Exhibit 4.1
CONFORMED VERSION
AGREEMENT
Dated 27th June, 2002
U.S.$10,650,000,000
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
for
VODAFONE GROUP Plc
arranged by
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LIMITED
BARCLAYS CAPITAL
BNP PARIBAS
DEUTSCHE BANK AG LONDON
HSBC INVESTMENT BANK PLC
ING BANK N.V., LONDON BRANCH
XXXXXX BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE)
NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED
SALOMON BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
TD BANK EUROPE LIMITED
UBS WARBURG LTD
and
WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE, LONDON
BRANCH
with
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
as Agent
and
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
as U.S. Swingline Agent
Β
XXXXX
& XXXXX
London
BK:962551.6
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INDEX
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Β Β Β Β Β Β
Β
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THIS AGREEMENT is dated 27th
June, 2002 and made BETWEEN:
(1) |
VODAFONE GROUP Plc (Registered number 1833679) as borrower ("Vodafone"); |
(2) |
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LIMITED, BARCLAYS CAPITAL, BNP PARIBAS, DEUTSCHE BANK AG LONDON, HSBC INVESTMENT BANK PLC, ING BANK N.V., LONDON BRANCH, XXXXXX BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE), NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED, SALOMON BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC, TD BANK EUROPE LIMITED, UBS WARBURG LTD and WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE, LONDON BRANCH as arrangers (in this capacity the "Arrangers"); |
(3) |
THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Part I of ScheduleΒ 1 as Lenders; |
(4) |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as agent (in this capacity the "Agent"); and |
(5) |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
(NEW YORK BRANCH) as U.S. swingline agent (in this capacity the "U.S.
Swingline Agent"). |
IT IS AGREED as follows: |
1. |
INTERPRETATION |
1.1Β |
Definitions |
Β |
In this Agreement: |
Β |
means the acquisition of any interest in the share capital (or equivalent) or in the business or undertaking of any company or other person (including, without limitation, any partnership or joint venture). |
Β |
means any member of the Restricted Group which becomes an additional borrower pursuant to ClauseΒ 26.5 (Additional Borrowers) and which has not been released as a borrower in accordance with Clause 26.6 (Removal of Borrowers). |
Β |
means any member of the Group if such member of the Group at such time has become a Guarantor in accordance with ClauseΒ 26.4 (Additional Guarantors) and has not been released in accordance with ClauseΒ 14.9 (Removal of Guarantors). |
Β |
means a financial institution or other entity which becomes an additional lender pursuant to Clause 2.7 (Additional Lenders) or a transferee, successor or permitted assignee of such financial institution or other entity which is for the time being participating in the Facility. |
Β |
means a Revolving Credit Advance (including a Term-out Advance) or a Swingline Advance. |
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Β |
means, in relation to a person, a Subsidiary or a Holding Company of that person and any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company. |
Β |
"Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange" |
Β |
means the spot rate of exchange as determined by the Agent for the purchase of the relevant Optional Currency in the London foreign exchange market with U.S. Dollars at or about 11.00Β a.m. on a particular day. |
Β |
means in relation to a Lender and a Swingline Advance, the amount of its Revolving Credit Commitment expressed as a percentage of the Total Commitments. |
Β |
means Vodafone Americas Asia Inc. (previously AirTouch Communications, Inc.). |
Β |
means AirTouch and its Subsidiaries (and "member of the AirTouch Group" means any of them). |
Β |
means an anniversary of the Signing Date. |
Β |
means any sale, transfer, grant, lease or other disposal of an asset (including, but not limited to, a disposal of any interest in any Subsidiary or Affiliate) by any member of the Group to a person outside the Group made after the Signing Date. |
Β |
means the period from the Signing Date up to and including the date which is one year less one day after the Signing Date. |
Β |
means any Financial Indebtedness made available to a member of the Restricted Group to the extent that the economic exposure of the creditor in respect of that Financial Indebtedness (taking any related transactions together) is reduced by reason of that creditor: |
Β |
(a) |
having recourse directly or indirectly to a deposit of cash or cash equivalent investments beneficially owned by any member of the Restricted Group placed, as part of a related transaction, with that creditor (or an Affiliate of that creditor) or a financial institution approved by that creditor; or |
Β |
(b) |
having granted a funded sub-participation or similar arrangement to a member of the Restricted Group. |
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Β |
means Vodafone or an Additional Borrower. |
Β |
means an agreement substantially in the form of Part III of Schedule 5 or with such amendments as the Agent may approve (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or may reasonably require. |
Β |
means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks and the interbank and foreign exchange markets are open for general business in: |
Β |
(b)Β Β |
if a payment is required in U.S.
Dollars, New York; and |
Β |
(c)Β Β |
if a payment is required in euro,
a TARGET Day. |
Β |
means a Revolving Credit Commitment or a Swingline Commitment, in each case to the extent not transferred, cancelled or reduced under or in accordance with this Agreement. |
Β |
means Vodafone (or, following the Hive Up, New Topco) and its Subsidiaries which would be required to be consolidated in the consolidated accounts of Vodafone (or, following the Hive Up, New Topco) in accordance with Applicable UK GAAP (as defined in Clause 17 (Financial Covenant)). |
Β |
"Consolidated Subsidiaries" |
Β |
means those Subsidiaries of Vodafone (or, following the Hive Up, NewTopco) which would be required to be consolidated in the consolidated accounts of Vodafone (or, following the Hive Up, NewTopco) in accordance with Applicable UK GAAP(as defined in Clause 17 (Financial Covenant)). |
Β |
are member states of the European Union as at 31st October, 1999 (being Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK), Japan, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx and Switzerland. |
Β |
means (a) an Event of Default or (b) an event which, with the expiry of any grace period or giving of any notice specified in Clause 18.2 (Non-payment), 18.3 (Breach of other obligations), 18.5 (Cross default), 18.6 (Winding up), 18.8 (Enforcement proceedings) or 18.10 (Similar proceedings) would constitute an Event of Default. |
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Β |
means the date for the making of an Advance. |
Β |
means legislative measures of the European Council for the introduction of, changeover to, or operation of, a single or unified European currency. |
Β |
means in relation to any Advance or unpaid sum in euro: |
Β |
(a) |
the percentage rate per annum of the offered quotation for deposits in euro determined by the Banking Federation of the European Union for a period equal or comparable to the required period which appears on Telerate Page 248 at or about 11.00 a.m. Brussels time on the applicable Rate Fixing Day; or |
Β |
(b) |
if the rate cannot be determined under paragraph (a) above, the rate expressed as a percentage to be the arithmetic mean (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) of the respective rates notified to the Agent by each of the Reference Banks (provided at least two Reference Banks are quoting) as the rate at which it is offered deposits in euro and for the required period by prime banks in the European interbank market at or about 11.00 a.m. Brussels time on the Rate Fixing Day for such period, |
Β |
Β and
for the purposes of this definition: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
"required period" means the applicable Interest Period for a Term-out Advance, the Term of such Advance for Revolving Credit Advances, (except Term-out Advances), or the period in respect of which EURIBOR falls to be determined in relation to any unpaid sum; and |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
"Telerate Page 248" means the display designated as Page 248 on the Telerate Service (or such other pages as may replace Page 248 on that service or such other service as may be nominated by the Banking Federation of the European Union (including the Xxxxxx'x Screen) as the information vendor for the purposes of displaying the Banking Federation of the European Union rates for deposits in euro). |
Β |
means the single currency introduced on 1st January, 1999 as contemplated by the Treaty. |
Β |
means a unit of the euro as defined in EMU legislation. |
Β |
means an event specified as such in ClauseΒ 18 (Default). |
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Β |
means any of the facilities to draw Revolving Credit Advances, or Swingline Advances referred to in ClauseΒ 2.1 (Facilities). |
Β |
means the office(s) notified by a Lender to the Agent: |
Β |
(a) |
on or before the date it becomes a Lender; or |
Β |
(b) |
by not less than fiveΒ Business Days' notice, |
Β |
as the office(s) through which it will perform all or any of its obligations under this Agreement. |
Β |
(a) |
the rate per annum determined by the U.S. Swingline Agent to be the Federal Funds Rate (as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) at or about 1.00Β p.m. (New York City time) on that day; or |
Β |
(b) |
if such rate is not published at such time, the rate for such day will be the arithmetic mean as determined by the U.S. Swingline Agent of the rates for the last transaction in overnight Federal funds arranged prior to noon (New York City time) on that day by each of three leading brokers of Federal funds transactions in New York City selected by the U.S. Swingline Agent. |
Β |
(a) |
dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Agent and Vodafone; and |
Β |
(b) |
dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Original Lenders as at the Signing Date and Vodafone; and |
Β |
(c) |
(if applicable) entered into between an Additional Lender and Vodafone substantially in the form of Schedule 7, |
Β |
in each case setting out the amount of various fees referred to in ClauseΒ 20.4 (Agent's fee) or 20.5 (Front-end fees). |
Β |
"FinalΒ MaturityΒ Date" |
Β |
means the last day of the Availability Period or, if the Revolving Credit Term-out Option is exercised, the date falling twelve months after the first Anniversary of the Signing Date. |
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Β |
means this Agreement, each Fee
Letter, Novation Certificate, Borrower Accession Agreement and Guarantor
Accession Agreement and any other document agreed in writing as such by
the Agent and Vodafone. |
Β |
means an Arranger, a Lender,
the Agent or the U.S. Swingline Agent. |
Β |
"Financial Indebtedness" |
Β |
means any indebtedness in respect
of: |
Β |
(a) |
moneys borrowed or raised by way of loan
or redeemable preference shares or in the form of any debenture, bond, note,
loan stock, commercial paper or similar instrument; |
Β |
(b) |
any acceptance credit, xxxx-discounting,
note purchase or documentary credit facility; |
Β |
(d) |
any receivables purchase, factoring or discounting
arrangement under which there is recourse in whole or in part to any member
of the Group; |
Β |
(e) |
any other transaction having
the commercial effect of a borrowing |
Β |
(f) |
any guarantees or other legally
binding assurance against financial loss in respect of the indebtedness
of any person arising under an obligation falling within (a) to (e) above, |
Β |
but without double counting and
excluding (i) preference shares which are not redeemable on or before the
Final Maturity Date, (ii) any convertible or exchangeable debt which, must
or, at the option of the issuer, may be converted or exchanged without condition
(other than the availability of sufficient authorised share capital of the
issuer), prior to or upon the date any amount of principal would otherwise
fall due in respect of that debt, into equity share capital or preference
shares, which in each case are not redeemable on or before the Final Maturity
Date and (iii) deferred consideration in respect of the cost of Acquisitions
payable within 12 months of the Signing Date and (iv) obligations of any
member of the Group arising under any form of exchangeable, convertible,
option or similar instrument issued by that member of the Group in connection
with a transaction the commercial effect of which is to effect the disposal
by that member of the Group of shares or partnership or other ownership
interests in any other person or entity (whether or not having a separate
legal identity), provided that any such instrument may not, on or prior
to the Final Maturity Date, be converted (whether by acceleration, maturity
or otherwise) into cash or any other instrument constituting or evidencing
Financial Indebtedness. |
Β |
means Fitch Investors Services
Inc. |
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Β |
means Vodafone and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
(and "member of the Group" means any of them). |
Β |
(b) |
each Additional Guarantor. |
Β |
"Guarantor Accession Agreement" |
Β |
means a deed substantially in
the form of Part II of Schedule 5 or with such amendments as the Agent may
approve (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or may
reasonably require. |
Β |
means a reorganisation of the
Group by way of a scheme of arrangement (other than in an insolvency) or
otherwise under which Vodafone becomes a Subsidiary of NewTopco, NewTopco
controls (directly or indirectly) all of the voting rights in Vodafone (other
than any voting rights in Vodafone held by holders of a class of capital
issued by Vodafone, where such voting rights relate only to any variation
in the rights attaching to that class of capital issued by Vodafone) and
NewTopco becomes the listed ultimate Holding Company of the Group. |
Β |
means in relation to a person,
an entity of which that person is a Subsidiary. |
Β |
means the last day of an Interest
Period. |
Β |
in respect of a Term-out Advance,
has the meaning given to it in ClauseΒ 8.1 (Selection of Interest Periods
for Term-out Advances). |
Β |
means Japan Telecom Co., Ltd.
(to be renamed Japan Telecom Holdings Co., Ltd.) 0-0 Xxxxxx-xxxx 0-xxxxx,
Xxxx-xx, Xxxxx which at the Signing Date owns 45.081% of J Phone Co., Ltd.. |
Β |
means each Original Lender and
each Additional Lender (if any). |
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Β |
"Lender Accession Agreement" |
Β |
means an agreement substantially
in the same form of Part IV of Schedule 5 or with such amendments as the
Agent may approve or may reasonably require. |
Β |
means in relation to any Advance
or unpaid sum in Sterling or U.S. Dollars: |
Β |
(a) |
the percentage rate per annum
of the offered quotation for deposits in the currency of the relevant Advance
or unpaid sum for a period equal or comparable to the required period which
appears on Telerate Page 3750 at or about 11.00 a.m. on the applicable Rate
Fixing Day; or |
Β |
(b) |
if the rate cannot be determined
under paragraph (a) above, the rate expressed as a percentage determined
by the Agent to be the arithmetic mean (rounded upwards, if necessary, to
the nearest five decimal places) of the respective rates notified to the
Agent by each of the Reference Banks quoting (provided that at least two
Reference Banks are quoting) as the rate at which it is offered deposits
in the required currency and for the required period by prime banks in the
London interbank market at or about 11.00 a.m. on the Rate Fixing Day for
such period, |
Β |
and for the purposes of this
definition: |
Β |
(i) |
"required period" means
the applicable Interest Period for a Term-out Advance, the Term of such
Advance for Revolving Credit Advances (except Term-out Advances), or the
period in respect of which LIBOR falls to be determined in relation to any
unpaid sum; and |
Β |
(ii) |
"Telerate Page 3750"
means the display designated as Page 3750 on the Telerate Service (or such
other pages as may replace page 3750 on that service or such other service
as may be nominated by the British Bankers' Association (including the Reuters
Screen) as the information vendor for the purposes of displaying British
Bankers' Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in the currency
concerned). |
Β |
(a) |
Lenders whose Commitments aggregate
more than 60 per cent. of the Total Commitments; or |
Β |
(b) |
if the Total Commitments have
been reduced to zero, Lenders whose Commitments aggregated more than 60
per cent. of the Total Commitments immediately before the reduction. |
Β |
means in relation to an Advance
(other than a Swingline Advance), the percentage rate per annum calculated
by the Agent in accordance with Schedule 3. |
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Β |
means Vodafone AG and its Subsidiaries
(and "member of the Mannesmann Group" means any of them). |
Β |
in relation to an Advance at
any time, means the percentage rate per annum determined to be the Margin
applicable to that Advance in accordance with Clause 8.6 (Margin). |
Β |
means the last day of the Term
of: |
Β |
(a) |
a Revolving Credit Advance (except
a Term-out Advance); or |
Β |
(b) |
a Swingline Advance, |
Β |
and, in the case of a Term-out
Advance, means the date specified as such in the Request for that Advance. |
Β |
means Xxxxx'x Investors' Service,
Inc. |
Β |
means a company used for the
purposes of a Hive Up. |
Β |
"New York Business Day" |
Β |
means a day (other than a Saturday
or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in New York. |
Β |
has the meaning given to it in
ClauseΒ 26.3(a)(i) (Procedure for novations). |
Β |
means each Borrower and each
Guarantor. |
Β |
means, in relation to any Advance
or proposed Advance, Sterling or euro. |
Β |
"Original Dollar Amount" |
Β |
(a) |
the principal amount of an Advance
denominated in U.S. Dollars; or |
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Β |
(b) |
the principal amount of an Advance
denominated in any other currency, translated into U.S. Dollars on the basis
of the Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange on the date of receipt by the Agent
of the Request for that Advance. |
Β |
"Original Group Accounts" |
Β |
means the audited consolidated
accounts of the Group for the year ended 31st March, 2002. |
Β |
means a financial institution
or other entity listed in Part I or Part II of Schedule 1 or a transferee,
successor or permitted assignee of such financial institution or other entity
which is for the time being participating in the Facility. |
Β |
"Participating Member State" |
Β |
means any member state of the
European Communities that adopts or has adopted the euro as its lawful currency
in accordance with legislation of the European Community relating to Economic
and Monetary Union. |
Β |
means a party to this Agreement. |
Β |
"Permitted Security Interest" |
Β |
(a) |
any Security Interest arising
out of retention of title provisions or created or subsisting over documents
of title, insurance policies (including any export credit agencies' agreements)
and sale contracts in relation to commercial goods in each case created
or made in the ordinary course of business to secure the purchase price
of such goods or loans to finance such purchase price; or |
Β |
(b) |
any Security Interest over any assets acquired
by a member of the Restricted Group after 31 May, 2002 (and/or over the
assets of any person that becomes a member of the Restricted Group after
31 May, 2002) provided that: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
any such Security Interest is in existence
before such acquisition or before such person becomes a member of the Restricted
Group and is not created in contemplation of such acquisition or such person
becoming a member of the Restricted Group; and |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
to the extent that the aggregate principal
amount secured by such Security Interest upon such acquisition or such person
becoming a member of the Restricted Group thereafter exceeds (measured in
the same currency) the amount available to be drawn (assuming all drawdown
conditions will be met) under the relevant commitment existing at the time
of such acquisition or such person becoming a member of the Restricted Group,
such Security Interest shall not fall within this paragraph (b); or |
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Β |
(c) |
any Security Interest created
for the purpose of securing obligations of Vodafone or any member of the
Restricted Group under any agreement (including, without limitation, any
agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Xxx 0000 or
Section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972) entered into with a local
or other public authority and related to the development or maintenance
of property owned by Vodafone or any member of the Restricted Group; or |
Β |
(d) |
any Security Interest created
on or subsisting over any asset held in Clearstream Banking, sociΓ©tΓ©
anonyme or the Euro-Clear System, or any other securities depository or
any clearing house pursuant to the standard terms and procedures of the
relevant clearing house applicable in the normal course of trading; or |
Β |
(e) |
any Security Interest which
arises in connection with any cash management, set-off or netting arrangements
made between banks or financial institutions and any member(s) of the Restricted
Group in the ordinary course of business; or |
Β |
(f) |
any Security Interest created
in favour of a plaintiff or defendant in any action of the court or tribunal
before whom such action is brought as pre-judgement security for costs or
expenses where any member of the Restricted Group is prosecuting or defending
such action in the bona fide interest of the Group; or |
Β |
(g) |
any Security Interest created
pursuant to any order of attachment, distraint, garnishee order, arrestment,
adjudication or injunction or interdict restraining disposal of assets or
similar legal process arising in connection with pre-judgement court proceedings;
or |
Β |
(h) |
any Security Interest which
arises by operation of law in the ordinary course of trading and securing
an amount not more than 45 days overdue or which is being contested in good
faith on the basis of favourable legal advice; or |
Β |
(i) |
any Security Interest over shares
in entities which are not members of the Restricted Group which do not secure
Financial Indebtedness of the Restricted Group (or over shares and/or other
ownership interests in and/or loans to entities which are Project Finance
Subsidiaries to secure Project Finance Indebtedness); or |
Β |
(j) |
to the extent they constitute Security Interests
(or to the extent that the relevant transaction includes the creation of
any Security Interest over the assets which are the subject of the finance
lease), finance leases in respect of existing or future assets as contemplated
by paragraph (f) of ClauseΒ 16.8 (Priority borrowing); or |
Β |
(k) |
any Security Interest comprising
a right of set-off which arises by operation of law or by agreement having
substantially the same effect; or |
Β |
(l) |
any Security Interest for taxes,
assessments or charges not yet due or that are being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and (unless the amount thereof is not material
to the Group's consolidated financial condition) for which adequate reserves
are being maintained (in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles);
or |
Β |
(m) |
deposits or pledges to secure
obligations under workers' compensation, social security or similar laws,
or under unemployment insurance; or |
Β |
(n) |
any Security Interest created
with the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders; or |
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Β |
(o) |
any Security Interest over deposits of cash or cash equivalent investments securing (directly or indirectly) Financial Indebtedness under (i) finance or structured tax lease arrangements as described in paragraph (b) of ClauseΒ 16.8 (Priority borrowing) or (ii) Back to Back Loans; or |
Β |
(p) |
any Security Interest securing Project Finance Indebtedness over the assets (or the income, cash flow or other proceeds deriving from the assets) which are the subject of that Project Finance Indebtedness; or |
Β |
(q) |
any Security Interest (a "substitute Security Interest") which replaces any other Security Interest permitted under (a) to (p) above inclusive and which secures an amount not exceeding the principal amount secured by such permitted Security Interest (or, in the case of paragraphΒ (b) above, the amount available to be drawn, assuming all drawdown conditions will be met) at the time it is replaced together with any interest accruing on such amounts from the date such substitute Security Interest is created or arises and any related fees or expenses provided that the existing Security Interest to be replaced is released and all amounts secured thereby are paid or otherwise discharged in full at or prior to the time of such substitute Security Interest being created or arising; or |
Β |
(r) |
any Security Interest over the shares or other interests as described in paragraph (iv) of the last paragraph of the definition of Financial Indebtedness securing indebtedness of a kind referred to in that paragraph; or |
Β |
(s) |
any Security Interest created (i) between Obligors (including by an Obligor to a member of the Restricted Group which concurrently becomes an Obligor) or (ii) by a member of the Restricted Group which is not an Obligor in favour of an Obligor or to another member of the Restricted Group; or |
Β |
(t) |
any other Security Interest (in addition to those listed in (a) to (s) above) where the aggregate principal amount secured by all such Security Interests does not exceed Β£1,500,000,000 or its equivalent. |
Β |
means the prime commercial lending rate for U.S. Dollars from time to time announced by the U.S. Swingline Agent. Each change in the interest rate on a Swingline Advance which results from a change in the Prime Rate becomes effective on the day on which the change in the Prime Rate becomes effective. |
Β |
means Vodafone Limited (Registered number 1471587), Vodafone D2 GmbH, Omnitel Pronto Italia S.p.A and J Phone Co., Ltd. being Vodafoneβs principal subsidiaries in UK, Germany, Italy and Japan, respectively, and for the purposes of this definition, if any Principal Subsidiary sells, transfers or otherwise disposes of the majority of its undertaking or assets (whether by a single transaction or a number of related transactions) to any member of the Restricted Group: |
Β |
(a) |
that member of the Restricted Group shall be deemed to become a Principal Subsidiary on the date of the relevant sale, transfer or disposal; and |
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Β |
(b) |
any Principal Subsidiary which sells, transfers or otherwise disposes of the majority of its undertaking or assets (whether by a single transaction or a number of related transactions) shall no longer be a Principal Subsidiary on the date of the relevant sale, transfer or disposal. |
Β |
"Project Finance Indebtedness" |
Β |
means any Financial Indebtedness which finances or otherwise relates to the acquisition, development, ownership and/or operation of an asset or combination of assets whether directly or indirectly, where the Financial Indebtedness is incurred pursuant to facilities available prior to the date the relevant entity becomes a member of the Group (and not created in contemplation of the acquisition): |
Β |
(a) |
which is incurred by a Project Finance Subsidiary; or |
Β |
(b) |
in respect of which the person or persons to whom such borrowing is or may be owed by the relevant debtor (whether or not a member of the Group) has or have no recourse whatsoever to any member of the Group (other than to a Project Finance Subsidiary) for any payment or repayment in respect thereof other than: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
recourse to such debtor for amounts limited to the cash flow or net cash flow (other than historic cash flow or historic net cash flow) from such asset or assets; and/or |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
recourse to such debtor for the purpose only of enabling amounts to be claimed in respect of such Financial Indebtedness in an enforcement of any Security Interest given by such debtor over such asset or assets or the income, cash flow or other proceeds deriving from the asset (or given by any shareholder or the like in the debtor over its shares and/or other ownership interest in and/or loans to the debtor) to secure such Financial Indebtedness or any recourse referred to in paragraph (iii) below, provided that: |
Β |
Β |
Β |
(A) |
the extent of such recourse to such debtor is limited solely to the amount of any recoveries made on any such enforcement; and |
Β |
Β |
Β |
(B) |
such person or persons are not entitled, by virtue of any right or claim arising out of or in connection with such Financial Indebtedness, to commence proceedings for the winding up or dissolution of the debtor or to appoint or procure the appointment of any receiver, trustee or similar person or officer in respect of the debtor or any of its assets (save only for the assets the subject of that Security Interest); and/or |
Β |
Β |
Β |
(A) |
to such debtor generally, or directly or indirectly to a member of the Group, under any form of assurance, undertaking or support which recourse is limited to a claim for damages (other than liquidated damages and damages required to be calculated in a specific way) for breach of an obligation (not being a payment obligation or any obligation to procure payment by another or an indemnity in respect thereof or any obligation to comply or procure compliance by another with any financial ratios or other tests of financial condition) by the person against whom such recourse is available; and/or |
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Β |
Β |
Β |
(B) |
to shares and/or other ownership interest in and/or loans to and/or the assets of such debtor and/or any Project Finance Subsidiary owned by a member of the Group; or |
Β |
(c) |
which the Majority Lenders have agreed in writing to treat as Project Finance Indebtedness. |
Β |
"Project Finance Subsidiary" |
Β |
means any member of the Group which becomes a member of the Group after the Signing Date: |
Β |
(a) |
whose principal assets and business are constituted by the ownership, acquisition, development and/or operation of any asset or combination of assets whether directly or indirectly; |
Β |
(b) |
none of whose Financial Indebtedness in respect of the financing of the ownership, acquisition, development and/or operation of any such asset benefits from any recourse whatsoever (including, without limitation, any obligation to subscribe for equity or provide loans) to any member of the Group (other than such person or another Project Finance Subsidiary) in respect of any payment or repayment in respect thereof, except as expressly referred to in paragraph (b) (iii) of the definition of "Project Finance Indebtedness"; and |
Β |
(c) |
which has been designated as such by Vodafone by written notice to the Agent. |
Β |
means a Lender which is beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an Advance and is: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
which is a bank (as defined for the purpose of Section 349 of the Taxes Act) making an Advance under this Agreement; or |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
in respect of an Advance made under this Agreement by a person that was a bank (as defined for the purpose of Section 349 of the Taxes Act) at the time that that Advance was made, |
Β |
and which is within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that Advance; or |
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Β |
(a) |
the Drawdown Date for an Advance denominated in Sterling (or, in the case of a Term-out Advance denominated in Sterling, the first day of each applicable Interest Period); or |
Β |
(b) |
the second TARGET Day before the Drawdown Date for an Advance denominated in euro (or, in the case of a Term-out Advance denominated in euro, the second TARGET Day before the first day of each applicable Interest Period); or |
Β |
(c) |
the second Business Day before the Drawdown Date for an Advance denominated in U.S. Dollars (or, in the case of a Term-out Advance denominated in U.S. Dollars, the second Business Day before the first day of each applicable Interest Period), |
Β |
or such other day as the Agent, after consultation with Vodafone and the Lenders, may designate as market practice in the relevant interbank market for leading banks to give quotations in the relevant currency for delivery on the relevant Drawdown Date (or on the first day of the relevant Interest Period). |
Β |
means, subject to ClauseΒ 26.7 (Reference Banks), the principal London offices of BNP Paribas, Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A. and The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc. |
Β |
means any tax imposed or levied by or in (or by any political sub-division or taxing authority of any of the following): |
Β |
(b) |
any other jurisdiction in or through which any payment under the Finance Documents is made. |
Β |
means the date NewTopco or any other Holding Company of Vodafone acquires any shares or assets (other than the shares in Vodafone acquired pursuant to the Hive Up)in circumstances where the aggregate market value of the assets of Vodafone (as determined by Vodafone (acting reasonably) on a consolidated basis) immediately following the acquisition is an amount which represents 95 per cent. or less of the value of the total market capitalisation of NewTopco at that time. |
Β |
means a request made by a Borrower to utilise a Facility, substantially in the form of ScheduleΒ 4 (or in such other form as may be agreed by the Agent and Vodafone). |
Β |
means the amount requested in a Request. |
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Β |
means in relation to any Advance for any period: |
Β |
(a) |
for any Lender lending from a Facility Office in the United Kingdom, the Mandatory Cost (to the extent notified by any Lender in accordance with ClauseΒ 8.2(c) (Interest rate for all Advances) as applicable to that Advance); and |
Β |
(b) |
for any Lender lending from a Facility Office in a Participating Member State the cost, if any, notified by any Lender to the Agent as the cost (expressed as a percentage of that Lenderβs participation made in all Advances made from that Facility Office) to it of complying with the minimum reserve requirements of the European Central Bank in respect of loans made from that Facility Office. |
Β |
means Vodafone, NewTopco (following the Reorganisation Date) and any Consolidated Subsidiary (other than a Project Finance Subsidiary) of Vodafone or, following the Reorganisation Date, NewTopco: |
Β |
(a) |
whose principal operations or assets are located in a Core Jurisdiction; and/or |
Β |
(b) |
whose revenues are primarily generated by operations licensed by telecommunications authorities in Core Jurisdictions, |
Β |
but excludes any Subsidiary whose principal business is satellite telecommunications or fixed line telecommunications. |
Β |
"Revolving Credit Advance" |
Β |
means an advance (other than a Swingline Advance) made to a Borrower by the Revolving Credit Lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility. |
Β |
"Revolving Credit Commitment" |
Β |
(a) |
in respect of an Original Lender, the amount in U.S. Dollars set opposite the name of that Lender in Part I of Schedule 1; and |
Β |
(b) |
in respect of an Additional Lender, the amount in U.S. Dollars set out as a Revolving Credit Commitment in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement, |
Β |
in each case to the extent not transferred, cancelled or reduced under or in accordance with this Agreement. |
Β |
"Revolving Credit Facility" |
Β |
means the multicurrency revolving
credit facility referred to in a Clause 2.1(a) (Facilities). |
Β |
"Revolving Credit Lender" |
Β |
means, subject to Clause 26.2 (Transfers by Lenders), a Lender listed in Part I of Schedule 1 in its capacity as a participant in the Revolving Credit Facility and/or an Additional Lender. |
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Β |
"Revolving Credit Term-out Option" |
Β |
means the option available to the Borrowers to draw Term-out Advances under the Revolving Credit Facility pursuant to ClauseΒ 6.1(b) (Repayment of Revolving Credit Advances). |
Β |
means any Advance (other than a Swingline Advance) made during the Availability Period which is drawn down to refinance in whole or in part any outstanding Advance (other than a Swingline Advance) where, after making and applying the proceeds of that Advance, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility is not greater than the aggregate amount outstanding under that Facility immediately prior to that Advance being made. |
Β |
Β means
Standard & Poor's Corporation. |
Β |
means any mortgage, charge, assignment by way of security, pledge, lien or other security interest securing any obligation of any person. |
Β |
means the date of this Agreement. |
Β |
(a) |
a subsidiary within the meaning of Section 736 of the Companies Xxx 0000, as amended by Section 144 of the Companies Xxx 0000; and |
Β |
(b) |
unless the context otherwise requires, a subsidiary undertaking within the meaning of SectionΒ 258 of the Companies Xxx 0000 (as inserted by Section 21 of the Companies Act 1989). |
Β |
means an advance made to a Borrower by the Swingline Lenders under the Swingline Facility. |
Β |
means, in relation
to a Lender, any Swingline Lender that is an Affiliate of that Lender and
which is notified to the Agent and the U.S. Swingline Agent by that Lender
in writing to be its Swingline Affiliate. |
Β |
(a) |
in respect of a Swingline Lender
which is an Original Lender, the amount in U.S. Dollars set opposite its
name in Part II of Schedule 1; and |
Β |
(b) |
in respect of a Swingline Lender
which is an Additional Lender, the amount in U.S. Dollars set out as a Swingline
Commitment in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement, |
Β |
in each case to the
extent not transferred, cancelled or reduced under or in accordance with
this Agreement. |
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Β |
(a) |
in respect of a Swingline Lender which is an Original Lender, the amount in U.S. Dollars set opposite its name in Part II of Schedule 1; and |
Β |
(b) |
in respect of a Swingline Lender which is an Additional Lender, the amount in US Dollars set out as a Swingline Commitment in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement, |
Β |
in each case to the extent not transferred, cancelled or reduced under or in accordance with this Agreement. |
Β |
means the committed U.S. Dollar swingline facility referred to in ClauseΒ 2.1(b) (Facilities). |
Β |
means, subject to ClauseΒ 26.2 (Transfers by Lenders), an Original Lender listed in Part II of Schedule 1 or an Additional Lender in respect of which a Swingline Commitment is specified in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement. |
Β |
means, on any day, the higher of: |
Β |
(a) |
the Prime Rate; and |
Β |
(b) |
the aggregate of the Federal Funds Rate and 0.50 per cent. per annum, |
Β |
"Swingline Total Commitments" |
Β |
means the aggregate for the time being of the Swingline Commitments, being U.S.$2,750,000,000 at the date of this Agreement or as may be increased pursuant to paragraph (b) of Clause 2.7 (Additional Lenders) up to a maximum of U.S.$10,000,000,000. |
Β |
means a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer System (TARGET) is operating. |
Β |
"Tax on Overall Net Income" |
Β |
in relation to a Finance Party, means any tax on the overall net income, profits or gains of that Finance Party or any of its Holding Companies (or the overall net income, profits or gains of a division or branch of that Finance Party or any of its Holding Companies). |
Β |
means the Income and Corporation Taxes Xxx 0000. |
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Β |
means the period selected by a Borrower in a Request for which the relevant Revolving Credit Advance (except a Term-out Advance) or Swingline Advance is to be outstanding. |
Β |
means the last day of the Availability Period or, if that day is not a Business Day, the preceding Business Day. |
Β |
means the Revolving Credit Advance(s), if any, drawn under ClauseΒ 6.1(b) (Repayment of Revolving Credit Advances). |
Β |
means the aggregate for the time being of the Revolving Credit Commitments, being, at the date of this Agreement, U.S.$10,650,000,000 or as may be increased pursuant to paragraph (b) of Clause 2.7 (Additional Lenders) up to a maximum of U.S.$20,000,000,000 (including the Swingline Total Commitments but without double counting). |
Β |
means a Lender which is (i) resident (as such term is defined in the appropriate double taxation treaty) in a country with which the United Kingdom has an appropriate double taxation treaty under which residents of that country are entitled to complete exemption from United Kingdom tax on interest and is entitled to apply under the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (General) Regulations 1970 to have interest paid to its Facility Office without withholding or deduction for or on account of United Kingdom taxation; and (ii) does not carry on business in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment with which the investments under this Agreement in respect of which the interest is paid are effectively connected; and for this purpose "double taxation treaty" means any convention or agreement between the government of the United Kingdom and any other government for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital gains. |
Β |
"UK" or "United Kingdom" |
Β |
means the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Channel Islands). |
Β |
means the United States of America. |
Β |
means Vodafone Aktiengesellschaft (previously Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft) (Registered with DΓΌsseldorf Local Court under number HR B 995). |
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1.2Β |
Construction |
(a) |
In this Agreement, unless the
contrary intention appears, a reference to: |
Β |
(i) |
"agreed form" means, in relation to any document, such document in a form previously agreed in writing by or on behalf of the Agent and Vodafone; |
Β |
Β |
"assets" of any person includes all or any part of that person's business, operations, undertaking, property, assets, revenues (including any right to receive revenues) and uncalled capital; |
Β |
Β |
an "authorisation" includes an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, registration and notarisation; |
Β |
Β |
"Barclays Capital" means Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC; |
Β |
Β |
a "finance lease" has the meaning given to it in SSAPΒ 21 as in effect at the Signing Date; |
Β |
Β |
"indebtedness" is a reference to any obligation for the payment or repayment of money, whether as principal or surety and whether present or future, actual or contingent; |
Β |
Β |
a "month" is a reference to a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month, except that, if there is no numerically corresponding day in the month in which that period ends, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that month; |
Β |
Β |
a "regulation" includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (in each case, whether or not having the force of law, but if not having the force of law, is generally complied with by the persons to whom it is addressed) of any governmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory authority or organisation; and |
Β |
Β |
a reference to the currency of a country is to the lawful currency of that country for the time being, "Β£" and "Sterling" is a reference to the lawful currency of the United Kingdom for the time being and "U.S.$" and "U.S. Dollars" is a reference to the lawful currency of the United States for the time being; |
Β |
(ii) |
a provision of a law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted; |
Β |
(iii) |
a Clause or a Schedule is a reference to a clause of or a schedule to this Agreement; |
Β |
(iv) |
a person includes its successors, transferees and assigns; |
Β |
(v) |
a Finance Document or another document is a reference to that Finance Document or that other document as novated or, with the approval of Vodafone, amended or supplemented; and |
Β |
(vi) |
a time of day is a reference to London time. |
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(b) |
Unless the contrary intention appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement. |
(c) |
The index to and the headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement. |
(d) |
(i) | Unless expressly provided to the
contrary in a Finance Document, a person who is not a party to a Finance
Document may not enforce any of its terms under the Contracts (Rights of
Third Parties) Xxx 0000; |
Β |
(ii) |
Notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, the consent of any third party is not required for any variation (including any release or compromise of any liability under) or termination of that Finance Document. |
2. |
THE
FACILITIES |
2.1 |
Β Facilities |
Β |
Subject to the terms of this
Agreement, the Lenders grant to the Borrowers: |
Β |
(a) |
a committed multicurrency revolving 364 day facility, with an option to draw Term-out Advances, under which the Lenders will, when requested by a Borrower, make cash advances in U.S. Dollars or Optional Currencies to that Borrower on a revolving basis during the Availability Period already defined; and |
Β |
(b) |
a committed U.S. Dollar swingline advance facility (which is a sub-division of the Revolving Credit Facility) under which the Swingline Lenders will, when requested by a Borrower, make to that Borrower Swingline Advances during the Availability Period. |
2.2 |
Overall facility
limits |
(a) |
The Swingline Facility is not
independent of the Revolving Credit Facility. The aggregate Original Dollar
Amount of all outstanding Advances (including Swingline Advances) under: |
Β |
(i) |
the Revolving Credit Facility, shall not at any time exceed the Total Commitments at that time; and |
Β |
(ii) |
the Swingline Facility, shall not at any time exceed the Swingline Total Commitments at that time. |
(b) |
The aggregate Original Dollar Amount of: |
Β |
(i) |
the participations of a Lender in Revolving Credit Advances plus that Lender's and, if applicable, that Lender's Swingline Affiliate's (if any), participations in outstanding Swingline Advances shall not at any time exceed that Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment at that time; and |
Β |
(ii) |
the participations of a Swingline Lender in Swingline Advances shall not at any time exceed that Swingline Lender's Swingline Commitment at that time. |
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(c) |
If, in respect of any Revolving Credit Advance, the operation of ClauseΒ 5.4 (Amount of each Lender's participation in an Advance) would otherwise have caused a Lender (the "affected Lender") to breach sub-paragraph (b)(i) above then: |
Β |
(i) |
each affected Lender will participate in the relevant Revolving Credit Advance only to the extent that the Original Dollar Amount of its participation in that Revolving Credit Advance (when aggregated with the Original Dollar Amount of its and, if applicable, that Lender's Swingline Affiliate's (if any), participations in other outstanding Revolving Credit Advances and Swingline Advances) will not exceed its Revolving Credit Commitment; and |
Β |
(ii) |
each other non-affected Lender's participation in that Revolving Credit Advance will be recalculated in accordance with ClauseΒ 5.4 (Amount of each Lender's participation in an Advance), but, for the purpose of the recalculation, the affected Lenders' Revolving Credit Commitments will be deducted from the Total Commitments and the amount of the affected Lenders' participations in that Revolving Credit Advance (if any) will be deducted from the requested amount of the Revolving Credit Advance. |
2.3 |
Number of Requests
and Advances |
(a) |
Unless the Agent agrees otherwise,
no more than one Request (other than Requests for Swingline Advances only)
may be delivered on any one day but that Request may specify any number
and type of Advances from the Revolving Credit Facility or the Swingline
Facility or either of them. |
(b) |
Unless the Agent agrees otherwise, no more than 15 Advances (not including Swingline Advances) may be outstanding at any one time. |
2.4 |
NatureΒ of
rights and obligations |
(a) |
The obligations of a Finance
Party and each Obligor under the Finance Documents are several. Failure
of a Finance Party or an Obligor to carry out those obligations does not
relieve any other Party of its obligations under the Finance Documents.
No Finance Party or Obligor is responsible for the obligations of any other
Finance Party or Obligor under the Finance Documents save and to the extent
that the relevant obligations are guaranteed by another Obligor. |
(b) |
The rights of a Finance Party under the Finance Documents are divided rights. A Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce those rights. |
2.5 | Β Vodafone
as Obligors' agent |
Β |
(a) |
irrevocably authorises and instructs Vodafone to give and receive as agent on its behalf all notices (including Requests) and sign all documents in connection with the Finance Documents on its behalf (including but not limited to amendments and variations and execution of any new Finance Documents) and take such other action as may be necessary or desirable under or in connection with the Finance Documents; and |
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Β |
(b) |
confirms that it will be bound by any action taken by Vodafone under or in connection with the Finance Documents. |
2.6 |
Actions of Vodafone
as Obligors' agent |
Β |
The respective liabilities of
each of the Obligors under the Finance Documents shall not be in any way
affected by: |
Β |
(a) |
any irregularity (or purported irregularity) in any act done by or any failure (or purported failure) by Vodafone; or |
Β |
(b) |
Vodafone acting (or purporting to act) in any respect outside any authority conferred upon it by any Obligor; or |
Β |
(c) |
the failure (or purported failure) by or inability (or purported inability) of Vodafone to inform any Obligor of receipt by it of any notification under this Agreement. |
2.7 |
Additional Lenders |
(a) |
Any financial institution or
other entity may, subject to the terms of this Agreement, become an Additional
Lender.The relevant financial institution or other entity will become an
Additional Lender on the date specified in a Lender Accession Agreement
which has been delivered to the Agent duly completed and executed by that
financial institution or other entity and countersigned by Vodafone on behalf
of itself and each other Obligor. |
(b) |
Upon the relevant financial institution or other entity becoming an Additional Lender, the Total Commitments shall be increased (subject to the Total Commitments being a maximum of U.S.$20,000,000,000) by the amount set out in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement as that Additional Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment. If such Additional Lender so provides in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement, the Swingline Total Commitments shall be increased (subject to the Swingline Total Commitments being a maximum of U.S.$10,000,000,000) by the amount set out in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement as that Additional Lenderβs Swingline Commitment. |
(c) |
Each Additional Lender will participate only in Advances with a Drawdown Date following the date on which it became an Additional Lender and only then if: |
Β |
(i) |
it has become an Additional Lender in time to receive sufficient notice of the relevant Advance from the Agent pursuant to Clause 5.5 (Notification of the Lenders); and |
Β |
(ii) |
immediately before such an Advance is to be made either (A) no Advances are or will be outstanding or (B) all outstanding Advances at that time are or will be immediately repaid or prepaid in full in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
(d) |
On and from the Drawdown Date on which the Additional Lender makes an Advance under paragraph (c) above, the Additional Lender shall participate in each new Revolving Credit Advance or, as the case may be, Swingline Advance in accordance with Clause 5.4 (Amount of each Lender's participation in an Advance). |
(e) |
The execution by Vodafone of a Lender Accession Agreement constitutes confirmation by each Guarantor that its obligations under Clause 14 (Guarantee) shall continue unaffected except that those obligations shall extend to the Total Commitments as increased by the addition of the relevant Additional Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment (including such Additional Lenderβs Swingline Commitment but without double counting) and shall be owed to each Finance Party including the relevant Additional Lender. |
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3.Β Β Β |
PURPOSEΒ Β Β |
3.1Β |
Purpose |
Β |
Each Advance will be applied
in or towards providing support for the Group's continuing commercial paper
programmes, core liquidity needs of the Group and for general corporate
purposes of the Group (provided that a Swingline Advance may not be applied
in or towards refinancing another Swingline Advance). |
3.2Β |
No monitoring |
Β |
Without affecting the obligations
of any Borrower in any way, no Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify
the application of the proceeds of any Advance. |
4.Β |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT |
4.1Β |
InitialΒ conditionsΒ precedent |
Β |
The obligations of each Finance
Party to any Borrower under this Agreement are subject to the conditions
precedent that: |
Β |
(a) |
the Agent has notified Vodafone and the Lenders that it has received all of the documents set out in PartΒ I of ScheduleΒ 2 in the agreed form or such other form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. The Agent will give such notice of receipt within two Business Days after receiving the relevant documents and finding them in form and substance satisfactory to it; and |
Β |
(b) |
the Agent confirms on or prior to the Signing Date (i) the U.S.$.13,275,00,000 Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated 27th June 2001 (the β2001 Facilityβ) between, among others, Vodafone Group Plc, the arrangers and lenders identified therein and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as Agent and U.S. Swingline Agent has been cancelled or the Availability Period (as defined in the 2001 Facility) thereunder has expired and no Request pursuant to Clause 6.1(b) (Repayment) of the 2001 Facility for a Term-out Advance (as such capitalised terms are defined in the 2001 Facility) has been made and (ii) all amounts outstanding under the 2001 Facility have been repaid. |
4.2Β |
Conditions to
all drawdowns and rollovers |
Β |
The obligations of each Lender
to participate in any Advance (other than a Rollover Advance) or to make
any amount available under ClauseΒ 8.8(b)(ii) (Same Optional Currency)
are subject to the further conditions precedent that on the date of the
Request for the Advance (if applicable) and on the date on which the relevant
amount is to be drawn down: |
Β |
(a) |
the representations and warranties in ClauseΒ 15 (Representations and warranties) are correct and will be correct immediately after the relevant Advance or amount is drawn down in each case in all material respects; and |
Β |
(b) |
no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from drawdown of the relevant Advance or amount provided that, in relation to a drawdown of any Advance (other than a Term-out Advance), an event (other than any event specified in Clauses 16.4 (Notification of Default), 16.9 (Disposals) or 16.10 (Acquisitions))which, with the expiry of any grace period or giving of any notice specified in Clause 18.3(b) (Breach of other obligations) would constitute an Event of Default under Clause 18.3(b) (Breach of other obligations), shall not, for the purposes of this Clause 4.2 (b) constitute a Default. |
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5. |
ADVANCES |
5.1 |
Receipt of Requests |
(a) |
A Borrower may borrow Advances
under the Revolving Credit Facility (other than Swingline Advances) if the
Agent receives, not later than 5.00 p.m. on the third Business Day before
the proposed Drawdown Date, or, in the case of an Advance in Sterling, not
later than 5.00 p.m. on the Business Day before the proposed Drawdown Date,
a duly completed Request, copied, to the U.S. Swingline Agent. |
(b) |
A Borrower may borrow Swingline Advances if the U.S. Swingline Agent receives, not later than noon (New York City time) on the proposed Drawdown Date, a duly completed Request, copied to the Agent. |
5.2 |
Completion of Requests for Revolving Credit Advances |
Β |
A Request for a Revolving Credit Advance will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless: |
Β |
(a) |
the Drawdown Date is a Business Day falling during the Availability Period; |
Β |
(b) |
only one currency is specified for each separate Advance and the Requested Amount for each separate Advance is in a minimum amount: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
if in euro, of β¬25,000,000; |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
if in Sterling, of Β£20,000,000; or |
Β |
Β |
(iii) |
if in U.S. Dollars, of U.S.$25,000,000, |
Β |
Β |
or, in any such case: |
Β |
Β |
(A) |
if less, is in an amount equal to the unutilised portion of the Total Commitments; or |
Β |
Β |
(B)Β Β Β Β Β Β such other amount as Vodafone and the Agent may agree; |
Β |
(c) |
only one Term or, in the case of Term-out Advances, Interest Period for each separate Advance is specified which: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
does not overrun the Term Date (in respect of a Revolving Credit Advance (other than a Term-out Advance)) or the Maturity Date (in respect of a Term-out Advance); and |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
is a period of 7 days, one month, two, three or six months (or such other period as may be agreed by Vodafone and (if not more than six months) the Agent or (if more than six months) all of the Lenders); |
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Β |
(d)Β Β Β Β Β Β |
the payment instructions comply
with ClauseΒ 9.1 (Place of payment); and |
Β |
(e) |
in the case of a Request for a Term-out Advance, the Maturity Date for that Advance is specified which cannot be later than the date falling 12 months after the first Anniversary of the Signing Date. |
5.3 |
Completion of
Requests for Swingline Advances |
Β |
A Request for a Swingline Advance
will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless: |
Β |
(a) |
the Drawdown Date is a New York Business Day falling during the Availability Period; |
Β |
(b) |
it is specified that the Swingline Advance is to be made in U.S. Dollars under the Swingline Facility; |
Β |
(c) |
the Requested Amount is a minimum of U.S.$20,000,000 or such other amount as the U.S. Swingline Agent and Vodafone may agree; |
Β |
(d) |
only one Term is specified, which: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
does not overrun the Term Date; and |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
is a period not exceeding five
Business Days; and |
Β |
(e)Β |
Β the payment instructions
comply with ClauseΒ 9.1 (Place of payment). |
5.4Β |
Amount of each
Lender's participation in an Advance |
Β |
The amount of a Lender's participation
in an Advance will be the proportion of the Requested Amount which: |
Β |
(a) |
in the case of a Revolving Credit Advance, its Revolving Credit Commitment bears to the Total Commitments; and |
Β |
(b) |
in the case of a Swingline Advance, its Swingline Commitment bears to the Swingline Total Commitments, |
Β |
in each case on the date of receipt of the relevant Request, adjusted in the case of paragraph (a) (if necessary) to reflect the operation of ClauseΒ 2.2(c) (Overall facility limits). |
5.5 |
Notification
of the Lenders |
Β |
The Agent (or, in the case of
Swingline Advances, the U.S. Swingline Agent) shall promptly notify each
Lender (or, as the case may be, Swingline Lender) of the details of the
requested Advance and the amount of its participation in such Advance. |
5.6 |
Payment of proceeds |
Β |
Subject to the terms of this
Agreement, each Lender (or, as the case may be, Swingline Lender) shall
make its participation in an Advance available to the Agent (or, in the
case of a participation in a Swingline Advance, the U.S. Swingline Agent)
for the Borrower concerned for value on the relevant Drawdown Date. |
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6. |
REPAYMENT |
6.1 |
RepaymentΒ ofΒ Revolving
Credit Advances |
(a) |
Each Borrower shall repay each
Revolving Credit Advance made to it in full on its Maturity Date to the
Agent for the Lenders, but since the Revolving Credit Facility is available
on a revolving basis during the Availability Period amounts repaid may be
reborrowed subject to the terms of this Agreement. |
(b) |
Vodafone may on one occasion only prior to the Term Date, by delivery of a duly completed Request to the Agent under and in accordance with ClauseΒ 5 (Advances) (who shall send a copy to the Lenders), elect on behalf of one or more Borrowers to draw Advance(s) under the Revolving Credit Facility (each a "Term-out Advance") each with the same Maturity Date (being a date after the Term Date but no later than the date falling 12 months after the first Anniversary of the Signing Date). Each Term-out Advance shall be repaid in full on its Maturity Date to the Agent for the Lenders. No Term-out Advance, once repaid or prepaid, may be reborrowed. |
(c) |
No Revolving Credit Advance, other than a Term-out Advance, may be outstanding after the Term Date. |
6.2Β |
Repayment of
Swingline Advances |
(a) |
Each Borrower shall repay each
Swingline Advance made to it in full on its Maturity Date to the U.S. Swingline
Agent for the Swingline Lenders. No Swingline Advance may be outstanding
after the Term Date. |
(b) |
Each Swingline Advance shall be repaid on its Maturity Date in accordance with paragraphΒ (a) above. In the event and to the extent that a Swingline Advance is not so repaid, each Lender will, within four Business Days of a demand to that effect from the U.S. Swingline Agent, pay to the U.S. Swingline Agent on behalf of the Swingline Lenders (which shall be deemed to be a drawing of that Lender's Commitment) an amount equal to its Agreed Percentage of the principal amount outstanding of such Swingline Advance and accrued interest (including default interest) thereon to the date of actual payment by such Lender (provided that no Lender shall be obliged to exceed its Commitment as a result of any such payment). The relevant Borrower shall forthwith reimburse the Lenders (through the Agent) in full for each payment made by the Lenders under this paragraphΒ (b). Each amount the relevant Borrower is required to reimburse to the Lenders under this paragraphΒ (b) shall be deemed to be an overdue amount (as defined in ClauseΒ 8.4(a) (Default interest)) which fell due for payment by the relevant Borrower on the day on which the payment by the Lenders giving rise to the reimbursement obligation was made and shall accrue default interest under ClauseΒ 8.4 (Default interest) accordingly. |
7. |
PREPAYMENT AND
CANCELLATION |
7.1 |
Automatic cancellation
of Total Commitments |
(a) |
The Revolving Credit Commitments
of each Lender (less the aggregate Original Dollar Amount of that Lender's
participations in Term-out Advances under the Revolving Credit Facility)
shall be automatically cancelled at the close of business in London on the
Term Date. |
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(b) |
The Swingline Commitment of each Swingline Lender shall be automatically cancelled at the close of business in New York on the Term Date. |
7.2 |
Voluntary cancellation |
(a) |
Vodafone may by giving not less
than one Business Day's prior written notice to the Agent, cancel the unutilised
portion of the Total Commitments in whole or in part (but, if in part, in
an aggregate minimum amount of U.S.$100,000,000) in such proportions as
Vodafone may designate in the notice of cancellation. Any cancellation in
part shall be applied against the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Lender
pro rata. |
(b) |
Whenever part of the Total Commitments is cancelled, the Swingline Commitments will not be cancelled unless (i) the amount of the Swingline Total Commitments would exceed the Total Commitments after such cancellation or (ii) the Swingline Commitment of any Swingline Lender would exceed its Commitment after such cancellation. In any such case, the Swingline Total Commitments shall, at the same time as the cancellation of the Total Commitments takes effect, be cancelled by such amount as is necessary to ensure that after the relevant cancellation of the Total Commitments the Swingline Total Commitments do not exceed the Total Commitments and the Swingline Commitment of each Swingline Lender does not exceed its Commitment. |
7.3 |
Voluntary prepayment |
(a) |
Any Borrower may by giving not
less than five Business Days' prior written notice to the Agent, prepay
the whole or any part of the Revolving Credit Advances (but, if in part,
in an aggregate minimum Original Dollar Amount, taking all prepayments made
by all the Borrowers on the same day together, of U.S.$100,000,000). |
(b) |
Any voluntary prepayment in part made under paragraph (a) above will be applied against all the Revolving Advances pro rata (or against such Revolving Credit Advances as Vodafone (or the relevant Borrower) may designate in the notice of prepayment). |
Β |
If control of Vodafone (other than as a result of a Hive Up) or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco, passes to any person acting either individually or in concert (a "Change of Control"): |
Β |
(a) |
Vodafone shall, promptly upon becoming aware thereof, notify the Agent which shall inform the Lenders; |
Β |
(b) |
any Lender may, if it determines that as a result of the Change of Control: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
the level of its exposure to Vodafone, NewTopco and/or the entity which acquires control of Vodafone or NewTopco, as the case may be (the "acquiring entity") is unacceptably high in each case in the sole opinion of the Lender; or |
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Β |
Β |
(ii) |
it no longer wishes (in its sole discretion and acting in good faith) to continue lending to Vodafone or NewTopco, as the case may be (whether for relationship, internal policy or any other reason); |
Β |
Β |
propose to Vodafone (through the Agent) the revised terms (if any) which it requires in order to continue to participate in the Facilities; and |
Β |
(c) |
if those revised terms have not been agreed with that Lender (or that Lender is not prepared, for one or more of the reasons set out in paragraph (b)(i), (ii) or (iii) above, to continue on any terms) within 30 days of the date of notification in paragraph (a) above (or such longer period as that Lender may agree in writing) then on expiry of 30 days from the date of notification in paragraph (a) above that Lender may by notice to the Agent (which shall promptly inform Vodafone) cancel the whole (but not part only) of such Lender's Commitments and following service of such notice: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
such Lender's Commitments shall be cancelled on the date of service of the notice or as specified in it; and |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
all such Lender's outstanding Advances shall be repaid or prepaid on the last day of the then current Interest Period or Term applicable thereto, and no amount may be outstanding to such Lender thereafter. |
Β |
For the purposes of this Clause 7.4, "control" has the meaning given to it in relation to a body corporate by Section 840 of the Taxes Act. |
7.5 |
Right of prepayment
and cancellation |
Β |
If: |
Β |
(a) |
any Borrower is required to pay or is notified by any Lender in writing that it will be required to pay any amount to a Lender under Clause 10 (Taxes) or Clause 12 (Increased Costs), or |
Β |
(b) |
if circumstances exist such that a Borrower will be required to pay any amount to a Lender under Clause 10 (Taxes), or |
Β |
(c) |
any Lender notifies the Agent pursuant to Clause 8.2(c) (Interest Rate for all Advances) that they incur Reserve Asset Costs of the type referred to under paragraph (b) of the definition thereof, |
Β |
Vodafone may, whilst (in the case of paragraphs (a) and (b) above) the circumstances giving rise or which will give rise to the requirement continue or, (in the case of paragraph (c) above) such Reserve Asset Costs are greater than zero, serve a notice of prepayment and cancellation on that Lender through the Agent. On the date falling five Business Days after the date of service of the notice: |
Β |
(i) |
each Borrower will prepay the participations of that Lender in all outstanding Advances made to that Borrower; and |
Β |
(ii) |
the Lender's Commitments shall be permanently cancelled on the date of service of the notice. |
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7.6 |
Miscellaneous
provisions |
(a) |
Any notice of prepayment and/or
cancellation under this Agreement is irrevocable. The Agent shall notify
the Lenders promptly of receipt of any such notice. |
(b) |
All prepayments under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and any other amounts due under this Agreement in respect of that prepayment (including, but not limited to, any amounts payable under ClauseΒ 23.2(c) (Other indemnities) if not made on an Interest Date for the relevant Term-out Advance or on the Maturity Date of the relevant Revolving Credit Advance or Swingline Advance). |
(c) |
No prepayment or cancellation is permitted except in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement. |
(d) |
Subject to ClauseΒ 8.7 (Change of currency), no amount prepaid in respect of a Term-out Advance may subsequently be re-borrowed. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, any amount prepaid in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility during the Availability Period may be reborrowed. No amount of the Total Commitments, (including the Swingline Total Commitments) cancelled under this Agreement may subsequently be reinstated. |
8. |
INTEREST |
8.1 |
Selection of
Interest Periods for Term-out Advances |
(a) |
The life of each Term-out Advance
is divided into successive periods (each an "Interest Period") for
the calculation of interest. The first Interest Period of each Advance will
be the period selected in the Request for that Term-out Advance and each
subsequent Interest Period will be the period selected by the relevant Borrower
by notice to the Agent received not later than 5.00 p.m. on the third Business
Day (or, in the case of an Advance to be denominated in Sterling for its
subsequent Interest Period, 5.00 p.m. one Business Day) before the end of
the then current Interest Period (being, subject to paragraph (c) below,
7 days, one month, two, three or six months or in any case such other period
as may be agreed by Vodafone and (if not more than six months) the Agent
or (if more than six months) all of the Lenders). Each Interest Period for
a Term-out Advance will commence on its Drawdown Date or the expiry of its
preceding Interest Period. |
(b) |
Each such selection notice will specify in which currency the Term-out Advance is to be continued during its next Interest Period. If no such selection notice is received by the time specified in paragraphΒ (a) above, the Term-out Advance will be continued in the same currency and the Interest Period concerned will be, subject to paragraph (c) below, one month. |
(c) |
No Interest Period under paragraph (a) or (b) above shall overrun the date falling twelve months after the first Anniversary of the Signing Date. |
8.2 |
Interest rate
for all Advances |
(a) |
The rate of interest on each
Advance (other than any Swingline Advance) for its Term, and, for each Term-out
Advance for each of its Interest Periods, is the rate per annum determined
by the Agent to be the aggregate of: |
Β |
(i) |
the applicable Margin; |
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Β |
(ii) |
LIBOR or, in the case of an Advance denominated in euro, EURIBOR; and |
Β |
(iii) |
Reserve Asset Costs (if any). |
(b) |
The rate of interest on each Swingline Advance for each day during its Term is the rate per annum determined by the U.S. Swingline Agent to be the Swingline Rate for that day plus any applicable Reserve Asset Costs. |
(c) |
In this Agreement: |
Β |
(i) |
Reserve Asset Costs for an Advance for any
Interest Period or Term will be calculated only on that portion of that
Advance owed to Lenders who have notified the Agent that they incur the
relevant Reserve Asset Costs in relation to Advances (and, in the case of
Mandatory Costs, supplied the information required under paragraph 6 and
7 of Schedule 3); |
Β |
(ii) |
a Lender will only be entitled to Reserve Asset Costs if it has given a notification to the Agent as contemplated in sub paragraph (i) above; and |
Β |
(iii) |
any amounts payable pursuant to paragraph (b) of the definition of Reserve Asset Costs shall be expressed as a percentage rate per annum for the relevant Term or Interest Period. |
8.3 |
DueΒ dates |
Β |
Except as otherwise provided
in this Agreement, accrued interest on each Advance is payable by the relevant
Borrower: |
Β |
(a) |
in the case of an Advance (other than a Term-out Advance), on its Maturity Date; and |
Β |
(b) |
in the case of a Term-out Advance, on each Interest Date applicable to that Term-out Advance, |
Β |
and also, in the case of any Advance with an Interest Period or a Term longer than sixΒ months, at six monthly intervals after its Drawdown Date for so long as the Interest Period or Term is outstanding. |
(a) |
If a Borrower fails to pay any amount payable by it under this Agreement when due (an "overdue amount"), it shall forthwith on demand by the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, pay interest on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment, both before and after judgment, at a rate (the "default rate") determined by the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent to be one per cent. per annum (the "Default Margin") above the higher of: |
Β |
(i) |
the rate on the overdue amount under ClauseΒ 8.2 (Interest rate for all Advances) immediately before the due date (in the case of principal); and |
Β |
(ii) |
the rate which would have been
payable under Clause 8.2 (Interest rate for all Advances) if the overdue
amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Revolving Credit
Advance in the currency of the overdue amount for such successive Interest
Periods or Terms of such duration as the Agent may determine (each a "Designated
Term"), except that during any grace period specified in ClauseΒ 18.2
(Non-payment) the Default Margin portion of the default rate will only apply
to overdue payments of principal. |
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(b) |
The default rate will be determined on each Business Day or the first day of, or two Business Days before the first day of, the relevant Designated Term, as appropriate. |
(c) |
If the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, determines that deposits in the currency of the overdue amount are not at the relevant time being made available by the Reference Banks to leading banks in the relevant interbank market, the default rate will be determined by reference to the cost of funds to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, from whatever sources it selects, acting reasonably at all times, after consultation with the Reference Banks. |
(d) |
Default interest will be compounded at the end of each Designated Term. |
(e) |
The Agent shall notify Vodafone of the duration of each Designated Term. |
8.5 |
Notification
of rates of interest |
Β |
The Agent or, as the case may
be, the U.S. Swingline Agent will promptly notify each relevant Party of
the determination of a rate of interest under this Agreement. |
8.6 |
Margin |
(a) |
The Margin applicable to each
Advance (other than any Swingline Advance) will be the percentage rate (specified
in column 2 below) set opposite the short term credit rating assigned to
Vodafone (set out in column 1 below) by Xxxxx'x, Fitch and/or S&P (as
the case may be) (each a "Credit Rating Agency") at the relevant
time. |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Column 1 |
Β |
Β |
Column 2 |
Β |
Β |
|
Β |
Β |
Xxxxx'x/Fitch/S&P ratings |
Β |
Β |
Margin (per cent. per annum) |
Β |
Β |
|
|
|
|
Β |
Β |
Any two are equal to or higher
than: P-1/F1/A-1 |
Β |
Β |
0.30 |
Β |
Β |
|
|
Β |
Any two are lower than:
P-1/F1/A-1 |
Β |
Β |
0.375 |
Β |
Β |
|
|
Β |
All three are lower than:
P-1/F1/A-1 |
Β |
Β |
0.425 |
Β |
Β |
|
|
(b) |
For the purposes of paragraph (a) above: |
Β |
(i) |
the Margin applicable to an Advance (other than a Term-out Advance) throughout the whole of its Term will be determined according to the short term credit rating assigned to Vodafone as at the Drawdown Date of the Advance; |
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Β |
(ii) |
the Margin applicable to each Interest Period of a Term-out Advance (throughout the whole of that Interest Period) will be determined according to the short term credit rating assigned to Vodafone as at the first day of that Interest Period; and |
Β |
(iii) |
if on the Drawdown Date of any Advance (or in the case of a Term-out Advance, on the first day of an Interest Period) there is no short term credit rating assigned to Vodafone by any one or more of the Credit Rating Agencies, the Margin applicable to that Advance (or, as the case may be, Interest Period) will be determined in accordance with paragraph (b)(i) or (b)(ii) by reference to (A) the short term credit rating assigned to Vodafone by the Credit Rating Agencies (if any) which continue to assign such a rating at the relevant time, and (B) the last short term credit rating assigned to Vodafone by each of the other Credit Rating Agencies which have ceased to assign such rating at the relevant time. |
(c) |
Promptly upon becoming aware of the same, Vodafone shall inform the Agent in writing if any change in the short term credit rating assigned to Vodafone occurs or the circumstances contemplated by paragraph (b)(iii) above arise. |
(d) |
For the purpose of this ClauseΒ 8.6 the "short term credit rating assigned to Vodafone" means, at any time, the published short term credit rating assigned at that time to Vodafone (or, following the Reorganisation Date, NewTopco) by the relevant Credit Rating Agency (but, for the avoidance of doubt, disregarding any review action, including placing Vodafone on creditwatch or any similar or analogous step, taken by such Credit Rating Agency). |
8.7 |
Change of currency |
(a) |
If a Term-out Advance is to
be continued during its next Interest Period in a different currency (the
"new currency") from that in which it is currently denominated, the
Term-out Advance shall be: |
Β |
(i) |
repaid by the relevant Borrower in full at the end of its current Interest Period in the currency in which it is then denominated (unless the Agent and the relevant Borrower agree otherwise in accordance with paragraph (d) below); and |
Β |
(ii)Β Β Β Β Β Β forthwith re-advanced by the Lenders in the new currency. |
(b) |
If the new currency is U.S. Dollars, the amount of each Lender's participation in that Term-out Advance will be its participation in the Original Dollar Amount of that Term-out Advance for that Interest Period. |
(c) |
If the new currency is an Optional Currency, the amount of each Lender's participation in that Term-out Advance will be determined by converting into the new currency its participation in the Original Dollar Amount of that Term-out Advance on the basis of the Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange three Business Days before the commencement of that Interest Period. |
(d) |
If the Agent and the relevant Borrower agree, the Agent shall: |
Β |
(i) |
apply the amount paid to it by the Lenders pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) above (or so much of that amount as is necessary) in or towards purchase of an amount in the currency in which the Term-out Advance is outstanding for the current Interest Period; and |
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Β |
(ii) |
use the amount it purchases in or towards satisfaction of the relevant Borrower's obligations under paragraph (a)(i) above. |
(e) |
If the amount purchased by the Agent pursuant to paragraph (d)(i) above is less than the amount required to be repaid by the relevant Borrower, the Agent shall promptly notify that Borrower and that Borrower shall, on the last day of the current Interest Period, pay an amount to the Agent (in the currency of the outstanding Term-out Advance for the current Interest Period) equal to the difference. |
(f) |
If any part of the amount paid to the Agent by the Lenders pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) above is not needed to purchase the amount required to be repaid by the relevant Borrower, the Agent shall promptly notify that Borrower and pay that Borrower, on the last day of the current Interest Period that part of that amount (in the new currency). |
8.8 |
Same Optional
Currency |
(a) |
If a Term-out Advance is to
be continued during its next Interest Period in the same Optional Currency
as that in which it is denominated during its current Interest Period, there
shall be calculated the difference between the amount of the Term-out Advance
(in that Optional Currency) for the current Interest Period and for the
next Interest Period. The amount of the Term-out Advance for the next Interest
Period will be determined by notionally converting into that Optional Currency
the Original Dollar Amount of the Term-out Advance on the basis of the Agent's
Spot Rate of Exchange three Business Days before the start of that Interest
Period. |
(b) |
At the end of the current Interest Period (but subject always to paragraph (c) below): |
Β |
(i) |
if the amount of the Term-out Advance for the next Interest Period is less than for the preceding Interest Period, the relevant Borrower shall repay the difference; or |
Β |
(ii) |
if the amount of the Term-out Advance for the next Interest Period is greater than for the preceding Interest Period, each Lender shall forthwith make available to the Agent for the relevant Borrower its participation in the difference. |
(c) |
If the Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange for the next Interest Period shows an appreciation or depreciation of the Optional Currency against Dollars of less than ten per cent. when compared with the result achieved by using the Original Exchange Rate, no amounts are payable in respect of the difference. In this ClauseΒ 8.8 (Same Optional Currency) and in ClauseΒ 8.9 (Prepayments and repayments) "Original Exchange Rate" means the Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange used for determining the amount of the Optional Currency for the Interest Period which is the later of the following: |
Β |
(i) |
the Interest Period during which the Term-out Advance was first denominated in that Optional Currency if the Term-out Advance has since then remained denominated in that Optional Currency; and |
Β |
(ii) |
the most recent Interest Period immediately prior to which a difference was required to be paid under this ClauseΒ 8.8 (Same Optional Currency). |
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8.9 |
Prepayments and
repayments |
Β |
If a Term-out Advance is to be
repaid or prepaid by reference to an Original Dollar Amount, the Optional
Currency amount to be repaid or prepaid in that Optional Currency shall
be determined by reference to the Original Exchange Rate applicable to the
relevant Advance. |
8.10 |
Notification |
Β |
The Agent shall notify the Lenders
and the Borrower of Optional Currency amounts (and the applicable Agent's
Spot Rate of Exchange) and whether any payment is required to be made under
ClauseΒ 8.8(b) (Same Optional Currency) promptly after they are ascertained. |
8.11 |
Non-Business
Days |
Β |
If an Interest Period or Term
would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest
Period or Term shall instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar
month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).
|
8.12 |
Coincidence with
Maturity Dates |
Β |
If an Interest Period for a Term-out
Advance would otherwise overrun its Maturity Date it shall be shortened
so that it ends on its Maturity Date. |
8.13 |
Other adjustments |
Β |
The Agent and a Borrower may
enter into such other arrangements as they may agree for the adjustment
of Interest Periods and the consolidation and/or splitting of Term-out Advances
made to that Borrower. |
9. |
PAYMENTS |
9.1 |
Place of payment |
Β |
All payments by an Obligor or
a Lender under this Agreement shall be made to the Agent or (if the payment
relates to the Swingline Facility) the U.S. Swingline Agent to its account
at such office or bank in the principal financial centre of the country
of the currency concerned (or, in the case of euro, in the principal financial
centre of a Participating Member State or London) as it may notify to that
Obligor or Lender for this purpose. |
9.2 |
Funds |
Β |
Payments under this Agreement
to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent shall be made
for value on the due date at such times and in such funds as the Agent or,
as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may specify to the Party concerned
as being customary at the time for the settlement of transactions in the
relevant currency in the place for payment. |
9.3 |
Distribution |
(a) |
Each payment received by the
Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent under this Agreement
for another Party shall, subject to paragraphsΒ (b) and (c) below, be
made available by the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent
to that Party by payment (on the date of value of receipt and in the currency
and funds of receipt) to its account with such bank in the principal financial
centre of the country of the relevant currency (or, in the case of euro,
in the principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or London)
as it may notify to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline
Agent for this purpose by not less than fiveΒ Business Days' prior notice. |
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(b) |
The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may apply any amount received by it for an Obligor in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from an Obligor under this Agreement in the same currency on such date or in or towards the purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied. |
(c) |
Where a sum is to be paid under this Agreement to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent for the account of another Party, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that Party until it has established that it has actually received that sum. The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may, however, assume that the sum has been paid to it in accordance with this Agreement and, in reliance on that assumption, make available to that Party a corresponding amount. If the sum has not been made available but the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent has paid a corresponding amount to another Party, that Party shall forthwith on demand refund the corresponding amount to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt, calculated at a rate reasonably determined by the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent to reflect its cost of funds. |
9.4 |
Currency |
Β (a) |
(i) |
A repayment or prepayment of
an Advance is payable in the currency in which the Advance is denominated. |
Β |
(ii) |
Interest is payable in the currency in which the relevant amount in respect of which it is payable is denominated. |
Β |
(iii) |
Amounts payable in respect of costs, expenses, taxes and the like are payable in the currency in which they are incurred. |
Β |
(iv) |
Any other amount payable under this Agreement is, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, payable in Dollars. |
(b) |
Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then: |
Β |
(i) |
any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with Vodafone); and |
Β |
(ii) |
any translation from one currency
or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised
by the central bank for the conversion of the currency unit into the other,
rounded up or down by the Agent (acting reasonably); and |
Β |
Β (iii) |
If a change in any currency of a
country occurs this Agreement will be amended to the extent the Agent and
Vodafone agree (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld) to be necessary
to reflect the change in currency and to put the Lenders and the Obligors
in the same position, as far as possible, that they would have been in if
no change in currency had occurred. |
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9.5 |
Set-off and counterclaim |
Β |
All payments made by an Obligor
under this Agreement shall be made without set-off or counterclaim. |
9.6 |
Non-Business
Days |
(a) |
If a payment under this Agreement
is due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due date for that payment
shall instead be the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there
is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). |
(b) |
During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal at the rate payable on the original due date. |
9.7 |
PartialΒ payments |
(a) |
If the Agent or, as the case
may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent receives a payment insufficient to discharge
all the amounts then due and payable by an Obligor under this Agreement,
the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent shall apply that
payment towards the obligations of the Obligors under this Agreement in
the following order: |
Β |
(i) |
first, in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid costs, fees and expenses of the Agent and the U.S. Swingline Agent under this Agreement; |
Β |
(ii) |
secondly, in or towards payment pro rata of any accrued fees due but unpaid under ClauseΒ 20 (Fees); |
Β |
(iii) |
thirdly, in or towards payment pro rata of any interest due but unpaid under this Agreement; |
Β |
(iv) |
fourthly, in or towards payment pro rata of any principal due but unpaid under this Agreement; and |
Β |
(v) |
fifthly, in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under this Agreement. |
(b) |
The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, shall, if so directed by all the Lenders, vary the order set out in sub-paragraphsΒ (a)(ii) to (v) above. The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, shall notify Vodafone of any such variation. |
(c) |
ParagraphsΒ (a) and (b) above shall override any appropriation made by any Obligor. |
10. |
TAXES |
10.1 |
Gross-up |
Β |
All payments by an Obligor to
a Finance Party under the Finance Documents shall be made free and clear
of and without deduction for or on account of any taxes, except to the extent
that the Obligor is required by law to make payment subject to any such
taxes. Subject to Clause 10.4 (Qualifying Lenders), if any Relevant Tax
or amounts in respect of Relevant Tax are deducted or withheld from any
amounts payable or paid by an Obligor, or paid or payable by the Agent or,
as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, to a Finance Party under the
Finance Documents, the Obligor shall pay such additional amounts as may
be necessary to ensure that the relevant Finance Party receives a net amount
equal to the full amount which it would have received had that Relevant
Tax or those amounts in respect of Relevant Tax not been so deducted or
withheld. |
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10.2 |
Indemnity |
Β |
Without prejudice to the provisions
of ClauseΒ 10.1 (Gross-up), but subject to ClauseΒ 10.4 (Qualifying
Lenders), if a Finance Party or the Agent (or, as the case may be, the U.S.
Swingline Agent) on behalf of that Finance Party is required to make any
payment on account of any Relevant Tax on or in relation to any sum received
or receivable hereunder by such Finance Party or the Agent (or, as the case
may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent) on behalf of that Finance Party (including
a sum received or receivable under this ClauseΒ 10) or any liability
in respect of any such payment is incurred by such Finance Party or the
Agent (or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent) on behalf of that
Finance Party (other than any Tax on Overall Net Income), the relevant Obligor
shall, within five Business Days of demand by the Agent (or, as the case
may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent) indemnify such Finance Party against such
payment or liability, together with any interest, penalties, reasonable
costs and reasonable expenses payable or incurred in connection therewith
other than any such interest, penalties, costs or expenses arising as a
result of a failure by a Finance Party to make payment of such tax when
due. |
10.3 |
Tax receipts |
Β |
All taxes required by law to
be deducted or withheld by an Obligor from any amounts paid or payable under
the Finance Documents shall be paid by the relevant Obligor when due and
the Obligor shall, within 15Β days of the payment being made, deliver
to the Agent for the relevant Lender evidence satisfactory to that Lender
acting reasonably (including any relevant tax receipts which have been received)
that the payment has been duly remitted to the appropriate authority. |
(a) |
An Obligor is not required to pay any amounts under Clause 10.1 (Gross-up) or Clause 10.2 (Indemnity) in respect of Relevant Tax imposed by the United Kingdom if, on the date on which the payment falls due, any Lender is a Party but is not a Qualifying Lender (other than as a result of the introduction, suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of, or change in, or change in the official interpretation, administration or official application of, any law, regulation having the force of law, tax treaty or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority in any jurisdiction with which the relevant Lender has a connection, occurring after the Signing Date or, if later, the date on which that Lender becomes a Party). |
(b) |
A Treaty Lender shall: |
Β |
(i) |
promptly and, in any event, within seven Business Days after it becomes a Lender, deliver to its local revenue authority for certification such UK Inland Revenue forms ("Claim Forms") as may be required for that Treaty Lender to claim that payment to it by any Obligor resident in the UK under the Finance Documents shall be exempt from tax by the UK; |
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Β |
(ii) |
in circumstances where the procedure for Treaty relief contemplated in (i) above requires a local revenue authority to return a certified Claim Form to the Treaty Lender for submission by that Treaty Lender to the UK Inland Revenue, (a) take all reasonable follow up action available to the Treaty Lender to facilitate the return in a timely manner to the Treaty Lender of such Claim Form, duly stamped or certified by the relevant revenue authority and (b) submit such Claim Form to the UK Inland Revenue as soon as reasonably practicable (an in any event within 7 Business Days) after receipt of that Claim Form from the local revenue authority; and |
Β |
(iii) |
in all other circumstances relating to the Treaty relief procedure contemplated in (i) above, on receipt of written request from Vodafone to do so, take all reasonable follow up action (following the submission of Claim Forms by the Treaty Lender to the relevant local revenue authority) to facilitate the submission by the relevant local revenue authority of duly stamped or certified Claim Forms to the UK Inland Revenue in a timely manner. |
Β |
If there is any change in the procedure by which certification is to be made or to be notified to the UK Inland Revenue, the Treaty Lender's obligations shall be modified in such manner as the Treaty Lender may reasonably determine so that such amended obligations shall, as far as possible, have the same or equivalent effect as the original obligations. No Obligor resident in the UK shall be liable to pay any sums to any Treaty Lender under ClauseΒ 10.1 (Gross-up) or ClauseΒ 10.2 (Indemnity) unless the Treaty Lender has complied with its obligations under this ClauseΒ 10.4(b). |
(c) |
Subject to (d) below, each Lender warrants to Vodafone, on each date upon which it makes an Advance and on the due date for each payment of interest to the Lender: |
Β |
(i) |
that it is a Qualifying Lender; and |
Β |
(ii) |
if it is a Treaty Lender, it has delivered (or will deliver within the time limits specified herein) the forms described in paragraph (b). |
(d) |
If a Lender or, as the case may be, the Facility Office of a Lender is aware that it is or will become unable to make the warranty set out in paragraphΒ (c) of this ClauseΒ 10.4 it will promptly notify the Agent which will notify Vodafone, in which case the warranty in paragraph (c) above will no longer be made by that Lender from the date of such notice to the Agent. |
10.5 |
Refund of Tax
Credits |
Β |
If any Obligor pays any additional
amount to a Finance Party under this ClauseΒ 10 (a "Tax Payment")
and that Finance Party obtains a refund of a tax, or a credit against tax
by reason of the Tax Payment (a "Tax Credit") then that Finance Party
shall reimburse that Obligor such amount as can be determined to be the
proportion of the Tax Credit as will leave that Finance Party (after that
reimbursement) in no better or worse position than it would have been in
if the Tax Payment had not been paid. Nothing in this ClauseΒ 10 shall
interfere with the right of each Finance Party to arrange its affairs in
whatever manner it thinks fit and no Finance Party is obliged to disclose
any information regarding its tax affairs or computations to an Obligor
which it reasonably considers confidential. |
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11.Β |
MARKET DISRUPTION |
11.1 |
MarketΒ disturbance |
Β |
Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein contained, if and each time that prior to or on a Drawdown
Date relative to an Advance (other than, in the case of paragraphs (a),
(b)(ii) or (c) below, a Swingline Advance) to be made (or the first day
of any Interest Period in the case of an outstanding Term-out Advance): |
Β |
(a) |
only one or no Reference Bank supplies a rate for the purposes of determining LIBOR or EURIBOR (as the case may be) in accordance with paragraph (b) of the relevant definition; or |
Β |
(b) |
the Agent is notified by Lenders whose participations in that Advance would represent 50 per cent. or more of that Advance that (i) deposits in the currency of that Advance may not in the ordinary course of business be available to them in the relevant interbank market for a period equal to the Interest Period or Term concerned in amounts sufficient to fund their participations in that Advance or (ii) LIBOR or EURIBOR (as the case may be) does not adequately represent their cost of funds; or |
Β |
(c) |
the Agent (after consultation with the Reference Banks) shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon all Parties) that by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant interbank market generally, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBOR or EURIBOR (as the case may be) applicable to such Advance during its Interest Period or Term, |
Β |
the Agent shall promptly give written notice of such determination or notification to Vodafone and to each of the Lenders. |
11.2 |
AlternativeΒ rates |
Β |
If the Agent gives a notice under
ClauseΒ 11.1 (Market disturbance): |
Β |
(a) |
Vodafone and the Lenders whose participations in the relevant Advance would represent 50 per cent. or more of that Advance may (through the Agent) agree that (except in the case of a Term-out Advance or a Rollover Advance) that Advance shall not be borrowed; or |
Β |
(b) |
in the absence of such agreement (and in any event in the case of a Rollover Advance or a Term-out Advance): |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
the Interest Period or Term of the relevant Advance shall be one month; |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
the Advance shall be made in the currency requested or, in the case of ClauseΒ 11.1(b)(i) (Market disturbance), in U.S. Dollars (or, if the currency requested for the relevant Advance is U.S. Dollars, euro); and |
Β |
Β |
(iii) |
during the Interest Period or Term of the relevant Advance the rate of interest applicable to such Advance shall be the Margin plus applicable Reserve Asset Costs plus the rate per annum notified by each Lender concerned to the Agent before the last day of such Interest Period or Term to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to such Lender of funding its participation in such Advance from whatever sources it may reasonably select. |
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12.Β |
INCREASED COSTS |
12.1 |
Increased costs |
(a) |
Subject to ClauseΒ 12.2 (Exceptions),
Vodafone will forthwith on demand by a Finance Party pay that Finance Party
the amount of any increased cost incurred by it or any of its Holding Companies
as a result of any change in or introduction of any law or regulation (including
any relating to reserve asset, special deposit, cash ratio, liquidity or
capital adequacy requirements or any other form of banking or monetary control). |
(b) |
Promptly following the service of any demand, Vodafone will pay to that Finance Party such amount as that Finance Party certifies in the demand (with sufficient details for the calculations to be verified) will in its reasonable opinion compensate it for the applicable increased cost and in relation to the period expressed to be covered by such demand. |
(c) |
When calculating an increased cost, a Finance Party will only apply the costs incurred in relation to the Facilities. Nothing contained in this ClauseΒ 12.1 shall oblige the Finance Party to disclose any information (other than information which is readily available in the public domain or which is not in the reasonable opinion of the Finance Party confidential) relating to the way in which it employs its capital or arranges its internal financial affairs. |
(d) |
In this Agreement "increased cost" means: |
Β |
(i) |
an additional cost incurred by a Finance Party or any of its Holding Companies as a result of it performing, maintaining or funding its obligations under, this Agreement; or |
Β |
(ii) |
that portion of an additional cost incurred by a Finance Party or any of its Holding Companies in making, funding or maintaining all or any advances comprised in a class of advances formed by or including its participations in the Advances made or to be made under this Agreement as is attributable to it making, funding or maintaining its participations; or |
Β |
(iii) |
a reduction in any amount payable to a Finance Party or the effective return to a Finance Party under this Agreement or on its capital (or the capital of any of its Holding Companies); or |
Β |
(iv) |
the amount of any payment made by a Finance Party, or the amount of interest or other return foregone by a Finance Party, calculated by reference to any amount received or receivable by a Finance Party from any other Party under this Agreement. |
12.2 |
Exceptions |
Β |
ClauseΒ 12.1 (Increased costs)
does not apply to any increased cost: |
Β |
(a) |
compensated for by the payment of the Reserve Asset Costs; or |
Β |
(b) |
attributable to any tax or amounts in respect of tax; or |
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Β |
(c) |
occurring as a result of any negligence or default of a Lender or its Holding Company including but not limited to a breach by that Lender or Holding Company of any fiscal, monetary or capital adequacy limit imposed on it by any law or regulation; or |
Β |
(d) |
to the extent that the increased cost was incurred in respect of any day more than six months before the first date on which it was reasonably practicable to notify Vodafone thereof (except in the case of any retrospective change). |
13. |
ILLEGALITY
AND MITIGATION |
13.1 |
Illegality |
Β |
If it becomes unlawful in any
jurisdiction for a Lender to give effect to any of its obligations as contemplated
by this Agreement or to fund or maintain its participation in any Advance,
then the Lender may notify Vodafone through the Agent accordingly and thereupon,
but only to the extent necessary to remove the illegality: |
Β |
(a) |
each Borrower shall, upon request from that Lender within the period allowed or if no period is allowed, forthwith, repay any participation of that Lender in the Advances made to it together with all other amounts payable by it to that Lender under this Agreement; and |
Β |
(b) |
the Lender's Commitments shall be cancelled immediately. |
13.2 |
Mitigation |
Β |
Notwithstanding the provisions
of Clauses 8.2 (Interest), 10 (Taxes), 12 (Increased costs) and 13.1 (Illegality),
if in relation to a Finance Party circumstances arise which would result
in: |
Β |
(a) |
a payment pursuant to paragraph (b) of the definition of βReserve Asset Costsβ; or |
Β |
(b) |
any deduction, withholding or payment of the nature referred to in ClauseΒ 10Β (Taxes); or |
Β |
(c) |
any increased cost of the nature referred to in ClauseΒ 12 (Increased costs); or |
Β |
(d) |
a notification pursuant to ClauseΒ 13.1 (Illegality), |
Β |
then without in any way limiting, reducing or otherwise qualifying the rights of such Finance Party or the Agent, such Finance Party shall promptly upon becoming aware of the same notify the Agent thereof (whereupon the Agent shall promptly notify Vodafone) and such Finance Party shall use reasonable endeavours to transfer its participation in the Facility and its rights hereunder and under the Finance Documents to another financial institution or Facility Office not affected by circumstances having the results set out in (a), (b), (c), or (d) above and shall otherwise take such reasonable steps as may be open to it to mitigate the effects of such circumstances provided that such Finance Party shall not be under any obligation to take any such action if, in its opinion, to do so would or would be likely to have a material adverse effect upon its business, operations or financial condition or would involve it in any unlawful activity or any activity that is contrary to its policies or any request, guidance or directive of any competent authority (whether or not having the force of law) or (unless indemnified to its satisfaction) would involve it in any significant expense or tax disadvantage. |
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14. |
GUARANTEE |
14.1 |
Guarantee |
Β |
Each Guarantor jointly and severally,
irrevocably and unconditionally: |
Β |
(a) |
as principal obligor, guarantees to each Finance Party that if and whenever: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
an amount is due and payable by a Borrower under or in connection with any Finance Document; and |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
demand for payment of that amount has been made by the Agent on that Borrower, |
Β |
Β |
that Guarantor will forthwith on demand by the Agent pay that amount as if that Guarantor instead of that Borrower were expressed to be the principal obligor; and |
Β |
(b) |
indemnifies each Finance Party on demand against any loss or liability suffered by it if any obligation guaranteed by any Guarantor is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal (the amount of that loss being the amount expressed to be payable by the relevant Borrower in respect of the relevant sum). |
14.2 |
Continuing guarantee |
Β |
This guarantee is a continuing
guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of all sums payable by
the Borrowers under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate
payment or discharge in part. |
14.3 |
Reinstatement |
(a) |
Where any discharge (whether
in respect of the obligations of any Borrower or any security for those
obligations or otherwise) is made in whole or in part or any arrangement
is made on the faith of any payment, security or other disposition which
is avoided or must be restored on insolvency, liquidation or otherwise without
limitation, the liability of the Guarantors under this ClauseΒ 14 (Guarantee)
shall continue as if the discharge or arrangement had not occurred (but
only to the extent that such payment, security or other disposition is avoided
or restored). |
(b) |
Each Finance Party may concede or compromise any claim that any payment, security or other disposition is liable to avoidance or restoration. |
14.4 |
Waiver of defences |
Β |
The obligations of each Guarantor
under this ClauseΒ 14 will not be affected by any act, omission, matter
or thing which, but for this provision, would reduce, release or prejudice
any of its obligations under this ClauseΒ 14 or prejudice or diminish
those obligations in whole or in part, including (whether or not known to
it or any Finance Party): |
Β |
(a) |
any time or waiver granted to, or composition with, any Borrower or other person; |
Β |
(b) |
the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the Group; |
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Β |
(c) |
the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security; |
Β |
(d) |
any incapacity or lack of powers, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of a Borrower or any other person; |
Β |
(e) |
any variation (however fundamental) or replacement of a Finance Document so that references to that Finance Document in this ClauseΒ 14 shall include each variation or replacement; |
Β |
(f) |
any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document, to the intent that the Guarantors' obligations under this ClauseΒ 14 shall remain in full force and its guarantee be construed accordingly, as if there were no unenforceability, illegality or invalidity; and |
Β |
(g) |
any postponement, discharge, reduction, non-provability or other similar circumstance affecting any obligation of any Borrower under a Finance Document resulting from any insolvency, liquidation or dissolution proceedings or from any law, regulation or order so that each such obligation shall, for the purposes of the Guarantors' obligations under this ClauseΒ 14, be construed as if there were no such circumstance. |
14.5 |
Immediate recourse |
Β |
Except as provided in ClauseΒ 14.1(a)(ii)
(Guarantee), each Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring
any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against
or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person
before claiming from that Guarantor under this ClauseΒ 14. |
14.6 |
Appropriations |
Β |
Until all amounts which may be
or become payable by the Borrowers under or in connection with the Finance
Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance Party (or any
trustee or agent on its behalf) may: |
Β |
(a) |
refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and no Guarantor shall be entitled to the benefit of the same; and |
Β |
(b) |
hold in a suspense account (bearing interest at a commercial rate) any moneys received from any Guarantor or on account of that Guarantor's liability under this ClauseΒ 14, with any interest earned being credited to that account. |
14.7 |
Non-competition |
Β |
Until all amounts which may be
or become payable by the Borrowers under or in connection with the Finance
Documents have been paid in full, no Guarantor shall, after a claim has
been made or by virtue of any payment or performance by it under this ClauseΒ 14: |
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Β |
(a) |
be subrogated to any rights, security or moneys held, received or receivable by any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) or be entitled to any right of contribution or indemnity in respect of any payment made or moneys received on account of that Guarantor's liability under this ClauseΒ 14; or |
Β |
(b) |
claim, rank, prove or vote as a creditor of any Borrower or its estate in competition with any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf); or |
Β |
(c) |
receive, claim or have the benefit of any payment, distribution or security from or on account of any Borrower, or exercise any right of set-off as against any Borrower. |
Β |
Each Guarantor shall hold in trust for and forthwith pay or transfer to the Agent for the Finance Parties any payment or distribution or benefit of security received by it contrary to this ClauseΒ 14.7. |
14.8 |
Additional security |
Β |
This guarantee is in addition
to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other security now or hereafter
held by any Finance Party. |
14.9 |
Removal of Guarantors |
Β |
Any Guarantor (other than, Vodafone
and, following the Reorganisation Date, NewTopco and any intermediate Holding
Company of Vodafone) which is not a Borrower, may, at the request of Vodafone
and if no Default is continuing, cease to be a Guarantor by entering into
a supplemental agreement to this Agreement at the cost of Vodafone in such
form as the Agent may reasonably require which shall discharge that Guarantor's
obligations as a Guarantor under this Agreement. |
15. |
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES |
15.1 |
RepresentationsΒ andΒ warranties |
Β |
Each Obligor makes the representations
and warranties set out in this ClauseΒ 15 to each Finance Party (in
respect of itself and where relevant its Consolidated Subsidiaries only). |
15.2 |
Status |
Β |
It is a duly incorporated and
validly existing corporation under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation. |
15.3 |
Powers and authority |
Β |
It has the power to: |
Β |
(a) |
enter into and comply with, all obligations expressed on its part under the Finance Documents; |
Β |
(b) |
(in the case of a Borrower) to borrow under this Agreement; and |
Β |
(c) |
(in the case of a Guarantor) to give the guarantee in ClauseΒ 14 (Guarantee), |
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Β |
and has taken all necessary actions to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the Finance Documents. |
15.4 |
Non-violation |
Β |
The execution, delivery and performance
of the Finance Documents will not violate: |
Β |
(a) |
any provisions of any existing law or regulation or statute applicable to it; or |
Β |
(b) |
to any material extent, any provisions of any mortgage, contract or other undertaking to which it or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries which is a member of the Restricted Group is a party or which is binding upon it or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries which is a member of the Restricted Group. |
15.5 |
Borrowing limits |
Β |
Borrowings under this Agreement
up to and including the maximum amount available under this Agreement will
not cause any limit (except to the extent the limit has been waived) on
borrowings or, as the case may be, on the giving of guarantees (whether
imposed in its Articles of Association or otherwise), or on the powers of
its board of directors, applicable to it to be exceeded. |
15.6 |
Authorisations |
Β |
All necessary consents or authorisations
of any governmental authority or agency required by it in connection with
the execution, validity, performance or enforceability of the Finance Documents
have been obtained and are validly existing. |
15.7 |
No default |
Β |
Neither it nor any of its Consolidated
Subsidiaries which is a member of the Restricted Group is in default under
any law or agreement by which it is bound the consequences of which would
have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Obligors (taken as
a whole) to perform their payment obligations under the Finance Documents. |
15.8 |
Accounts |
Β |
The audited consolidated financial
statements of Vodafone (or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco) most recently
delivered to the Agent (which, at the date of this Agreement are the Original
Group Accounts): |
Β |
(a) |
give a true and fair view of the consolidated financial position of the Group as at the date to which they were drawn up; and |
Β |
(b) |
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the UK, consistently applied. |
15.9 |
No Event of Default |
Β |
No Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing in respect of it or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries
which is a member of the Restricted Group. |
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Β |
Β |
15.10 |
Times for making
representations and warranties |
Β |
The representations and warranties
set out in this ClauseΒ 15: |
Β |
(a) |
are made by Vodafone on the Signing Date and, in the case of an Obligor which becomes a Party after the Signing Date, will be deemed to be made by that Obligor on the date it executes a Borrower Accession Agreement or Guarantor Accession Agreement; and |
Β |
(b) |
are deemed to be made again by each Obligor on the date of each Request, on each Drawdown Date and on the first day of each Interest Period with reference to the facts and circumstances then existing. |
16. |
UNDERTAKINGS |
16.1 |
Duration |
Β |
The undertakings in this ClauseΒ 16
will remain in force from the Signing Date for so long as any amount is
or may be outstanding under this Agreement or any Commitment is in force. |
16.2 |
Financial information |
Β |
Vodafone shall supply to the
Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders: |
Β |
(a) |
as soon as the same are publicly available (and in any event within 180 days of the end of each of its financial years): |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group for that financial year; and |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
(if published) each other Obligor's audited statutory accounts for that financial year, consolidated if that Obligor has Subsidiaries and consolidated accounts are prepared and published; |
Β |
(b) |
as soon as the same are publicly available (and in any event within 90Β days of the end of the first half-year of each of its financial years) the interim unaudited financial statements of the Group for that half-year; |
Β |
(c) |
together with any accounts specified in paragraph (a)(i) or (b) above a certificate signed by the Group financial director, or in his absence any other director, of Vodafone establishing (in reasonable detail) compliance with Clauses 16.8 (Priority borrowing) and 17 (Financial covenant) as at the date to which those accounts were drawn up and identifying the Principal Subsidiaries. |
16.3 |
Information β
miscellaneous |
Β |
Vodafone shall supply to the Agent: |
Β |
(a) |
all documents despatched by
the ultimate Holding Company of the Group to its shareholders (or any class
of them) or by Vodafone or such ultimate Holding Company to the creditors
of the Group generally (or any class of them) at the same time as they are
despatched; and |
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Β |
(b) |
as soon as reasonably practicable,
such further publicly available information in the possession or control
of any member of the Group regarding the business, financial or corporate
affairs of the Group, as the Agent may reasonably request, |
Β |
in sufficient copies for all
the Lenders, if the Agent so requests. |
16.4Β |
NotificationΒ ofΒ Default |
Β |
Vodafone shall notify the Agent
of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly
upon becoming aware of it. |
16.5Β |
Authorisations |
Β |
Each Obligor shall promptly: |
Β |
(a) |
obtain, maintain and comply
in all material respects with the terms of; and |
Β |
(b) |
if requested, supply certified
copies to the Agent of, |
Β |
any authorisation required under
any law or regulation to enable it to perform its obligations under, or
for the validity or enforceability of, any Finance Document. |
16.6 |
PariΒ passuΒ ranking |
Β |
Each Obligor will procure that
its obligations under the Finance Documents do and will rank at least pari
passu with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated
obligations (save for those obligations mandatorily preferred by applicable
law). |
16.7 |
NegativeΒ pledge |
Β |
No Obligor will, and each Obligor
will procure that none of its Subsidiaries which is a member of the Restricted
Group will, create or permit to subsist any Security Interest on or over
any of its assets except for any Permitted Security Interest. |
16.8 |
Priority borrowing |
Β |
Each Obligor will procure that
none of its Subsidiaries (which is a member of the Restricted Group and
which is not a Guarantor) will create, assume, incur, guarantee, permit
to subsist or otherwise be liable in respect of any Financial Indebtedness
owed to persons outside the Restricted Group except for: |
Β |
(a) |
Financial Indebtedness of any
Subsidiary which became a member of the Restricted Group after 31st May,
2002 provided that: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
any such Financial Indebtedness is either
(A) outstanding before that Subsidiary becomes a member of the Restricted
Group and was not created in contemplation of that Subsidiary becoming a
member of the Restricted Group and/or (B) drawn at any time under commitments
in existence before that Subsidiary becomes a member of the Restricted Group
("existing commitment") and that commitment was not created in contemplation
of that Subsidiary becoming a member of the Restricted Group and/or (C)
drawn at any time under commitments ("new commitments") which have
refinanced existing commitments in whole or in part, to the extent that
any such new commitments do not exceed the existing commitments, and provided
that to the extent that any new commitment is to be guaranteed by an Obligor,
the obligors under the new commitments will have validly and legally acceded
as Additional Guarantors in accordance with Clause 26.4(a)(ii) and (b) (Additional
Guarantors) prior to any Obligor providing a guarantee of the new commitments;
and |
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Β |
Β |
(ii) |
to the extent that the aggregate principal
amount of such Financial Indebtedness exceeds the amount of outstandings
and commitments calculated under paragraph (a)(i) above upon that Subsidiary
becoming a member of the Restricted Group (measured in the same currency),
the excess amount of such Financial Indebtedness shall not fall within this
paragraphΒ (a); or |
Β |
(b) |
Financial Indebtedness under
finance or structured tax lease arrangements (including, but not limited
to qualifying technological equipment leases) to the extent matched as part
of those arrangements by deposits of cash or cash equivalent investments
(including, but not limited to securities issued by G7 governments) or other
securities rated at least A by S&P or A2 by Xxxxxβx or A by Fitch
which are treated by the creditor concerned as available to reduce its net
exposure; or |
Β |
(c) |
Financial Indebtedness which
is created with the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders; or |
Β |
(d) |
Financial Indebtedness of members
of the Restricted Group to the extent matched by cash balances or cash equivalent
investments (including, but not limited to securities issued by G7 governments)
or other securities rated at least A by S&P or A2 by Xxxxxβx or
A by Fitch, held by members of the Restricted Group which are treated as
available for netting by the creditors to whom that Financial Indebtedness
is owed under cash management or netting arrangements in the ordinary course
of business; or |
Β |
(e) |
Financial Indebtedness under
any finance lease or structured tax lease arrangements (including, but not
limited to qualifying technological equipment leases) entered into in respect
of assets which were or are acquired or become part of the Restricted Group
after 31st March, 2001; or |
Β |
(f) |
Financial Indebtedness under
or in connection with any other finance lease entered into in respect of
existing assets or future assets (to the extent they are subject to Security
Interests contemplated under paragraph (j) of the definition of Permitted
Security Interests); or |
Β |
(g) |
Financial Indebtedness under
Back to Back Loans; or |
Β |
(h) |
Financial Indebtedness of any
member of the Group which operates as a finance company to the extent that
any proceeds are on-lent to a Guarantor or to a member of the Group outside
the Restricted Group; or |
Β |
(i) |
Financial Indebtedness in relation
to bonds and fixed rate debt as set out in Schedule 8 (Fixed Rate Loans);
or |
Β |
(j) |
Financial Indebtedness incurred
solely in contemplation of an initial public offering or other disposal
of the companies or partnerships incurring such Financial Indebtedness,
to the extent that (i) the aggregate principal amount of such Financial
Indebtedness does not exceed U.S.$5,000,000,000 (or its equivalent in other
currencies) at any time; (ii) the creditors in respect of such Financial
Indebtedness have recourse for no more than seven days to any member of
the Group which is or whose assets are not intended to be subject to the
initial public offering or disposal; and (iii) the proceeds of which (if
any) are applied in permanent reduction of other Financial Indebtedness
of a member of the Group owed to persons outside the Group; or |
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Β |
(k) |
Project Finance Indebtedness;
or |
Β |
(l) |
Financial Indebtedness owed
to persons outside the Restricted Group under guarantees or other legally
binding assurances against financial loss granted by any member of the Mannesmann
Group in respect of any asset, undertaking or business not forming part
of the mobile or wireless telecommunications business of the Restricted
Group; or |
Β |
(m) |
Financial Indebtedness under
this Agreement; or |
Β |
(n) |
any liability of a Subsidiary
in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in connection with the Verizon
Wireless partnership provided that:. |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
that Subsidiary has no assets
other than (1) its interests in or derived from that joint venture and (2)
other assets with an aggregate market value not exceeding U.S.$300,000,000
at any time; and |
Β |
Β |
Β (ii) |
the person or persons to whom
such Financial Indebtedness is or may be owed has or have no recourse whatsoever
to any member of the Group for any payment or repayment in respect of such
Financial Indebtedness (other than to that Subsidiary); or |
Β |
(o) |
Financial Indebtedness of any Subsidiary
(which is a member of the Restricted Group and which is not a Guarantor)
in relation to borrowings due to the Development Bank of Japan to the extent
that the total amount due does not exceed Β₯100billion until 23 June
2003 and Β₯50billion thereafter; or |
Β |
(p)Β Β Β Β Β Β other
Financial Indebtedness to the extent that the sum of: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of the Financial Indebtedness of all the members of the Restricted
Group which are not Guarantors and owed to persons outside the Restricted
Group (other than Financial Indebtedness under paragraphs (a) to (o) above
inclusive); plus |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of Financial Indebtedness secured by Security Interests referred
to in paragraph (t) of the definition of Permitted Security Interest (to
the extent not falling within (p)(i) above), |
Β |
Β |
does not exceed Β£1,750,000,000
or its equivalent. |
Β |
Compliance with this ClauseΒ 16.8
will be tested at the end of each financial quarter. For the purposes of
paragraph (p) above, Financial Indebtedness of the Restricted Group not
denominated in (or which has not been swapped into) Sterling shall be notionally
converted (from the currency in which it is denominated or, as the case
may be, into which it has been swapped) to Sterling at the rate of exchange
used in the management accounts of the relevant Obligor for that relevant
financial quarter. |
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16.9 |
Disposals |
Β |
No Obligor will, and each Obligor
will procure that none of its Subsidiaries which is a member of the Restricted
Group will, either in a single transaction or in a series of transactions,
whether related or not and whether voluntarily or involuntarily, make any
Asset Disposals other than: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
on arm's length terms which
are, in the opinion of an Obligor, at fair market value; |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
required by law or any governmental
authority or agency (including without limitation any authority or agency
of the European Union); or |
Β |
Β |
(iii) |
made in good faith for the purpose
of carrying on the business of the Group which it is reasonable to believe
will benefit the Group; and |
Β |
(b) |
a transfer of all or any part
of the assets of the Group to NewTopco and/or any intermediate Holding Company
of Vodafone. |
16.10 |
Restriction on
Acquisitions |
Β |
Vodafone will not, and will procure
that no member of the Group will, make any Acquisition unless the major
part of the Group's business remains telecommunications and associated business. |
17.1 |
Financial definitions |
Β |
means the generally accepted
accounting principles applying to the United Kingdom as at 31stΒ March,
2002 and consistent with those applied in the preparation of the consolidated
accounts of Vodafone for the year ended 31stΒ March, 2002. |
Β |
means any company or body corporate
in which any member of the Consolidated Group holds a participating interest
and, in the opinion of the directors of Vodafone (or, following the Hive
Up, NewTopco), can exercise a significant influence in such company's or
body corporateβs management and which is treated as such under Applicable
UK GAAP for the purpose of preparation of the relevant financial statements. |
Β |
means, in relation to any period,
a sum equal to the Consolidated Group's total operating profit or loss for
continuing operations, acquisitions (as a component of continuing operations)
and discontinued operations before taxation and after: |
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Β |
(a) |
adding depreciation ; |
Β |
(b) |
adding amortisation; |
Β |
(c) |
deducting the profit or adding the loss on
exceptional items which are included above; |
Β |
(d) |
adding dividends received from
any Associated Company, Joint Venture or any Investee Company; and |
Β |
(e) |
excluding extraordinary items;
|
Β |
and for the avoidance of doubt
excluding (i) Net Interest Payable and (ii) (other than as set out in paragraph
(d) above) the results of any Associated Company, Joint Venture or any Investee
Company. |
Β |
means, in respect of any period,
all interest and amounts in the nature of interest paid or payable by the
Consolidated Group during that period, as shown in the financial statements
of the Consolidated Group as "Interest payable and similar charges" or any
comparable entry, but: |
Β |
(a) |
including as interest dividends
paid on existing preference shares of the Consolidated Group; and |
Β |
(b) |
(i) |
excluding any interest or other such amounts
incurred by any Associated Company, Joint Venture or Investee Company; and
|
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
excluding any interest or other
such amounts of an exceptional nature in accordance with Applicable UK GAAP. |
Β |
means, in respect of any period,
all interest and amounts in the nature of interest received or receivable
by the Consolidated Group during that period, as shown in the financial
statements of the Consolidated Group as "Interest receivable and similar
income" or any comparable entry, but excluding: |
Β |
(i) |
any interest or other such amounts
received by any Associated Company, Joint Venture or Investee Company; and
|
Β |
(ii) |
any interest or other such amounts
of an exceptional nature in accordance with Applicable UK GAAP. |
Β |
means any company in which any
member of the Consolidated Group holds an investment (whether by way of
an equity shareholding and/or long term loan or other) which is held as
and stated as being a fixed asset investment in the relevant financial statements
of the Consolidated Group. |
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Β |
means an entity (which is not
a member of the Consolidated Group) in which any member of the Consolidated
Group holds a long term interest and shares control under a contractual
arrangement where each venturer has a veto over policy decisions. |
Β |
means, in respect of any period, Interest
Payable less Interest Receivable in that period. |
Β |
has the meaning given in Clause 17.3(b) (Calculation
times and periods). |
17.2 |
Financial ratio |
Β |
Vodafone will procure that the
ratio of EBITDA to Net Interest Payable will exceed 3.25:1 for each Ratio
Period. |
17.3 |
Calculation times
and periods |
(a) |
The first test date for the
financial ratio specified in ClauseΒ 17.2 (Financial ratio) will occur
on 30th September, 2002. |
(b) |
Each subsequent test date will
be on the last day of each financial half year and year of Vodafone or,
following a Hive Up, NewTopco. The financial ratio will be calculated using
data for the period (each a "Ratio Period") ending on each test date
and beginning 12 months before the relevant test date. |
17.4 |
Information sources |
(a) |
All information for calculation of the financial
ratio set out in ClauseΒ 17.2 (Financial ratio) and Clause 18.5 (Cross
default) will be extracted from figures appearing in: |
Β |
(i) |
the unaudited consolidated interim
financial statements of Vodafone, or following a Hive Up, NewTopco; |
Β |
(ii) |
the consolidated annual financial
statements of Vodafone, or following a Hive Up, NewTopco; or |
Β |
(iii) |
Vodafone's, or following a Hive
Up, NewTopco's consolidated management accounts, |
Β |
as the case may be, which in
respect of (i) and (ii) were delivered to the Agent under sub-clauses (a)(i)
and (b) of ClauseΒ 16.2 (Financial information). |
(b) |
If Vodafone, or following a
Hive Up, NewTopco applies accounting principles other than Applicable UK
GAAP in the preparation of any financial statements delivered under Clauses
16.2(a)(i) or (b) (Financial information) (or consolidated management accounts,
where appropriate) and those accounting principles would have a material
effect on the operation of the tests and ratio set out above, such financial
statements will be accompanied by a statement from Vodafone, or following
a Hive Up, NewTopco containing or appending a reconciliation demonstrating
the effect of the change(s) and, for the purpose of calculating the tests
and ratio set out above, such financial statements (or consolidated management
accounts, where appropriate) will be treated as though adjusted by that
reconciliation so as to exclude the effect of the changes. |
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Β |
Β |
(c) |
Information from Vodafone's,
or following a Hive Up, NewTopco's consolidated management accounts will
be disclosed only when the relevant interim or annual financial statements
and compliance certificates are delivered to the Agent or as required in
connection with Clause 18.5 (a) (iii) and (iv) (Cross Default) |
(d) |
Any amount outstanding in a currency other than Sterling is to be taken into account at its Sterling equivalent calculated at the rate used in the latest consolidated financial statements delivered to the Agent under ClauseΒ 16.2 (Financial information) or consolidated management accounts, as appropriate. |
18. |
DEFAULT |
18.1 |
EventsΒ ofΒ Default |
Β |
Each of the events set out in
Clauses 18.2 (Non-payment) to 18.14 (Litigation) (inclusive) is an Event
of Default (whether or not caused by any reason whatsoever outside the control
of any Obligor or any other person). |
18.2 |
Non-payment |
Β |
An Obligor does not pay within
four Business Days of the due date any amount payable by it under the Finance
Documents at the place at, and in the currency in, which it is expressed
to be payable. |
18.3 |
Breach of other
obligations |
(a) |
Vodafone does not comply with
ClauseΒ 17 (Financial covenant). |
(b) |
An Obligor does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in paragraph (a) above or in ClauseΒ 18.2 (Non-payment)) and such failure (if capable of remedy before the expiry of such period) continues unremedied for a period of 21 days from the earlier of the date on which (i) such Obligor has become aware of the failure to comply or (ii) the Agent gives notice to Vodafone requiring the same to be remedied. |
18.4 |
Misrepresentation |
Β |
A representation or warranty
made or repeated by any Obligor in any Finance Document is found to be untrue
in any respect material in the context of the Finance Documents when made
or deemed to have been made. |
(a) |
(i) |
Any Financial Indebtedness of
any Obligor is: |
Β |
Β |
(A) |
Β not paid when due or within
any originally applicable grace period; or |
Β |
Β |
Β (B) |
declared due, or is capable
of being declared due, prior to its specified maturity as a result of an
event of default (howsoever described) except this paragraph (i)(B) does
not apply to: |
Β |
Β |
Β |
(1) | Financial Indebtedness quoted or
listed on a stock exchange; or |
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Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
(2) |
Financial Indebtedness of an
Obligor arising solely under paragraph (f) of the definition of Financial
Indebtedness in Clause 1.1 (Definitions); or |
Β |
(ii) |
any Financial Indebtedness constituted by debt securities quoted or listed on a stock exchange (excluding convertible debt securities) issued by AirTouch or Vodafone Finance BV or Japan Telecom (but in each case only for so long as the creditors of those debt securities have recourse to a member of the Group in respect of those debt securities) is: |
Β |
Β |
(A) |
not paid when due or within any
originally applicable grace period; or |
Β |
Β |
(B) |
declared due prior to its specified
maturity as a result of failure to pay principal or interest thereunder;
or |
Β |
(iii) |
any Financial Indebtedness of any Principal Subsidiary (excluding Financial Indebtedness owed to the Development Bank of Japan, as at the Signing Date, unless such Financial Indebtedness is not paid when due or within any originally applicable grace period or is declared due prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (howsoever described) and not paid when so due) is: |
Β |
Β |
(A) |
not paid when due or within any originally
applicable grace period; or |
Β |
Β |
(B) |
declared due prior to its specified
maturity as a result of an event of default (howsoever described), |
Β |
Β |
except this paragraph (iii) only
applies if the ratio of EBITDA (as defined in Clause 17.1) to Net Interest
Payable (as defined in Clause 17.1) is less than 4 for the 12 month period
ending on the last day of the most recent financial quarter of Vodafone
or, following a Hive Up, New Topco. |
Β |
(iv) |
any Financial Indebtedness owed
by Japan Telecom to the Development Bank of Japan, as at the Signing Date,
is declared due prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event
of default (howsoever described) and not paid when so due except this paragraph
(iv) only applies if the ratio of EBITDA (as defined in Clause 17.1) to
Net Interest Payable (as defined in Clause 17.1) is less than 4 for the
12 month period ending on the last day of the most recent financial quarter
of Vodafone or, following a Hive Up, New Topco. |
(b) |
Paragraph (a) above does not apply: |
Β |
(i) |
to Project Finance Indebtedness; or |
Β |
(ii) |
to Financial Indebtedness which in aggregate is less than Β£100,000,000 (or equivalent currency); or |
Β |
(iii) |
where the payment or occurrence of the event concerned is being contested in good faith; or |
Β |
(iv) |
where the default is under a bond and is capable of waiver without bondholder consent; or |
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Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
(v) |
to Financial Indebtedness owed
to a member of the Restricted Group. |
18.6 |
Winding up |
Β |
An order is made or an effective
resolution is passed for winding up any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary
(except for the purposes of a reconstruction or amalgamation on terms previously
approved in writing by the Majority Lenders) or a petition is presented
(which is not set aside or withdrawn within the earlier of 30 days of its
presentation or by not later than the date for the hearing of such petition)
for an administration order or for the winding up of any Obligor or any
Principal Subsidiary except where demonstrated to the reasonable satisfaction
of the Majority Lenders that any such petition is being contested in good
faith. |
(a) |
A liquidator, administrator, receiver, trustee, sequestrator or similar officer is appointed in respect of all or any part of the assets of any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary which generates a material part of the revenues of that Obligor or that Principal Subsidiary; or |
(b) |
any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary, by reason of financial difficulties, enters into a composition, assignment or arrangement with any class of its creditors. |
18.8 |
Enforcement proceedings |
Β |
A distress, execution, attachment
or other legal process is levied, enforced or sued out upon or against all
or any part of the assets of any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary which
generates a material part of the revenues of that Obligor or that Principal
Subsidiary except where the same is being contested in good faith or is
removed, discharged or paid within 30 days. |
18.9 |
Insolvency |
Β |
Any Obligor or any Principal
Subsidiary is deemed under Section 123(1)(e) or 123(2) of the Insolvency
Xxx 0000 to be unable to pay its debts. |
18.10 |
Β Similar
proceedings |
Β |
Anything having a substantially
similar effect to any of the events specified in Clauses 18.6 (Winding up)
to 18.9 (Insolvency) inclusive shall occur under the laws of any applicable
jurisdiction in relation to any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary. |
18.11 |
Unlawfulness |
Β |
It is or becomes unlawful for
any Obligor to perform any of its payment or other material obligations
under the Finance Documents. |
18.12 |
Guarantee |
Β |
The guarantee of any Guarantor
under ClauseΒ 14 (Guarantee) is not effective or is alleged by an Obligor
to be ineffective for any reason (other than by reason of written release
or waiver by the Finance Parties or in accordance with ClauseΒ 14.9
(Removal of Guarantors)). |
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Β |
Β |
18.13 |
Cessation of
business |
Β |
Any Obligor or any Principal
Subsidiary ceases to carry on all or substantially all of its business otherwise
than: |
Β |
(a) |
as a result of a transfer of all or any part of its business to a member of the Group which is, or upon such transfer becomes, (in the case of a cessation of business by a Principal Subsidiary) a Principal Subsidiary or (in the case of a cessation of business by an Obligor) a Guarantor; or |
Β |
(b) |
as a result of a disposal permitted under ClauseΒ 16.9 (Disposals); or |
Β |
(c) |
with the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders. |
18.14 |
Β Litigation |
Β |
Any litigation proceedings are
current which are reasonably likely to be adversely determined and which
would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Obligors (taken
as a whole) to perform their payment obligations under the Finance Documents. |
18.15 |
Acceleration |
Β |
On and at any time after the
occurrence of an Event of Default while such event is continuing the Agent
may, and if so directed by the Majority Lenders, will by notice to Vodafone,
declare that an Event of Default has occurred and: |
Β |
(a) |
cancel the Total Commitments; and/or |
Β |
(b) |
demand that all the Advances, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, whereupon they shall become immediately due and payable; and/or |
Β |
(c) |
demand that all the Advances be payable on demand, whereupon they shall immediately become payable on demand. |
19. |
THE AGENTS AND
THE ARRANGERS |
19.1 |
Appointment and
duties of the Agents |
Β |
Each Finance Party (other than
the Agent) irrevocably appoints the Agent to act as its agent under and
in connection with the Finance Documents and each Swingline Lender appoints
the U.S. Swingline Agent to act as its agent in relation to the Swingline
Facility, and each Finance Party irrevocably authorises the Agent or, as
the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent on its behalf to perform the duties
and to exercise the rights, powers and discretions that are specifically
delegated to it under or in connection with the Finance Documents, together
with any other incidental rights, powers and discretions. The Agent or,
as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent shall have only those duties
which are expressly specified in this Agreement. Those duties are solely
of a mechanical and administrative nature. |
19.2 |
Role of the Arrangers |
Β |
Except as otherwise provided
in this Agreement, no Arranger has any obligations of any kind to any other
Party under or in connection with any Finance Document. |
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Β |
Β |
19.3 |
Relationship |
Β |
The relationship between the
Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent and the other Finance
Parties is that of agent and principal only. Nothing in this Agreement constitutes
the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent as trustee or
fiduciary for any other Party or any other person and the Agent or, as the
case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent need not hold in trust any moneys
paid to it for a Party or be liable to account for interest on those moneys. |
19.4 |
MajorityΒ Lenders'Β directions |
(a) |
The Agent or, as the case may
be, the U.S. Swingline Agent will be fully protected if it acts in accordance
with the instructions of the Majority Lenders in connection with the exercise
of any right, power or discretion or any matter not expressly provided for
in the Finance Documents. Any such instructions given by the Majority Lenders
will be binding on all the Lenders. In the absence of such instructions
the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may act as it
considers to be in the best interests of all the Lenders. |
(b) |
Neither the Agent nor the U.S. Swingline Agent is authorised to act on behalf of a Lender (without first obtaining that Lender's consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document. |
19.5 |
Delegation |
Β |
The Agent or, as the case may
be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may act under the Finance Documents through
its personnel and agents. |
19.6 |
Responsibility
for documentation |
Β |
Neither the Agent, the U.S. Swingline
Agent nor any Arranger is responsible to any other Party for: |
Β |
(a) |
the execution, genuineness, validity, enforceability or sufficiency of any Finance Document or any other document by any other Party; or |
Β |
(b) |
the collectability of amounts payable under any Finance Document; or |
Β |
(c) |
the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document by any other Party. |
19.7 |
Default |
(a) |
The Agent or, as the case may
be, the U.S. Swingline Agent is not obliged to monitor or enquire as to
whether or not a Default has occurred. Neither the Agent nor the U.S. Swingline
Agent will be deemed to have knowledge of the occurrence of a Default. However,
if the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent receives notice
from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing the Default and stating
that the event is a Default, it shall promptly notify the Lenders of such
notice. |
(b) |
The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may require the receipt of security satisfactory to it whether by way of payment in advance or otherwise, against any liability or loss which it will or may incur in taking any proceedings or action arising out of or in connection with any Finance Document before it commences these proceedings or takes that action. |
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Β |
Β |
19.8 |
Exoneration |
(a) |
Without limiting paragraph (b)
below, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent will not
be liable to any other Party for any action taken or not taken by it under
or in connection with any Finance Document, unless directly caused by its
negligence or wilful misconduct or breach of any of its obligations under
or in connection with the Finance Documents. |
(b) |
No Party may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent being an individual of the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent or in respect of any act or omission of any kind (including negligence or wilful misconduct) by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document. |
(c) |
Any officer, employee or agent being an individual of the Agent, or as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may rely on paragraph (b) above and enforce its terms under the Contract (Rights of Third Parties) Xxx 0000. |
19.9 |
Reliance |
Β |
The Agent or, as the case may
be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may: |
Β |
(a) |
rely on any notice or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed by, or with the authority of, the proper person; |
Β |
(b) |
rely on any statement made by a director or employee of any person regarding any matters which may reasonably be assumed to be within his knowledge or within his power to verify; and |
Β |
(c) |
engage, pay for and rely on legal or other professional advisers selected by it (including those in the Agent's or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent's employment and those representing a Party other than the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent). |
19.10 |
CreditΒ approvalΒ andΒ appraisal |
Β |
Without affecting the responsibility
of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection
with any Finance Document, each Lender confirms that it: |
Β |
(a) |
has made its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of each Obligor and its related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent or the Arrangers in connection with any Finance Document; and |
Β |
(b) |
will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities while any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force. |
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Β |
Β |
19.11 |
Information |
(a) |
The Agent or, as the case may
be, the U.S. Swingline Agent shall promptly forward to the person concerned
the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent or,
as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent by a Party for that person. |
(b) |
The Agent shall promptly supply a Lender with a copy of each document received by the Agent under ClausesΒ 4 (Conditions precedent), 26.4 (Additional Guarantors) or 26.5 (Additional Borrowers) upon the request and at the expense of that Lender. |
(c) |
Except where this Agreement specifically provides otherwise, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent is not obliged to review or check the accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party. |
(d) |
Except as provided above, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent has no duty: |
Β |
(i) |
either initially or on a continuing basis to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the financial condition or affairs of any Obligor or any related entity of any Obligor whether coming into its possession or that of any of its related entities before, on or after the Signing Date; or |
Β |
(ii) |
unless specifically requested to do so by a Lender in accordance with this Agreement, to request any certificates or other documents from any Obligor. |
19.12 |
TheΒ Agent,
the U.S. Swingline AgentΒ andΒ theΒ ArrangersΒ individually |
(a) |
If it is also a Lender, each
of the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent and the Arrangers has the same rights
and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise those
rights and powers as though it were not the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent
or an Arranger. |
(b) |
Each of the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent and the Arrangers may: |
Β |
(i) |
carry on any business with an Obligor or its related entities; |
Β |
(ii) |
act as agent or trustee for, or in relation to any financing involving, an Obligor or its related entities; and |
Β |
(iii) |
retain any profits or remuneration in connection with its activities under the Finance Documents, or in relation to any of the foregoing. |
19.13 |
Β Indemnities |
(a) |
Without limiting the liability
of any Obligor under the Finance Documents, each Lender shall forthwith
on demand indemnify the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline
Agent for its proportion of any liability or loss incurred by the Agent
or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent in any way relating to
or arising out of its acting as the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S.
Swingline Agent, except to the extent that the liability or loss arises
directly from the Agent's or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent's
negligence or wilful misconduct. |
(b) |
A Lender's proportion of the liability or loss set out in paragraphΒ (a) above is the proportion which its Commitment bears to the Total Commitments at the date of demand or, if the Total Commitments have been cancelled, bore to the Total Commitments immediately before being cancelled. |
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Β |
Β |
19.14 |
Compliance |
(a) |
The Agent or, as the case may
be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, may refrain from doing anything which might,
in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation
or be otherwise actionable at the suit of any person, and may do anything
which, in its reasonable opinion, is necessary or desirable to comply with
any law or regulation of any jurisdiction. |
(b) |
Without limiting paragraph (a) above, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, need not disclose any information relating to any Obligor or any of its related entities if the disclosure might, in the opinion of the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or any duty of secrecy or confidentiality or be otherwise actionable at the suit of any person. |
19.15 |
ResignationΒ ofΒ the
Agent or the U.S. Swingline Agent |
(a) |
Notwithstanding its irrevocable
appointment, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent,
may resign by giving notice to the Lenders and Vodafone, in which case the
Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, may forthwith appoint
one of its Affiliates as successor Agent or, failing that, the Majority
Lenders may after consultation with Vodafone appoint a reputable and experienced
bank as successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline
Agent. |
(b) |
If the appointment of a successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent is to be made by the Majority Lenders but they have not, within 30Β days after notice of resignation, appointed a successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent which accepts the appointment, the retiring Agent or, as the case may be, the retiring U.S. Swingline Agent may, following consultation with Vodafone, appoint a successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent. |
(c) |
The resignation of the retiring Agent or, as the case may be, retiring U.S. Swingline Agent and the appointment of any successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent will both become effective only upon the successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent notifying all the Parties that it accepts the appointment. On giving the notification and receiving such approval, the successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent will succeed to the position of the retiring Agent or, as the case may be, retiring U.S. Swingline Agent and the term "Agent" or, as the case may be, "U.S. Swingline Agent" will mean the successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent. |
(d) |
The retiring Agent or, as the case may be, retiring U.S. Swingline Agent shall, at its own cost, make available to the successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent under this Agreement. |
(e) |
Upon its resignation becoming effective, this ClauseΒ 19 shall continue to benefit the retiring Agent or, as the case may be, retiring U.S. Swingline Agent in respect of any action taken or not taken by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents while it was the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, and, subject to paragraph (d) above, it shall have no further obligation under any Finance Document. |
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Β |
Β |
(f) |
The Majority Lenders may by
notice to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, require
it to resign in accordance with paragraph (a) above. In this event, the
Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent shall resign in accordance
with paragraph (a) above but it shall not be entitled to appoint one of
its Affiliates as successor Agent or successor U.S. Swingline Agent. |
19.16 |
Lenders |
Β |
The Agent or, as the case may
be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may treat each Lender as a Lender, entitled
to payments under this Agreement and as acting through its Facility Office(s)
until it has received notice from the Lender to the contrary by not less
than five Business Days prior to the relevant payment. |
19.17 |
Chinese wall |
Β |
In acting as Agent, U.S. Swingline
Agent or Arranger, the agency and syndications division of each of the Agent,
the U.S. Swingline Agent and each Arranger shall be treated as a separate
entity from its other divisions and departments. Any information acquired
at any time by the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent or any Arranger otherwise
than in the capacity of Agent, U.S. Swingline Agent or Arranger through
its agency and syndications division (whether as financial advisor to any
member of the Group or otherwise) may be treated as confidential by the
Agent, U.S. Swingline Agent or Arranger and shall not be deemed to be information
possessed by the Agent, U.S. Swingline Agent or Arranger in their capacity
as such. Each Finance Party acknowledges that the Agent, the U.S. Swingline
Agent and the Arrangers may, now or in the future, be in possession of,
or provided with, information relating to the Obligors which has not or
will not be provided to the other Finance Parties. Each Finance Party agrees
that, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, none of the Agent,
U.S. Swingline Agent or any Arranger will be under any obligation to provide,
or under any liability for failure to provide, any such information to the
other Finance Parties. |
20. |
FEES |
20.1 |
CommitmentΒ fee |
(a) |
Vodafone shall pay to the Agent
for distribution to each Lender pro rata to the proportion its Revolving
Credit Commitment bears to the Total Commitments from time to time a commitment
fee at the rate of 0.075 per cent. per annum on any undrawn, uncancelled
amount of the Total Commitments on each day. |
(b) |
Commitment fee is calculated and accrues on a daily basis on and from the Signing Date and is payable quarterly in arrear. Accrued and unpaid commitment fee is also payable to the Agent for the relevant Lender(s) on any amount of its Revolving Credit Commitment, which is cancelled voluntarily by the Borrower at the time the cancellation takes effect (but only in respect of the period up to the date of cancellation). |
20.2 |
Utilisation fee |
(a) |
Vodafone will pay to the Agent
for distribution to each Lender pro rata to its participation in outstanding
Advances a utilisation fee in U.S. Dollars at the rate of 0.05 per cent.
per annum on the aggregrate Original Dollar Amount of all outstanding Advances
in respect of each day that there are Advances outstanding under the Facilities
the aggregate Original Dollar Amount of which is in excess of U.S.$10,000,000,000. |
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Β |
Β |
(b) |
The Utilisation fee is calculated
and accrues on a daily basis and is payable in arrear on the same dates
as the commitment fee under Clause 20.1 (Commitment fee) is payable. Accrued
and unpaid utilisation fee is also payable to the Agent for the Lenders
on the Term Date (or the Maturity Date of the Term-out Advances, if the
Revolving Credit Term-out Option is exercised). |
20.3 |
Term-out fees |
Β |
If Vodafone exercises the Revolving
Credit Term-out Option under Clause 6.1(b) (Repayment of Revolving Credit
Advances), then on the date the relevant Term-out Advance is made Vodafone
will pay to the Agent for distribution pro rata to the Lenders participating
in that Term-out Advance a fee of 0.05 per cent. flat on the principal amount
of that Term-out Advance. |
Β |
Fees payable under this Clause 20.3 are payable in the currency of the Advance in relation to which they are calculated. |
20.4 |
Agent'sΒ fee |
Β |
Vodafone shall pay to the Agent
for its own account an agency fee in the amounts and on the dates agreed
in the relevant Fee Letter. |
20.5 |
Front-end fees |
(a) |
Vodafone shall pay to the Agent
for the Original Lenders as at the Signing Date a front-end fee in the amount
and on the date specified in the relevant Fee Letter. |
(b) |
If so agreed between Vodafone and an Additional Lender, Vodafone shall pay to such Additional Lender a front-end fee in the amounts and on the dates specified in the relevant Fee Letter. |
20.6 |
VAT |
Β |
Any fee referred to in this ClauseΒ 20
is exclusive of any United Kingdom value added tax. If any value added tax
is so chargeable, it shall be paid by Vodafone at the same time as it pays
the relevant fee. |
21. |
EXPENSES |
21.1 |
Initial and special
costs |
Β |
Vodafone shall forthwith on demand
pay the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent and the Arrangers the amount of
all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including but not limited to legal
fees up to an amount agreed, in the case of (a)(i) below, with the Arrangers)
reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with: |
Β |
(a) |
the negotiation, preparation, printing and execution of: |
Β |
Β |
(i) |
this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement; and |
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Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
(ii) |
any other Finance Document (other
than a Novation Certificate) executed after the Signing Date; |
Β |
(b) |
any amendment, waiver, consent or suspension of rights (or any proposal for any of the foregoing) requested by or on behalf of an Obligor and relating to a Finance Document or a document referred to in any Finance Document or any amendment to this Agreement to reflect a change in currency of a country pursuant to Clause 9.4(d) (Currency); and |
Β |
(c) |
any other agency matter not of an ordinary administrative nature, arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document in the amount agreed between the Agent and Vodafone at the relevant time. |
21.2 |
Enforcement costs |
Β |
Vodafone shall within five Business
Days of receiving written demand pay to each Finance Party the amount of
all costs and expenses (including but not limited to legal fees) incurred
(or in the case of (b) below reasonably incurred) by it: |
Β |
(a) |
in connection with the enforcement of any Finance Document; or |
Β |
(b)Β Β Β Β Β Β in connection with the preservation of any rights under any Finance Document. |
22. |
STAMP DUTIES |
Β |
Vodafone shall pay and within
five Business Days of receiving written demand indemnify each Finance Party
against any liability it incurs in respect of any stamp, registration or
similar tax which is or becomes payable in any jurisdiction in or through
which any payment under the Finance Documents is made or any Obligor is
incorporated or has any assets in connection with the entry into, performance
or enforcement of any Finance Document. |
23. |
INDEMNITIES |
23.1 |
CurrencyΒ indemnity |
(a) |
If a Finance Party receives
an amount in respect of an Obligor's liability under the Finance Documents
or if that liability is converted into a claim, proof, judgment or order
in a currency other than the currency (the "contractual currency")
in which the amount is expressed to be payable under the relevant Finance
Document: |
Β |
(i) |
that Obligor shall indemnify that Finance Party as an independent obligation against any loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion; |
Β |
(ii) |
if the amount received by that Finance Party, when converted into the contractual currency at a market rate in the usual course of its business, is less than the amount owed in the contractual currency, the Obligor concerned shall forthwith on demand pay to that Finance Party an amount in the contractual currency equal to the deficit (provided that if the amount received by the Finance Party following such conversion is greater than the amount owed, the Finance Party shall pay to such Obligor an amount equal to the excess); and |
Β |
(iii) |
the Obligor shall pay to the Finance Party concerned on demand any exchange costs and taxes payable in connection with any such conversion. |
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Β |
Β |
(b) |
Each Obligor waives any right
it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents
in a currency other than that in which it is expressed to be payable. |
23.2 |
OtherΒ indemnities |
Β |
Vodafone shall forthwith on demand
indemnify each Finance Party against any loss or liability which that Finance
Party incurs as a consequence of: |
Β |
(a) |
the occurrence of any Default; or |
Β |
(b) |
the operation of ClauseΒ 18.15 (Acceleration); or |
Β |
(c) |
any payment of principal or an overdue amount being received from any source otherwise than in the case of Revolving Credit Advances (except Term-out Advances) or Swingline Advances on its Maturity Date (and, for the purposes of this paragraphΒ (c), the Maturity Date of an overdue amount is the last day of each Designated Term (as defined in ClauseΒ 8.4 (Default interest))) and, in the case of Term-out Advances, on applicable Interest Dates; or |
Β |
(d) |
a Default or an action or omission by an Obligor resulting in an Advance not being disbursed after a Borrower has delivered a Request for that Advance. |
Β |
Vodafone's liability in each case includes any loss or expense, (excluding loss of Margin) in respect or on account of funds borrowed, contracted for or utilised to fund any amount payable under any Finance Document, any amount repaid or prepaid or any Advance. |
23.3 |
Breakage costs |
Β |
If a Finance Party receives or
recovers any payment of principal of an Advance or of an overdue amount
other than on its Maturity Date or, as the case may be, the last day of
the Interest Period for that Advance or Designated Term for the purposes
of calculation of the amount payable by Vodafone under sub-clause (c) of
ClauseΒ 23.2 (Other indemnities) in respect of the amount so received
or recovered, that Finance Party shall calculate: |
Β |
(a) |
the additional interest (excluding the Margin) which would have been payable on the principal so received or recovered had it been received or recovered on the relevant Maturity Date or, as the case may be, the last day of the relevant Interest Period or Designated Term; and |
Β |
(b) |
the amount of interest which would have been payable to that Finance Party on the relevant Maturity Date or, as the case may be, the last day of the Interest Period or Designated Term concerned in respect of a deposit by that Finance Party in the currency of the amount received or recovered placed with a prime bank in London earning interest from (and including) the earliest Business Day for placing deposits in such currency following receipt of that amount up to (but excluding) the relevant Maturity Date or, as the case may be, the last day of the applicable Interest Period or Designated Term, |
Β |
and if the amount payable under paragraph (a) above is greater than the amount payable under paragraph (b), Vodafone will, forthwith on receipt of a demand from the relevant Finance Party pursuant to sub-clause (c) of ClauseΒ 23.2 (Other indemnities), pay to that Finance Party an amount equal to the difference between the amount payable under (a) and (b) above. |
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24.Β |
EVIDENCE AND
CALCULATIONS |
24.1 |
Accounts |
Β |
Accounts maintained by a Finance
Party in connection with this Agreement are prima facie evidence of the
matters to which they relate (except in a case of manifest error). |
24.2 |
CertificatesΒ andΒ determinations |
Β |
Any certification or determination
by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under this Agreement is, in the absence
of manifest error, prima facie evidence of the matters to which it relates. |
24.3 |
Calculations |
Β |
Interest and the fees payable
under ClausesΒ 20.1 (Commitment fee) and 20.2 (Utilisation fee) accrue
from day to day and are calculated on the basis of the actual number of
days elapsed and a year of 360Β days, or, in the case of interest at
the Swingline Rate or any interest payable in an amount denominated in Sterling,
365Β days. |
25. |
AMENDMENTS AND
WAIVERS |
25.1 |
Procedure |
(a) |
Subject to ClauseΒ 25.2
(Exceptions), any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived
with the agreement of Vodafone and the Majority Lenders. The Agent may effect,
on behalf of the Lenders, an amendment to which the Majority Lenders have
agreed. |
(b) |
The Agent shall promptly notify the other Parties of any amendment or waiver effected under paragraph (a) above, and any such amendment or waiver shall be binding on all the Parties. |
25.2 |
Exceptions |
Β |
An amendment or waiver which
relates to: |
Β |
(a) |
the definition of "Majority Lenders" in ClauseΒ 1.1 (Definitions); or |
Β |
(b) |
an extension of the date for, or a decrease in an amount or a change in the currency of, any payment under the Finance Documents; or |
Β |
(c) |
an increase in a Lender's Commitment or a change to the Margin; or |
Β |
(d) |
a change in the guarantee under ClauseΒ 14 (Guarantee) otherwise than in accordance with ClauseΒ 26.4 (Additional Guarantors) or ClauseΒ 14.9 (Removal of Guarantors); or |
Β |
(e) |
a term of a Finance Document which expressly requires the consent of each Lender; or |
Β |
(f)Β Β Β Β Β Β ClauseΒ 29 (Pro rata Sharing) or this ClauseΒ 25; or |
Β |
(g)Β Β Β Β Β Β any Interest Period or Term exceeding six months, |
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Β |
may not be effected without the consent of each Lender. Any amendment or waiver which changes, or relates to the rights and/or obligations of the Agent or U.S. Swingline Agent shall also require the Agent's or the U.S.Β Swingline Agent's (as applicable) agreement. |
25.3 |
Waivers and remedies
cumulative |
Β |
The rights of each Party under
the Finance Documents: |
Β |
(a)Β Β Β Β Β Β may be exercised as often as necessary; |
Β |
(b)Β Β Β Β Β Β are cumulative and not exclusive of its rights under the general law; and |
Β |
(c)Β Β Β Β Β Β may be waived only in writing and specifically. |
Β |
Delay in exercising or non-exercise of any such right is not a waiver of that right. |
26.Β |
CHANGES TO THE PARTIES |
26.1 |
Transfers by
Obligors |
Β |
No Obligor may assign, transfer,
novate or dispose of any of, or any interest in, its rights and/or obligations
under this Agreement. |
26.2 |
Transfers by
Lenders |
(a) |
A Lender (the "Existing Lender")
may at any time assign, transfer or novate any of its rights and/or obligations
under this Agreement to another person (the "New Lender") provided
that: |
Β |
(i) |
in the case of a partial assignment, transfer or novation of rights and/or obligations, a minimum amount of U.S.$10,000,000 in aggregate and in multiples of U.S.$1,000,000 (unless to an Affiliate or to a Lender or the Agent agrees otherwise) must be assigned, transferred or novated; and |
Β |
(ii) |
in the case of an assignment, transfer or novation by a Swingline Lender, a portion of that Swingline Lender's Swingline Commitment must also be assigned, transferred or novated to the extent necessary (if at all) to ensure that the Swingline Lender's Swingline Commitment does not exceed its Commitment after the assignment, transfer or novation. |
(b) |
A transfer of obligations
will be effective only if either: |
Β |
(i) |
the obligations are novated
in accordance with ClauseΒ 26.3 (Procedure for novations); or |
Β |
(ii) |
the New Lender gives prior written notice to Vodafone and confirms to the Agent and Vodafone that it undertakes to be bound by the terms of this Agreement as a Lender in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. On the transfer becoming effective in this manner the Existing Lender shall be relieved of its obligations under this Agreement to the extent that they are transferred to the New Lender. |
(c) |
No assignment, transfer or novation requires the consent of any Obligor but the Existing Lender must notify Vodafone (except in relation to an assignment, transfer or novation to an Affiliate) within three Business Days of such an assignment, transfer or novation taking effect of the name of the New Lender, the date it takes effect and the reasons for the transfer. |
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(d) |
Nothing in this Agreement restricts the ability of a Lender to sub-contract an obligation if that Lender remains liable under this Agreement for that obligation. |
(e) |
On each occasion an Existing Lender assigns, transfers or novates any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (other than to an Affiliate), the New Lender shall, on the date the assignment, transfer and/or novation takes effect, pay to the Agent for its own account a fee of Β£1,000. |
(f) |
An Existing Lender is not responsible to a New Lender for: |
Β |
(i) |
the execution, genuineness, validity, enforceability or sufficiency of any Finance Document or any other document; or |
Β |
(ii) |
the collectability of amounts payable under any Finance Document; or |
Β |
(iii) |
the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in connection with any Finance Document. |
(g) |
Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties that it: |
Β |
(i) |
has made its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of each Obligor and its related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender in connection with any Finance Document; and |
Β |
(ii) |
will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities while any amount is or may be outstanding under this Agreement or any Commitment is in force. |
(h) |
Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to: |
Β |
(i) |
accept a re-transfer from a New Lender of any of the rights and/or obligations assigned, transferred or novated under this ClauseΒ 26; or |
Β |
(ii) |
support any losses incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by any Obligor of its obligations under this Agreement or otherwise. |
(i) |
Any reference in this Agreement to a Lender includes a New Lender but excludes a Lender if no amount is or may be owed to or by it under this Agreement and its Commitment has been cancelled or reduced to nil. |
(j) |
If any assignment, transfer or novation results either: |
Β |
(i) |
at the time of the assignment, transfer or novation; or |
Β |
(ii) |
at any future time where the additional amount was caused as a result of laws and/or regulations in force at the date of the assignment, transfer or novation, |
Β |
in additional amounts becoming due under ClauseΒ 10 (Taxes) or amounts becoming due under ClauseΒ 12 (Increased costs), the New Lender shall be entitled to receive such additional amounts only to the extent that the Existing Lender would have been so entitled had there been no such assignment, transfer or novation. |
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26.3 |
Procedure for
novations |
(a) |
A novation is effected if: |
Β |
(i) |
the Existing Lender and the New Lender deliver to the Agent a duly completed certificate (a "Novation Certificate"), substantially in the form of Part I of Schedule 5, with such amendments as the Agent approves to achieve a substantially similar effect (which may be delivered by fax and confirmed by delivery of a hard copy original but the fax will be effective irrespective of whether confirmation is received); and |
Β |
(ii) |
the Agent executes it (as soon as practicable for it to do so). |
(b) |
Each Party (other than the Existing Lender and the New Lender) irrevocably authorises the Agent to execute any duly completed Novation Certificate on its behalf. |
(c) |
To the extent that they are expressed to be the subject of the novation in the Novation Certificate: |
Β |
(i) |
the Existing Lender and the other Parties (the "existing Parties") will be released from their obligations to each other (the "discharged obligations"); |
Β |
(ii) |
the New Lender and the existing Parties will assume obligations towards each other which differ from the discharged obligations only insofar as they are owed to or assumed by the New Lender instead of the Existing Lender; |
Β |
(iii) |
the rights of the Existing Lender against the existing Parties and vice versa (the "discharged rights") will be cancelled; and |
Β |
(iv) |
the New Lender and the existing Parties will acquire rights against each other which differ from the discharged rights only insofar as they are exercisable by or against the New Lender instead of the Existing Lender, |
Β |
all on the date of execution of the Novation Certificate by the Agent or, if later, the date specified in the Novation Certificate. |
(d) |
If the effective date of a novation is after the date a Request is received by the Agent but before the date the requested Advance is disbursed to the relevant Borrower, the Existing Lender shall be obliged to participate in that Advance in respect of its discharged obligations notwithstanding that novation, and the New Lender shall reimburse the Existing Lender for its participation in that Advance and all interest and fees thereon up to the date of reimbursement (in each case to the extent attributable to the discharged obligations) within three Business Days of the Drawdown Date of that Advance. |
26.4 |
Additional Guarantors |
Β (a) |
(i) |
Vodafone will procure that NewTopco
and any intermediate Holding Company of Vodafone will become an Additional
Guarantor on or before the Reorganisation Date by executing and delivering
the documents set out in paragraph (iii) below on or before the Reorganisation
Date. |
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Β |
(ii) |
Subject to Vodafone's prior written consent, any other member of the Group may become an Additional Guarantor. |
Β |
(iii) |
The relevant company will become an Additional Guarantor upon: |
Β |
Β |
(A) |
the delivery to the Agent of a Guarantor Accession Agreement duly executed by that company; and |
Β |
Β |
(B) |
delivery to the Agent of all those other documents listed in Part II of ScheduleΒ 2, in each case in the agreed form or in such other form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. |
(b) |
The execution of a Guarantor Accession Agreement constitutes confirmation by the Additional Guarantor concerned that the representations and warranties set out in ClausesΒ 15.1 (Representations and warranties) to 15.6 (Authorisations) to be made by it on the date of the Guarantor Accession Agreement are correct, as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances then existing. |
26.5Β |
Additional Borrowers |
(a) |
(i) |
Any member of the Restricted
Group incorporated and tax resident in the United Kingdom or, subject to
the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders, elsewhere which Vodafone
nominates may become an Additional Borrower. |
Β |
(ii) |
The relevant member of the Restricted Group will become an Additional Borrower upon: |
Β |
Β |
(A) |
the delivery to the Agent of a Borrower Accession Agreement duly executed by that member of the Restricted Group; and |
Β |
Β |
(B) |
delivery to the Agent of all those other documents listed in Part III of Schedule 2, in each case in the agreed form or in such other form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. |
(b) |
The execution of a Borrower Accession Agreement constitutes confirmation by the Additional Borrower concerned that the representations and warranties set out in ClausesΒ 15.1 (Representations and warranties) to 15.6 (Authorisations) to be made by it on the date of the Borrower Accession Agreement are correct, as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances then existing. |
26.6 |
Removal of Borrowers |
Β |
Any Borrower (other than Vodafone
or, if applicable, NewTopco) which has no liabilities to the Finance Parties
in respect of outstanding Advances or any other liabilities to the Finance
Parties under the Finance Documents (other than as a Guarantor) may, at
the request of Vodafone and if no Default is outstanding, cease to be a
Borrower by entering into a supplemental agreement to this Agreement at
the cost of Vodafone in such form as the Agent may reasonably require which
shall discharge that Borrowers' obligations as a Borrower under this Agreement. |
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26.7 |
Reference Banks |
Β |
If a Reference Bank (or, if a
Reference Bank is not a Lender, the Lender of which it is an Affiliate)
ceases to be a Lender, the Agent shall (in consultation with Vodafone) appoint
another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender which is not a Reference Bank
to replace that Reference Bank. |
26.8 |
Register |
Β |
The Agent shall keep a register
of all the Parties including in the case of Lenders the details of their
Facility Office notified to the Agent from time to time, and shall supply
any other Party (at that Party's expense) with a copy of the register on
request. |
27. |
DISCLOSURE OF
INFORMATION |
(a) |
A Lender may disclose to any
of its Affiliates or any person with whom it is proposing to enter, or has
entered into, any kind of transfer, participation or other agreement in
relation to this Agreement: |
Β |
(i) |
a copy of any Finance Document; and |
Β |
(ii) |
any information which that Lender has acquired under or in connection with any Finance Document, |
Β |
provided that a Lender shall not disclose any such information to a person other than one of its Affiliates unless that person has provided to that Lender a confidentiality undertaking addressed to that Lender and Vodafone substantially in the form of Schedule 6 or such other form as Vodafone may approve. |
(b) |
Paragraphs 1(a), 1(c), 2(b), 3, 6, 8, 9 and 12 of Schedule 6 (Form of confidentiality undertaking from new Lender) shall be deemed to be incorporated herein as if set out in full (mutatis mutandis), but as if references therein to "we" were to each Finance Party and references to "you" were to Vodafone. |
28.Β |
SET-OFF |
28.1 |
Contractual set-off |
Β |
Whilst an Event of Default subsists,
each Obligor authorises each Finance Party to apply any credit balance to
which that Obligor is entitled on any account of that Obligor with that
Finance Party in satisfaction of any sum due and payable from that Obligor
to that Finance party under the Finance Documents but unpaid. For this purpose,
each Finance Party is authorised to purchase with the moneys standing to
the credit of any such account such other currencies as may be necessary
to effect such application. |
28.2 |
Set-off not mandatory |
Β |
No Finance Party shall be obliged
to exercise any right given to it by ClauseΒ 28.1 (Contractual set-off). |
28.3 |
Notice of set-off |
Β |
Any Finance Party exercising
its rights under ClauseΒ 28.1 (Contractual set-off) shall notify Vodafone
promptly after set-off is applied. |
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Β |
Β |
29. |
PRO
RATA SHARING |
29.1 |
Redistribution |
Β |
If any amount owing by an Obligor
under any Finance Document to a Finance Party (the "recovering Finance
Party") is discharged by payment, set-off or any other manner other
than through the Agent in accordance with ClauseΒ 9 (Payments) (a "recovery"),
then: |
Β |
(a) |
the recovering Finance Party shall, within threeΒ Business Days, notify details of the recovery to the Agent; |
Β |
(b) |
the Agent shall determine whether the recovery is in excess of the amount which the recovering Finance Party would have received had the recovery been received by the Agent and distributed in accordance with ClauseΒ 9 (Payments); |
Β |
(c) |
subject to ClauseΒ 29.3 (Exceptions), the recovering Finance Party shall, within threeΒ Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the "redistribution") equal to the excess; |
Β |
(d) |
the Agent shall treat the redistribution as if it were a payment by the Obligor concerned under ClauseΒ 9 (Payments) and shall pay the redistribution to the Finance Parties (other than the recovering Finance Party) in accordance with ClauseΒ 9.7 (Partial payments); and |
Β |
(e) |
after payment of the full redistribution, the recovering Finance Party will be subrogated to the portion of the claims paid under paragraphΒ (d) above, and that Obligor will owe the recovering Finance Party a debt which is equal to the redistribution, immediately payable and of the type originally discharged. |
29.2 |
Reversal of redistribution |
Β |
If under ClauseΒ 29.1 (Redistribution): |
Β |
(a) |
a recovering Finance Party must subsequently return a recovery, or an amount measured by reference to a recovery, to an Obligor; and |
Β |
(b) |
the recovering Finance Party has paid a redistribution in relation to that recovery, |
Β |
each Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by the recovering Finance Party through the Agent, reimburse the recovering Finance Party all or the appropriate portion of the redistribution paid to that Finance Party. Thereupon the subrogation in ClauseΒ 29.1(e) (Redistribution) will operate in reverse to the extent of the reimbursement. |
29.3 |
Exceptions |
(a) |
A recovering Finance Party need not pay a
redistribution to the extent that it would not, after the payment, have
a valid claim against the Obligor concerned in the amount of the redistribution
pursuant to ClauseΒ 29.1(e) (Redistribution). |
(b) |
A recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the recovering Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal proceedings, if the other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal proceedings but did not do so and did not take separate legal proceedings. |
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Β |
Β |
30. |
SEVERABILITY |
Β |
If a provision of any Finance
Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction,
that shall not affect: |
Β |
(a) |
the legality, validity or enforceability in that jurisdiction of any other provision of the Finance Documents; or |
Β |
(b) |
the legality, validity or enforceability in other jurisdictions of that or any other provision of the Finance Documents. |
31. |
COUNTERPARTS |
Β |
This Agreement may be executed
in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures
on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement. |
32. |
NOTICES |
32.1 |
GivingΒ ofΒ notices |
(a) |
All notices or other communications
under or in connection with this Agreement shall be given in writing or
by facsimile. Any such notice will be deemed to be given as follows: |
Β |
(i) |
if in writing, when delivered; and |
Β |
(ii) |
if by facsimile, when received. |
Β |
However, a notice given in accordance with the above but received on a non-working day or after business hours in the place of receipt will only be deemed to be given on the next working day in that place. |
(b) |
Any Party may agree with any other Party to give and receive notices by telex in which case the notice will be deemed given when the correct answerback is received. |
32.2 |
Addresses for
notices |
(a) |
The address and facsimile number
of each Party (other than the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent and Vodafone)
for all notices under or in connection with this Agreement are: |
Β |
(i) |
that notified by that Party for this purpose to the Agent on or before it becomes a Party; or |
Β |
(ii) |
any other notified by that Party for this purpose to the Agent by not less than five Business Days' notice. |
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(b) |
The address and facsimile numbers
of the Agent are: |
Β |
Β |
Β |
The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc
XX Xxx 000
0xx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx X0 0XX |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Contact: |
Loans Admin Unit |
Β |
Telephone:Β |
000 0000 0000 |
Β |
Facsimile: |
020 7220 7370 |
Β |
Β |
Β |
or such other as the Agent may
notify to the other Parties by not less than five Business Days' notice. |
(c)Β |
The address and
facsimile numbers of the U.S. Swingline Agent are: |
Β |
Β |
Β |
The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc
10th Floor, 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XXX
00000 |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Contact: |
Loans Admin Unit, Xxxxxx Xxxx |
Β |
Telephone:Β |
000 000 000 0000 |
Β |
Facsimile: |
001 212 401 1494 |
Β |
Β |
Β |
or such other as the U.S. Swingline
Agent may notify to the other Parties by not less than five Business Days'
notice. |
(d) |
The addresses and facsimile numbers of Vodafone are: |
Β |
Β Β |
Β |
Vodafone Group Plc
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
0-0 Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx XX00 0XX |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Contact: |
Group Treasurer |
Β |
Telephone: |
00000 000 000 |
Β |
Facsimile: |
01635 676 746 |
Β |
Β |
Β |
or such other as Vodafone may
notify to the other Parties by not less than five Business Days' notice. |
(e) |
The Agent shall, promptly upon
request from any Party, give to that Party the address or facsimile number
of any other Party applicable at the time for the purposes of this ClauseΒ 32. |
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33. |
LANGUAGE |
(a) |
Any notice given under or in
connection with any Finance Document shall be in English. |
(b) |
All other documents provided
under or in connection with any Finance Document shall be: |
Β |
(ii) |
if not in English, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation shall prevail unless the document is a statutory or other official document. |
34. |
JURISDICTION |
34.1 |
Submission |
Β |
For the benefit of each Finance
Party, each Obligor agrees that the courts of England have jurisdiction
to settle any disputes in connection with any Finance Document and accordingly
submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts. |
34.2 |
Service of process |
Β |
Without prejudice to any other
mode of service, each Obligor (other than an Obligor incorporated in England
and Wales): |
Β |
(a) |
irrevocably appoints Vodafone as its agent for service of process relating to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document (and Vodafone accepts this appointment); |
Β |
(b) |
agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned; |
Β |
(c) |
consents to the service of process relating to any such proceedings by prepaid posting of a copy of the process to its address for the time being applying under ClauseΒ 32.2 (Addresses for notices); and |
Β |
(d) |
agrees that if the appointment of any person mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) above ceases to be effective, the relevant Obligor shall immediately appoint a further person in England to accept service of process on its behalf in England and, failing such appointment within 15 days, the Agent is entitled to appoint such a person by notice to Vodafone. |
34.3 |
Forum convenience
and enforcement abroad |
Β |
Each Obligor: |
Β |
(a) |
waives objection to the English courts on grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise as regards proceedings in connection with a Finance Document; and |
Β |
(b) |
agrees that a judgment or order of an English court in connection with a Finance Document is conclusive and binding on it and may be enforced against it in the courts of any other jurisdiction. |
34.4 |
Non-exclusivity |
Β |
Nothing in this ClauseΒ 34
limits the right of a Finance Party to bring proceedings against an Obligor
in connection with any Finance Document: |
Β |
(a) |
in any other court of competent jurisdiction; or |
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Β |
(b) |
concurrently in more than one jurisdiction. |
35. |
GOVERNING
LAW |
Β |
This Agreement is governed by
English law. |
THIS AGREEMENT has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
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SCHEDULEΒ 1
PART I
LENDERSΒ ANDΒ COMMITMENTS
Commitments
U.S.$
Original Lender |
Β | Β |
Commitment |
Β |
Β |
Β | Β |
(U.S.$) |
Β |
Bank of America, N.A. |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Barclays Bank PLC |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Bayerische Landesbank Girozentrale, London Branch |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
BNP Paribas (acting through its London Branch) |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Citibank, N.A. |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, London Branch |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Deutsche Bank AG London |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
HSBC Bank plc |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
ING Bank, N.V., London Branch |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
JPMorgan Chase Bank |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Landesbank Schleswig-Holstein Girozentrale |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Xxxxxx Commercial Paper Inc. |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Lloyds TSB Bank Plc |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Mizuho Corporate Bank, Limited |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
National Australia Bank Limited (ACN 004 044 937) |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Nomura Funding Facility Corporation Limited |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
The Toronto β Dominion Bank |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
UBS AG London Branch |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, London Branch |
Β | Β |
375,000,000 |
Β |
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ABN 11 005 357 522) |
Β | Β |
200,000,000 |
Β |
Banca di Roma S.p.A |
Β | Β |
200,000,000 |
Β |
Banca Nazionale del Lavoro S.p.A., London Branch |
Β | Β |
200,000,000 |
Β |
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. (London Branch) |
Β | Β |
200,000,000 |
Β |
Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. London Branch |
Β | Β |
200,000,000 |
Β |
Bayerische Hypo-und Vereinsbank AG |
Β | Β |
200,000,000 |
Β |
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Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Original Lender |
Β |
Β |
Commitment |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
(U.S.$) |
Β |
CoΓΆperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank
B.A. (trading as Rabobank International London) |
Β |
Β |
200,000,000 |
Β |
IntesaBci SpA |
Β |
Β |
200,000,000 |
Β |
KBC Bank NV |
Β |
Β |
200,000,000 |
Β |
Standard Chartered Bank |
Β |
Β |
200,000,000 |
Β |
The Bank of New York |
Β |
Β |
200,000,000 |
Β |
Wachovia Bank, National Association |
Β |
Β |
200,000,000 |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Total |
Β |
Β |
U.S.$
10,650,000,000 |
Β |
* Indicates a UK Non-Bank Lender
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PART II
SWINGLINE LENDERS AND SWINGLINE COMMITMENTS
Swingline Lender |
Β |
Swingline Commitments
U.S.$ |
Bank of America, N.A. |
Β |
250,000,000 |
Barclays Bank PLC |
Β |
250,000,000 |
BNP Paribas, New York Branch |
Β |
250,000,000 |
Citibank, N.A. |
Β |
250,000,000 |
Deutsche Bank AG New York |
Β |
250,000,000 |
HSBC Bank plc |
Β |
250,000,000 |
JPMorgan Chase Bank |
Β |
250,000,000 |
The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc
(New York Branch) |
Β |
250,000,000 |
Toronto Dominion (Texas), Inc. |
Β |
250,000,000 |
UBS AG Stamford Branch |
Β |
250,000,000 |
Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale,
New York Branch |
Β |
250,000,000 |
Β |
Β |
|
Total |
Β |
U.S.$2,750,000,000 |
|
|
|
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SCHEDULEΒ 2
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT DOCUMENTS
PART I
TO BE DELIVERED BEFORE THE FIRST ADVANCE
1. |
Constitutional
documents |
Β |
A copy of the memorandum and
articles of association and certificate of incorporation of Vodafone. |
2. |
Authorisations |
(a) |
A copy of a resolution of the
board of directors of Vodafone or, if applicable, of a committee of the
board of directors (together with a copy of the resolution of the board
of directors constituting that committee): |
Β |
(i) |
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the Fee Letters and resolving that it execute and, where applicable, deliver this Agreement and the Fee Letters; |
Β |
(ii) |
authorising a specified person or persons to execute and, where applicable, deliver this Agreement and the Fee Letters on its behalf; and |
Β |
(iii) |
authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices (including Requests) to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents; |
(b) |
a specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraphΒ (a) above; |
(c) |
a certificate of a director of Vodafone confirming that as at the first Drawdown Date the borrowing of the Total Commitments in full would not cause any borrowing limit binding on it to be exceeded (whether as a result of such limit having been waived or otherwise); |
(d) |
a certificate of an authorised signatory of Vodafone certifying that each copy document specified in this PartΒ I of ScheduleΒ 2 and supplied by Vodafone is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the Signing Date. |
3. |
Legal opinions |
Β |
A legal opinion of Xxxxx &
Xxxxx, English law counsel to the Agent, in relation to English law. |
Β |
Duty executed Fee Letters referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition of "Fee Letters". |
Back to Contents
PART II
TO BE DELIVERED BY AN ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR
1. |
A Guarantor Accession Agreement, duly executed (if appropriate, under seal) by the Additional Guarantor. |
2. |
A copy of the memorandum and articles of association and certificate of incorporation (or other equivalent constitutional documents) of the Additional Guarantor. |
3. |
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Additional Guarantor: |
Β |
(a) |
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Guarantor Accession Agreement and resolving that it execute the Guarantor Accession Agreement as a deed; |
Β |
(b) |
authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Guarantor Accession Agreement as a deed; and |
Β |
(c) |
authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with this Agreement. |
4. |
If the Additional Guarantor is not New Topco and the lawyers referred to in paragraph 10 below advise it to be necessary or desirable, a copy of a resolution, signed by all the holders of the issued or allotted shares in the Additional Guarantor, approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Guarantor Accession Agreement. |
5. |
If the Additional Guarantor is not New Topco, a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each corporate shareholder in the Additional Guarantor: |
Β |
(a) |
approving the terms of the resolution referred to in paragraph 4 above; and |
Β |
(b) |
authorising a specified person or persons to sign the resolution on its behalf. |
6. |
A certificate of a director of the Additional Guarantor certifying that the borrowing of the Total Commitments in full would not cause any borrowing limit binding on it to be exceeded. |
7. |
A copy of any other authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Agent considers to be necessary or desirable in connection with the entry into and performance of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Guarantor Accession Agreement or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document. |
8. |
A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolutions referred to in paragraphs 3 and, if applicable, 5 above. |
9. |
A copy of the latest annual statutory audited accounts of the Additional Guarantor. |
10. |
A legal opinion of Xxxxx & Overy, legal advisers to the Agent, and, if applicable, other lawyers approved by the Agent in the place of incorporation of the Additional Guarantor addressed to the Finance Parties. |
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Β |
Β |
11. |
A certificate of an authorised
signatory of the Additional Guarantor certifying that each copy document
specified in this Part II of Schedule 2 is correct, complete and in full
force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of the Guarantor
Accession Agreement. |
Back to Contents
PART III
TO BE DELIVERED BY AN ADDITIONAL
BORROWER
1. |
A Borrower Accession Agreement, duly executed (if appropriate, under seal) by the Additional Borrower. |
2. |
A copy of the memorandum and articles of association and certificate of incorporation (or other equivalent constitutional documents) of the Additional Borrower. |
3. |
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Additional Borrower: |
Β |
(a) |
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Borrower Accession Agreement and resolving that it execute the Borrower Accession Agreement; |
Β |
(b) |
authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Borrower Accession Agreement; and |
Β |
(c) |
authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with this Agreement. |
4. |
A certificate of a director of the Additional Borrower certifying that the borrowing of the Total Commitments in full would not cause any borrowing limit binding on it to be exceeded. |
5. |
A copy of any other authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Agent considers to be necessary or desirable in connection with the entry into and performance of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Borrower Accession Agreement or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document. |
6. |
A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolutions referred to in paragraphΒ 3 above. |
7. |
A copy of the latest annual statutory audited accounts of the Additional Borrower (if any). |
8. |
A legal opinion of Xxxxx & Xxxxx, legal advisers to the Agent, and, if applicable, other lawyers approved by the Agent in the place of incorporation of the Additional Borrower addressed to the Finance Parties. |
9. |
A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Additional Borrower certifying that each copy document specified in this Part III of Schedule 2 is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of the Borrower Accession Agreement. |
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SCHEDULE 3
MANDATORY COST FORMULAE
1. |
The Mandatory Cost for an
Advance (other than a Swingline Advance) is an addition to the interest
rate to compensate Lenders for the cost of compliance with the requirements
of the Bank of England and/or the Financial Services Authority (or, in
either case, any other authority which replaces all or any of its functions). |
2. |
On the first day of each Advance
or, as the case may be, each Interest Period for an Advance (or as soon
as possible thereafter) the Agent shall calculate, as a percentage rate,
a rate (the"Mandatory Cost Rate") for each Lender, in accordance
with the paragraphs set out below. The Mandatory Cost will be calculated
by the Agent as a weighted average of the Lenders' Mandatory Cost Rates
(weighted in proportion to the percentage participation of each Lender
in the relevant Advance) and will be expressed as a percentage rate per
annum. |
3. |
The Mandatory Cost Rate for
any Lender lending from a Facility Office in the UK will be calculated
by the Agent as follows: |
Β |
(a) |
in relation to a sterling
Advance: |
Β |
Β |
AB
+ C (B β D) + E Γ 0.01
100 β (A+C) |
per cent. per
annum |
Β |
(b)Β Β Β Β Β Β in
relation to an Advance in any currency other than sterling: |
Β |
Β |
E Γ
0.01
300 |
per cent. per
annum. |
Β |
A |
is the percentage of Eligible
Liabilities (assuming these to be in excess of any stated minimum) which
that Lender is from time to time required to maintain as an interest free
cash ratio deposit with the Bank of England to comply with cash ratio
requirements. |
Β |
B |
is the percentage rate of
interest (excluding the Margin and the Mandatory Cost) payable on the
Advance for the relevant Term or Interest Period (as applicable) of the
Advance. |
Β |
C |
is the percentage (if any)
of Eligible Liabilities which that Lender is required from time to time
to maintain as interest bearing Special Deposits with the Bank of England. |
Β |
D |
is the percentage rate per
annum payable by the Bank of England to that Lender on interest bearing
Special Deposits. |
Β |
E |
is designed to compensate
Lenders for amounts payable under the Fees Rules and is calculated by
the Agent as being the average of the most recent rates of charge supplied
by the Reference Banks to the Agent pursuant to paragraph 6 below and
expressed in pounds per Β£1,000,000. |
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4. |
For the purposes
of this Schedule: |
Β |
(a) |
"Eligible Liabilities"
and "Special Deposits" have the meanings given to them from time
to time under or pursuant to the Bank of England Act 1998 or (as may be
appropriate) by the Bank of England; |
Β |
(a) |
"Fees Rules" means the rules on
periodic fees contained in the FSA Supervision Manual or such other law
or regulation as may be in force from time to time in respect of the payment
of fees for the acceptance of deposits; |
Β |
(b) |
βFee Tariffsβ means
the fee tariffs specified in the Fees Rules under the activity group A.1
Deposit acceptors ignoring any minimum fee or zero rated fee required
pursuant to the Fees Rules but taking into account any applicable discount
rate); and |
Β |
(d)Β Β Β Β Β Β "Tariff
Base" has the meaning given to it in, and will be calculated in accordance
with, the Fees Rules. |
5. |
In application of the above formulae, A,
B, C and D will be included in the formulae as percentages (i.e. 5 per
cent. will be included in the formula as 5 and not as 0.05). A negative
result obtained by subtracting D from B shall be taken as zero. The resulting
figures shall be rounded to four decimal places. |
6. |
If requested by the Agent, each Reference
Bank shall, as soon as practicable after publication by the Financial
Services Authority, supply to the Agent, the rate of charge payable by
that Reference Bank to the Financial Services Authority pursuant to the
Fees Rules in respect of the relevant financial year of the Financial
Services Authority (calculated for this purpose by that Reference Bank
as being the average of the Fee Tariffs applicable to that Reference Bank
for that financial year) and expressed in pounds per Β£1,000,000
of the Tariff Base of that Reference Bank. |
7. |
In addition to any notification
required under Clause 8.2(c) (Interest rate for all Advances), each Lender
shall supply any information required by the Agent for the purpose of
calculating its Mandatory Cost Rate. In particular, but without limitation,
each Lender shall supply the following information in writing on or prior
to the date on which it becomes a Lender: |
Β |
(a)Β Β Β Β Β Β its
jurisdiction of incorporation and the jurisdiction of its Facility Office;
and |
Β |
(b) |
any other information that
the Agent may reasonably require for such purpose. |
Β |
Each Lender shall promptly
notify the Agent in writing of any change to the information provided
by it pursuant to this paragraph. |
8. |
The percentages of each Lender
for the purpose of A and C above and the rates of charge of each Reference
Bank for the purpose of E above shall be determined by the Agent based
upon the information supplied to it pursuant to paragraphs 6 and 7 above
and on the assumption that, unless a Lender notifies the Agent to the
contrary, each Lender's obligations in relation to cash ratio deposits
and Special Deposits are the same as those of a typical bank from its
jurisdiction of incorporation with a Facility Office in the same jurisdiction
as its Facility Office. |
9. |
The Agent shall have no liability
to any person if such determination results in a Mandatory Cost Rate which
over or under compensates any Lender and shall be entitled to assume that
the information provided by any Lender or Reference Bank pursuant to paragraphs
6 and 7 above is true and correct in all respects. |
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10. |
The Agent shall distribute
the additional amounts received as a result of the Mandatory Cost to the
Lenders on the basis of the Mandatory Cost Rate for each Lender based
on the information provided by each Lender and each Reference Bank pursuant
to paragraphs 6 and 7 above. |
11. |
Any determination by the Agent
pursuant to this Schedule in relation to a formula, the Mandatory Cost,
a Mandatory Cost Rate or any amount payable to a Lender shall, in the
absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all Parties. |
12. |
The Agent may from time to
time, after consultation with Vodafone and the Lenders, determine and
notify to all Parties any amendments which are required to be made to
this Schedule in order to comply with any change in law, regulation or
any requirements from time to time imposed by the Bank of England or the
Financial Services Authority (or, in any case, any other authority which
replaces all or any of its functions) and any such determination shall,
in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all Parties. |
Β |
βReference Banksβ
has the meaning set out in Clause 1.1 of this Agreement. |
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SCHEDULEΒ 4
FORM OF REQUEST
To: |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
as [Agent/U.S. Swingline Agent*] |
Date:Β Β Β Β Β Β [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
Vodafone Group Plc βU.S.$[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
Credit Agreement dated [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
June, 2002
1. |
We wish to utilise
the Revolving Credit Facility*
and/or the Swingline Facility*
by way of Advances*/Swingline
Advances* as follows: |
Β |
(a) |
Drawdown Date: |
Revolving |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Credit Facility: |
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]* |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Swingline Facility: |
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]* |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
(b) |
Requested Amount (including currency): |
Revolving |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Credit Facility: |
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]* |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Swingline Facility: |
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]* |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
(c) |
Term/Interest Period (for Term-out
Advances only)*: |
Revolving |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Credit Facility: |
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]* |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Swingline Facility: |
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]* |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
(d) |
Payment Instructions: |
Revolving |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Credit Facility: |
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]* |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Swingline Facility: |
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]* |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
(e) |
Maturity Date (for Term-out Advances
only)*: |
Revolving |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Credit Facility: |
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]* |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
2. |
We confirm that each
condition specified in [ClauseΒ 4.2 (Conditions to all drawdowns and
rollovers)]** is satisfied on the date of this Request and this Advance
would not cause any borrowing limit binding on us to be exceeded. |
[By:
[BORROWER]
Authorised Signatory]
** |
Delete as applicable depending
on whether the Advance is a Rollover Advance. |
Back to Contents
SCHEDULEΒ 5
FORMS OF ACCESSION DOCUMENTS
PARTΒ I
NOVATION CERTIFICATE
To: |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND
PLC as Agent |
From: |
[THE EXISTING LENDER] and
[THE NEW LENDER] Date: [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ] |
Vodafone Group Plc βU.S.$[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
Revolving Credit Agreement dated
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
June, 2002
We refer to ClauseΒ 26.3 (Procedure
for novations).
1. |
We [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
(the "Existing Lender") and [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
(the "New Lender") agree to the Existing Lender and the New Lender
novating all the Existing Lender's rights and obligations referred to
in the Schedule in accordance with ClauseΒ 26.3 (Procedure for novations). |
2. |
The specified date for the
purposes of [ClauseΒ 26.3(c) (Procedure for novations)] is [date of
novation]. |
3. |
The Facility Office and address
for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of ClauseΒ 32.2 (Addresses
for notices) are set out in the Schedule. |
4. |
The Existing Lender confirms that it has
given notice to Vodafone of the entry into of this Novation Certificate
in accordance with Clause 26.2(c) (Transfers by Lenders). |
5. |
This Novation Certificate
is governed by English law. |
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THEΒ SCHEDULE
Rights and obligations to be
novated
[Details of the rights and obligations
of the Existing Lender to be novated.]
[New Lender] |
Β |
Β |
[Facility Office |
Address for notices] |
Β |
[Existing Lender] |
[New Lender] |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND
PLC |
By: |
By: |
By: |
Date: |
Date: |
Date: |
Back to Contents
PART II
GUARANTOR ACCESSION AGREEMENT
To: |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
as Agent |
From: |
[PROPOSED GUARANTOR] |
Date: [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
Vodafone Group Plc βU.S.$[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
Revolving Credit Agreement
dated [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
June, 2002 Β (the "Credit Agreement")
Terms used in this Deed which are
defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meaning in this Deed as
in the Credit Agreement.
We refer to ClauseΒ 26.4 (Additional
Guarantors).
We, [name of company] of [Registered
Office] (Registered no. [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ])
agree to become an Additional Guarantor and to be bound by the terms of the
Credit Agreement as an Additional Guarantor in accordance with ClauseΒ 26.4
(Additional Guarantors). [In addition, we also agree to become bound by all
the terms of the Credit Agreement expressed to apply to or be binding on NewTopco]*
Our address for notices for the
purposes of ClauseΒ 32.2 (Addresses for notices) is:
[ |
Β |
Β |
] |
Β |
Β |
This Deed is governed by English law. |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Executed as a deed by |
) |
Director |
[PROPOSED GUARANTOR] |
) |
Β |
acting by |
) |
Director/Secretary |
andΒ |
) |
Β |
Β
* |
Only in the case of accession
by NewTopco. |
Back to Contents
PART III
BORROWER ACCESSION AGREEMENT
To:Β Β Β Β Β Β THE
ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as Agent
From:Β Β [PROPOSED
BORROWER]
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
[Date] |
Vodafone Group Plc -U.S.$[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
] Revolving Credit Agreement
dated [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
] June, 2002 (the "Credit Agreement")
Terms used herein which are defined
in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit
Agreement.
We refer to ClauseΒ 26.5 (Additional
Borrowers).
We, [Name of company] of [Registered
Office] (Registered no. [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ] agree to become party to and to be bound by the
terms of the Credit Agreement as an Additional Borrower in accordance with
ClauseΒ 26.5 (Additional Borrowers).
The address for notices of the Additional
Borrower for the purposes of ClauseΒ 32.2 (Addresses for notices) is:
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
]
This Agreement is governed by English
law.
[ADDITIONAL BORROWER]
By:
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
By:
Back to Contents
PART IV
LENDER ACCESSION AGREEMENT
To:Β Β Β Β Β Β THE
ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as Agent
From:Β Β [PROPOSED
ADDITIONAL LENDER]
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
[Date] |
Vodafone Group Plc -U.S.$[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
] Revolving Credit Agreement
dated [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
] June, 2002 (the "Credit Agreement")
Terms used herein which are defined
in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit
Agreement.
We refer to ClauseΒ 2.7 (Additional
Lenders).
We, [Name of Additional Lender]
agree to become party to and to be bound by the terms of the Credit Agreement
as an Additional Lender in accordance with ClauseΒ 2.7 (Additional Lenders)
with effect on and from [insert date].
Our Revolving Credit Commitment is
U.S.$[ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ].[Our
Swingline Commitment is U.S.$[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
]]1
We confirm to each Finance Party
that we:
(a) |
have made our own independent
investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of
each Obligor and its related entities in connection with its participation
in the Credit Agreement and have not relied exclusively on any information
provided to us by a Finance Party in connection with any Finance Document;
and |
(b) |
will continue to make our
own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and
its related entities while any amount is or may be outstanding under the
Credit Agreement or any Commitment is in force. |
The Facility Office and address
for notices of the Additional Lender for the purposes of ClauseΒ 32.2
(Addresses for notices) is:
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
This Agreement is governed by English
law.
[ADDITIONAL LENDER]
By:
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
By:
VODAFONE GROUP PLC
By:
1Β Β Β Β Β Β Delete
if not applicable
Back to Contents
SCHEDULE 6
FORM OF CONFIDENTIALITY UNDERTAKING
FROM NEW LENDER
To:Β Β Β Β Β Β [Existing
Lender];
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Vodafone
Group Plc;
Dear Sirs,
We refer to the U.S.$[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
] Revolving Credit Agreement dated [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
] June, 2002Β (the "Credit Agreement") between, among others, Vodafone
Group Plc and The Royal Bank of Scotland (as Agent).
This is a confidentiality undertaking
referred to in ClauseΒ 27 (Disclosure of information) of the Credit Agreement.
A term defined in the Credit Agreement has the same meaning in this undertaking.
We are considering entering into contractual
relations with [insert name of Lender] (the "Existing Lender")
and understand that it is a condition of our receiving information about
Vodafone Group Plc and its related companies and any Finance Document and/or
any information under or in connection with any Finance Document (the "Information")
that we execute this undertaking.
1. |
Confidentiality
Undertaking |
Β |
We undertake (a) to keep the
Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone except
as provided for by paragraph 2 below and to ensure that the Confidential
Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that
would apply to our own confidential information, (b) to use the Confidential
Information only for the Permitted Purpose, (c) to use all reasonable endeavours
to ensure that any person to whom we pass any Confidential Information (unless
disclosed under paragraph 2(b) below) acknowledges and complies with the
provisions of this letter as if that person were also a party to it and
(d) not to make enquiries of any member of the Group or any of their officers,
directors, employees or professional advisers relating directly or indirectly
to the Facilities, other than directly to the Group Treasurer of Vodafone. |
2. |
Permitted Disclosure |
Β |
You agree that we may disclose
Confidential Information: |
Β |
(a) |
to members of the Purchaser
Group and their officers, directors, employees and professional advisers
to the extent necessary for the Permitted Purpose and to any auditors
of members of the Purchaser Group; |
Β |
(b) |
where requested or required
by any court of competent jurisdiction or any competent judicial, governmental,
supervisory or regulatory body, (ii) where required by the rules of any
stock exchange on which the shares or other securities of any member of
the Purchaser Group are listed or (iii) where required by the laws or
regulations of any country with jurisdiction over the affairs of any member
of the Purchaser Group. |
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3. |
Notification
of Required or Unauthorised Disclosure |
Β |
We agree (to the extent permitted
by law) to inform you of the full circumstances of any disclosure under
paragraph 2(b) or upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has
been disclosed in breach of this letter. |
4. |
Return of Copies |
Β |
If you so request in writing,
we shall return all Confidential Information supplied by you to us and destroy
or permanently erase all copies of Confidential Information made by us and
use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that anyone to whom we have supplied
any Confidential Information destroys or permanently erases such Confidential
Information and any copies made by them, in each case save to the extent
that we or the recipients are required to retain any such Confidential Information
by any applicable law, rule or regulation or by any competent judicial,
governmental, supervisory or regulatory body or in accordance with internal
policy, or where the Confidential Information has been disclosed under paragraphΒ 2(b)
above. |
5. |
Continuing Obligations |
Β |
The obligations in this letter
are continuing and, in particular, shall survive the termination of any
discussions or negotiations between you and us. Notwithstanding the previous
sentence, the obligations in this letter shall cease (a) if we become a
party to the Facilities or (b) twelve months after we have returned all
Confidential Information supplied to us by you and destroyed or permanently
erased all copies of Confidential Information made by us (other than any
such Confidential Information or copies which have been disclosed under
paragraphΒ 2 above (other than sub-paragraph 2(a)) or which, pursuant
to paragraph 4 above, are not required to be returned or destroyed provided
that any such Confidential Information retained in accordance with paragraph
4 shall remain confidential, subject to paragraph 2, for the period during
which it is retained). |
6. |
Consequences
of Breach, etc. |
Β |
We acknowledge and agree that
youor members of the Group (each a "Relevant Person")
may be irreparably harmed by the breach of the terms hereof and damages
may not be an adequate remedy; each Relevant Person may be granted an injunction
or specific performance for any threatened or actual breach of the provisions
of this letter by any member of the Purchaser Group. |
7. |
No Waiver; Amendments,
etc. |
Β |
This letter sets out the full
extent of our obligations of confidentiality owed to you in relation to
the information the subject of this letter. No failure or delay in exercising
any right, power or privilege hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof
nor will any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege
preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right,
power or privileges hereunder. The terms of this letter and our obligations
hereunder may only be amended or modified by written agreement between us. |
Back to Contents
8. |
Inside Information |
Β |
We acknowledge that some or all
of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information
and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable
legislation relating to insider dealing and we undertake not to use any
Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose. |
9. |
Nature of Undertakings |
Β |
The undertakings given by us
under this letter are given to you and (without implying any fiduciary obligations
on your part) are also given for the benefit of each other member of the
Group. |
10. |
Governing Law
and Jurisdiction |
Β |
This shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of England and the parties submit
to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. |
11. |
Third Party Rights |
Β |
(a) |
Subject to paragraph 6 and to paragraph 9
the terms of this letter may be enforced and relied upon only by you and
us and the operation of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Xxx 0000
is excluded. |
Β |
(b) |
Notwithstanding any provisions of this
letter, the parties of this letter do not require the consent of any Relevant
Person to rescind or vary this letter at any time. |
12. |
Definitions |
Β |
In this letter: |
Β |
"Confidential Information"
means any information relating to Vodafone, the Group and/or the Facilities
provided to us by you or any of your Affiliates or advisers, in whatever
form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic
file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains
or is derived or copied from such information but excludes information
that (a) is or becomes public knowledge other than as a direct or indirect
result of any breach of this letter or (b) is known by us before the date
the information is disclosed to us by you or any of your affiliates or
advisers or is lawfully obtained by us thereafter, other than from a source
which is connected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as
we are aware, has not been obtained in violation of, and is not otherwise
subject to, any obligation of confidentiality; |
Β |
"Permitted Purpose"
means considering and evaluating whether to enter into the Facilities;
and |
Β |
"Purchaser Group" means
us, each of our holding companies and subsidiaries and each subsidiary
of each of our holding companies (as each such term is defined in the
Companies Act 1985). |
Yours faithfully
.................................
For and on behalf of
[New Lender]
Back to Contents
SCHEDULE 7
FORM OF ADDITIONAL LENDER'S
FEE LETTER
Vodafone Group Plc ("Vodafone")
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
0-0 Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx XX00 0XX
For the attention of Xxxxx Xxxxx
[DATE]
Dear Sirs,
Fee Letter
You have asked us to participate in
a U.S.$[ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
credit facility (the "Facility") to provide support for the Group's continuing
commercial paper programmes, core liquidity needs of the Group and general corporate
purposes of the Group.
Terms defined in the credit agreement
dated [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ] June, 2002 between (inter alia) Vodafone and the financial institutions
listed therein (the "Credit Agreement") have the same meaning in this
letter unless otherwise defined in this letter or the context otherwise requires.
This letter sets out the terms upon
which you have agreed to pay a fee in relation to our participation in the Facility.
1. |
Fee |
Β |
You will pay to us for our account
a non-refundable up-front fee equal to [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
] per cent. flat calculated on our Revolving Credit Commitment as at the
date on which we become an Additional Lender pursuant to Clause 2.7 (Additional
Lenders) of the Credit Agreement and payable 5 Business Days after that
date; |
2. |
Finance Document |
Β |
Β This
Fee Letter is a Finance Document. |
3. |
No Set-off |
Β |
All payments to be made under
this Fee Letter will be calculated and made without (and free and clear
of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim). |
4. |
Governing Law |
Β |
This letter is governed by and
construed in accordance with English law. |
If you agree to the above please sign
and return the enclosed copy of this letter.
Back to Contents
This letter may be executed in any
number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on
the counterparts were on a single copy of this letter.
Β
Yours faithfully,
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦.
For and on behalf of
[ADDITIONAL LENDER]
Β
We agree to the terms set out
above.
[Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ]
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦.
For and on behalf of
Vodafone Group Plc
[DATE]
Back to Contents
98
SCHEDULE 8
FIXED RATE LOANS
1.Β Β Β Β Β Β Mannesmann
Fixed Rate Loans
Financial indebtedness of Vodafone
AG (previously Mannesmann AG) and detailed below:
Bank |
Amount
β¬m |
Β |
Due Date |
Bayerische Landesbank |
51.1 |
Β |
15.12.04 |
Landesbank Baden-WΓΌrttemberg |
76.7 |
Β |
15.12.04 |
DG Bank |
51.1 |
Β |
15.12.04 |
Deutsche Bank |
127.8 |
Β |
15.12.04 |
Landesbank Hessen-ThΓΌringen |
51.1 |
Β |
12.01.06 |
Bayerische Landesbank |
61.4 |
Β |
16.01.06 |
DG Bank |
51.1 |
Β |
02.01.06 |
WGZ Bank |
51.1 |
Β |
13.01.06 |
Landesbank Baden-WΓΌrttemberg |
40.9 |
Β |
30.01.06 |
Β |
|
Β |
Β |
Total |
562.3; or |
Β |
Β |
|
|
|
|
2.Β Β Β Β Β Β Airtouch
Bonds
Financial Indebtedness of AirTouch
under bonds issued by AirTouch in existence at the Signing Date to the extent
the aggregate principal amount does not exceed U.S.$1,350,000,000 (being $250,000,000
7% due October 2003, $200,000,000 6.35% due June 2005, $400,000,000 7.5% due
July 2006 and $500,000,000 6.65% due May 2008) (in respect of its existing
bonds denominated in U.S. Dollars) and DM400,000,000 (in respect of its existing
bonds denominated in Deutsche Marks); or
3.Β Β Β Β Β Β Mannesmann
Bonds
Financial Indebtedness of Vodafone
Finance BV (previously Mannesmann Finance BV) under bonds issued by Vodafone
Finance BV in existence as at the Signing Date to the extent that the aggregate
principal amount does not exceed β¬7,000,000,000 (being β¬1bn floating
rate note due July 2002, β¬2.5bn 4.875% due September 2004, DM960,000,000
5.25% due January 2005, and β¬3bn 4.75% due May 2009); or
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99
4.Β Β Β Β Β Β Japan
Telecom Bonds
Financial Indebtedness of Japan
Telecom under bonds issued by Japan Telecom in existence at the Signing Date
to the extent that the aggregate principal amount does not exceed Β₯200,000,000,000
(being eight issues each of Β₯25bn due between April 2003 and September
2010).
Back to Contents
100
SIGNATORIES
Borrower and Guarantor
VODAFONE GROUP Plc
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXX
Β
Arrangers
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LIMITED
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXX
XXXXXXX
Β
BARCLAYS CAPITAL
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
BNP PARIBAS
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXXX
XXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
DEUTSCHE BANK AG LONDON
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXX & XXXXXXX X. X. XXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
HSBC INVESTMENT BANK PLC
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXX
XXXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
ING BANK N.V., LONDON BRANCH
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXX
XXXXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
XXXXXX BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE)
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED
(ACN 004 044 937)
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX & XXXX XXXXXXX
Back to Contents
SALOMON BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
TD BANK EUROPE LIMITED
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXX
X. XXXXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
UBS WARBURG Ltd
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXX
XXXXXX & XXXXXX XXXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE,
LONDON BRANCH
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXX
XXX XXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
Lenders
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING
GROUP LIMITED (ABN 11 005 357 522)
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXXX
XXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
BANCA DI ROMA S.P.A.
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β X.X.
XXXXXXXX & X . XXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
BANCA NAZIONALE DEL LAVORO S.P.A.,
LONDON BRANCH
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXX
XXXXXXXX & XXXXX XXXXXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA S.A.
(LONDON BRANCH)
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXXXXXX & XXXX XXXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
Back to Contents
BANCO SANTANDER CENTRAL HISPANO, S.A.
LONDON BRANCH
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β GRANT
SESSIONS & XXXXX XXXXXX
Β
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
as Lender and Swingline Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
X. XXXXXXXXX
Β
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
as Lender and Swingline Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
BAYERISCHE HYPO-UND VEREINSBANK AG
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX & XXXXXX XXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
BAYERISCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE,
LONDON BRANCH
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXXX
XXXX & XXXXX XXXXX
Β
BNP PARIBAS (acting through its London
Branch)
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXXX
XXXXX
Β
BNP PARIBAS, NEW YORK BRANCH
as Swingline Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXXX
XXXXX
Β
CITIBANK, N.A.
as Lender and Swingline Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXX
XXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, LONDON
BRANCH
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX AND XXXXX IMAM
Β Β Β Β Β Β
Back to Contents
COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK
B.A. (TRADING AS RABOBANK INTERNATIONAL LONDON)
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β P.
CHIDAMBARAM & XXXXXXX X.X. XXXXXXXXXΒ Β Β Β Β Β
DEUTSCHE BANK
AG LONDON
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXX & XXXXXXX X. X. XXXXXΒ Β Β Β Β
DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORKΒ
as Swingline Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXXΒ Β Β Β
HSBC BANK PLC
as Lender and Swingline Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXX
XXXXXXΒ Β Β Β Β
ING BANK
N.V., LONDON BRANCHΒ
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXX
XXXXXXXΒ Β Β Β
INTESABCI S.P.A
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX & STEFANO BURANIΒ Β Β Β Β Β
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
as Lender and Swingline Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXX
XXXXX
KBC BANK NV
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β M.D.
XXXXX & XXXXX XXXXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
Back to Contents
Β
XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXX-XXXXX
XXXXX & XXXXX XXXXX
XXXXXX COMMERCIAL PAPER INC.
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXXX
LLOYDS TSB BANK PLC
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXX
XXXXXXXXX
MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LIMITED
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXX
XXXXXXX
NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED (ACN
004 044 937)
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX & XXXX XXXXXXX
NOMURA FUNDING FACILITY CORPORATION
LIMITED
as LenderΒ Β Β Β
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β IAN
ANNARD
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXXX & XXXXXXX ZUGNA
SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXXX
XXXXX
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
as LenderΒ Β Β Β
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
Back to Contents
THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXXXX
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
as LenderΒ Β Β Β Β
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXX
X. XXXXXXX
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC (NEW
YORK BRANCH)
as Swingline LenderΒ Β Β Β Β
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXX
X. XXXXXXX
THE TORONTO β DOMINION BANK
as LenderΒ Β Β Β Β
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXX
TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS), INC.
as Swingline Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXX
XXXXXX
UBS AG LONDON BRANCH
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXX
XXXXXX & XXXXXX XXXXXX
UBS AG STAMFORD BRANCH
as Swingline LenderΒ Β Β
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXX
XXXXXX & XXXXXX XXXXXX
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXX
X. XXXXX
Β Β Β Β Β Β
Back to Contents
WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE,
LONDON BRANCH
as Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXX
XXX XXXXX
WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE,
NEW YORK BRANCH
as Swingline Lender
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β XXX
XXX XXXXX
Agent
THE ROYAL
BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
By: Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXX
X. XXXXXXX
U.S. Swingline Agent
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC (NEW
YORK BRANCH)
By: Β Β Β Β Β Β XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX
Back to Contents
Β |
To:Vodafone Group
Plc (βVodafoneβ)
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
0-0 Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx XX00 0XX
|
CONFORMED
COPY |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Attn: |
Xxxxx Xxxxx |
Β |
Β |
27th June, 2002
Dear Sirs,
Vodafone Group Plc β U.S.$10,650,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated the same date hereof between, inter alia, Vodafone and the counterparties to this letter (the Agreement)
We refer to the Agreement. Unless otherwise defined, terms used in this letter shall bear the meanings given to them in the Agreement.
This is a Fee Letter.
You have asked us to provide U.S.$10,650,000,000 credit facilities (the Facilities) to provide support for the Groupβs continuing commercial paper programmes, core liquidity needs and general corporate purposes of the Group.
This letter sets out the terms upon which you have agreed to pay a front-end fee in relation to the arrangement of the Facilities.
1.Β Β Β Β Β Β Fees
Β |
You will pay to the Agent for the account of each of the Original Lenders (as at the Signing Date) a non-refundable front-end fee as follows: |
Β |
(a) |
for each Original Lender which has a Revolving Credit Commitment (as at the Signing Date) of U.S.$375,000,000, 0.03 per cent. flat calculated on its Revolving Credit Commitment as at the Signing Date and payable 5 Business Days after the Signing Date; and |
Β |
(b) |
for each Original Lender which has a Revolving Credit Commitment (as at the Signing Date) of U.S.$200,000,000, 0.02 per cent. flat calculated on its Revolving Credit Commitment as at the Signing Date and payable 5 Business Days after the Signing Date. |
2.Β Β Β Β Β Β No Set-off
Β |
Β |
All payments to be made under
this Fee Letter will be calculated and made without (and free and clear
of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim. |
Β |
Β |
Β |
BK:969119.2
04/06/03 |
newchange |
Back to Contents
2
3.Β Β Β Β Β Β Governing Law
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β This
letter is governed by English law.
If you agree to the above please sign and return the enclosed copy of this letter.
This letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this letter.
Yours faithfully,
XXXXXXX XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED
(ABN 11 005 357 522)
XX XXXXXXXX & H XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
BANCA DI ROMA S.P.A.
XXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXX XXXXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
BANCA NAZIONALE DEL LAVORO S.P.A., LONDON
BRANCH
XXXXX XXXXXXXXX & XXXX XXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA S.A. (LONDON
BRANCH)
GRANT SESSIONS & XXXXX XXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
BANCO SANTANDER CENTRAL HISPANO, S.A. LONDON
BRANCH
XXXXX XXXXXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
XXXXX XXXXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
BK:969119.2
04/06/03 |
newchange |
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3
XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX & XXXXXX XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
BAYERISCHE HYPO- UND VEREINSBANK AG
XXXXXXX XXXX & XXXXX XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
BAYERISCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE, LONDON
BRANCH
XXXXXXX XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
BNP PARIBAS (acting through its London Branch)
XXXX XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
CITIBANK, N.A.
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX & ZARIS IMAM
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, LONDON BRANCH
X XXXXXXXXXXX & XXXXXXX X.X. XXXXXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK
B.A. (TRADING AS RABOBANK INTERNATIONAL LONDON)
XXXXX XXXXX AND XXXXXXX XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
DEUTSCHE BANK AG LONDON
XXX XXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
HSBC BANK PLC
XXXX XXXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
ING BANK N.V., LONDON BRANCH
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX & STEFANO BURANI
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
INTESABCI S.P.A
BK:969119.2
04/06/03 |
newchange |
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4
XXX XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
M.D. XXXXX & XXXXX XXXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
KBC BANK NV
XXXX-XXXXX XXXXX & XXXXX XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
LANDESBANK SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN GIROZENTRALE
XXXXX XXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
XXXXXX COMMERCIAL PAPER INC.
XXXX XXXXXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
LLOYDS TSB BANK PLC
XXXXXX XXXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LIMITED
XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX & XXXX XXXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED (ACN 004
044 937)
IAN ANNARD
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
NOMURA FUNDING FACILITY CORPORATION LIMITED
XXXXX XXXXXX & XXXXXXX ZUGNA
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
XXXXXXX XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION
BK:969119.2
04/06/03 |
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5
XXXXX XXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
XXXXX XXXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD
XXXXXX XXXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
XXXXX XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
TD BANK EUROPE LIMITED
XXXXXX XXXXXX & XXXXXX XXXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
UBS AG LONDON BRANCH
XXXX X XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
XXX XXX XXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE, LONDON
BRANCH
FORM OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We agree to the above.
XXXXX XXXXX
β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
For and on behalf of
VODAFONE GROUP Plc
BK:969119.2
04/06/03 |
newchange |