Exhibit 1.1
2,390,000 Shares
RURAL CELLULAR CORPORATION
Class A Common Stock
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
February __, 2000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
SECURITIES CORPORATION
As representative of the
several Underwriters
named in SCHEDULE I hereto
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Securities Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Dear Sirs:
Rural Cellular Corporation, a Minnesota corporation (the "COMPANY"),
proposes to issue and sell 2,390,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "FIRM SHARES"), to the several underwriters named in
SCHEDULE I hereto (the "UNDERWRITERS"). The Company also proposes to issue and
sell to the several Underwriters not more than an additional 358,500 shares of
its Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "ADDITIONAL SHARES"), if
requested by the Underwriters as provided in Section 2 hereof. The Firm Shares
and the Additional Shares are hereinafter referred to collectively as the
"SHARES." The shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company to be outstanding
after giving effect to the sales contemplated hereby are hereinafter referred to
as the "COMMON STOCK."
SECTION 1. REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS. The Company has
prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"COMMISSION") in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder
(collectively, the "ACT"), a registration statement on Form S-3, including a
prospectus, relating to the Shares. The registration statement, as amended at
the
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time it became effective, including the information (if any) deemed to be part
of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A
under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as the "REGISTRATION STATEMENT;" and
the prospectus in the form first used to confirm sales of Shares is hereinafter
referred to as the "PROSPECTUS." If the Company has filed or is required
pursuant to the terms hereof to file a registration statement pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Act registering additional shares of Common Stock (a "RULE
462(b) REGISTRATION STATEMENT"), then, unless otherwise specified, any reference
herein to the term "Registration Statement" shall be deemed to include such Rule
462(b) Registration Statement.
As soon as practicable following the Closing Time, the Company expects
to consummate its purchase of specified assets and a subsidiary of Triton
Cellular Partners, L.P. and certain of its affiliates (the "TRITON
ACQUISITION"); PROVIDED, that consummation of the Triton Acquisition is subject
to (A) Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC") consent to the assignment
of the licenses being transferred and (B) the expiration or early termination of
the waiting period under the ▇▇▇▇- ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇ Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended (the "HSR ACT").
The Company has an existing credit facility pursuant to a certain
Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1998 by and among the
Company, as borrower, TD Securities (USA) Inc., as arranging agent, and the
Lenders party thereto (as amended to date, the "EXISTING CREDIT FACILITY"). In
connection with the Triton Acquisition, the Company (i) intends to enter into
amendments to its Existing Credit Facility, (ii) has received a commitment
pursuant to which an affiliate of TD Securities (USA) Inc. would provide
financing under a new credit facility (the "NEW CREDIT FACILITY" and, together
with the Existing Credit Facility, the "Credit Facility"); (iii) has received a
commitment from three investors to purchase up to a total of $200 million of the
Company's redeemable convertible preferred stock, (iv) intends to offer 25,000
shares of 11 3/8% Senior Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the "SENIOR PREFERRED
STOCK") and (iv) intends to offer 110,000 shares of ___% Junior Exchangeable
Preferred Stock (the "JUNIOR PREFERRED STOCK").
This Agreement and the articles of incorporation of the Company. are
sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS").
SECTION 2. AGREEMENTS TO SELL AND PURCHASE AND LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS . On
the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, and
subject to its terms and conditions, the Company agrees to issue and sell, and
each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company
at a price per Share of $______ (the "PURCHASE PRICE") the number of Firm Shares
set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in SCHEDULE I hereto.
On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Company agrees to issue
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and sell the Additional Shares and the Underwriters shall have the right to
purchase, severally and not jointly, up to 358,500 Additional Shares from the
Company at the Purchase Price. Additional Shares may be purchased solely for the
purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the
Firm Shares. The Underwriters may exercise their right to purchase Additional
Shares in whole or in part from time to time by giving written notice thereof to
the Company within 30 days after the date of this Agreement. You shall give any
such notice on behalf of the Underwriters and such notice shall specify the
aggregate number of Additional Shares to be purchased pursuant to such exercise
and the date for payment and delivery thereof, which date shall be a business
day (i) no earlier than two business days after such notice has been given (and,
in any event, no earlier than the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined)) and
(ii) no later than ten business days after such notice has been given. If any
Additional Shares are to be purchased, each Underwriter, severally and not
jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company the number of Additional Shares
(subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as you may
determine) which bears the same proportion to the total number of Additional
Shares to be purchased from the Company as the number of Firm Shares set forth
opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I bears to the total number of
Firm Shares.
The Company hereby agrees not to (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to
sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract
to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer
or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or
(ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers all or a portion of
the economic consequences associated with the ownership of any Common Stock
(regardless of whether any of the transactions described in clause (i) or (ii)
is to be settled by the delivery of Common Stock, or such other securities, in
cash or otherwise), except to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, for a
period of 90 days after the date of the Prospectus without the prior written
consent of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, during such period (i) the Company may grant stock options
pursuant to the Company's existing stock option plan and (ii) the Company may
issue shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the
conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof. The Company also agrees
not to file any registration statement with respect to any shares of Common
Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Common Stock for a period of 90 days after the date of the Prospectus without
the prior written consent of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities
Corporation. The Company shall, prior to or concurrently with the execution of
this Agreement, deliver an agreement executed by each of the directors and
officers of the Company to the effect that such person will not, during the
period commencing on the date such person signs such agreement and ending 90
days after the date of the Prospectus, without the prior written consent of
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation, (A) engage in any of the
transactions described in the first sentence
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of this paragraph or (B) make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect
to, the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock.
SECTION 3. TERMS OF PUBLIC OFFERING. The Company is advised by you that
the Underwriters propose (i) to make a public offering of their respective
portions of the Shares as soon after the execution and delivery of this
Agreement as in your judgment is advisable and (ii) initially to offer the
Shares upon the terms set forth in the Prospectus.
SECTION 4. DELIVERY AND PAYMENT. The Shares shall be represented by
definitive certificates and shall be issued in such authorized denominations and
registered in such names as ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation
shall request no later than two business days prior to the Closing Date or the
applicable Option Closing Date (as defined below), as the case may be. The
Company shall deliver the Shares to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities
Corporation through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), for
the respective accounts of the several Underwriters, against payment to the
Company of the Purchase Price therefor by wire transfer of Federal or other
funds immediately available in New York City. The certificates representing the
Shares shall be made available for inspection not later than 9:30 A.M., New York
City time, on the business day prior to the Closing Date or the applicable
Option Closing Date (as defined below), as the case may be, at the office of DTC
or its designated custodian (the "DESIGNATED OFFICE"). The time and date of
delivery and payment for the Firm Shares shall be 9:00 A.M., New York City time,
on February __, 2000 or such other time on the same or such other date as
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation and the Company shall agree
in writing. The time and date of delivery for the Firm Shares are hereinafter
referred to as the "CLOSING DATE." The time and date of delivery and payment for
any Additional Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters shall be 9:00 A.M.,
New York City time, on the date specified in the applicable exercise notice
given by you pursuant to Section 2 or such other time on the same or such other
date as ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation and the Company
shall agree in writing. The time and date of delivery for the Option Shares are
hereinafter referred to as an "OPTION CLOSING DATE."
The documents to be delivered on the Closing Date or any Option Closing
Date on behalf of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement
shall be delivered at the offices of Paul, Hastings, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇, LLP, ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
and the Shares shall be delivered at the Designated Office, all on the Closing
Date or such Option Closing Date, as the case may be.
SECTION 5. AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company agrees with you:
(a) To advise you promptly and, if requested by you, to confirm such
advice in writing, (i) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the
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Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for
additional information, (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of the suspension
of qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the
initiation of any proceeding for such purposes, (iii) when any amendment to the
Registration Statement becomes effective, (iv) if the Company is required to
file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement after the effectiveness of this
Agreement, when the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has become effective and
(v) of the happening of any event during the period referred to in Section 5(d)
below which makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus untrue or which requires any additions to or changes
in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements
therein not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company will use
its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the
earliest possible time.
(b) To furnish to you three signed copies of the Registration Statement
as first filed with the Commission and of each amendment to it, including all
exhibits, and to furnish to you and each Underwriter designated by you such
number of conformed copies of the Registration Statement as so filed and of each
amendment to it, without exhibits, as you may reasonably request.
(c) To prepare the Prospectus, the form and substance of which shall be
satisfactory to you, and to file the Prospectus in such form with the Commission
within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Act; during the
period specified in Section 5(d) below, not to file any further amendment to the
Registration Statement and not to make any amendment or supplement to the
Prospectus of which you shall not previously have been advised or to which you
shall reasonably object after being so advised; and, during such period, to
prepare and file with the Commission, promptly upon your reasonable request, any
amendment to the Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to the
Prospectus which may be necessary or advisable in connection with the
distribution of the Shares by you, and to use its best efforts to cause any such
amendment to the Registration Statement to become promptly effective.
(d) Prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the first business day
after the date of this Agreement and from time to time thereafter for such
period as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus is
required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or a
dealer, to furnish in New York City to each Underwriter and any dealer as many
copies of the Prospectus (and of any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus)
as such Underwriter or dealer may reasonably request.
(e) If during the period specified in Section 5(d), any event shall
occur
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or condition shall exist as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for the
Underwriters, it becomes necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the
Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the opinion of
counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the
Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare and file with the
Commission an appropriate amendment or supplement to the Prospectus so that the
statements in the Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, will not in the
light of the circumstances when it is so delivered, be misleading, or so that
the Prospectus will comply with applicable law, and to furnish to each
Underwriter and to any dealer as many copies thereof as such Underwriter or
dealer may reasonably request.
(f) Prior to any public offering of the Shares, to cooperate with you
and counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the registration or
qualification of the Shares for offer and sale by the several Underwriters and
by dealers under the state securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as
you may request, to continue such registration or qualification in effect so
long as required for distribution of the Shares and to file such consents to
service of process or other documents as may be necessary in order to effect
such registration or qualification; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall
not be required in connection therewith to qualify as a foreign corporation in
any jurisdiction in which it is not now so qualified or to take any action that
would subject it to general consent to service of process or taxation other than
as to matters and transactions relating to the Prospectus, the Registration
Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the offering or sale of the Shares, in
any jurisdiction in which it is not now so subject.
(g) To mail and make generally available to its stockholders as soon as
practicable an earnings statement covering the twelve-month period ending
December 31, 1999 that shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act,
and to advise you in writing when such statement has been so made available.
(h) During the period of three years after the date of this Agreement,
to furnish to you as soon as available copies of all reports or other
communications furnished to the record holders of Common Stock or furnished to
or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange on which any
class of securities of the Company is listed and such other publicly available
information concerning the Company and its subsidiaries as you may reasonably
request.
(i) Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are
consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay or cause to be paid all
expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement,
including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and
the Company's accountants in connection with the registration and delivery of
the
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Shares under the Act and all other fees and expenses in connection with the
preparation, printing, filing and distribution of the Registration Statement
(including financial statements and exhibits), any preliminary prospectus, the
Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including
the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers in
the quantities specified herein, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the
transfer and delivery of the Shares to the Underwriters, including any transfer
or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) all costs of printing or producing this
Agreement and any other agreements or documents in connection with the offering,
purchase, sale or delivery of the Shares, (iv) all expenses in connection with
the registration or qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of the several states and all costs of printing or
producing any Preliminary and Supplemental Blue Sky Memoranda in connection
therewith (including the filing fees and fees and disbursements of counsel for
the Underwriters in connection with such registration or qualification and
memoranda relating thereto), (v) the filing fees and fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the review and clearance of the
offering of the Shares by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
(vi) all fees and expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of any
registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the Common Stock and all costs
and any expenses incident to the listing of the Shares on the Nasdaq National
Market, (vii) the cost of printing certificates representing the Shares, (viii)
the costs and charges of any transfer agent, registrar and/or depositary, and
(ix) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations
of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this
Section.
(j) To use its best efforts to maintain the listing of the Shares on
the Nasdaq National Market for a period of three years after the date of this
Agreement.
(k) To use its best efforts to do and perform all things required or
necessary to be done and performed under this Agreement by the Company prior to
the Closing Date or any Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and to satisfy
all conditions precedent to the delivery of the Shares.
(l) If the Registration Statement at the time of the effectiveness of
this Agreement does not cover all of the Shares, to file a Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement with the Commission registering the Shares not so covered
in compliance with Rule 462(b) by 10:00 P.M., New York City time, on the date of
this Agreement and to pay to the Commission the filing fee for such Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement at the time of the filing thereof or to give irrevocable
instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b) under the Act.
SECTION 6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company
represents and warrants to each Underwriter that:
(a) The Registration Statement has become effective (other than any
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Rule 462(b) Registration Statement to be filed by the Company after the
effectiveness of this Agreement); any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement filed
after the effectiveness of this Agreement will become effective no later than
10:00 P.M., New York City time, on the date of this Agreement; and no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no
proceedings for such purpose are pending before or threatened by the Commission.
(b) (i) The Registration Statement (other than any Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement to be filed by the Company after the effectiveness of
this Agreement), when it became effective, did not contain and, as amended,
if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) the Registration Statement
(other than any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement to be filed by the Company
after the effectiveness of this Agreement) and the Prospectus comply and, as
amended or supplemented, if applicable, will comply in all material respects
with the Act, (iii) if the Company is required to file a Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement after the effectiveness of this Agreement, such Rule
462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, when they become
effective (A) will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading and (B) will comply in all
material respects with the Act and (iv) the Prospectus does not contain and,
as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, except that the representations and
warranties set forth in this paragraph do not apply to statements or
omissions in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus based upon
information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing
by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein.
(c) Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of the registration
statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed
pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, complied when so filed in all material
respects with the Act, and did not contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, except that the representations and warranties
set forth in this paragraph do not apply to statements or omissions in any
preliminary prospectus based upon information relating to any Underwriter
furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly
for use therein.
(d) SCHEDULE 6(D) attached hereto sets forth each of the Company's
subsidiaries (the "Subsidiaries") and its ownership thereof on the date hereof.
Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly incorporated, is validly
8
existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation and has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business
as described in the Prospectus and to own, lease and operate its properties, and
each is duly qualified and is in good standing as a foreign corporation
authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its
business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification,
except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse
effect on the business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations
of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(e) There are no outstanding subscriptions, rights, warrants, options,
calls, convertible securities, commitments of sale or liens granted or issued by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to or entitling any person to
purchase or otherwise to acquire any shares of the capital stock of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration
Statement or Prospectus.
(f) All the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have
been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and
not subject to any preemptive or similar rights; and the Shares have been duly
authorized and, when issued and delivered to the Underwriters against payment
therefor as provided by this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable, and the issuance of such Shares will not be subject to any
preemptive or similar rights.
(g) (1) The actual capitalization of the Company at September 30, 1999,
is as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Capitalization" in the
"Actual" column. All of the outstanding capital stock of the Company has been
duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and nonassessable, and was not
issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights (whether provided
contractually or pursuant to any of its articles of incorporation, bylaws or
other organizational documents), and was issued free and clear of all interests,
mortgages, deeds of trust, pledges, liens, encumbrances or claims (collectively,
"ENCUMBRANCES"), including restrictions on transferability or voting of such
capital stock, except as set forth in the Prospectus. Immediately after the
Closing Date, the Company will have a duly authorized capitalization of
15,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, 5,000,000
shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, 450,000 shares of
Senior Preferred Stock, 320,000 shares of Junior Preferred Stock, 200,000 shares
of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, 50,000 shares of Series B
Junior Participating Preferred Stock and 8,980,000 undesignated shares of
capital stock, par value $.01 per share.
(2) All of the outstanding capital stock of the Subsidiaries
owned by the Company as disclosed on SCHEDULE 6(d) is owned directly by the
9
Company, free and clear of any Encumbrances, including restrictions on
transferability or voting of such capital stock, has been duly authorized and
validly issued, is fully paid and nonassessable and was not issued to or
acquired by the Company in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any
holder of any interest in such Subsidiaries (whether provided contractually or
pursuant to any of its articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational
documents of such subsidiaries) except as set forth in the Prospectus and the
Registration Statement.
(h) All offers and sales by the Company of the Company's securities
made within the past three years were at all relevant times exempt from the
registration requirements of the Act or duly registered under the Act, and were
duly registered or the subject of an available exemption from the requirements
of applicable state securities laws.
(i) The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms as to legal
matters to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.
(j) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of
its respective charter or bylaws or in default in the performance of any
obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, loan
agreement, mortgage, lease or other agreement or instrument that is material to
the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to which the Company or any
of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or their respective property is bound.
(k) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the
Company, the compliance by the Company with all the provisions hereof and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (i) require any
consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or qualification with, any
court or governmental body or agency (except such as may be required under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states), (ii) conflict with or
constitute a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or a default under,
the charter or bylaws of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any
indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, lease or other agreement or instrument that
is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or their respective property is bound, (iii) violate or
conflict with any applicable law or any rule, regulation, judgment, order or
decree of any court or any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over
the Company, any of its subsidiaries or their respective property or (iv) result
in the suspension, termination or revocation of any Authorization (as defined
below) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other impairment of the
rights of the holder of any such Authorization.
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(l) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or
threatened to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or could be a
party or to which any of their respective property is or could be subject that
are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and
are not so described; nor are there any statutes, regulations, contracts or
other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that
are not so described or filed as required.
(m) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has violated any
foreign, federal, state or local law or regulation relating to the protection of
human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or
wastes, pollutants or contaminants ("ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS"), any provisions of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any provisions
of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, except for such violations which, singly or in the aggregate, would
not have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects, financial
condition or results of operation of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as
a whole.
(n) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has such permits,
licenses, consents, exemptions, franchises, authorizations and other approvals
(each, an "AUTHORIZATION") of, and has made all filings with and notices to, all
governmental or regulatory authorities and self-regulatory organizations and all
courts and other tribunals, including, without limitation, under any applicable
Environmental Laws, as are necessary to own, lease, license and operate its
respective properties and to conduct its business, except where the failure to
have any such Authorization or to make any such filing or notice would not,
singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business,
prospects, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Each such Authorization is valid and in full
force and effect and each of the Company and its subsidiaries is in compliance
with all the terms and conditions thereof and with the rules and regulations of
the authorities and governing bodies having jurisdiction with respect thereto;
and no event has occurred (including, without limitation, the receipt of any
notice from any authority or governing body) which allows or, after notice or
lapse of time or both, would allow, revocation, suspension or termination of any
such Authorization or results or, after notice or lapse of time or both, would
result in any other impairment of the rights of the holder of any such
Authorization; and such Authorizations contain no restrictions that are
burdensome to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; except where such failure
to be valid and in full force and effect or to be in compliance, the occurrence
of any such event or the presence of any such restriction would not, singly or
in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects,
financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
11
(o) There are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental
Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures
required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental
Laws or any Authorization, any related constraints on operating activities and
any potential liabilities to third parties) which would, singly or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects, financial
condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as
a whole.
(p) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Company.
(q) ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, which is reporting upon the audited financial
statements and related notes of the Company included in the Prospectus and the
Registration Statement and the audited financial statements and related notes of
Triton Cellular Partners, L.P. included in the Prospectus and the Registration
Statement, is an independent public accountant with respect to the Company and
its subsidiaries and, to the Company's knowledge, with respect to Triton
Cellular Partners, L.P. and its subsidiaries, in accordance with the provisions
of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. KPMG LLP,
which is reporting upon the audited financial statements and related notes of
Atlantic Cellular Company, L.P. included in the Prospectus and the Registration
Statement is, to the Company's knowledge, an independent public accountant with
respect to Atlantic Cellular Company, L.P. and its subsidiaries, in accordance
with the provisions of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder.
(r) The consolidated financial statements included in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto), together
with related schedules and notes, present fairly the consolidated financial
position, results of operations and changes in financial position of the Company
and its subsidiaries on the basis stated therein at the respective dates or for
the respective periods to which they apply; such statements and related
schedules and notes have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied throughout the periods involved,
except as disclosed therein; the supporting schedules, if any, included in the
Registration Statement present fairly in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles the information required to be stated therein; and the
other financial and statistical information and data set forth in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement
thereto) are, in all material respects, accurately presented and prepared on a
basis consistent with such financial statements and the books and records of the
Company. The selected financial data included in the Prospectus present fairly
the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with
that of the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Prospectus
and the Registration
12
Statement. The pro forma financial statements and related notes thereto and
other pro forma financial information included in the Prospectus and the
Registration Statement present fairly the information shown therein, have been
prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X
promulgated under the Act, have been prepared in accordance with the
Commission's rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial
statements, and have been properly compiled on the pro forma bases described
therein and, in the opinion of the Company, the assumptions used in the
preparation thereof are made on a reasonable basis and the adjustments used
therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions or circumstances
referred to therein, and the pro forma condensed consolidated financial data
reflect adjustments that give effect to events that are factually supportable.
No other financial statements are required by Form S-3 other than those included
in or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and as will be set
forth or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or otherwise to be included
in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.
(s) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and
sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in
the Prospectus, will not be, an "investment company" as such term is defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(t) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the
Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to
file a registration statement under the Act with respect to any securities of
the Company or to require the Company to include such securities with the Shares
registered pursuant to the Registration Statement, except as otherwise described
in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.
(u) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Prospectus other than as set forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any
amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), (i)
there has not occurred any material adverse change or any development involving
a prospective material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise,
or the earnings, business, management or operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) there has not been any material adverse
change or any development involving a prospective material adverse change in the
capital stock or in the long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any
material liability or obligation, direct or contingent.
(v) Each certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered
to the Underwriters or counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a
representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters as to the matters
covered thereby.
13
(w) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or
governmental agency or body (except for such consents, approvals or
authorizations as are required by the FCC, relevant state regulatory
authorities, and under the HSR Act), is required for the performance by the
Company of the transactions contemplated by the Triton Acquisition, and the
Company has no reasonable basis to believe that the transactions contemplated by
the Triton Acquisition will not be consummated in accordance with their terms.
The Company has no reason to believe that any of the representations and
warranties made to the Company under Section 4 of the Asset Purchase Agreement
dated November 6, 1999 by and among Triton Cellular Partners, L.P., Triton
Communications, L.L.C., Triton Cellular Alabama 5 License Company, L.L.C. and
certain of their affiliates and the Company (the "TRITON AGREEMENT") were not
true and correct as of the date of the Triton Agreement and will not be true and
correct as of the closing date of the Triton Acquisition.
(x) The statements set forth in the Prospectus and the Registration
Statement, insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain provisions of
the Transaction Documents, the Triton Acquisition and the Credit Facility
constitute accurate summaries thereof in all material respects.
(y) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or
governmental agency or body (except for such consents, approvals or
authorizations as are required by the FCC, relevant state regulatory
authorities, and under the HSR Act), is required for the performance by the
Company of the transactions contemplated by the Triton Acquisition, and the
Company has no reasonable basis to believe that the transaction contemplated by
Triton Acquisition will not be consummated in accordance with its terms. The
Company has no reason to believe that any of the representations and warranties
made to the Company under Section 4 of the Asset Purchase Agreement dated
November 6, 1999 by and among Triton Cellular Partners, L.P., Triton
Communications, L.L.C., Triton Cellular Alabama 5 License Company, L.L.C. and
certain of their affiliates and the Company (the "TRITON AGREEMENT") were not
true and correct as of the date of the Triton Agreement and will not be true and
correct as of the closing date of the Triton Acquisition.
(z) The disclosures in the Registration Statement and Prospectus
related to Year 2000 compliance comply in all material respects with the
requirements of SEC Release 33-7558.
SECTION 7. INDEMNIFICATION. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless each Underwriter, its directors, its officers and each person, if
any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or
Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE
ACT"), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
judgments (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses incurred
in
14
connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any action,
that could give rise to any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
judgments) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto), the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any
preliminary prospectus, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments are caused by any such untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating
to any Underwriter furnished in writing to the Company by such Underwriter
through you expressly for use therein; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the foregoing
indemnity agreement with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure
to the benefit of any Underwriter who failed to deliver a Prospectus (as then
amended or supplemented, provided by the Company to the several Underwriters in
the requisite quantity and on a timely basis to permit proper delivery on or
prior to the Closing Date) to the person asserting any losses, claims, damages
and liabilities and judgments caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus, or caused
by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if
such material misstatement or omission or alleged material misstatement or
omission was cured in such Prospectus and such Prospectus was required by law to
be delivered at or prior to the written confirmation of sale to such person.
(b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify
and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the
Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, to the
same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Underwriter but
only with reference to information relating to such Underwriter furnished in
writing to the Company by such Underwriter through you expressly for use in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) or any preliminary prospectus.
(c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any person in
respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 7(a) or 7(b) (the
"indemnified party"), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the person
against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying party") in writing
and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and
the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred (except that
in the case of any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant
to both Sections 7(a) and 7(b), the Underwriter shall not be required to assume
the defense of such action pursuant to this Section 7(c), but may employ
15
separate counsel and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and
expenses of such counsel, except as provided below, shall be at the expense
of such Underwriter). Any indemnified party shall have the right to employ
separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof,
but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the
indemnified party unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been
specifically authorized in writing by the indemnifying party, (ii) the
indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such action or
employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or (iii) the
named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include
both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party, and the indemnified
party shall have been advised by such counsel that there may be one or more
legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to
those available to the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying
party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf
of the indemnified party). In any such case, the indemnifying party shall
not, in connection with any one action or separate but substantially similar
or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general
allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more
than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for
all indemnified parties and all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as
they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
Lufkin & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation, in the case of parties indemnified
pursuant to Section 7(a), and by the Company, in the case of parties
indemnified pursuant to Section 7(b). The indemnifying party shall indemnify
and hold harmless the indemnified party from and against any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities and judgments by reason of any settlement of any
action (i) effected with the Indemnifying Party's written consent or (ii)
effected without the Indemnifying Party's written consent if the settlement
is entered into more than twenty business days after the indemnifying party
shall have received a request from the indemnified party for reimbursement
for the fees and expenses of counsel (in any case where such fees and
expenses are at the expense of the indemnifying party) and, prior to the date
of such settlement, the indemnifying party shall have failed to comply with
such reimbursement request. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior
written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement or compromise
of, or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to, any pending or
threatened action in respect of which the indemnified party is or could have
been a party and indemnity or contribution may be or could have been sought
hereunder by the indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or
judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from
all liability on claims that are or could have been the subject matter of
such action and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of
fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of the indemnified
party.
(d) To the extent the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is
unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each
16
indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering
of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 7(d)(i) above is not
permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
only the relative benefits referred to in clause 7(d)(i) above but also the
relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other
hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the
one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be deemed to be in the
same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (after deducting
underwriting discounts and commissions, but before deducting expenses) received
by the Company, and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by
the Underwriters, bear to the total price to the public of the Shares, in each
case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative
fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the
Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(d) were determined by pro
rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The
amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any action,
that could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter
shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the
total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public
were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such
Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 7(d) are several in proportion to
17
the respective number of Shares purchased by each of the Underwriters hereunder
and not joint.
(e) The remedies provided for in this Section 7 are not exclusive and
shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any
indemnified party at law or in equity.
SECTION 8. CONDITIONS OF UNDERWRITERS' OBLIGATIONS. The several
obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Firm Shares under this Agreement
are subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:
(a) All the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
this Agreement shall be true and correct on the Closing Date with the same force
and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date.
(b) If the Company is required to file a Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement after the effectiveness of this Agreement, such Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 P.M., New York City
time, on the date of this Agreement; and no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no
proceedings for that purpose shall have been commenced or shall be pending
before or contemplated by the Commission.
(c) You shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate dated the
Closing Date, signed by ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in their capacities
as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice
President and General Counsel of the Company, confirming the matters set forth
in Sections 6(t), 8(a) and 8(b) and that the Company has complied with all of
the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions herein contained and required
to be complied with or satisfied by the Company on or prior to the Closing Date.
(d) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Prospectus other than as set forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any
amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), (i)
there shall not have occurred any change or any development involving a
prospective change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings,
business, management or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, (ii) there shall not have been any change or any development involving
a prospective change in the capital stock or in the long-term debt of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries shall have incurred any liability or obligation, direct or
contingent, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause 8(d)(i),
8(d)(ii) or 8(d)(iii), in your judgment, is material and adverse and, in your
judgment, makes it impracticable to market the Shares on the terms and in the
manner contemplated in the Prospectus.
18
(e) You shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion
(satisfactory to you and counsel for the Underwriters), dated the Closing Date,
of the following counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to
counsel for the Underwriters: (i) ▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, A Professional Association,
counsel for the Company, to the effect set forth in EXHIBIT A-1 hereto and to
such further effect as counsel for the Underwriters may reasonably request (in
giving such opinion, such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the
laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of Minnesota and the
federal law of the United States upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to
the Underwriters), (ii) Lukas, Nace, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Sachs, Chartered, special
regulatory counsel for the Company, to the effect of the regulatory matters set
forth in EXHIBIT A-2 hereto and to such further effect as counsel for the
Underwriters may reasonably request, (iii) ▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, A Professional
Association, Minnesota regulatory counsel for the Company, to the effect of the
regulatory matters set forth in EXHIBIT A-3 hereto and to such further effect as
counsel for the Underwriters may reasonably request, and (iv) ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ &
▇▇▇▇▇, special New York counsel for the Issuer to the effect set forth in
EXHIBIT A-5 and to such further effect as counsel for the Underwriters may
reasonably request. Each such counsel may also state that, insofar as such
opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem
proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries (and
other affiliates) and certificates of public officials.
The opinion of ▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, A Professional Association, described in
Section 8(e) above shall be rendered to you at the request of the Company and
shall so state therein.
(f) You shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion, dated the
Closing Date, of Paul, Hastings, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, counsel for the
Underwriters, as to the matters set forth in EXHIBIT B.
(g) You shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing
Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be, in
form and substance satisfactory to you, from ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, independent
public accountants, containing the information and statements of the type
ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort letters" to Underwriters with
respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained
in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(h) The Company shall have delivered to you the agreements specified in
Section 2 hereof which agreements shall be in full force and effect on the
Closing Date.
(i) The Shares shall have been duly listed for quotation on the Nasdaq
National Market.
(j) You shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the
19
Closing Date, from the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer
of the Company a certificate as of the date hereof or the Closing Date in
respect of certain financial data regarding Atlantic Cellular Company, L.P.
included in the Prospectus in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT C.
(k) The Company shall not have failed on or prior to the Closing Date
to perform or comply with any of the agreements herein contained and required to
be performed or complied with by the Company on or prior to the Closing Date.
The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase any Additional
Shares hereunder are subject to the delivery to you on the applicable Option
Closing Date of such documents as you may reasonably request with respect to the
good standing of the Company, the due authorization and issuance of such
Additional Shares and other matters related to the issuance of such Additional
Shares.
SECTION 9. EFFECTIVENESS OF AGREEMENT AND TERMINATION. This Agreement
shall become effective upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
parties hereto.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time on or prior to the Closing
Date by you by written notice to the Company if any of the following has
occurred: (i) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or
international calamity or crisis or change in economic conditions or in the
financial markets of the United States or elsewhere that, in your judgment, is
material and adverse and, in your judgment, makes it impracticable to market the
Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus, (ii) the
suspension or material limitation of trading in securities or other instruments
on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Chicago Board
of Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the Chicago Board of Trade
or the Nasdaq National Market or limitation on prices for securities or other
instruments on any such exchange or the Nasdaq National Market, (iii) the
suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any exchange or the
Nasdaq National Market or in the over-the-counter market, (iv) the enactment,
publication, decree or other promulgation of any federal or state statute,
regulation, rule or order of any court or other governmental authority which in
your opinion materially and adversely affects, or will materially and adversely
affect, the business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations of
the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (v) the declaration of a
banking moratorium by either federal or New York State or Minnesota authorities
or (vi) the taking of any action by any federal, state or local government or
agency in respect of its monetary or fiscal affairs which in your opinion has a
material adverse effect on the financial markets in the United States.
If on the Closing Date or on an Option Closing Date, as the case may
be,
20
any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase the Firm
Shares or Additional Shares, as the case may be, which it has or they have
agreed to purchase hereunder on such date and the aggregate number of Firm
Shares or Additional Shares, as the case may be, which such defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not
more than one-tenth of the total number of Firm Shares or Additional Shares,
as the case may be, to be purchased on such date by all Underwriters, each
non-defaulting Underwriter shall be obligated severally, in the proportion
which the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite its name in SCHEDULE I
bears to the total number of Firm Shares which all the non-defaulting
Underwriters have agreed to purchase, or in such other proportion as you may
specify, to purchase the Firm Shares or Additional Shares, as the case may
be, which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or
refused to purchase on such date; PROVIDED that in no event shall the number
of Firm Shares or Additional Shares, as the case may be, which any
Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to Section 2 hereof be increased
pursuant to this Section 9 by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such number
of Firm Shares or Additional Shares, as the case may be, without the written
consent of such Underwriter. If on the Closing Date any Underwriter or
Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Shares and the aggregate
number of Firm Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than
one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm Shares to be purchased by all
Underwriters and arrangements satisfactory to you and the Company for
purchase of such Firm Shares are not made within 48 hours after such default,
this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any
non-defaulting Underwriter and the Company. In any such case which does not
result in termination of this Agreement, either you or the Company shall have
the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven
days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be
effected. If, on an Option Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters
shall fail or refuse to purchase Additional Shares and the aggregate number
of Additional Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than
one-tenth of the aggregate number of Additional Shares to be purchased on
such date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the option to (i)
terminate their obligation hereunder to purchase such Additional Shares or
(ii) purchase not less than the number of Additional Shares that such
non-defaulting Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase on such
date in the absence of such default. Any action taken under this paragraph
shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any
default of any such Underwriter under this Agreement.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS. Notices given pursuant to any provision of
this Agreement shall be addressed as follows: (i) if to the Company, to Rural
Cellular Corporation, P.O. Box 2000, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq., with a copy to ▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, A
Professional Association, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ and (ii) if to any Underwriter or to you, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin &
21
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇,
Attention: Syndicate Department, or in any case to such other address as the
person to be notified may have requested in writing.
The respective indemnities, contribution agreements, representations,
warranties and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters set
forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall remain operative and in full
force and effect, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Shares,
regardless of (i) any investigation, or statement as to the results thereof,
made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, the officers or directors of any
Underwriter, any person controlling any Underwriter, the Company, the officers
or directors of the Company or any person controlling the Company, (ii)
acceptance of the Shares and payment for them hereunder and (iii) termination of
this Agreement.
If for any reason the Shares are not delivered by or on behalf of the
Company as provided herein (other than as a result of any termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 9), the Company agrees to reimburse the several
Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and
disbursements of counsel) incurred by them. Notwithstanding any termination of
this Agreement, the Company shall be liable for all expenses which it has agreed
to pay pursuant to Section 5(i) hereof. The Company also agrees to reimburse the
several Underwriters, their directors and officers and any persons controlling
any of the Underwriters for any and all fees and expenses (including, without
limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by them in
connection with enforcing their rights hereunder (including, without limitation,
pursuant to Section 7 hereof).
Except as otherwise provided, this Agreement has been and is made
solely for the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company, the
Underwriters, the Underwriters' directors and officers, any controlling persons
referred to herein, the Company's directors and the Company's officers who sign
the Registration Statement and their respective successors and assigns, all as
and to the extent provided in this Agreement, and no other person shall acquire
or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. The term "successors and
assigns" shall not include a purchaser of any of the Shares from any of the
several Underwriters merely because of such purchase.
This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York.
This Agreement may be signed in various counterparts which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
22
Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement
between the Company and the several Underwriters.
Very truly yours,
RURAL CELLULAR CORPORATION
By:
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President and Chief Executive
Officer
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
SECURITIES CORPORATION
Acting severally on behalf of
themselves and the several
Underwriters named in
SCHEDULE I hereto
By: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, LUFKIN & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
SECURITIES CORPORATION
By:
------------------------------
Name:
Title:
23
SCHEDULE I
Number of Firm Shares
Underwriters to be Purchased
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities
Corporation
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Lynch, Pierce, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇
Incorporated
Banc of America Securities LLC
First Union Securities, Inc.
The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Company, LLC
DLJ DIRECT Inc.
---------------------------------
Total 2,390,000
24
SCHEDULE 6(d)
SUBSIDIARIES
Wholly owned subsidiaries:
RCC Minnesota, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
RCC Paging, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
RCC Network, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
RCC Holdings, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
RGI Group, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
RCC Atlantic Long Distance, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
RCC Atlantic, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
TLA Spectrum, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company
RCC Transport, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
MRCC, Inc., a Maine corporation
Western Maine Cellular, Inc., a Maine corporation
Partially owned subsidiaries:
Cellular 2000, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
(50.00% ownership)
Wireless Alliance, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company
(70.00% ownership)