FairPoint Communications will build a fiber-optic network to bring high-speed Internet access to northern Chittenden County, rather than above ground towers, according to a story in the Burlington Free Press. The company cited reliability, cost effectiveness, and timing as reasons behind the decision. FairPoint plans to make high-speed Internet accessible to 80 percent of the state by the end of 2010, and to provide service to 95 percent of its exchanges by the end of June 2011. The company had received state approval to construct three towers on privately owned land in Essex and Milton, but there was opposition to an additional tower planned to go up in Essex. The fiber-optic network will provide coverage to the same area that the towers would have.