New Hampshire has delayed action on a $13 million state contract with FairPoint Communications amid a strike by the company's Northern New England workers over contract negotiations.
The commissioner of administrative services withdrew the contract prior to Tuesday's Executive Council meeting, when councilors were scheduled to debate it.
Under the contract, FairPoint would have provided telephone and Internet service for New Hampshire through 2020. The contract could return for approval by the new council in January or the state could put the contract up for bid again.
Democratic Councilor Colin Van Ostern says he was concerned about FairPoint's ability to fulfill the contract. Some towns and residents have lost phone service during the strike and the Public Utilities Commission is receiving more complaints than normal about FairPoint's services.
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