
aggregate amounts specified on, Part A of Annex XII hereto (including footnote 1
thereof) relating to the Borrower's plan to consolidate and scale back its
expansion as publicly announced on December 18, 2000 and January 5, 2001;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, (i) in no event shall more than $39,000,000 of such charges
in the aggregate be added back to Consolidated Net Income during the term of
this Agreement and (ii) to the extent that less than $30,000,000 of such charges
are incurred on or before March 31, 2001, no more than $9,000,000 of such
charges in the aggregate may be added back to Consolidated Net Income as a
result of same being incurred after March 31, 2001.

            "Permitted Non-recurring Non-cash Restructuring Charges" shall mean
those non-recurring non-cash restructuring charges identified in, and up to the
aggregate amounts specified on, Part B of Annex XII hereto (including footnote 2
thereof) relating to the Borrower's plan to consolidate and scale back its
expansion as publicly announced on December 18, 2000 and January 5, 2001;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, (i) in no event shall more than $20,803,760 of such charges
in the aggregate be added back to Consolidated Net Income during the term of
this Agreement and (ii) to the extent that less than $16,000,000 of such charges
are incurred on or before March 31, 2001, no more than $4,803,760 of such
charges in the aggregate may be added back to Consolidated Net Income as a
result of same being incurred after March 31, 2001.

            "Permitted Restructuring Charges" shall mean the Permitted
Non-recurring Cash Restructuring Charges and the Permitted Non-recurring
Non-cash Restructuring Charges.

            6. Section 2.01(a)(iii) of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in
its entirety and the following new Section 2.01(a)(iii) is inserted in lieu
thereof:

                  "(iii) may not be incurred by the Borrower unless if, after
                  giving effect thereto, the Consolidated Senior Debt to
                  Capitalization Ratio is not greater than 50%,".

            7. Section 2.01(b)(ii) of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in
its entirety and the following new Section 2.01(b)(ii) is inserted in lieu
thereof:

                  "(ii) may not be incurred by the Borrower unless if, after
                  giving effect thereto, the Consolidated Senior Debt to
                  Capitalization Ratio is not greater than 50%, and".

            8. Section 3.01(b)(iv) of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in
its entirety and the following new Section 3.01(b)(iv) is inserted in lieu
thereof:

                  "(iv) the Consolidated Senior Debt to Capitalization Ratio is
                  greater than 50% after giving effect to such issuances of any
                  Letters of Credit."

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

            9. Section 4.03 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i)
redesignating clause (e) thereof as clause (f), and (ii) inserting the following
new clause (e) immediately after clause (d) thereof:

            "(e) In addition to any other mandatory commitment reductions
pursuant to this Section 4.03, on the First Amendment Effective Date, the Total
Term Commitment shall be permanently reduced by $50,000,000."

            10. Section 8.01(c)(B) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting the phrase "and Consolidated Senior Debt to Gross PP&E Ratio" appearing
therein.

            Section 8.01(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by
inserting the following new clause (C) at the end thereof:

            "(C) Within 45 days after the close of each monthly accounting
period (commencing with the monthly accounting period ended January 31, 2001),
the financial data, computations and other matters required to establish the
Permitted Restructuring Charges added back to Consolidated EBITDA for such
monthly accounting period, all of which shall be certified by the chief
financial officer or vice president of finance of the Borrower, subject to
changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit adjustments (it being
understood and agreed that (i) the first such report also shall include all such
Permitted Restructuring Charges taken as of December 31, 2000 and (ii) the
provisions of this clause (C) are in addition to the reporting of such Permitted
Restructuring Charges as part of the financial statements and officer's
certificate delivered pursuant to Sections 8.01(a), (b) and (e))."

            11. Section 9.05(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to
read in its entirety as follows:

            "9.05 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. (a) The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any Consolidated Capital Expenditures,
except that during any period of the Borrower set forth below (taken as one
accounting period), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make Consolidated
Capital Expenditures so long as the aggregate amount of all such Consolidated
Capital Expenditures does not exceed in any period set forth below the amount
set forth opposite such period below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            PERIOD                                    AMOUNT
            ------                                    ------
<S>                                                   <C>
            Fiscal year ending:
            December 31, 2000                         $70,000,000
            December 31, 2001                         $21,000,000
            December 31, 2002                         $10,500,000
            December 31, 2003                         $ 6,000,000
            December 31, 2004                         $ 5,500,000
            December 31, 2005                         $ 5,000,000

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

<CAPTION>
            PERIOD                                    AMOUNT
            ------                                    ------
<S>                                                   <C>
            December 31, 2006                         $ 5,000,000
            December 31, 2007                         $ 5,000,000".
</TABLE>

            12. Section 9.11 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read
in its entirety as follows:

            "9.11 MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED REVENUE. During Phase I, the Borrower
will not permit Consolidated Revenue for any six-month period ending on a date
set forth below to be less than the amount set forth opposite such six-month
period below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDING ON             AMOUNT
                --------------------------             ------
<S>                                                    <C>
                  December 31, 2000                    $32,000,000
                  March 31, 2001                       $33,500,000
                  June 30, 2001                        $37,500,000
                  September 30, 2001                   $40,000,000
                  December 31, 2001                    $44,000,000
                  March 31, 2002                       $47,500,000
                  June 30, 2002                        $51,000,000
                  September 30, 2002                   $54,000,000
                  December 31, 2002                    $57,750,000
                  March 31, 2003                       $62,000,000
                  June 30, 2003                        $66,000,000".
</TABLE>

            13. Section 9.12 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read
in its entirety as follows:

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

            "9.12 MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED EBITDA. During Phase I, the Borrower will
not permit Consolidated EBITDA for any six-month period ending on a date set
forth below to be less than the amount set forth opposite such six-month period
below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDING ON            AMOUNT
                 --------------------------            ------
<S>                                                    <C>
                    December 31, 2000                  $(65,000,000)
                    March 31, 2001                     $(54,000,000)
                    June 30, 2001                      $(28,250,000)
                    September 30, 2001                 $(24,000,000)
                    December 31, 2001                  $(19,000,000)
                    March 31, 2002                     $(14,750,000)
                    June 30, 2002                      $(10,500,000)
                    September 30, 2002                 $ (6,500,000)
                    December 31, 2002                  $ (3,500,000)
                    March 31, 2003                     $          0
                    June 30, 2003                      $  4,000,000"
</TABLE>

            14. Section 9.15 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read
      in its entirety as follows:

            "9.15 INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO. During Phase II, for any fiscal
quarter ending on any date set forth below, the Borrower will not permit the
ratio of (i) Consolidated Annualized EBITDA to (ii) Consolidated Annualized
Interest Expense to be less than the ratio set forth opposite such date below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 FISCAL QUARTER ENDING                        RATIO
                 ---------------------                        -----
<S>                                                           <C>
         If applicable, the last day of each
         fiscal quarter during the period from
         the commencement of Phase II to and
         including
         June 30, 2003                                        0.45 to 1
         September 30, 2003                                   0.65 to 1
         December 31, 2003                                    0.85 to 1
         March 31, 2004                                       1.25 to 1
         June 30, 2004                                        1.50 to 1
         September 30, 2004                                   1.75 to 1
         December 31, 2004                                    1.75 to 1
         March 31,2005                                        2.00 to 1
         June 30, 2005                                        2.25 to 1
         September 30, 2005 and thereafter                    2.50 to 1"
</TABLE>

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

            15. Section 9.16 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read
in its entirety as follows:

            "9.16 LEVERAGE RATIO. During Phase II, the Borrower will not permit
the Leverage Ratio determined as at the end of the last day of any fiscal
quarter ending on any date set forth below to be more than the ratio set forth
opposite such date below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                FISCAL QUARTER ENDING                        RATIO
                ---------------------                        -----
<S>                                                          <C>
       If applicable, the last day of each
       fiscal quarter during the period from
       the commencement of Phase II  to and
       including
       June 30, 2003                                         16.00 to 1
       September 30, 2003                                    12.00 to 1
       December 31, 2003                                     10.00 to 1
       March 31, 2004                                         6.50 to 1
       June 30, 2004                                          5.25 to 1
       September 30, 2004                                     4.75 to 1
       December 31, 2004                                      4.25 to 1
       March 31, 2005                                         3.75 to 1
       June 30, 2005 and thereafter                           3.50 to 1"
</TABLE>

            16. Section 9.17 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read
in its entirety as follows:

            "9.17 FIXED CHARGE RATIO. During Phase II, for any six-month period
ending on any date set forth below, the Borrower will not permit the ratio of
(i) Consolidated EBITDA for such six-month period to (ii) Consolidated Fixed
Charges for such six-month period to be less than the ratio set forth opposite
such date below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDING ON                 RATIO
                  --------------------------                 -----
<S>                                                          <C>
             The last day of each fiscal
             quarter during the period from the
             commencement of Phase II to and
             including
             June 30, 2003                                   0.40 to 1
             September 30, 2003                              0.50 to 1.00
             December 31, 2003                               0.75 to 1.00
             March 31, 2004                                  0.90 to 1.00
             June 30, 2004                                   0.95 to 1.00
             September 30, 2004 and thereafter               1.00 to 1.00"
</TABLE>

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

            17. Section 10.12 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read
in its entirety as follows:

            "10.12 POSITIVE EBITDA. Without limiting the provisions of Section
9.12 and only so long as Phase II shall not have theretofore occurred, the
Borrower shall fail to have positive Consolidated EBITDA for the fiscal quarters
ending June 30, 2003 and September 30, 2003;".

            18. Section 10 of the Credit Agreement is further amended by (i)
inserting the word "or" at the end of Section 10.13 thereof and (ii) inserting
the following new Section 10.14 immediately following such Section 10.13:

            "10.14 CONSOLIDATED CASH EQUITY PAYMENTS. The Borrower shall not
have received during the period commencing on the date of its incorporation
through and including each date set forth below aggregate Consolidated Cash
Equity equal to at least that amount set forth opposite each such date below (it
being understood that the amounts set forth below are in excess of any amounts
contributed to the Borrower pursuant to the exercise of the various cure rights
provided for in the last paragraph of this Section 10):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               DATE                                    CUMULATIVE
               ----                                    ----------
<S>                                                    <C>
         June 30, 2001                                 $169,617,715
         September 30, 2001                            $177,917,715
         March 31, 2002                                $190,917,715
         June 30, 2002                                 $194,721,715;".
</TABLE>

            19. The Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by adding thereto
as Annex XII the Annex XII attached to this Amendment.

B. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

      1. In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Amendment, the
Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) the representations and
warranties contained in the Credit Agreement and in the other Credit Documents
are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the First Amendment
Effective Date (as defined below) (except with respect to any representations
and warranties limited by their terms to a specific date, which shall be true
and correct in all material respects as of such date) and (ii) there exists no
Default or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement on the First Amendment
Effective Date, in each case both before and after giving effect to this
Amendment.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

      2. This Amendment is limited as specified and shall not constitute an
amendment, modification, acceptance or waiver of any other provision of the
Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document.

      3. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay each Lender which delivers an
executed copy of this Amendment (by hard copy or facsimile) to the
Administrative Agent by no later than 3:00 p.m. (New York time) on Tuesday,
March 20, 2001, a fee (the "Amendment Fee") in an amount equal to 0.25% of the
sum of (I) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Term Loans of such
Lender on the First Amendment Effective Date and (II) the aggregate Commitments
of such Lender on the First Amendment Effective Date (but determined after
giving effect to the reduction to the Total Term Commitment as provided for in
this Amendment), which Amendment Fee shall be due and payable on the First
Amendment Effective Date.

      4. THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER
SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.

      5. This Amendment shall become effective on the date (the "First Amendment
Effective Date") when (i) the Borrower and the Required Lenders shall have
signed a counterpart hereof (whether the same or different counterparts) and
shall have delivered (including by way of telecopier) the same to the
Administrative Agent at the Notice Office and (ii) the Borrower shall have
received at least $60,000,000 of new Consolidated Cash Equity during the period
commencing on January 1, 2001 through, and including, the First Amendment
Effective Date.

      6. From and after the First Amendment Effective Date, all references in
the Credit Agreement and in the other Credit Documents to the Credit Agreement
shall be deemed to be referenced to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.

                                      * * *

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Amendment
to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                    FAIRPOINT SOLUTIONS COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

                                    By: /s/ Timothy W. Henry
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President of Finance
                                              and Treasurer
<PAGE>

                                    FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                                    Individually and as Administrative Agent

                                    By: /s/ Kathrine A. Harkness
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
<PAGE>

                                    BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

                                    By: /s/ Pam S. Kurtzman
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Title: Principal
<PAGE>

                                    BANKERS TRUST COMPANY

                                    By:  /s/ Gene S. Thompson
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Title: Director
<PAGE>

                                    CITICORP USA, INC.

                                    By: /s/ J. Douglas Harvey
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Title: Managing Director
<PAGE>

                                    CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON

                                    By:  /s/ Bill O'Daly/Lalita Advani
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President/
                                              Assistant Vice President
<PAGE>

                                   COBANK, ACB

                                    By: /s/ Rick Freeman
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
<PAGE>

                                    CIT GROUP/EQUIPMENT FINANCING INC.

                                    By: /s/ William Evenson
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
<PAGE>

             ANNEX XII TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
                              RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

A.  CASH RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Description                             Amount(1)(2)
          -----------                             ------------
<S>                                               <C>
   1.  Severance:
        Pay                                        $5,914,597

   2.  Lay Off Related Costs:                        $309,775

   3.  Present Value of
       Occupancy Costs:                            $9,223,000

   4. Contractual Costs:
        Equipment Leases                           $4,822,433

   5. Fixed Assets:
        Colocation Equipment                      $24,060,000
        Recovery of Equipment                    ($15,425,000)
        Dismantling Costs                            $940,000
        Furniture Costs                              $200,000
        Colocation Operating Costs                   $250,000

   6. Legal/Employee Benefits/
        Miscellaneous:                               $300,000

   7. Consulting/Public Relations/
        Accounting:                                  $115,000

   8. Equipment Leases:                              $675,000

----------

(1)   The cash Restructuring Charges identified in categories A1 through A9
      above may be higher than those amounts set forth opposite such categories
      above; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in no event shall the aggregate amount of all
      such additional cash Restructuring Charges for all of these categories
      combined exceed $7,125,195.

(2)   The non-cash Restructuring Charges identified in categories B1 through B3
      above may be higher than those amounts set forth opposite such categories
      above; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in no event shall the aggregate amount of all
      such additional non-cash Restructuring Charges for all of these categories
      combined exceed $2,713,534.

<PAGE>

   9. Miscellaneous Other Costs:                     $490,000

                                  ----------------------------
  TOTAL CASH RESTRUCTURE CHARGES                  $31,874,805
                                  ----------------------------
</TABLE>

B. NON CASH RESTRUCTURE CHARGES:

<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
    1. Leasehold Improvements:                     $4,449,808

    2. Equipment - Lost Assets:                      $300,000

    3. Abandoned Collocation Sites:               $13,340,418

       TOTAL NON-CASH
       RESTRUCTURING CHARGES                      $18,090,226
                                  ----------------------------
 TOTAL RESTRUCTURING CHARGES                      $49,965,031
                                  ============================
</TABLE>

                                      -2-

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