[Draft--7/21/98]
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NorthEast Optic Network, Inc.
[ ]% Senior Notes Due 2008
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INDENTURE
Dated as of [ ]
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U.S. Bank Trust National Association
Trustee
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CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
TIA Indenture
Section Section
310(a)(1) .............................. 7.10
(a)(2) .............................. 7.10
(a)(3) .............................. N.A.
(a)(4) .............................. N.A.
(b) .............................. 7.08; 7.10
(c) .............................. N.A.
311(a) .............................. 7.11
(b) .............................. 7.11
(c) .............................. N.A.
312(a) .............................. 2.05
(b) .............................. 10.03
(c) .............................. 10.03
313(a) .............................. 7.06
(b)(1) .............................. N.A.
(b)(2) .............................. 7.06
(c) .............................. 10.02
(d) .............................. 7.06
314(a) .............................. 4.02;
4.13; 10.02
(b) .............................. N.A.
(c)(1) .............................. 10.04
(c)(2) .............................. 10.04
(c)(3) .............................. N.A.
(d) .............................. N.A.
(e) .............................. 10.05
(f) .............................. 4.13
315(a) .............................. 7.01
(b) .............................. 7.05; 10.02
(c) .............................. 7.01
(d) .............................. 7.01
(e) .............................. 6.11
316(a)(last sentence) .............................. 10.06
(a)(1)(A) .............................. 6.05
(a)(1)(B) .............................. 6.04
(a)(2) .............................. N.A.
(b) .............................. 6.07
317(a)(1) .............................. 6.08
(a)(2) .............................. 6.09
(b) .............................. 2.04
318(a) .............................. 10.01
N.A. means Not Applicable.
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Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any
purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1 Page
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Definitions and Incorporation by Reference
------------------------------------------
SECTION 1.01. Definitions ............................ 1
SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions ...................... 24
SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust
Indenture Act ........................ 24
SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction .................. 25
ARTICLE 2
The Securities
--------------
SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating ........................ 25
SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication ........... 25
SECTION 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent ............. 26
SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust..... 27
SECTION 2.05. Securityholder Lists ................... 27
SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange .................. 27
SECTION 2.07. Replacement Securities ................. 28
SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Securities ................. 29
SECTION 2.09. Temporary Securities ................... 29
SECTION 2.10. Cancellation ........................... 29
SECTION 2.11. Defaulted Interest ..................... 30
SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers .......................... 30
ARTICLE 3
Redemption
----------
SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee ..................... 30
SECTION 3.02. Selection of Securities To Be
Redeemed ............................. 30
SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption ................... 31
SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption ......... 32
SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price ............ 32
SECTION 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part ............ 32
2
ARTICLE 4
Covenants
---------
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Securities .................. 32
SECTION 4.02. SEC Reports ............................ 33
SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness ............. 33
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments ...... 36
SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Restrictions on
Distributions from Restricted
Subsidiaries ........................ 39
SECTION 4.06. Limitation on Sales of Assets and
Subsidiary Stock .................... 40
SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Affiliate Transactions ... 44
SECTION 4.08. Limitation on the Sale or Issuance
of Capital Stock of Restricted
Subsidiaries......................... 45
SECTION 4.09. Change of Control ...................... 45
SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Liens..................... 47
SECTION 4.11. Limitation on Sale/Leaseback
Transactions ........................ 47
SECTION 4.12. Future Guarantors....................... 47
SECTION 4.13. Compliance Certificate.................. 47
SECTION 4.14. Further Instruments and Acts............ 48
SECTION 4.15 Pledge Account.......................... 48
ARTICLE 5
Successor Company
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SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer
Assets ............................... 48
ARTICLE 6
Defaults and Remedies
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SECTION 6.01. Events of Default ...................... 49
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration ........................... 52
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies ......................... 52
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults ................ 52
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority .................... 53
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits .................... 53
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders To Receive Payment ... 53
SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee ............. 54
SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim ....... 54
SECTION 6.10. Priorities ............................. 54
SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs .................. 55
SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws ....... 55
3
ARTICLE 7
Trustee
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SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee ...................... 55
SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee ...................... 57
SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee ........... 57
SECTION 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer ................... 57
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults ..................... 58
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders .......... 58
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity ............. 58
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee ................. 59
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger ............ 60
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification .......... 60
SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims
Against Company ...................... 61
ARTICLE 8
Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance
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SECTION 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Securities;
Defeasance ........................... 61
SECTION 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance ............... 62
SECTION 8.03. Application of Trust Money ............. 63
SECTION 8.04. Repayment to Company ................... 63
SECTION 8.05. Indemnity for Government
Obligations .......................... 64
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement .......................... 64
ARTICLE 9
Amendments
----------
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders ............. 64
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders ................ 65
SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture ........ 66
SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents
and Waivers .......................... 66
SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of
Securities ........................... 67
SECTION 9.06. Trustee To Sign Amendments ............. 67
SECTION 9.07. Payment for Consent .................... 68
4
ARTICLE 10
Miscellaneous
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SECTION 10.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls ........... 68
SECTION 10.02. Notices ................................ 68
SECTION 10.03. Communication by Holders with Other
Holders .............................. 68
SECTION 10.04. Certificate and Opinion as to
Conditions Precedent ................. 69
SECTION 10.05. Statements Required in Certificate
or Opinion ........................... 69
SECTION 10.06. When Securities Disregarded ............ 69
SECTION 10.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and
Registrar ............................ 70
SECTION 10.08. Legal Holidays ......................... 70
SECTION 10.09. Governing Law .......................... 70
SECTION 10.10. No Recourse Against Others ............. 70
SECTION 10.11. Successors ............................. 70
SECTION 10.12. Multiple Originals ..................... 70
SECTION 10.13. Table of Contents; Headings ............ 71
Exhibit A - Form of Security
[Draft--06/20/98]
INDENTURE dated as of , 1998, between
NORTHEAST OPTIC NETWORK INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company") and U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, a national banking organization (the
"Trustee").
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other
party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company's
% Senior Notes Due 2008 (the "Securities"):
ARTICLE 1
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference
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SECTION 1.01. Definitions.
------------
"Additional Assets" means (i) any property or assets (other
than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) in a Related Business; (ii) the Capital
Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the
acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or another Restricted
Subsidiary; or (iii) Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any
Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that any
such Restricted Subsidiary described in clauses (ii) or (iii) above is primarily
engaged in a Related Business.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person,
directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. For
purposes of Sections 4.04, 4.06 and 4.07 only, "Affiliate" shall also mean any
beneficial owner of Capital Stock representing 5% or more of the total voting
power of the Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company or of rights
or warrants to purchase such Capital Stock (whether or not currently
exercisable) and any Person who would be an Affiliate of any such beneficial
owner pursuant to the first sentence hereof.
"Asset Disposition" means any sale, lease, transfer or other
disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or dispositions) by
the Company or any
2
Restricted Subsidiary, including any disposition by means of a merger,
consolidation or similar transaction (each referred to for the purposes of this
definition as a "disposition"), of (i) any shares of Capital Stock of a
Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors' qualifying shares or shares
required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary), (ii) all or substantially all the assets of any division
or line of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) any
other assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary
course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (other than, in
the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) above, (A) a disposition by a Restricted
Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (B) for purposes of Section 4.06 only, a disposition
that constitutes a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 4.04 or a Permitted
Investment, (C) exchanges of Telecommunications Assets for other
Telecommunications Assets where the Fair Market Value of the Telecommunications
Assets received is at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the
Telecommunications Assets disposed of or, if less, the difference is received in
cash and such cash shall be deemed to be Net Available Cash, (D) Permitted
Telecommunications Capital Asset Dispositions and (E) disposition of assets with
a fair market value of less than $250,000); provided, however, that transfers of
fiber capacity in exchange for indefeasible rights of use and long-term leases
of fiber capacity shall be treated as made in the ordinary course of business.
"Attributable Debt" in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction
means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the
interest rate borne by the Securities, compounded annually) of the total
obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the
lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for
which such lease has been extended).
"Average Life" means, as of the date of determination, with
respect to any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by
dividing (i) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of
determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of
such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such
Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by (ii) the sum of all
such payments.
3
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the
Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.
"Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
or Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in the City of New
York are authorized or obliged by law, executive order or regulation to close.
"Capital Lease Obligations" means an obligation that is
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial
reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness
represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such
obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof
shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such
lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the
lessee without payment of a penalty.
"Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares,
interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participation or other
equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person,
including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible
into such equity.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of
the following events:
(i) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders,
is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 3d-5
under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause (i)
such person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all
shares that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or
indirectly, of more than 35% of the total voting power of the Voting
Stock of the Company; provided, however, that the Permitted Holders
beneficially own (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 3d-5 under the Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of
the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company than such
other person and do not have the right or ability by voting power,
contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of
the Board of Directors (for the purposes of this clause (i), such other
person shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a
4
specified corporation held by another Person "a parent corporation", if
such other person is the beneficial owner (as described in this clause
(i)), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the voting power of
the Voting Stock of such parent corporation and the Permitted Holders
beneficially own (as defined in clause (i) above), directly or
indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the voting power of
the Voting Stock of such parent corporation and do not have the right
or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate
for election a majority of the board of directors of such parent
corporation);
(ii) individuals who on the Issue Date constituted the Board
of Directors (together with any new directors whose election by such
Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders
of the Company was approved by a vote of 66-2/3% of the directors of
the Company then still in office who were either directors on the Issue
Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so
approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of
Directors then in office;
(iii) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company; or
(iv) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into
another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the
Company, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the
Company to another Person (other than a Person that is controlled by
the Permitted Holders), and, in the case of any such merger or
consolidation, the securities of the Company that are outstanding
immediately prior to such transaction and which represent 100% of the
aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company are changed
into or exchanged for cash, securities or property, unless pursuant to
such transaction such securities are changed into or exchanged for, in
addition to any other consideration, securities of the surviving Person
or transferee that represent immediately after such transaction, at
least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of
the surviving Person or transferee.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Company" means the party named as such in this Indenture
until a successor replaces it and, thereafter,
5
means the successor and, for purposes of any provision contained herein and
required by the TIA, each other obligor on the indenture securities.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the
total interest expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted
Subsidiaries, plus, to the extent not included in such interest expense, and to
the extent incurred by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, without
duplication, (i) interest expense attributable to capital leases and the
interest expense attributable to leases constituting part of a Sale/Leaseback
Transaction, (ii) amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost, (iii)
capitalized interest, (iv) non-cash interest expenses, (v) commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and
bankers' acceptance financing, (vi) net costs associated with Hedging
Obligations (including amortization of fees), (vii) Preferred Stock dividends in
respect of all Preferred Stock held by Persons other than the Company or a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (viii) interest incurred in connection with Investments
in discontinued operations, (ix) interest accruing on any Indebtedness of any
other Person to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by (or secured by the
assets of) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and (x) the cash
contributions to any employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the
extent such contributions are used by such plan or trust to pay interest or fees
to any Person (other than the Company) in connection with Indebtedness Incurred
by such plan or trust.
"Consolidated Leverage Ratio" as of any date of determination
means the ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination to (ii) EBITDA for
the four most recent consecutive fiscal quarters ending at least 45 days prior
to such date of determination (such four fiscal quarters being herein called the
"Reference Period"); provided, however, that
(1) if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate
the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness, the
amount of such Indebtedness shall be calculated after giving effect on
a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness and to the discharge of any
other Indebtedness repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise
discharged with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness;
(2) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
has repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise
6
discharged any Indebtedness that was outstanding as of the end of such
fiscal quarter or if any Indebtedness that was outstanding as of the
end of such fiscal quarter is to be repaid, repurchased, defeased or
otherwise discharged on the date of the transaction giving rise to the
need to calculate the Consolidated Leverage Ratio (other than, in each
case, Indebtedness Incurred under any revolving credit agreement), the
aggregate amount of Indebtedness shall be calculated on a pro forma
basis and EBITDA shall be calculated as if the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary had not earned the interest income, if any,
actually earned during the Reference Period in respect of cash or
Temporary Cash Investments used to repay, repurchase, defease or
otherwise discharge such Indebtedness;
(3) if since the beginning of the Reference Period the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Disposition, the
EBITDA for the Reference Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to
the EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are
the subject of such Asset Disposition for the Reference Period or
increased by an amount equal to the EBITDA (if negative) directly
attributable thereto for the Reference Period;
(4) if since the beginning of the Reference Period the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made
an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes
a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition of assets which constitutes
all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business, EBITDA for
the Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect
thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such
Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of the Reference
Period; and
(5) if since the beginning of the Reference Period any Person
(that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or
into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of
such Reference Period) shall have made any Asset Disposition, any
Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an
adjustment pursuant to clause (3) or (4) above if made by the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary during the Reference Period, EBITDA for the
Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect
thereto as if such Asset Disposition, Investment or acquisition
occurred on the first day of the Reference Period.
7
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net
income of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries; provided, however,
that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:
(i) any net income of any Person (other than the Company) if
such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that subject to the
exclusion contained in clause (iv) below, the Company's equity in the
net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in such
Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually
distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in
the case of a dividend or other distribution paid to a Restricted
Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (iii) below);
(ii) any net income (or loss) of any Person acquired by the
Company or a Subsidiary in a pooling of interests transaction for any
period prior to the date of such acquisition;
(iii) any net income of any Restricted Subsidiary if such
Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or
indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions
by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company,
except that (A) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (iv)
below, the Company's equity in the net income of any such Restricted
Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net
Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such
Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in
the case of a dividend or other distribution paid to another Restricted
Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause applicable to
such other Restricted Subsidiary) and (B) the Company's equity in a net
loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be
included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;
(iv) any gain (but not loss) realized upon the sale or other
disposition of any assets of the Company or its consolidated
Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any sale-and-leaseback arrangement)
which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of
business and any gain (but not loss) realized upon the
8
sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person;
(v) extraordinary gains or losses; and
(vi) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.04 only, there shall
be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or
advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such dividends, repayments or
transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such
Section pursuant to clause (a)(3)(D) thereof.
"Credit Agreement" means each agreement entered into by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for loans to the Company
or any such Restricted Subsidiary, as amended, extended, renewed, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified (in whole or in part, and without limitation
as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to
time, and any agreement (and related document) governing Indebtedness incurred
to Refinance, in whole or in part, the borrowings and commitments then
outstanding or permitted to be outstanding under such agreement whether by the
same or any other lender or group of lenders.
"Currency Agreement" means in respect of a Person any foreign
exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement designed
to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency values.
"Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage
of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
"Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any
Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it
is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder) or
upon the happening of any event (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable
pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (ii) is convertible or
exchangeable at the option of the holder for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock
or (iii) is redeemable or must be purchased, upon the occurrence of certain
events or otherwise, at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part,
in each case under clause (i), (ii) or (iii) on or prior to a date that is six
9
months following the Stated Maturity of the Securities; provided, however, that
any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for
provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to
repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an "asset sale"
or "change of control" occurring prior to a date that is six months following
the Stated Maturity of the Securities shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if
(x) the "asset sale" or "change of control" provisions applicable to such
Capital Stock are not more favorable to the holders of such Capital Stock than
the provisions of Sections 4.07 and 4.10 and (y) any such requirement only
becomes operative after compliance with such terms applicable to the Securities
including the purchase of any Securities tendered pursuant thereto.
"EBITDA" for any period means the sum of Consolidated Net
Income, plus Consolidated Interest Expense plus the following to the extent
deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (a) all income tax expense
of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, (b) depreciation
expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, (c)
amortization expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries
(excluding amortization expense attributable to a prepaid cash item that was
paid in a prior period) and (d) all other non-cash charges of the Company and
its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any such non-cash charge to
the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenditures in
any future period), in each case for such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depreciation
and amortization and non-cash charges of, a Restricted Subsidiary shall be added
to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same
proportion) that the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in
calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount would be
permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such
Restricted Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained),
pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments,
decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to such
Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
"Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset or
property (including Capital Stock), the price that could be negotiated in an
arm's-length free market
10
transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing buyer, neither of
whom is under pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction. Fair Market
Value shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company acting in
good faith and shall be evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Company delivered to the Trustee; provided, however, that if the Fair Market
Value as determined by the Board of Directors for any transaction or series of
related transactions exceeds $5.0 million, such determination of Fair Market
Value shall be determined by a U.S. investment banking firm nationally
recognized in the United States or by a nationally recognized expert in the U.S.
telecommunications industry with experience in valuing such assets and property.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America as in effect as of the Issue Date, including those set
forth in (i) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board
of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, (ii) statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (iii) such other
statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the
accounting profession and (iv) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing
the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements)
in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange
Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and
similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC. All ratios and
computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in
conformity with GAAP.
"Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of
any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other
Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such
Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or
payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person (whether
arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to
purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain
financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for the
purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the
payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in
whole or in part); provided, however, that the term "Guarantee" shall not
include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business. The term "Guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding
11
meaning. The term "Guarantor" shall mean any Person Guaranteeing any obligation.
"Hedging Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of
such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.
"Holder" or "Securityholder" means the Person in whose name a
Security is registered on the Registrar's books.
"Incur" means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise
become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of
a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by
merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred
by such Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The term "Incurrence"
when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. The accretion of principal
of a non-interest bearing or other discount security shall not be deemed the
Incurrence of Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person on any date
of determination (without duplication):
(i) the principal in respect of (A) indebtedness of such
Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes,
debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which
such Person is responsible or liable including, in each case, any
premium on such Indebtedness to the extent such premium has become due
and payable;
(ii) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all
Attributable Debt in respect of Sale/Leaseback Transactions entered
into by such Person;
(iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the
deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations
of such Person and all obligations of such Person under any title
retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in
the ordinary course of business);
(iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of
any obligor on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar
credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of
credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in
clauses (i) through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of
business of such Person
12
to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to
the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the
tenth Business Day following payment on the letter of credit);
(v) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect
to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified
Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of such Person, the
liquidation preference with respect to, any Preferred Stock (but
excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);
(vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i)
through (v) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the
payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable,
directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including
by means of any Guarantee;
(vii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i)
through (vi) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or
asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such
Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of
the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so
secured; and
(viii) to the extent not otherwise included in this
definition, Hedging Obligations of such Person.
The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding
balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the
maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the
obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date; provided, however, that
the amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original
issue discount is the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in
accordance with GAAP.
"Indenture" means this Indenture as amended or supplemented
from time to time.
"Interest Rate Agreement" means in respect of a Person any
interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial
agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in
interest rates.
"Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect
advance, loan (other than advances to customers in
13
the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the
balance sheet of the lender) or other extensions of credit (including by way of
Guarantee or similar arrangement) or capital contribution to (by means of any
transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or
services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of
Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by such Person.
For purposes of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary", the definition of
"Restricted Payment" and Section 4.04, (i) "Investment" shall include the
portion (proportionate to the Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of
the fair market value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the
time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided,
however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted
Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent
"Investment" in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive)
equal to (x) the Company's "Investment" in such Subsidiary at the time of such
redesignation less (y) the portion (proportionate to the Company's equity
interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such
Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and (ii) any property transferred
to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value
at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors.
"Issue Date" means the date on which the Securities are
originally issued.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest,
encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other
title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).
"Net Available Cash" from an Asset Disposition means cash
payments received therefrom (including any cash payments received by way of
deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or
otherwise and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any securities
received as consideration, but only as and when received, but excluding any
other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person
of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to such properties or assets or
received in any other noncash form), in each case net of (i) all legal, title
and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred,
and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be
accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a
14
consequence of such Asset Disposition, (ii) all payments made on any
Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition,
in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or other security agreement of any
kind with respect to such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to
obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition, or by applicable law, be
repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition, (iii) all distributions
and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in
Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition and (iv)
the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the seller as a reserve, in
accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the property or
other assets disposed in such Asset Disposition and retained by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition.
"Net Cash Proceeds", with respect to any issuance or sale of
Capital Stock, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of
attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees,
discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually
incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or
payable as a result thereof.
"Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any
Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two
Officers.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal
counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or
counsel to the Company or the Trustee.
"Permitted Holders" means (i) Central Maine Power Company, a
Maine corporation, and its Affiliates and (ii) Northeast Utilities, a
Massachusetts business trust, and its Affiliates.
"Permitted Investment" means an Investment by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary in (i) the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or a
Person that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted
Subsidiary; provided, however, that the primary business of such Restricted
Subsidiary is a Related Business; (ii) another Person if as a result of such
Investment such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or
transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the Company
15
or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Person's primary
business is a Related Business; (iii) Temporary Cash Investments; (iv)
receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or
acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in
accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms
may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted
Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances; (v) payroll, travel and
similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances
ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made
in the ordinary course of business; (vi) loans or advances to employees made in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices of the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary; (vii) stock, obligations or securities received in
settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments; (viii) any
Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the
consideration received for an Asset Disposition as permitted pursuant to Section
4.06 and (ix) any Person principally engaged in a Related Business if (a) the
Company or Restricted Subsidiary, after giving effect to such Investment, will
own at least 20% of the Voting Stock of such person and (b) the amount of such
Investment, when taken together with the aggregate amount of all Investments
made pursuant to this clause (ix) and then outstanding, does not exceed
$10,000,000.
"Permitted Liens" means, with respect to any Person, (a)
pledges or deposits by such Person under workers' compensation laws,
unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in
connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of
Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure
public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or United
States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is
a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the
payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business; (b)
Liens imposed by law, such as carriers', warehousemen's and mechanics' Liens, in
each case for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such
Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal
or other proceedings for review; (c) Liens for property taxes not yet subject to
penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings;
16
(d) Liens in favor of issuers of surety bonds or letters of credit issued
pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary
course of its business; provided, however, that such letters of credit do not
constitute Indebtedness; (e) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances,
easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way,
sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar
purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property or
Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the
ownership of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with
Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the
value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the
business of such Person; (f) Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred to finance the
cost (including the cost of design, development, acquisition, construction,
installation, improvement, transportation and integration) of any property,
plant and equipment, inventory or other property acquired by such Person
(including acquisitions by way of capital lease and acquisitions of capital
stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary); provided, however, that
the Lien may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its
Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is Incurred, and the Indebtedness (other than
any interest thereon) secured by the Lien may not be Incurred more than 180 days
after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair,
improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property subject
to the Lien; (g) Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted under clause (b)(1) of
Section 4.03; (h) Liens existing on the Issue Date; (i) Liens on property or
shares of Capital Stock of another Person at the time such other Person becomes
a Subsidiary of such Person including liens created by other persons affecting
any easement, indefeasible right to use or other property right granted to the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens are not
created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such
other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided further, however, that such
Lien may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its
Subsidiaries; (j) Liens on property at the time such Person or any of its
Subsidiaries acquires the property, including any acquisition by means of a
merger or consolidation with or into such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person
including Liens created by other Persons affecting any easement, indefeasible
right to use or other property right granted to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens are not created, incurred or
assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided
further,
17
however, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by such
Person or any of its Subsidiaries; (k) Liens securing Indebtedness or other
obligations of a Subsidiary of such Person owing to such Person or a wholly
owned Subsidiary of such Person; (l) Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long
as such Hedging Obligations relate to Indebtedness that is, and is permitted to
be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such
Hedging Obligations; (m) Liens for taxes, assessments, government charges or
claims that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
promptly instituted and diligently conducted, if a reserve or other appropriate
provision, if any, as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made
therefor; and (n) Liens arising by reason of any judgment, decree or order of
any court so long as such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal
proceeding that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment,
decree or order shall not have been finally terminated or the period within
which such proceedings may be initiated shall not have expired; (o) Liens on the
Pledged Securities and the Pledge Account pursuant to the Pledge Agreement; and
(p) Liens to secure any Refinancing (or successive Refinancings) as a whole, or
in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing
clauses (f), (h), (i) and (j); provided, however, that (x) such new Lien shall
be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien
(plus improvements to or on such property) and (y) the Indebtedness secured by
such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of
(A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the
Indebtedness described under clauses (f), (h), (i) or (j) at the time the
original Lien became a Permitted Lien and (B) an amount necessary to pay any
fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding,
extension, renewal or replacement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, "Permitted
Liens" will not include any Lien described in clauses (f), (i) or (j) above to
the extent such Lien applies to any Additional Assets acquired directly or
indirectly from Net Available Cash pursuant to Section 4.06. For purposes of
this definition, the term "Indebtedness" shall be deemed to include interest on
such Indebtedness.
"Permitted Telecommunications Capital Asset Disposition" means
the transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition of dark fiber,
conduit or components of the conduit system, (i) the proceeds of which are
treated as revenues by the Company in accordance with GAAP and (ii) that, in the
case of the sale of dark fiber, would not
18
result in the Company retaining less than 24 fibers per route mile on any
segment of the Company's network.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,
trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof or any other entity.
"Pledge Account" means an account established in the United
States with the Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Pledge Agreement for the
deposit of the Pledged Securities purchased by the Company with a portion of the
net proceeds from the offering of the Securities by the Company.
"Pledge Agreement" means the Collateral Pledge and Security
Agreement, dated as of the date of this Indenture, by and between the Trustee
and the Company, governing the disbursement of funds from the Pledge Account, as
amended from time to time.
"Pledged Securities" means the securities purchased by the
Company with a portion of the net proceeds from the offering of the Securities
by the Company, which shall consist of U.S. Government Obligations, to be
deposited in the Pledge Account.
"Preferred Stock", as applied to the Capital Stock of any
Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which
is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the
distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or
dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of
such Person.
"principal" of a Security means the principal of the Security
plus the premium, if any, payable on the Security which is due or overdue or is
to become due at the relevant time.
"Public Equity Offering" means an underwritten primary public
offering of common stock of the Company pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act.
"Public Market" means any time after (x) a Public Equity
Offering has been consummated and (y) at least 15% of the total issued and
outstanding common stock of the Company has been distributed by means of an
effective registration
19
statement under the Securities Act or sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Securities Act.
"Refinance" means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to
refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or
to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such indebtedness.
"Refinanced" and "Refinancing" shall have correlative meanings.
"Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that Refinances
any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the
Issue Date or Incurred in compliance with this Indenture, including Indebtedness
that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however, that (i) such
Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated
Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (ii) such Refinancing
Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is
Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness
being Refinanced and (iii) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an aggregate
principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate
issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if
Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then
outstanding or committed (plus fees and expenses, including any premium and
defeasance costs) under the Indebtedness being Refinanced; provided further,
however, that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a
Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of the Company (except to the extent
such Refinanced Indebtedness was guaranteed by such subsidiary) or (y)
Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances
Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Related Business" means any business related, ancillary or
complementary to the businesses of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries
on the Issue Date.
"Restricted Payment" with respect to any Person means (i) the
declaration or payment of any dividends or any other distributions of any sort
in respect of its Capital Stock (including any payment in connection with any
merger or consolidation involving such Person) or similar payment to the direct
or indirect holders of its Capital Stock (other than dividends or distributions
payable solely in its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) and
dividends or distributions payable solely to the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary, and other than pro rata dividends or other distributions made by a
Subsidiary that is not a
20
Wholly Owned Subsidiary to minority stockholders (or owners of an equivalent
interest in the case of a Subsidiary that is an entity other than a
corporation)), (ii) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement
for value of any Capital Stock of the Company held by any Person or of any
Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary held by any Affiliate of the Company
(other than a Restricted Subsidiary), including the exercise of any option to
exchange any Capital Stock (other than into Capital Stock of the Company that is
not Disqualified Stock), (iii) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance
or other acquisition or retirement for value, prior to scheduled maturity,
scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment of any Subordinated
Obligations (other than the purchase, repurchase, or other acquisition of
Subordinated Obligations purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund
obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one
year of the date of acquisition) or (iv) the making of any Investment in any
Person (other than a Permitted Investment).
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company
that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement relating to
property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary leases it from such Person.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities" means the Securities issued under this Indenture.
"Senior Indebtedness" means (i) Indebtedness of the Company,
whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred, and (ii) accrued
and unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any
petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company to the
extent post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding) in respect of (A)
indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by
notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which
the Company is responsible or liable unless, in the case of (i) and (ii), in the
instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is
outstanding it is provided that such obligations are subordinate in right of
payment to the Securities; provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not
include (1) any
21
obligation of the Company to any Subsidiary, (2) any liability for Federal,
state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company, (3) any accounts
payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of
business (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such
liabilities), (4) any Indebtedness of the Company (and any accrued and unpaid
interest in respect thereof) which is subordinate or junior in any respect to
any other Indebtedness or other obligation of the Company or (5) that portion of
any Indebtedness which at the time of Incurrence is Incurred in violation of
this Indenture.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that
would be a "Significant Subsidiary" of the Company within the meaning of Rule
1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.
"Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security, the
date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of
principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any
mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the
repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the
happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such
contingency has occurred).
"Subordinated Obligation" means any Indebtedness of the
Company (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is
subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Securities pursuant to a
written agreement to that effect.
"Subsidiary" means, in respect of any Person, any corporation,
association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the
total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including
partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof
is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person,
(ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or
more Subsidiaries of such Person.
"Telecommunications Assets" means all assets, rights
(contractual or otherwise) and properties, whether tangible or intangible, used
or intended for use in connection with a Telecommunications Business.
"Telecommunications Business" means the business of (i)
transmitting or providing services relating to the
22
transmission of, voice, video or data through owned or leased transmission
facilities, (ii) constructing, creating, developing or marketing communications
related network equipment, software and other devices for use in a
telecommunications business or (iii) evaluating, participating or pursuing any
other activity or opportunity that is primarily related to those identified in
clause (i) or (ii) above.
"Temporary Cash Investments" means any of the following: (i)
any investment in direct obligations of the United States of America or any
agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any
agency thereof, (ii) investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of
deposit and money market deposits maturing within 180 days of the date of
acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under
the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign
country recognized by the United States of America, and which bank or trust
company has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of
$50,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding
debt that is rated "A" (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least
one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule
436 under the Securities Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a registered
broker dealer or mutual fund distributor, (iii) repurchase obligations with a
term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described
in clause (i) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications
described in clause (ii) above, (iv) investments in commercial paper, maturing
not more than 90 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation
(other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the
laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the
United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment
therein is made of "P-1" (or higher) according to Xxxxx'x Investors Service,
Inc. or "A-1" (or higher) according to Standard and Poor's Ratings Group, and
(v) investments in securities with maturities of six months or less from the
date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or
territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof, and rated at least "A" by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Group or "A" by Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc.
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. xx.xx.
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture.
23
"Trustee" means the party named as such in this Indenture
until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
"Trust Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President
or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee
to administer its corporate trust matters.
"Uniform Commercial Code" means the New York Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the
Company that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted
Subsidiary by the Board of Directors in the manner provided below and (ii) any
Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate
any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed
Subsidiary of the Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such
Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of,
or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other
Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so
designated; provided, however, that either (A) the Subsidiary to be so
designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (B) if such Subsidiary has
assets greater than $1,000, such designation would be permitted under Section
4.04. The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a
Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect
to such designation (x) the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
under Section 4.03(a) and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee
by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of
Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate
certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
"U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations (or
certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the
United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for
the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America
is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer's option.
"Voting Stock" of a Person means all classes of
Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership
24
interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard
to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors,
managers or trustees thereof.
"Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary all
the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) is owned by
the Company or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.
------------------
Defined in
Term Section
---- -------
"Affiliate Transaction" ................ 4.07(a)
"Bankruptcy Law" ....................... 6.01
"covenant defeasance option" ........... 8.01(b)
"Custodian" ............................ 6.01
"Default Amount"........................ 6.02
"Event of Default" ..................... 6.01
"legal defeasance option" .............. 8.01(b)
"Legal Holiday" ........................ 10.08
"Offer" ............................... 4.06(b)
"Offer Amount" ........................ 4.06(c)(2)
"Offer Period" ........................ 4.06(c)(2)
"Paying Agent" ......................... 2.03
"Purchase Date" ....................... 4.06(c)(1)
"Registrar"............................. 2.03
"Successor Company" .................... 5.01
SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture
Act. This Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the TIA which are
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following
TIA terms have the following meanings:
"Commission" means the SEC;
"indenture securities" means the Securities;
"indenture security holder" means a Securityholder;
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the
Trustee; and
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company and
any other obligor on the indenture securities.
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All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by
the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have
the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.
SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction. Unless the context
otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(3) "or" is not exclusive;
(4) "including" means including without limitation;
(5) words in the singular include the plural and
words in the plural include the singular;
(6) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be
subordinate or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its
nature as unsecured Indebtedness;
(7) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other
discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof
that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date
prepared in accordance with GAAP; and
(8) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i)
the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the
maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with
respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater.
ARTICLE 2
The Securities
--------------
SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating. The Securities and the
Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of
Exhibit A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this
Indenture. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required
by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any,
or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form
acceptable to the Company). Each Security shall be dated the date of
26
its authentication. The terms of the Securities set forth in Exhibit A are part
of the terms of this Indenture.
SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication. Two Officers shall
sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature. The
Company's seal shall be impressed, affixed, imprinted or reproduced on the
Securities and may be in facsimile form.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds
that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security
shall be valid nevertheless.
A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of
the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security.
The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been
authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities for
original issue in an aggregate principal amount of $165,000,000, upon a written
order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an
Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. Such order shall
specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which
the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated. The aggregate principal
amount of Securities outstanding at any time may not exceed that amount except
as provided in Section 2.07.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably
acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities. Unless limited by the
terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities
whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to
authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An
authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent
for service of notices and demands.
SECTION 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall
maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration
of transfer or for exchange (the "Registrar") and an office or agency where
Securities may be presented for payment (the "Paying Agent"). The Registrar
shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The
Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional
27
paying agents. The term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement
with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture,
which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the
provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall
notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company
fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such
and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section
7.07. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and
Paying Agent in connection with the Securities.
SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust. Prior to
each due date of the principal and interest on any Security, the Company shall
deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and
interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent
(other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in
trust for the benefit of Securityholders or the Trustee all money held by the
Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities and
shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such
payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate
the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The
Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to
the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon
complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability
for the money delivered to the Trustee.
SECTION 2.05. Securityholder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve
in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list
available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders. If the Trustee is
not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least
five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as
the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as
the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of
Securityholders.
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SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange. The Securities shall be
issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a
Security for registration of transfer. When a Security is presented to the
Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar
shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of Section 8-401(1)
of the Uniform Commercial Code are met. When Securities are presented to the
Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal
principal amount of Securities of other denominations, the Registrar shall make
the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. To permit
registration of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the
Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar's or co-registrar's
request. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes,
assessments or other governmental charges in connection with any transfer or
exchange pursuant to this Section. The Company shall not be required to make and
the Registrar need not register transfers or exchanges of Securities selected
for redemption (except, in the case of Securities to be redeemed in part, the
portion thereof not to be redeemed) or any Securities for a period of 15 days
before a selection of Securities to be redeemed or 15 days before an interest
payment date.
Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of
any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any
co-registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Security is
registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving
payment of principal of and interest on such Security and for all other purposes
whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue, and none of the Company,
the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.
All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant
to the terms of this Indenture will evidence the same debt and will be entitled
to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon
such transfer or exchange.
SECTION 2.07. Replacement Securities. If a mutilated Security
is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the
Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue
and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the requirements of
Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met and the Holder satisfies
any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or
29
the Company, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the
judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee, the
Paying Agent, the Registrar and any co-registrar from any loss which any of them
may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the
Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.
Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the
Company.
SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Securities. Securities outstanding
at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those
canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in
this Section as not outstanding. A Security does not cease to be outstanding
because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases
to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory
to them that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in
accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money
sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect
to the Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case
may be, and the Paying Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the
Securityholders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on
and after that date such Securities (or portions thereof) cease to be
outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
SECTION 2.09. Temporary Securities. Until definitive
Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall
authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially
in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company
considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the
Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities
and deliver them in exchange for temporary Securities.
SECTION 2.10 Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver
Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent
shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration
of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one
30
else shall cancel and destroy (subject to the record retention requirements of
the Exchange Act) all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer,
exchange, payment or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such destruction
to the Company unless the Company directs the Trustee to deliver canceled
Securities to the Company. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace
Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 2.11. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a
payment of interest on the Securities, the Company shall pay defaulted interest
(plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful
manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the persons who are
Securityholders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or
cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail to each
Securityholder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date
and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.
SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the
Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the
Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to
Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no
representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed
on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that
reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the
Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or
omission of such numbers.
ARTICLE 3
Redemption
----------
SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to
redeem Securities pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Securities, it shall notify the
Trustee in writing of the redemption date, the principal amount of Securities to
be redeemed and the paragraph of the Securities pursuant to which the redemption
will occur.
The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for
in this Section at least 60 days before the redemption date unless the Trustee
consents to a shorter period. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers'
31
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Company to the effect that such
redemption will comply with the conditions herein.
SECTION 3.02. Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed. If fewer
than all the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the
Securities to be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by a method that complies with
applicable legal and securities exchange requirements, if any, and that the
Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate and in
accordance with methods generally used at the time of selection by fiduciaries
in similar circumstances. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding
Securities not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for
redemption portions of the principal of Securities that have denominations
larger than $1,000. Securities and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be
in amounts of $1,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000. Provisions of this Indenture
that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of
Securities called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly
of the Securities or portions of Securities to be redeemed.
SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption. At least 30 days but not
more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Securities, the Company shall
mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to
be redeemed at such Holder's registered address.
The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and
shall state:
(1) the redemption date;
(2) the redemption price;
(3) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(4) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered
to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(5) if fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be
redeemed, the identification and principal amounts of the particular
Securities to be redeemed;
(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such
redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such
payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Securities
(or portion
32
thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the
redemption date;
(7) the paragraph of the Securities pursuant to which the
Securities called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or
accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed
on the Securities.
At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of
redemption in the Company's name and at the Company's expense. In such event,
the Company shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this
Section.
SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of
redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on
the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice. Upon
surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption
price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to the redemption date
(subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to
receive interest due on the related interest payment date). Failure to give
notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity
of the notice to any other Holder.
SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price. By 11:00 p.m.
eastern standard time on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the
Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall
segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and
accrued interest on all Securities to be redeemed on that date other than
Securities or portions of Securities called for redemption which have been
delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a
Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Company's expense) a new Security
equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security
surrendered.
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ARTICLE 4
Covenants
---------
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Securities. The Company shall
promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Securities on the dates and in
the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture. Principal and
interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or
the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay
all principal and interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the
case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Securityholders on
that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the
rate specified therefor in the Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue
installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
SECTION 4.02. SEC Reports. Notwithstanding that the Company
may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC and provide the Trustee and
Securityholders with such annual reports and such information, documents and
other reports as are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and
applicable to a U.S. corporation subject to such Sections, such information,
documents and reports to be so filed and provided at the times specified for the
filing of such information, documents and reports under such Sections. The
Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA ss. 314(a) and, so
long as the Pledge Agreement is in effect, TIA ss. 314(b).
SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness. (a) The Company
shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur, directly or
indirectly, any Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Company may Incur
Indebtedness if, on the date of such Incurrence and after giving effect thereto,
the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would be less than 5.5 to 1 if such Indebtedness
is Incurred prior to December 31, 2000 or 5.0 to 1 if such Indebtedness is
Incurred thereafter.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), the Company
and the Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur any or all of the following
Indebtedness:
34
(1) Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Credit Agreements;
provided, however, that, after giving effect to any such Incurrence,
the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness then outstanding
does not exceed $50,000,000 less the sum of all principal payments with
respect to such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.06(a)(ii)(A);
(2) Indebtedness owed to and held by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that (i) any subsequent
issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary
which results in any such Indebtedness being owned or held by a Person
who is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of
such Indebtedness (other than to the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute the Incurrence
of such Indebtedness by the obligor thereon and (ii) if the Company is
the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is expressly
subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations
with respect to the Securities;
(3) the Securities;
(4) Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date (other than
Indebtedness described in clause (1), (2) or (3) of this Section
4.03(b));
(5) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness
Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or pursuant to clause (3) or (4)
of this Section 4.03(b) or this clause (5) or clauses (7), (8) or (10)
below; provided, however, that to the extent such Refinancing
Indebtedness directly or indirectly Refinances Indebtedness of a
Restricted Subsidiary Incurred pursuant to clause (10), such
Refinancing Indebtedness shall be Incurred only by such Restricted
Subsidiary;
(6) Hedging Obligations consisting of Interest Rate Agreements
directly related to Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to this Indenture;
(7) Indebtedness (including Indebtedness of a Restricted
Subsidiary Incurred and outstanding on or prior to the date on which
such Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or another Restricted
Subsidiary) Incurred to finance the cost (including the cost of design,
development, acquisition, construction, installation, improvement,
transportation and
35
integration) of acquiring property, plant and equipment or inventory to
be used in connection with a Telecommunications Business (including
acquisitions by way of capital lease and acquisitions of the Capital
Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent of
the fair market value of the property, plant and equipment or inventory
so acquired) by the Company or Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue
Date;
(8) Indebtedness of the Company in an amount which, when taken
together with the amount of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this
clause (8) and then outstanding, does not exceed two times the Net Cash
Proceeds received by the Company after the Issue Date as a capital
contribution from, or from the issuance and sale of its Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) to, a Person that is not a Subsidiary
of the Company, to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds have not been used
pursuant to Section 4.05(a)(3)(B) or Section 4.05(b)(i) to make a
Restricted Payment; provided, however, that such Indebtedness does not
mature prior to the Stated Maturity of the Securities and has an
Average Life longer than the Average Life of the Securities;
(9) Guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary of the Securities,
Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to paragraph (a) above and any
Indebtedness that Refinances the Securities or any Indebtedness
Incurred pursuant to paragraph (a) above;
(10) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred and
outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary
was acquired by the Company (other than Indebtedness Incurred in
connection with, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or
credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of
related transactions pursuant to which such Subsidiary became a
Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company); provided, however, that on
the date of such acquisition and after giving effect thereto, the
Company would have been able to Incur at least $1.00 of Indebtedness
pursuant to Section 4.03(a);
(11) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount which,
together with all other Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries outstanding on the date of such Incurrence (other than
Indebtedness permitted by clauses (1) through (10) of this Section
4.03(b) or Section 4.03(a)) does not exceed $5,000,000.
36
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not Incur
any Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(b) if the proceeds thereof are used,
directly or indirectly, to Refinance any Subordinated Obligations unless such
Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Securities to at least the same extent
as such Subordinated Obligations.
(d) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section
4.03, (i) in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more
than one of the types of Indebtedness described herein, the Company, in its sole
discretion, will classify such item of Indebtedness and only be required to
include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of the above clauses and
(ii) an item of Indebtedness may be divided and classified in more than one of
the types of Indebtedness described herein. For the purposes of determining the
amount of Indebtedness outstanding at any time, Guarantees with respect to
Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such amount shall not be
included.
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) The
Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, to make a Restricted Payment if at the time the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:
(1) a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would
result therefrom);
(2) the Company is not able to Incur an additional $1.00 of
Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a); or
(3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all
other Restricted Payments since the Issue Date would exceed the sum of
(without duplication):
(A) the remainder of (x) cumulative EBITDA during the
period (treated as one accounting period) beginning on the
first day of the fiscal quarter of the Company beginning after
the Issue Date and ending on the last day of the most recent
fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been made
publicly available, but in no event ending more than 135 days
prior to the date of such determination minus (y) the product
of 1.5 times cumulative Consolidated Interest Expense during
such period;
(B) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received
by the Company from the issuance or sale of its
37
Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) subsequent to
the Issue Date (other than an issuance or sale to a Subsidiary
of the Company and other than an issuance or sale to an
employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their
employees);
(C) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company
is reduced on the Company's balance sheet upon the conversion
or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company)
subsequent to the Issue Date of any Indebtedness of the
Company convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of
any cash, or the fair value of any other property, distributed
by the Company upon such conversion or exchange); and
(D) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the net
reduction in Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries
resulting from dividends, repayments of loans or advances or
other transfers of assets, in each case to the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary from Unrestricted Subsidiaries, and (ii)
the portion (proportionate to the Company's equity interest in
such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted
Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary; provided,
however, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed, in the case
of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments
previously made (and treated as a Restricted Payment) by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Unrestricted
Subsidiary.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.05(a) shall not
prohibit:
(i) any Restricted Payment (other than a Restricted Payment
described in clause (i) of the definition of Restricted Payment) made
out of the Net Cash Proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of,
or made by exchange for, Capital Stock of the Company (other than
Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a
Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or to a
trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the
benefit of their employees); provided, however, that (A) such
Restricted Payment shall be excluded in
38
the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments and (B) the Net
Cash Proceeds from such sale used to make such Restricted Payment shall
be excluded from the calculation of amounts under clause (3)(B) of
Section 4.04(a);
(ii) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other
acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Obligations made by
exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent
sale of, Indebtedness of the Company which is permitted to be Incurred
pursuant to Section 4.03; provided, however, that such purchase,
repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement
for value shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of
Restricted Payments;
(iii) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of
declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such dividend would
have complied with Section 4.04(a); provided, however, that at the time
of payment of such dividend, no other Default shall have occurred and
be continuing (or result therefrom); provided further, however, that
such dividend shall be included in the calculation of the amount of
Restricted Payments; or
(iv) the repurchase or other acquisition of shares of, or
options to purchase shares of, common stock of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries from employees, former employees, directors or former
directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or permitted
transferees of such employees, former employees, directors or former
directors), pursuant to the terms of the agreements (including
employment agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved by the
Board of Directors under which such individuals purchase or sell or are
granted the option to purchase or sell, shares of such common stock;
provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such repurchases and
other acquisitions shall not exceed $500,000 in any calendar year;
provided further, however, that such repurchases and other acquisitions
shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted
Payments.
SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from
Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become
effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on
its Capital Stock to the
39
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company,
(b) make any loans or advances to the Company or (c) transfer any of its
property or assets to the Company, except:
(i) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement in
effect at or entered into on the Issue Date;
(ii) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a
Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any
Indebtedness Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary on or prior to the
date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company
(other than Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, or to provide
all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to
consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant
to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or
was acquired by the Company) and outstanding on such date;
(iii) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement
effecting a Refinancing of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to an
agreement referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 4.05 or
this clause (iii) or contained in any amendment to an agreement
referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 4.05 or this clause
(iii); provided, however, that the encumbrances and restrictions with
respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in any such refinancing
agreement or amendment are no less favor able to the Securityholders
than encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted
Subsidiary contained in such predecessor agreements;
(iv) any customary encumbrance or restriction applicable to a
Restricted Subsidiary that is contained in an agreement or instrument
governing or relating to Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section
4.03(b)(1); provided, however, that such encumbrances and restrictions
permit the distribution of funds to the Company in an amount sufficient
for the Company to make the timely payment of interest, premium (if
any) and principal (whether at stated maturity, by way of a sinking
fund applicable thereto, by way of any mandatory redemption,
defeasance, retirement or repurchase thereof, including upon the
occurrence of designated events or circumstances or by virtue of
acceleration upon an event of default, or by way of redemption or
retirement at the option of the holder of
40
the Indebtedness including pursuant to offers to purchase) according to
the terms of this Indenture and the Securities and other Indebtedness
that is solely an obligation of the Company; provided further, however,
that such agreement or instrument may nevertheless contain (A)
customary net worth, leverage, invested capital and other financial
covenants, customary covenants regarding the merger of or sale of all
or any substantial part of the assets of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, customary restrictions on transactions with affiliates and
customary subordination provisions governing Indebtedness owed to the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and (B) a customary provision
prohibiting such Restricted Subsidiary from making any distributions
listed in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of any payment default under any such agreement or
instrument (for purposes of this clause (iv), any determination as to
what is customary shall be conclusively determined in good faith by the
Chief Financial Officer of the Company as certified to the Trustee at
the time such agreement or instrument is entered into);
(v) any such encumbrance or restriction consisting of
customary nonassignment provisions in leases governing leasehold
interests to the extent such provisions restrict the transfer of the
lease or the property leased thereunder;
(vi) in the case of clause (c) above, restrictions contained
in security agreements or mortgages securing Indebtedness of a
Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such restrictions restrict the
transfer of the property subject to such security agreements or
mortgages; and
(vii) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary
imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or
disposition of all or substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of
such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or
disposition.
SECTION 4.06. Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary
Stock. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Disposition unless (i) the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of such
Asset Disposition at least equal to the fair market value (including as to the
value of all non-cash consideration), as determined in good faith by the Board
of
41
Directors, of the shares and assets subject to such Asset Disposition and at
least 75% of the consideration thereof received by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or cash equivalents and (ii) an
amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition is
applied by the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) (A)
first, to the extent the Company elects (or is required by the terms of any
Indebtedness), to prepay, repay, redeem or purchase Senior Indebtedness or
Indebtedness (other than any Disqualified Stock) of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary
(in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company) within one year from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or
the receipt of such Net Available Cash; (B) second, to the extent of the balance
of such Net Available Cash after application in accordance with clause (A), to
the extent the Company elects, to acquire Additional Assets within one year from
the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net
Available Cash; and (C) third, to the extent of the balance of such Net
Available Cash after application in accordance with clauses (A) and (B), to make
an Offer to the holders of the Securities to purchase Securities pursuant to and
subject to the conditions of Section 4.06(b); provided, however, that in
connection with any prepayment, repayment or purchase of Indebtedness pursuant
to clause (A) or (C) above, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary shall
permanently retire such Indebtedness and shall cause the related loan commitment
(if any) to be permanently reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so
prepaid, repaid or purchased. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 4.06, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required
to apply any Net Avail able Cash in accordance with this Section 4.06(a) except
to the extent that the aggregate Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions
which are not applied in accordance with this Section 4.06(a) exceeds
$5,000,000. Pending application of Net Available Cash pursuant to this Section
4.06(a), such Net Available Cash shall be invested in Permitted Investments or
used to reduce outstanding borrowings under revolving credit facilities.
For the purposes of Section 4.06(a)(i), the following are
deemed to be cash or cash equivalents: (x) the assumption of Indebtedness of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and the release of the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness in connection with
such Asset Disposition and (y) securities received by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that are promptly converted by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash.
42
(b) In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the
purchase of Securities pursuant to Section 4.06(a)(ii)(C), the Company shall be
required to purchase Securities tendered pursuant to an offer by the Company
for the Securities (the "Offer") at a purchase price of 100% of their principal
value (without premium) plus accrued but unpaid interest in accordance with the
procedures (including prorating in the event of oversubscription) set forth in
Section 4.06(c). The Company shall not be required to make an Offer to purchase
Securities pursuant to this Section 4.06 if the Net Available Cash available
therefor is less than $5,000,000 (which lesser amount shall be carried forward
for purposes of determining whether such an Offer is required with respect to
the Net Available Cash from any subsequent Asset Disposition).
(c) (1) Promptly, and in any event within 10 days after the
Company becomes obligated to make an Offer, the Company shall be
obligated to deliver to the Trustee and send, by first-class mail to
each Holder, a written notice stating that the Holder may elect to have
his Securities purchased by the Company either in whole or in part
(subject to prorating as hereinafter described in the event the Offer
is oversubscribed) in integral multiples of $1,000 of principal amount,
at the applicable purchase price. The notice shall specify a purchase
date not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date of such
notice (the "Purchase Date") and shall contain such information
concerning the business of the Company which the Company in good faith
believes will enable such Holders to make an informed decision (which
at a minimum will include (i) the most recently filed Annual Report on
Form 10-K (including audited consolidated financial statements) of the
Company, the most recent subsequently filed quarterly report on Form
10-Q and any current report on Form 8-K of the Company filed subsequent
to such quarterly report, other than current reports describing Asset
Dispositions otherwise described in the offering materials (or
corresponding successor reports), (ii) a description of material
developments in the Company's business subsequent to the date of the
latest of such reports, and (iii) if material, appropriate pro forma
financial information) and all instructions and materials necessary to
tender Securities pursuant to the Offer, together with the information
contained in clause (3).
(2) Not later than the date upon which written notice of an
Offer is delivered to the Trustee, the
43
Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate as to (i)
the amount of the Offer (the "Offer Amount"), (ii) the allocation of
the Net Available Cash from the Asset Dispositions pursuant to which
such Offer is being made and (iii) the compliance of such allocation
with the provisions of Section 4.06(a). On such date, the Company shall
also irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or,
if the Company is acting as its own paying agent, segregate and hold in
trust) in Temporary Cash Investments, maturing on the last day prior to
the Purchase Date or on the Purchase Date if funds are immediately
available by open of business, an amount equal to the Offer Amount to
be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
Upon the expiration of the period for which the Offer remains open (the
"Offer Period"), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for
cancellation the Securities or portions thereof which have been
properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Company. The Trustee
shall, on the Purchase Date, mail or deliver payment to each tendering
Holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event that the
aggregate purchase price of the Securities delivered by the Company to
the Trustee is less than the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall deliver
the excess to the Company immediately after the expiration of the Offer
Period for application in accordance with this Section.
(3) Holders electing to have a Security purchased shall be
required to surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly
completed, to the Company at the address specified in the notice at
least three Business Days prior to the Purchase Date. Holders shall be
entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Company
receives not later than one Business Day prior to the Purchase Date, a
telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the
Holder, the principal amount of the Security which was delivered for
purchase by the Holder and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing
his election to have such Security purchased. If at the expiration of
the Offer Period the aggregate principal amount of Securities
surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company
shall select the Securities to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with
such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that
only Securities in denominations of $1,000, or integral multiples
thereof, shall be purchased). Holders whose Securities are purchased
only in part shall be issued new Securities equal in principal
44
amount to the unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered.
(4) At the time the Company delivers Securities to the Trustee
which are to be accepted for purchase, the Company shall also deliver
an Officers' Certificate stating that such Securities are to be
accepted by the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of
this Section. A Security shall be deemed to have been accepted for
purchase at the time the Trustee, directly or through an agent, mails
or delivers payment therefor to the surrendering Holder.
(d) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with
the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities
laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to
this Section. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or
regulations conflict with provisions of this Section, the Company shall comply
with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to
have breached its obligations under this Section by virtue thereof.
SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Affiliate Transactions. (a) The
Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into
or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or
exchange of any property, employee compensation arrangements or the rendering of
any service) with any Affiliate of the Company (an "Affiliate Transaction")
unless the terms thereof (i) are no less favorable to the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained at the time of such
transaction in arm's-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate,
(ii) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $1,000,000,
(1) are set forth in writing and (2) have been approved by a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors having no personal stake in such Affiliate
Transaction and (iii) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess
of $5,000,000, have been determined by a nationally recognized investment
banking firm to be fair, from a financial standpoint, to the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not prohibit (i)
any Restricted Payment permitted to be paid pursuant to Section 4.04, (ii) any
issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities
or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock
options and stock ownership plans
45
approved by the Board of Directors, (iii) the grant of stock options or similar
rights to employees and directors of the Company pursuant to plans approved by
the Board of Directors, (iv) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary
course of business in accordance with the past practices of the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries, but in any event not to exceed $1,000,000 in the
aggregate outstanding at any one time, (v) the payment of reasonable fees to
directors of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries who are not employees
of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, (vi) any Affiliate Transaction
between the Company and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or between Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries and (vii) the issuance or sale of any Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company.
SECTION 4.08. Limitation on the Sale or Issuance of Capital
Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company shall not sell or otherwise
dispose of any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, and shall not permit
any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to issue or sell or otherwise
dispose of any of its Capital Stock except (i) to the Company or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary, (ii) directors' qualifying shares (iii) if, immediately after giving
effect to such issuance, sale or other disposition, neither the Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries own any Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary or (iv)
if, immediately after giving effect to such issuance, sale or other disposition,
such Restricted Subsidiary would no longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary
and any Investment in such Person remaining after giving effect thereto would
have been permitted to be made under the covenant described in Section 4.04 if
made on the date of such issuance, sale or other disposition.
SECTION 4.09. Change of Control. (a) Upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require that the Company
repurchase such Holder's Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of
the principal value thereof on the date of purchase plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of
record on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest
payment date), in accordance with the terms contemplated in Section 4.09(b).
46
(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the
Company shall mail a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee (the
"Change of Control Offer") stating:
(1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder
has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder's
Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal
value thereof on the date of purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest,
if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant
interest payment date);
(2) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change
of Control (including information with respect to pro forma historical
income, cash flow and capitalization, each after giving effect to such
Change of Control);
(3) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30
days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and
(4) the instructions determined by the Company, consistent
with this Section, that a Holder must follow in order to have its
Securities purchased.
(c) Holders electing to have a Security purchased will be
required to surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed, to
the Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days
prior to the purchase date. Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election
if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business Day prior to
the purchase date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting
forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security which was
delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Security purchased.
(d) On the purchase date, all Securities purchased by the
Company under this Section shall be delivered by the Trustee for cancellation,
and the Company shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest,
if any, to the Holders entitled thereto.
(e) If a Holder's Securities are redeemed by the Company
pursuant to its option to redeem Securities pursuant to paragraph 5 of the
Securities prior to the date on which
47
the Company would be obligated to pay for such Securities tendered pursuant to a
Change of Control Offer, such Holder will be entitled to receive only the
redemption price. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, the
Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of
Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the
times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this
Section applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and
purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of
Control Offer.
(f) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with
the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities
laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to
this Section. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or
regulations conflict with provisions of this Section, the Company shall comply
with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to
have breached its obligations under this Section by virtue thereof.
SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not, and
shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, Incur or
permit to exist any Lien of any nature whatsoever on any of its properties
(including Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary), whether owned at the Issue
Date or thereafter acquired, other than Permitted Liens, without effectively
providing that the Securities shall be secured equally and ratably with (or
prior to) the obligations so secured for so long as such obligations are so
secured.
SECTION 4.11. Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions. The
Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into
any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with respect to any property unless (i) the
Company or such Subsidiary would be entitled to (A) Incur Indebtedness in an
amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale/Leaseback
Transaction pursuant to Section 4.03 and (B) create a Lien on such property
securing such Attributable Debt without equally and ratably securing the
Securities pursuant to Section 4.10, (ii) the net proceeds received by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Sale/Leaseback
Transaction are at least equal to the fair value (as determined by the Board of
Directors) of such property and (iii) the Company applies the proceeds of such
transaction in compliance with Section 4.06.
48
SECTION 4.12. Future Guarantors. The Company shall cause each
Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company (other
than the Securities) pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(9) to guarantee the Securities
on substantially the same terms and conditions as such Guarantee.
SECTION 4.13. Compliance Certificate. The Company shall
deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the
Company an Officers' Certificate stating that in the course of the performance
by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally
have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default
that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the
Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take
with respect thereto. The Company also shall comply with TIA ss. 314(a)(4).
SECTION 4.14. Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of
the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and
do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more
effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
SECTION 4.15. Pledge Account. (a) Upon the closing of the
offering of the Securities by the Company, the Company shall purchase, and
deposit in the Pledge Account for the benefit of Holders and owners of
beneficial ownership interests in the Notes, Pledged Securities in an amount
which, in the opinion of an internationally recognized firm of independent
public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the
Trustee, will result in the receipt of United States dollars in immediately
available funds in an amount and at a time sufficient to provide for payment in
full when due of the seven regularly scheduled interest payments due on the
Notes from , 1999 through , 2002 upon receipt of
scheduled principal and interest payments on the Pledged Securities.
(b) The Company hereby agrees that all of its rights and
obligations with respect to the Pledged Securities shall be as set forth in the
Pledge Agreement.
49
ARTICLE 5
Successor Company
-----------------
SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets. (a)
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey,
transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or
substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:
(i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the
"Successor Company") shall be a Person organized and existing under the
laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District
of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall
expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and
delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the
obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and
treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor
Company or any Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having
been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time
of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the
Successor Company's Consolidated Leverage Ratio is not greater than the
Company's Consolidated Leverage Ratio immediately prior to such
transaction; and
(iv) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if
any) comply with this Indenture.
The Successor Company shall be the successor to the Company
and shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and
power of, the Company under this Indenture, but the predecessor Company in the
case of a conveyance, transfer or lease shall not be released from the
obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Securities.
50
ARTICLE 6
Defaults and Remedies
---------------------
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. An "Event of Default" occurs if:
(1) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on any
Security when the same becomes due and payable, as to any interest
payment date falling on or prior to , 2002, and any such
default in the payment of interest on the Notes continued for a period
of 30 days as to any interest payment date thereafter;
(2) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of
any Security when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated
Maturity, upon redemption, upon declaration or otherwise;
(3) the Company fails to comply with Section 5.01;
(4) the Company fails to comply with Section 4.02, 4.03, 4.04,
4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14 or 4.15
(other than a failure to purchase Securities when required under
Section 4.06 or 4.09) and such failure continues for 30 days after the
notice specified below;
(5) the Company fails to comply with any of its agreements in
the Securities or this Indenture (other than those referred to in
clause (1), (2), (3) or (4) above) and such failure continues for 60
days after the notice specified below;
(6) Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or
is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default and the
total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $5.0
million, or its foreign currency equivalent at the time;
(7) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or
within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case;
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief
against it in an involuntary case;
51
(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it
or for any substantial part of its property; or
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors;
or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws
relating to insolvency;
(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or
decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or
any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial
part of its property; or
(C) orders the winding up or liquidation of
the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;
or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and in each of
(A), (B) and (C) above, the order or decree remains unstayed and in
effect for 60 days;
(9) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess
of $5.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time is
entered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, remains
outstanding for a period of 60 days following the entry of such
judgment or decree and is not discharged, waived or the execution
thereof stayed within 10 days after the notice specified below; or
(10) the security interest under the Pledge Agreement shall
cease to be in full force and effect for any reason other than in
accordance with its terms or such security interest shall be declared
invalid or unenforceable or the Company shall assert, if any pleading
in any court of competent jurisdiction that such security interest is
invalid and unenforceable.
The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the
reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary
or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order
of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or
governmental body.
52
The term "Bankruptcy Law" means Xxxxx 00, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Code,
or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term
"Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or
similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
A Default under clauses (4), (5), or (9) is not an Event of
Default until the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the outstanding Securities notify the Company of the Default and the Company
does not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of such
notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and
state that such notice is a "Notice of Default".
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after
the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate
of any Event of Default under clause (6) and any event which with the giving of
notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under clause (4),
(5) or (9), its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take
with respect thereto.
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than
an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the
Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities by notice to the
Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal value of and accrued but
unpaid interest on all the Securities (collectively, the "Default Amount") to be
due and payable. Upon such a declaration, the Default Amount shall be due and
payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8)
with respect to the Company occurs, the Default Amount on all the Securities
shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any
declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Securityholders. The
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities by notice to the
Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would
not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default
have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has
become due solely because of acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any
subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs
and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the
payment of principal of or
53
interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the
Securities or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not
possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.
A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right
or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy
or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is
exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Securities by notice to the Trustee may
waive an existing Default and its consequences except (i) a Default in the
payment of the principal of or interest on a Security (ii) a Default arising
from the failure to redeem or purchase any Security when required pursuant to
this Indenture or (iii) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section
9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Securityholder affected. When
a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the Securities may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may
refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or the
Pledge Agreement or, subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is
unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Securityholders or would involve the
Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any
other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such
direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled
to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses
and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. Except to enforce the right
to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no
Securityholder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture, the Pledge
Agreement or the Securities unless:
(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating
that an Event of Default is continuing;
54
(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Securities make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;
(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60
days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or
indemnity; and
(5) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the
request during such 60-day period.
A Securityholder may not exercise its rights under this
Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Securityholder or to obtain a
preference or priority over another Securityholder.
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder
to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Securities held by such
Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Securities, or to
bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective
dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the
Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust
against the Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with
interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided
for in Section 7.07.
SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee
may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary
or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Securityholders
allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or
its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote
on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other
Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial
proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee
and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments
55
directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section
7.07.
SECTION 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money
or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property
in the following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;
SECOND: to Securityholders for amounts due and unpaid on the
Securities for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or
priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the
Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: to the Company.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any
payment to Securityholders pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before
such record date, the Company shall mail to each Securityholder and the Trustee
a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the
enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against
the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its
discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may
assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any
party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of
the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply
to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit
by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities.
SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company
(to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or
plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of,
any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in
force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and
the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives
all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or
56
impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall
suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had
been enacted.
ARTICLE 7
Trustee
-------
SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers
vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in
their exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances
in the conduct of such Person's own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only
such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and the
Pledge Agreement and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read
into this Indenture and the Pledge Agreement against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements
of this Indenture and the Pledge Agreement. However, the Trustee shall
examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they
conform to the requirements of this Indenture and the Pledge Agreement.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its
own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own wilful
misconduct, except that:
(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b)
of this Section;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the
Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action
it takes or omits to take in good faith
57
in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates
to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.
(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) No provision of this Indenture or the Pledge Agreement
shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the
exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to
believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or
liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(h) Every provision of this Indenture or the Pledge Agreement
relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to
the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the
provisions of the TIA.
SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may rely on
any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented
by the proper per son. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter
stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may
require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall
not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance
on the Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be
responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due
care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or
omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its
rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee's conduct does not
constitute wilful misconduct or negligence.
58
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or
opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and
the Securities shall be full and complete authorization and protection from
liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it here under
in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(f) Except with respect to Section 4.01, the Trustee shall
have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company with respect to the
covenants contained in Article 4. In addition, the Trustee shall not be deemed
to have knowledge of an Event of Default except (i) any Default or Event of
Default occurring pursuant to Sections 4.01, 6.01(1) or 6.01(2) or (ii) any
Default or Event of Default of which the Trustee shall have received written
notification or obtained actual knowledge.
(g) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the
Trustee under Section 4.02 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's
receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any
information contained therein or determinable from information contained
therein, including the Company's compliance with any of their covenants
hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers'
Certificates).
SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its
individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities
and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights
it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar
or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must
comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
SECTION 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be
responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Indenture, the Pledge Agreement or the Securities, it shall not be
accountable for the Company's use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it
shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in the Indenture or in
any document issued in connection with the sale of the Securities or in the
Securities other than the Trustee's certificate of authentication.
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is
continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each
Securityholder notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in
the case
59
of a Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security (including
payments pursuant to the mandatory redemption provisions of such Security, if
any), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its
Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the
interests of Securityholders.
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. As promptly as
practicable after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of
this Indenture, and in any event prior to July 15 in each year, the Trustee
shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as May 15 that complies
with TIA ss. 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA ss. 313(b).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to
Securityholders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on
which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the
Trustee whenever the Securities become listed on any stock exchange and of any
delisting thereof.
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall
pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services.
The Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a
trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon
request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it,
including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services.
Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee's agents, counsel, accountants and
experts. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss,
liability or expense (including attorneys' fees) incurred by it in connection
with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties
hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which
it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not
relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the
claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the
fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not reimburse any expense or
indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through
the Trustee's own wilful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section,
the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property
held or collected by the
60
Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and
interest on particular Securities.
The Company's payment obligations pursuant to this Section
shall survive the discharge of this Indenture. When the Trustee incurs expenses
after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with
respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under the Bankruptcy Law.
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign
at any time by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and
may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the
Trustee or its property; or
(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities and such Holders do
not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in
the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred
to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a
successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the
successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee
under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its
succession to Securityholders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all
property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien
provided for in Section 7.07.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days
after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the
Holders of 10% in principal amount of the Securities may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
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If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any
Securityholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal
of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to
this Section, the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for
the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee
consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially
all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking
association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any
further act shall be the successor Trustee.
In case at the time such successor or successors by merger,
conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created
by this Indenture any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not
delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of
authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so
authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have
been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such
Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the
successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the
full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided
that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall
at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA ss. 310(a). The Trustee shall have
a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most
recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with
TIA ss. 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the
operation of TIA ss. 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other
securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of
the Company are out standing if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in
TIA ss. 310(b)(1) are met.
SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against
Company. The Trustee shall comply with TIA ss. 311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA ss. 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA ss. 311(a) to the extent indicated.
62
ARTICLE 8
Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance
----------------------------------
SECTION 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Securities;
Defeasance. (a) When (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding
Securities (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) for
cancellation or (ii) all outstanding Securities have become due and payable,
whether at maturity or as a result of the mailing of a notice of redemption
pursuant to Article 3 hereof and the Company irrevocably deposits with the
Trustee funds sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all outstanding
Securities, including interest thereon to maturity or such redemption date
(other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07), and if in either case
the Company pays all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this
Indenture shall, subject to Sections 8.01(c), cease to be of further effect. The
Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture on demand
of the Company accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel
and at the cost and expense of the Company.
(b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Company at any
time may terminate (i) all its obligations under the Securities and this
Indenture ("legal defeasance option") or (ii) its obligations under Sections
4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 and 4.14
and the operation of Sections 6.01(4), 6.01(6), 6.01(7), 6.01(8) and 6.01(9)
(but, in the case of Sections 6.01(7) and (8), with respect only to Significant
Subsidiaries) and the limitations contained in Sections 5.01(a)(iii) and (iv)
("covenant defeasance option"). The Company may exercise its legal defeasance
option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment
of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with
respect thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option,
payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default
specified in Sections 6.01(4), 6.01(6), 6.01(7), 6.01(8) and 6.01(9) (but, in
the case of Sections 6.01(7) and (8), with respect only to Significant
Subsidiaries) or because of the failure of the Company to comply with Section
5.01(a)(iii) or (iv).
Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon
request of the Company, the Trustee shall
63
acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company
terminates.
(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company's
obligations in Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 7.07 and 7.08 and in
this Article 8 shall survive until the Securities have been paid in full.
Thereafter, the Company's obligations in Sections 7.07 and 8.05 shall survive.
SECTION 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance. The Company may
exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:
(1) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee
money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of
and interest on the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case
may be;
(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a
nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their
opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and
without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus
any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times
and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest
when due on all the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case
may be;
(3) 123 days pass after the deposit is made and during the
123-day period no Default specified in Sections 6.01(7) or (8) with
respect to the Company occurs which is continuing at the end of the
period;
(4) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other
agreement binding on the Company;
(5) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not
constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(6) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that
(i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the
Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of this
Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax
law, in either case to
64
the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall
confirm that, the Securityholders will not recognize income, gain or
loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and
will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
defeasance had not occurred;
(7) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
that the Security holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for
Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance
and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the
same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
covenant defeasance had not occurred; and
(8) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Securities as
contemplated by this Article 8 have been complied with.
Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in
accordance with Article 3.
SECTION 8.03. Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall
hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant
to this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S.
Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this
Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities.
SECTION 8.04. Repayment to Company. The Trustee and the Paying
Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money or
securities held by them at any time.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee
and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by
them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two
years, and, thereafter, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the
Company for payment as general creditors.
SECTION 8.05. Indemnity for Government Obligations. The Company shall
pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed
on or
65
assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and
interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is
unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this
Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or
judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or
otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations under this
Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no
deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee
or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government
Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided, however, that, if the
Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Securities
because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated
to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the
money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 9
Amendments
----------
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Company and the Trustee
may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or consent of any
Security holder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
(2) to comply with Article 5;
(3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or
in place of certificated Securities; provided, however, that the
uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of
Section 163(f) of the Code or in a manner such that the uncertificated
Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;
(4) to add guarantees with respect to the Securities or to
secure the Securities;
(5) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of
the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon
the Company;
66
(6) to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection
with qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture
under the TIA;
(7) to make any change that does not adversely affect the
rights of any Securityholder; or
(8) make any change in the Pledge Agreement that would
adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder.
After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the
Company shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such
amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect
therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this
Section.
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders. The Company and the
Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to any
Securityholder but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding (including
consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the
Securities). However, without the consent of each Securityholder affected
thereby, an amendment may not:
(1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent
to an amendment;
(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of
interest on any Security;
(3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of
any Security;
(4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any
Security or change the time at which any Security may be redeemed in
accordance with Article 3;
(5) make any Security payable in money other than that stated
in the Security;
(6) impair the right of any Securityholder to receive payment
of principal of and interest on such Holder's Securities on or after
the due dates therefor or to institute suit for any payment on or with
respect to such Holder's Securities;
67
(7) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or the second
sentence of this Section; or
(8) make any changes in the Pledge Agreement that would
adversely affect the rights of any Security holders.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under
this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it
shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the
Company shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such
amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect
therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this
Section.
SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every
amendment to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then
in effect.
SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. A
consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the
Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the Security
that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security, even if
notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Security. However, any such
Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such
Holder's Security or portion of the Security if the Trustee receives the notice
of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After
an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Security holder.
An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the execution of such amendment or
waiver by the Trustee.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record
date for the purpose of determining the Securityholders entitled to give their
consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be
taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then
notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were
Securityholders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only
those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent
previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons
continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or
effective for more than 120 days after such record date.
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SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Securities. If an
amendment changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of
the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate
notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and return it to the
Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company
in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a
new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate
notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such
amendment.
SECTION 9.06. Trustee To Sign Amendments. The Trustee shall
sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does
not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the
Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such
amendment the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably
satisfactory to it and to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully
protected in relying upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel
stating that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
SECTION 9.07. Payment for Consent. Neither the Company nor any
Affiliate of the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid
any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder
for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms
or provisions of this Indenture or the Securities unless such consideration is
offered to be paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in
the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent,
waiver or agreement.
ARTICLE 10
Miscellaneous
-------------
SECTION 10.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision
of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which
is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision
shall control.
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SECTION 10.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be
in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as
follows:
if to the Company:
Attention of
if to the Trustee:
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may
designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or
communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Security holder shall
be mailed to the Securityholder at the Securityholder's address as it appears
on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so
mailed within the time prescribed.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder
or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other
Securityholders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided
above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
SECTION 10.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders.
Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA ss. 312(b) with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the
Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have
the protection of TIA ss. 312(c).
SECTION 10.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions
Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take
or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall
furnish to the Trustee:
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(1) an Officers' Certificate in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the
signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this
Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such
counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
SECTION 10.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or
condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(1) a statement that the individual making such certificate or
opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he
has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable
him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
SECTION 10.06. When Securities Disregarded. In determining
whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have
concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company
or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under
direct or indirect common control with the Company shall be disregarded and
deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining
whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver
or consent, only Securities which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so
disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Securities outstanding at the
time shall be considered in any such determination.
SECTION 10.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action
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by or a meeting of Securityholders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make
reasonable rules for their functions.
SECTION 10.08. Legal Holidays. A "Legal Holiday" is a
Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are not required to
be open in the State of New York. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment
shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no
interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a
Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.
SECTION 10.09. Governing Law. This Indenture and the
Securities shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of
the State of New York but without giving effect to applicable principles of
conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the laws of another
jurisdiction would be required thereby.
SECTION 10.10. No Recourse Against Others. A director,
officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any
liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or this
Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such
obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder
shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be
part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
SECTION 10.11. Successors. All agreements of the Company in
this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of
the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
SECTION 10.12. Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any
number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but
all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to
prove this Indenture.
SECTION 10.13. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of
contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of
this Indenture have been inserted
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for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part
hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to
be duly executed as of the date first written above.
NORTHEAST OPTIC NETWORK, INC.,
by
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION,
by
-------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Assistant Vice President
