14 Illinois Locations Register to Compete for America's Best Communities’ Title

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Feb. 23, 2015 - Frontier Communications (NASDAQ: FTR), DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH) and CoBank announced today that 14 Illinois communities have registered for the America’s Best Communities contest. Registration is the first step to compete for the $10 million in prize money that America’s Best Communities will award to small towns and cities across the country. These 14 communities — and the dozens more eligible across the state — have untilMarch 25, 2015 to complete their full and final applications.

The competition, conceived by Frontier and co-sponsored by DISH and CoBank, is designed to stimulate growth and revitalization in small cities and towns across 27 states in Frontier’s footprint. The contest will identify and invest in innovative ideas communities can use to build and sustain their local economies. The winning ideas will then become available as a roadmap for growth for all rural communities across the U.S.

“I am so pleased to see the list of proud Illinois communities that have registered for the contest,” said Eric Barie, Frontier Senior Vice President and Illinois General Manager. I encourage all Illinois communities within Frontier’s service area to take advantage of this opportunity to win up to $3 million for economic revitalization. We are looking forward to seeing what kind of innovative plans are developed for local economic growth and community development.”

Illinois communities registered as of February 19, 2015 include:  Belvidere, Bloomington, Carbondale, DeKalb, Freeport, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Marion, Paris/Marshall, Princeton, Rantoul Village, Rochelle, and Washington.

The 14 Illinois communities that have registered will be competing against communities across 27 states Frontier serves. The top three competition winners — those with the most innovative, effective proposals — will be awarded a total of $6 million in grand prizes in April 2017. More detailed information on eligibility and how communities can apply can be found atwww.americasbestcommunities.com.

 

ABOUT FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS

Frontier Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: FTR) offers broadband, voice, satellite video, wireless Internet data access, data security solutions, bundled offerings, specialized bundles for residential customers, small businesses and home offices and advanced communications for medium and large businesses in 28 states. Frontier's approximately 17,400 employees are based entirely in the United States. More information is available at www.frontier.comand www.frontier.com/ir.

About DISH

DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH), through its subsidiaries, provides approximately 14.04 million pay-TV subscribers, as of September 30, 2014, with the highest quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value. Subscribers enjoy a high-definition lineup with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corp. is a Fortune 250 company. Visit www.dish.com.

About CoBank

CoBank is a $102 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture and the nation's rural economy. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore. For more information about CoBank, visit www.cobank.com.

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