1
EXHIBIT 4.2
================================================================================
ALLEGIANCE TELECOM, INC.,
as Issuer
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
-------------------------
Indenture
Dated as of February 3, 1998
-------------------------
11 3/4% Senior Discount Notes due 2008
================================================================================
2
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
TIA Sections Indenture Sections
------------ ------------------
Section 310(a)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10
(a)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.10
(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.08
Section 313(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.06; 10.02
Section 314(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.17; 10.02
(a)(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.16; 10.02
(c)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.03
(c)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.03
(e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.04
Section 315(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.05; 10.02
Section 316(a)(1)(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.05
(a)(1)(B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.04
(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.07
Section 317(a)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.08
(a)(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.09
Section 318(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.01
(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.01
Note: The Cross-Reference Table shall not for any purpose be deemed to be a
part of the Indenture.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.01. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
SECTION 1.02. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
SECTION 1.03. Rules of Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
ARTICLE TWO
THE NOTES
SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SECTION 2.02. Restrictive Legends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
SECTION 2.03. Execution, Authentication and Denominations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SECTION 2.07. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
SECTION 2.08. Special Transfer Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 2.09. Replacement Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
SECTION 2.10. Outstanding Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
SECTION 2.11. Temporary Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
SECTION 2.12. Cancellation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
SECTION 2.14. Defaulted Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
SECTION 2.15. Issuance of Additional Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
ARTICLE THREE
REDEMPTION
SECTION 3.01. Right of Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
SECTION 3.02. Notices to Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
SECTION 3.03. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
SECTION 3.04. Notice of Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
SECTION 3.05. Effect of Notice of Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
SECTION 3.06. Deposit of Redemption Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
-------------------
Note: The Table of Contents shall not for any purposes be deemed to be a
part of the Indenture.
4
ii
SECTION 3.07. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
SECTION 3.08. Notes Redeemed in Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
ARTICLE FOUR
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
SECTION 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted . . . . . . . . . . . 48
SECTION 4.06. Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of Restricted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
SECTION 4.08. Limitation on Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
SECTION 4.09. Limitation on Liens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Asset Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
SECTION 4.11. Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
SECTION 4.12. Existence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
SECTION 4.13. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
SECTION 4.14. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
SECTION 4.15. Notice of Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
SECTION 4.16. Compliance Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
SECTION 4.17. Commission Reports and Reports to Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
SECTION 4.18. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
SECTION 4.19. Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
SECTION 4.20. Calculation of Original Issue Discount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
ARTICLE FIVE
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
SECTION 5.02. Successor Substituted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
ARTICLE SIX
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
5
iii
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
SECTION 6.10. Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
SECTION 6.12. Restoration of Rights and Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
SECTION 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
SECTION 6.14. Delay or Omission Not Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
ARTICLE SEVEN
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.01. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
SECTION 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
SECTION 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
SECTION 7.11. Money Held in Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
SECTION 7.12. Withholding Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
ARTICLE EIGHT
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
SECTION 8.01. Termination of Company's Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
SECTION 8.02. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
SECTION 8.03. Defeasance of Certain Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
SECTION 8.04. Application of Trust Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
SECTION 8.05. Repayment to Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
6
iv
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
SECTION 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
SECTION 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
SECTION 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
SECTION 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
ARTICLE TEN
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 10.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
SECTION 10.02. Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
SECTION 10.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
SECTION 10.04. Statements Required in Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
SECTION 10.05. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
SECTION 10.06. Payment Date Other Than a Business Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
SECTION 10.07. Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
SECTION 10.08. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
SECTION 10.09. No Recourse Against Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
SECTION 10.10. Successors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
SECTION 10.11. Duplicate Originals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
SECTION 10.12. Separability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
SECTION 10.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
7
INDENTURE, dated as of February 3, 1998, between
ALLEGIANCE TELECOM, INC., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company"), and THE BANK
OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation, (the "Trustee").
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and
delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance initially of up to
$445,000,000 aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Company's 11 3/4%
Senior Discount Notes due 2008 (the "Notes") issuable as provided in this
Indenture. The Company has agreed to issue and sell a total of 445,000 Units
(the "Units"), each of which consists of one Note and one warrant (each a
"Warrant"), each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase .0034224719
shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company. The Notes
and Warrants included in each Unit will become separately transferable upon the
earliest to occur of (i) the date that is six months following the Closing
Date, (ii) the commencement of the Exchange Offer pursuant to the Notes
Registration Rights Agreement and (iii) the date the Shelf Registration
Statement (as defined herein) is declared effective (the "Separation Date").
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company,
in accordance with its terms, have been done, and the Company has done all
things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee hereunder and duly issued by the
Company, the valid obligations of the Company as hereinafter provided.
This Indenture is subject to, and shall be governed by,
the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are
required to be a part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
AND THIS INDENTURE FURTHER WITNESSETH
For and in consideration of the premises and the
purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and
agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows.
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.01. Definitions.
"Accreted Value" means, for any Specified Date, the amount provided
below for each $1,000 principal amount at maturity of Notes:
8
2
(i) if the Specified Date occurs on one of the
following dates (each a "Semi- Annual Accrual Date"), the
Accreted Value will equal the amount set forth below for such
Semi- Annual Accrual Date:
SEMI-ANNUAL ACCRETED
ACCRUAL DATE VALUE
---------------- --------
August 15, 1998 $ 598.21
February 15, 1999 $ 633.36
August 15, 1999 $ 670.57
February 15, 2000 $ 709.96
August 15, 2000 $ 751.67
February 15, 2001 $ 795.84
August 15, 2001 $ 842.59
February 15, 2002 $ 892.09
August 15, 2002 $ 944.51
February 15, 2003 $1,000.00
(ii) if the Specified Date occurs before the first
Semi-Annual Accrual Date, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (a)
$562.87 and (b) an amount equal to the product of (1) the Accreted
Value for the first Semi-Annual Accrual Date less $562.87 multiplied
by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from
the Closing Date to the Specified Date, using a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months, and the denominator of which is the number of days from
the Closing Date to the first Semi-Annual Accrual Date, using a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
(iii) if the Specified Date occurs between two Semi-Annual
Accrual Dates, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (a) the
Accreted Value for the Semi-Annual Accrual Date immediately preceding
such Specified Date and (b) an amount equal to the product of (1) the
Accreted Value for the immediately following Semi-Annual Accrual Date
less the Accreted Value for the immediately preceding Semi-Annual
Accrual Date multiplied by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of days from the immediately preceding Semi-Annual Accrual
Date to the Specified Date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months, and the denominator of which is 180; or
9
3
(iv) if the Specified Date occurs after the last
Semi-Annual Accrual Date, the Accreted Value will equal $1,000.
"Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person existing at the
time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or assumed in connection with
an Asset Acquisition by a Restricted Subsidiary and not Incurred in connection
with, or in anticipation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or
such Asset Acquisition.
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the
aggregate net income (or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
for such period determined in conformity with GAAP; provided that the following
items shall be excluded in computing Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (without
duplication): (i) the net income (or loss) of any Person that is not a
Restricted Subsidiary, except (x) with respect to net income, to the extent of
the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by such Person during such period and (y)
with respect to net losses, to the extent of the amount of Investments made by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person during such period;
(ii) solely for the purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted Payments
that may be made pursuant to clause (C) of the first paragraph of Section 4.04
(and in such case, except to the extent includable pursuant to clause (i)
above), the net income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or all or substantially all of
the property and assets of such Person are acquired by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary
to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar
distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of such net income is not at the
time permitted by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement,
instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation
applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) any gains or losses (on an
after-tax basis) attributable to Asset Sales; (v) except for purposes of
calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to
clause (C) of the first paragraph of Section 4.04, any amount paid or accrued
as dividends on Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
owned by Persons other than the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(vi) all extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses; and (vii) any
compensation expense paid or payable solely with Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any options, warrants or other rights to
acquire Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (including
Capital Stock of the Company held by Allegiance LLC).
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount of
assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (less applicable
depreciation, amortization and other valuation reserves), except to the extent
resulting from write-ups of capital assets (excluding write-ups in connection
with accounting for acquisitions in conformity with GAAP), after deducting
therefrom (i) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries
10
4
(excluding intercompany items) and (ii) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks,
patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all
as set forth on the most recent quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, prepared in conformity with
GAAP and filed with the Commission or provided to the Trustee pursuant to
Section 4.17.
"Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common
control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by"
and "under common control with"), as applied to any Person, means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
"Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent, authenticating agent or
co-Registrar.
"Agent Members" has the meaning provided in Section 2.07(a).
"Allegiance LLC" means Allegiance Telecom L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company.
"Asset Acquisition" means (i) an investment by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person pursuant to which such Person
shall become a Restricted Subsidiary or shall be merged into or consolidated
with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such
Person's primary business is related, ancillary or complementary to the
businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such
investment or (ii) an acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of the property and assets of any Person other than the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that constitute substantially all of a
division or line of business of such Person; provided that the property and
assets acquired are related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such acquisition.
"Asset Disposition" means the sale or other disposition by the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than to the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary) of (i) all or substantially all of the Capital Stock of
any Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) all or substantially all of the assets that
constitute a division or line of business of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Asset Sale" means any sale, transfer or other disposition (including
by way of merger, consolidation or sale- leaseback transaction) in one
transaction or a series of related transactions by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person other than the Company or
11
5
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of (i) all or any of the Capital Stock of
any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) all or substantially all of the property and
assets of an operating unit or business of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or (iii) any other property and assets (other than the Capital
Stock or other Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries outside the ordinary course of business of the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and, in each case, that is not governed
by the provisions of Article Five; provided that "Asset Sale" shall not include
(a) sales or other dispositions of inventory, receivables and other current
assets, (b) sales, transfers or other dispositions of assets constituting a
Restricted Payment permitted to be made under Section 4.04, (c) sales,
transfers or other dispositions of assets with a fair market value (as
certified in an Officers' Certificate) not in excess of $1 million in any
transaction or series of related transactions, or (d) sales or other
dispositions of assets for consideration at least equal to the fair market
value of the assets sold or disposed of, to the extent that the consideration
received would constitute property or assets of the kind described in clause
(B) of Section 4.10.
"Average Life" means, at any date of determination with respect to any
debt security, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products of
(a) the number of years from such date of determination to the dates of each
successive scheduled principal payment of such debt security and (b) the amount
of such principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal payments.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or
any committee of such Board of Directors duly authorized to act under this
Indenture.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution, certified by the
Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors
and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and
delivered to the Trustee.
"Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
which commercial banks in The City of New York, or in the city of the Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee, are authorized by law to close.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether
voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether outstanding on the
Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all Common
Stock and Preferred Stock.
"Capitalized Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any
property (whether real, personal or mixed) of which the discounted present
value of the rental obligations of such Person as lessee, in conformity with
GAAP, is required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.
12
6
"Capitalized Lease Obligations" means the discounted present value of
the rental obligations under a Capitalized Lease.
"Change of Control" means such time as (i) (a) prior to the occurrence
of a Public Market, a "person" or "group" (within the meaning of Sections 13(d)
and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the ultimate "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Voting Stock representing a
greater percentage of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of (x)
Allegiance LLC, on a fully diluted basis, than is beneficially owned by the
Fund Investors on such date or (y) the Company, on a fully diluted basis, than
is beneficially owned by the Existing Stockholders on such date and (b) after
the occurrence of a Public Market, a "person" or "group" (within the meaning of
Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the ultimate
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more
than 35% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company on a
fully diluted basis and such ownership represents a greater percentage of the
total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, on a fully diluted
basis, than is held by the Existing Stockholders on such date; or (ii)
individuals who on the Closing Date constitute the Board of Directors (together
with any new directors (x) whose election by the Board of Directors or whose
nomination by the Board of Directors for election by the Company's stockholders
was approved by a vote of at least two- thirds of the members of the Board of
Directors then in office who either were members of the Board of Directors on
the Closing Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so
approved or (y) so long as the Fund Investors and their Affiliates beneficially
own a majority of the Voting Stock of Allegiance LLC, whose election was
approved by Allegiance LLC) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of
the members of the Board of Directors then in office.
"Closing Date" means the date on which the Notes are originally issued
under this Indenture.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from
time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act or, if at any time
after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and
performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA, then the body
performing such duties at such time.
"Common Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether
voting or non-voting) of such Person's common stock, whether now outstanding or
issued after the date of this Indenture, including, without limitation, all
series and classes of such common stock.
"Company" means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this
Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article Five of this
Indenture and thereafter means the successor.
13
7
"Company Order" means a written request or order signed in the name of
the Company (i) by its Chairman, a Vice Chairman, its President or a Vice
President and (ii) by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary and delivered to the Trustee; provided, however, that
such written request or order may be signed by any two of the officers or
directors listed in clause (i) above in lieu of being signed by one of such
officers or directors listed in such clause (i) and one of the officers listed
in clause (ii) above.
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income for such period plus, to the extent such amount was deducted in
calculating such Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest
Expense, (ii) income taxes (other than income taxes (either positive or
negative) attributable to extraordinary and non-recurring gains or losses or
sales of assets), (iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense and (v)
all other non-cash items reducing Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (other than
items that will require cash payments and for which an accrual or reserve is,
or is required by GAAP to be, made), less all non-cash items increasing
Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, all as determined on a consolidated basis for
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP; provided
that, if any Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary,
Consolidated EBITDA shall be reduced (to the extent not otherwise reduced in
accordance with GAAP) by an amount equal to (A) the amount of the Adjusted
Consolidated Net Income attributable to such Restricted Subsidiary multiplied
by (B) the percentage ownership interest in the income of such Restricted
Subsidiary not owned on the last day of such period by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the aggregate
amount of interest in respect of Indebtedness (including, without limitation,
amortization of original issue discount on any Indebtedness and the interest
portion of any deferred payment obligation, calculated in accordance with the
effective interest method of accounting; all commissions, discounts and other
fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance
financing; the net costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements; and
Indebtedness that is Guaranteed or secured by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries) and all but the principal component of rentals in
respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid
or to be accrued by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such
period; excluding, however, (i) any amount of such interest of any Restricted
Subsidiary if the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded in the
calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (iii) of the
definition thereof (but only in the same proportion as the net income of such
Restricted Subsidiary is excluded from the calculation of Adjusted Consolidated
Net Income pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition thereof) and (ii) any
premiums, fees and expenses (and any amortization thereof) payable in
connection with the offering of the Units, all as determined on a consolidated
basis (without taking into account Unrestricted Subsidiaries) in conformity
with GAAP.
14
8
"Consolidated Leverage Ratio" means, on any Transaction Date, the
ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis outstanding on such Transaction
Date to (ii) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most
recent four fiscal quarters for which financial statements of the Company have
been filed with the Commission or provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section
4.17 (such four fiscal quarter period being the "Four Quarter Period");
provided that, in making the foregoing calculation, (A) pro forma effect shall
be given to any Indebtedness to be Incurred or repaid on the Transaction Date;
(B) pro forma effect shall be given to Asset Dispositions and Asset
Acquisitions (including giving pro forma effect to the application of proceeds
of any Asset Disposition) that occur from the beginning of the Four Quarter
Period through the Transaction Date (the "Reference Period"), as if they had
occurred and such proceeds had been applied on the first day of such Reference
Period; (C) pro forma effect shall be given to asset dispositions and asset
acquisitions (including giving pro forma effect to the application of proceeds
of any asset disposition) that have been made by any Person that has become a
Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged with or into the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary during such Reference Period and that would have
constituted Asset Dispositions or Asset Acquisitions had such transactions
occurred when such Person was a Restricted Subsidiary as if such asset
dispositions or asset acquisitions were Asset Dispositions or Asset
Acquisitions that occurred on the first day of such Reference Period; provided
that to the extent that clause (B) or (C) of this sentence requires that pro
forma effect be given to an Asset Acquisition or Asset Disposition, such pro
forma calculation shall be based upon the four full fiscal quarters immediately
preceding the Transaction Date of the Person, or division or line of business
of the Person, that is acquired or disposed of for which financial information
is available; and (D) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness outstanding as of
the end of the Reference Period will be deemed to include the total amount of
funds outstanding and/or available on the Transaction Date under any revolving
credit or similar facilities of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, at any date of determination,
stockholders' equity as set forth on the most recently available quarterly or
annual consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (which shall be as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the
date of such computation, and which shall not take into account Unrestricted
Subsidiaries), less any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock or any
equity security convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness, the cost of
treasury stock and the principal amount of any promissory notes receivable from
the sale of the Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, each item to be determined in conformity with GAAP (excluding the
effects of foreign currency exchange adjustments under Financial Accounting
Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52).
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which the
corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be
principally administered, which office is,
15
9
at the date of this Indenture, located at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.
"Currency Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract, currency
swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.
"Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time
or both would be, an Event of Default.
"Depositary" means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees, and
their respective successors.
"Disqualified Stock" means any class or series of Capital Stock of any
Person that by its terms or otherwise is (i) required to be redeemed prior to
the Stated Maturity of the Notes, (ii) redeemable at the option of the holder
of such class or series of Capital Stock at any time prior to the Stated
Maturity of the Notes or (iii) convertible into or exchangeable for Capital
Stock referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above or Indebtedness having a
scheduled maturity prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided 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 the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not
constitute Disqualified Stock if the "asset sale" or "change of control"
provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are no more favorable to the
holders of such Capital Stock than the provisions contained in Section 4.10 and
Section 4.11 and such Capital Stock, or the agreements or instruments governing
the redemption rights thereof, specifically provides that such Person will not
repurchase or redeem any such stock pursuant to such provision prior to the
Company's repurchase of such Notes as are required to be repurchased pursuant
to Section 4.10 and Section 4.11.
"Event of Default" has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.
"Excess Proceeds" has the meaning provided in Section 4.10.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Exchange Notes" means any securities of the Company containing terms
identical to the Notes (except that such Exchange Notes shall be registered
under the Securities Act) that are issued and exchanged for the Notes pursuant
to the Notes Registration Rights Agreement and this Indenture.
16
10
"Existing Stockholders" means (i) Madison Dearborn Partners, Inc.,
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Capital Partners III, Inc., Frontenac Company, Battery Partners
IV, L.P. and Battery Investment Partners IV, LLC and their respective
Affiliates (collectively, the "Fund Investors") and (ii) Allegiance LLC, so
long as the Fund Investors, in the aggregate, beneficially own a majority of
the Voting Stock of Allegiance LLC.
"fair market value" means the price that would be paid in an
arm's-length transaction between an informed and willing seller under no
compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to
buy, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination
shall be conclusive if evidenced by a Board Resolution; provided that for
purposes of clause (viii) of the second paragraph of Section 4.03, (x) the fair
market value of any security registered under the Exchange Act shall be the
average of the closing prices, regular way, of such security for the 20
consecutive trading days immediately preceding the sale of Capital Stock and
(y) in the event the aggregate fair market value of any other property (other
than cash or cash equivalents) received by the Company exceeds $10 million, the
fair market value of such property shall be determined by a nationally
recognized investment banking firm and set forth in their written opinion which
shall be delivered to the Trustee.
"Fund Investors" has the meaning specified in the definition of
"Existing Stockholders."
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States of America as in effect as of the Closing Date, including, without
limitation, those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the
Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by
a significant segment of the accounting profession. All ratios and computations
contained or referred to in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with
GAAP applied on a consistent basis, except that calculations made for purposes
of determining compliance with the terms of the covenants and with other
provisions of this Indenture shall be made without giving effect to (i) the
amortization of any expenses incurred in connection with the offering of the
Units and (ii) except as otherwise provided, the amortization of any amounts
required or permitted by Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17.
"Global Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any
Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person
and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, 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 of
such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by
agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services
(unless such purchase arrangements
17
11
are on arm's-length terms and are entered into in the ordinary course of
business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or
otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes 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 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 meaning.
"Guaranteed Indebtedness" has the meaning provided in Section 4.07.
"Holder" or "Noteholder" means the registered holder of any Note.
"Incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness, to incur, create,
issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for or with respect to, or
become responsible for, the payment of, contingently or otherwise, such
Indebtedness, including an "Incurrence" of Acquired Indebtedness; provided that
neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount
shall be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person at any date of
determination (without duplication), (i) all indebtedness of such Person for
borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such
Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (including
reimbursement obligations with respect thereto, but excluding obligations with
respect to letters of credit (including trade letters of credit) securing
obligations (other than obligations described in (i) or (ii) above or (v), (vi)
or (vii) below) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person
to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if drawn upon, to
the extent such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day
following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement), (iv) all
obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of
property or services, which purchase price is due more than six months after
the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title
thereto or the completion of such services, except Trade Payables, (v) all
Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person, (vi) all Indebtedness of other
Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such
Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided that the amount of such
Indebtedness shall be the lesser of (A) the fair market value of such asset at
such date of determination and (B) the amount of such Indebtedness, (vii) all
Indebtedness of other Persons Guaranteed by such Person to the extent such
Indebtedness is Guaranteed by such Person and (viii) to the extent not
otherwise included in this definition, obligations under Currency Agreements
and Interest Rate Agreements. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any
date shall be the outstanding balance at such date (or, in the case of a
revolving credit or other similar facility, the total amount of funds
outstanding and/or available on the date of determination) of all unconditional
obligations as described above and, with respect to contingent obligations, the
maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the
obligation, provided (A) that the
18
12
amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original issue
discount is the face amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized
portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at the time of its
issuance as determined in conformity with GAAP, (B) that money borrowed and set
aside at the time of the Incurrence of any Indebtedness in order to prefund the
payment of the interest on such Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be
"Indebtedness" so long as such money is held to secure the payment of such
interest and (C) that Indebtedness shall not include any liability for federal,
state, local or other taxes.
"Indenture" means this Indenture as originally executed or as it may
be amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures
supplemental to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the applicable
provisions of this Indenture.
"Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institution that is an
"accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or
(7) under the Securities Act.
"Interest Payment Date" means each semiannual interest payment date on
February 15 and August 15, of each year, commencing August 15, 2003.
"Interest Rate Agreement" means any interest rate protection
agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement,
interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar
agreement, interest rate hedge agreement, option or future contract or other
similar agreement or arrangement.
"Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan
or other extension of credit (including, without limitation, by way of
Guarantee or similar arrangement; but excluding advances to customers in the
ordinary course of business that are, in conformity with GAAP, recorded as
accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries) 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,
bonds, notes, debentures or other similar instruments issued by, such Person
and shall include (i) the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary and (ii) the fair market value of the Capital Stock (or
any other Investment), held by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, of (or in) any Person that has ceased to be a Restricted
Subsidiary, including without limitation, by reason of any transaction
permitted by clause (iii) of Section 4.06; provided that the fair market value
of the Investment remaining in any Person that has ceased to be a Restricted
Subsidiary shall not exceed the aggregate amount of Investments previously made
in such Person valued at the time such Investments were made less the net
reduction of such Investments. For purposes of the definition of "Unrestricted
Subsidiary" and Section 4.04, (i) "Investment" shall include the fair market
value of the assets (net of liabilities (other than liabilities to the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries)) of any Restricted Subsidiary at the
time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted
19
13
Subsidiary, (ii) the fair market value of the assets (net of liabilities (other
than liabilities to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries)) of any
Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time that such Unrestricted Subsidiary is
designated a Restricted Subsidiary shall be considered a reduction in
outstanding Investments and (iii) any property transferred to or from an
Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of
such transfer.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance,
lien or charge of any kind (including, without limitation, any conditional sale
or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof or any
agreement to give any security interest).
"Moody's" means ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
"Net Cash Proceeds" means, (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the
proceeds of such Asset Sale in the form of cash or cash equivalents, including
payments in respect of deferred payment obligations (to the extent
corresponding to the principal, but not interest, component thereof) when
received in the form of cash or cash equivalents (except to the extent such
obligations are financed or sold with recourse to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary) and proceeds from the conversion of other property received when
converted to cash or cash equivalents, net of (i) brokerage commissions and
other fees and expenses (including fees and expenses of counsel and investment
bankers) related to such Asset Sale, (ii) provisions for all taxes (whether or
not such taxes will actually be paid or are payable) as a result of such Asset
Sale without regard to the consolidated results of operations of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (iii) payments made to repay
Indebtedness or any other obligation outstanding at the time of such Asset Sale
that either (A) is secured by a Lien on the property or assets sold or (B) is
required to be paid as a result of such sale and (iv) appropriate amounts to be
provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a reserve against any
liabilities associated with such Asset Sale, including, without limitation,
pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to
environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations
associated with such Asset Sale, all as determined in conformity with GAAP and
(b) with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, the proceeds of such
issuance or sale in the form of cash or cash equivalents, including payments in
respect of deferred payment obligations (to the extent corresponding to the
principal, but not interest, component thereof) when received in the form of
cash or cash equivalents (except to the extent such obligations are financed or
sold with recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) and proceeds
from the conversion of other property received when converted to cash or cash
equivalents, net of attorney's fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or
placement agents' fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and
other fees incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes
paid or payable as a result thereof.
"Non-U.S. Person" means a person who is not a U.S. person, as defined
in Regulation S.
20
14
"Notes" means any of the securities, as defined in the first paragraph
of the recitals hereof, that are authenticated and delivered under this
Indenture. For all purposes of this Indenture, the term "Notes" shall include
the Notes initially issued on the Closing Date, any Exchange Notes to be issued
and exchanged for any Notes pursuant to the Notes Registration Rights Agreement
and this Indenture and any other Notes issued after the Closing Date under this
Indenture. For purposes of this Indenture, all Notes shall vote together as
one series of Notes under this Indenture.
"Notes Registration Rights Agreement" means the Notes Registration
Rights Agreement, dated January 29, 1998, among the Company and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
& Co. Incorporated, Salomon Brothers Inc, Bear, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Inc. and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation and certain permitted
assigns specified therein.
"Offer to Purchase" means an offer to purchase Notes by the Company
from the Holders commenced by mailing a notice to the Trustee and each Holder
stating: (i) the covenant pursuant to which the offer is being made and that
all Notes validly tendered will be accepted for payment on a pro rata basis;
(ii) the purchase price and the date of purchase (which shall be a Business Day
no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is
mailed) (the "Payment Date"); (iii) that any Note not tendered will continue to
accrue interest (or original issue discount) pursuant to its terms; (iv) that,
unless the Company defaults in the payment of the purchase price, any Note
accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to Purchase shall cease to accrue
interest (or original issue discount) on and after the Payment Date; (v) that
Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to the Offer to Purchase
will be required to surrender the Note, together with the form entitled "Option
of the Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse side of the Note completed, to
the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of
business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Payment Date; (vi) that
Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent
receives, not later than the close of business on the third Business Day
immediately preceding the Payment Date, a telegram, facsimile transmission or
letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount at maturity
of Notes delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing
his election to have such Notes purchased; and (vii) that Holders whose Notes
are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal
amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered; provided that each
Note purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount at
maturity of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. On the Payment Date, the
Company shall (i) accept for payment on a pro rata basis Notes or portions
thereof tendered pursuant to an Offer to Purchase; (ii) deposit with the Paying
Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Notes or portions
thereof so accepted; and (iii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the
Trustee all Notes or portions thereof so accepted together with an Officers'
Certificate specifying the Notes or portions thereof accepted for payment by
the Company. The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to the Holders of Notes so
accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the Trustee
shall promptly authenticate and mail to
21
15
such Holders a new Note equal in principal amount at maturity to any
unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered; provided that each Note purchased
and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount at maturity of $1,000
or an integral multiple thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results
of an Offer to Purchase as soon as practicable after the Payment Date. The
Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent for an Offer to Purchase. The Company
will comply with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities
laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are
applicable, in the event that the Company is required to repurchase Notes
pursuant to an Offer to Purchase.
"Officer" means, with respect to the Company, (i) the Chairman of the
Board, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, and (ii)
the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by one Officer
listed in clause (i) of the definition thereof and one Officer listed in clause
(ii) of the definition thereof. Each Officers' Certificate (other than
certificates provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall include the
statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e).
"Offshore Global Note" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Offshore Physical Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Offshore Notes Exchange Date" has the meaning provided in Section
2.01.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion signed by legal counsel
who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company. Each such Opinion of
Counsel shall include the statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e) to the
extent required by law.
"Paying Agent" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04, except that,
for the purposes of Article Eight, the Paying Agent shall not be the Company or
a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of any of them. The term "Paying
Agent" includes any additional Paying Agent.
"Payment Date" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Offer to
Purchase."
"Permanent Offshore Global Note" has the meaning provided in Section
2.01.
"Permitted Investment" means (i) an Investment in the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which will, upon the making of such
Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary or be merged or consolidated with or
into or transfer or convey all or substantially all its assets to, the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such person's primary business is
related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company and its
22
16
Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such Investment; (ii) Temporary Cash
Investments; (iii) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that
are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses
in accordance with GAAP; (iv) stock, obligations or securities received in
satisfaction of judgments; (v) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable
instruments held for collection and lease, utility and worker's compensation,
performance and other similar deposits; (vi) Interest Rate Agreements and
Currency Agreements designed solely to protect the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates or foreign currency
exchange rates; and (vii) loans or advances to officers or employees of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that do not in the aggregate exceed $2
million at any time outstanding.
"Permitted Liens" means (i) Liens for taxes, assessments, governmental
charges or claims that are being contested in good faith by appropriate legal
proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and for which a
reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in
conformity with GAAP shall have been made; (ii) statutory and common law Liens
of landlords and carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen,
repairmen or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and
with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by
appropriate legal proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and
for which a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be
required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made; (iii) Liens incurred or
deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers'
compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security; (iv)
Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of tenders, bids,
leases, statutory or regulatory obligations, bankers' acceptances, surety and
appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and
other obligations of a similar nature incurred in the ordinary course of
business (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money); (v)
easements, rights-of- way, municipal and zoning ordinances and similar charges,
encumbrances, title defects or other irregularities that do not materially
interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries; (vi) Liens (including extensions and renewals thereof)
upon real or personal property acquired after the Closing Date; provided that
(a) such Lien is created solely for the purpose of securing Indebtedness
Incurred, in accordance with Section 4.03, to finance the cost (including the
cost of design, development, acquisition, construction, installation,
improvement, transportation or integration) of the item of property or assets
subject thereto and such Lien is created prior to, at the time of or within six
months after the later of the acquisition, the completion of construction or
the commencement of full operation of such property, (b) the principal amount
of the Indebtedness secured by such Lien does not exceed 100% of such cost and
(c) any such Lien shall not extend to or cover any property or assets other
than such item of property or assets and any improvements on such item; (vii)
leases or subleases granted to others that do not materially interfere with the
ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole; (viii) Liens encumbering property or assets under
construction arising from progress or partial payments by a customer of the
23
17
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries relating to such property or assets;
(ix) any interest or title of a lessor in the property subject to any
Capitalized Lease or operating lease; (x) Liens arising from filing Uniform
Commercial Code financing statements regarding leases; (xi) Liens on property
of, or on shares of Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, any Person existing at
the time such Person becomes, or becomes a part of, any Restricted Subsidiary;
provided that such Liens do not extend to or cover any property or assets of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the property or assets
acquired; (xii) Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(xiii) Liens arising from the rendering of a final judgment or order against
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that does not give rise to an Event of
Default; (xiv) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to letters
of credit that encumber documents and other property relating to such letters
of credit and the products and proceeds thereof; (xv) Liens in favor of customs
and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs
duties in connection with the importation of goods; (xvi) Liens encumbering
customary initial deposits and margin deposits, and other Liens that are within
the general parameters customary in the industry and incurred in the ordinary
course of business, in each case, securing Indebtedness under Interest Rate
Agreements and Currency Agreements and forward contracts, options, future
contracts, futures options or similar agreements or arrangements designed
solely to protect the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from
fluctuations in interest rates, currencies or the price of commodities; (xvii)
Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar
arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in accordance with
the past practices of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to the
Closing Date; (xviii) Liens on or sales of receivables; and (xix) Liens that
secure Indebtedness with an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $5
million at any time outstanding.
"Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited
liability company, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization,
including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality
thereof.
"Physical Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Preferred Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all
shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated,
whether voting or non-voting) of such Person's preferred or preference stock,
whether now outstanding or issued after the date of this Indenture, including,
without limitation, all series and classes of such preferred or preference
stock.
"principal" of a debt security, including the Notes, means the
principal amount due on the Stated Maturity as shown on such debt security.
24
18
"Private Placement Legend" means the legend initially set forth on the
Notes in the form set forth in Section 2.02.
"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.
A "Public Market" shall be deemed to exist if (i) a Public Equity
Offering has been consummated and (ii) at least 15% of the total issued and
outstanding Common Stock of the Company immediately prior to the consummation
of such Public Equity Offering has been distributed by means of an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act or sales pursuant to Rule 144
under the Securities Act.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.
"Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed,
means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
"Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed,
means the price at which such Note is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.
"Registrar" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.
"Registration" has the meaning provided in Section 4.17.
"Registration Statement" means the Registration Statement as defined
and described in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement.
"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment
Date means the February 1 or August 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the
case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
"Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
"Repurchase Offer" has the meaning provided in the Warrant Agreement
dated as of the Closing Date between the Company and The Bank of New York
relating to the Warrants.
"Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, means
the chairman or any vice chairman of the board of directors, the chairman or
any vice chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors, the
chairman of the trust committee, the president, any vice president, any
assistant vice president, the secretary, any assistant secretary, the
treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the cashier, any assistant cashier, any
trust officer or assistant trust officer, the
25
19
controller or any assistant controller or any other officer of the Trustee
customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above
designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate
trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his
or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
"Restricted Payments" has the meaning provided in Section 4.04.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company other than
an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
"Security Register" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Semi-Annual Accrual Date" has the meaning specified in the definition
of "Accreted Value."
"Separation Date" has the meaning provided in the recitals to this
Indenture.
"Shelf Registration Statement" means the Shelf Registration Statement
as defined in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement.
"Significant Subsidiary" means, at any date of determination, any
Restricted Subsidiary that, together with its Subsidiaries, (i) for the most
recent fiscal year of the Company, accounted for more than 10% of the
consolidated revenues of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) as
of the end of such fiscal year, was the owner of more than 10% of the
consolidated assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, all as set
forth on the most recently available consolidated financial statements of the
Company for such fiscal year.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and its successors.
"Specified Date" means any Redemption Date, any Payment Date for an
Offer to Purchase or any date on which the Notes first become due and payable
after an Event of Default.
"Stated Maturity" means, (i) with respect to any debt security, the
date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which the final
installment of principal of such debt security is due and payable and (ii) with
respect to any scheduled installment of principal of or interest on any debt
security, the date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which
such installment is due and payable.
26
20
"Strategic Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the
Company Incurred to finance the acquisition of a Person engaged in a business
that is related, ancillary or complementary to the business conducted by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, which Indebtedness by its terms,
or by the terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such
Indebtedness is Incurred, (i) is expressly made subordinate in right of payment
to the Notes and (ii) provides that no payment of principal, premium or
interest on, or any other payment with respect to, such Indebtedness may be
made prior to the payment in full of all of the Company's obligations under the
Notes; provided that such Indebtedness may provide for and be repaid at any
time from the proceeds of a capital contribution or the sale of Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company after the Incurrence of such
Indebtedness.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the voting power
of the outstanding Voting Stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by such
Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person.
"Temporary Cash Investment" means any of the following: (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or
obligations fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of
America or any agency thereof, (ii) time deposit accounts, certificates of
deposit and money market deposits maturing within one year 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
million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt
which 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) commercial paper, maturing
not more than one year 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, any state thereof 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 ▇▇▇▇▇'▇
or "A-1" (or higher) according to S&P, and (v) securities with maturities of
six months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully and
unconditionally 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 S&P or ▇▇▇▇▇'▇.
"Temporary Offshore Global Note" has the meaning provided in Section
2.01.
27
21
"TIA" or "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa- 77bbb), as in effect on the date this
Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 9.06.
"Trade Payables" means, with respect to any Person, any accounts
payable or any other indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors
created, assumed or Guaranteed by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries
arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the acquisition
of goods or services.
"Transaction Date" means, with respect to the Incurrence of any
Indebtedness by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the date
such Indebtedness is to be Incurred and, with respect to any Restricted
Payment, the date such Restricted Payment is to be made.
"Trustee" means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this
Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of
Article Seven of this Indenture and thereafter means such successor.
"Unit" has the meaning provided in the recitals to this Indenture.
"United States Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Reform Act of
1978, as amended and as codified in Title 11 of the United States Code, as
amended from time to time hereafter, or any successor federal bankruptcy law.
"U.S. Global Note" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"U.S. Government Obligations" means securities that are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States
of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith
and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case,
are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof at any time
prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes, and shall also include a depository
receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such
U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal
of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account
of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by
law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount
payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by
the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific
payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced
by such depository receipt.
"U.S. Physical Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
28
22
"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 Restricted
Subsidiary (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the
Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary owns any
Capital Stock of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (A) any Guarantee by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary being so
designated shall be deemed an "Incurrence" of such Indebtedness and an
"Investment" by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (or both, if
applicable) at the time of such designation; (B) either (I) the Subsidiary to
be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (II) if such Subsidiary
has assets greater than $1,000, such designation would be permitted under
Section 4.04 and (C) if applicable, the Incurrence of Indebtedness and the
Investment referred to in clause (A) of this proviso would be permitted under
Section 4.03 and Section 4.04. The Board of Directors may designate any
Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time
of or after giving effect to such designation and (ii) all Liens and
Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary outstanding immediately after such
designation would, if Incurred at such time, have been permitted to be Incurred
(and shall be deemed to have been Incurred) for all purposes of this Indenture.
Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the
Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the Board Resolution
giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that
such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
"Voting Stock" means with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any
class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of
directors, managers or other voting members of the governing body of such
Person.
"Warrant" has the meaning provided in the recitals to this Indenture.
"Wholly Owned" means, with respect to any Subsidiary of any Person,
the ownership of all of the outstanding Capital Stock of such Subsidiary (other
than any director's qualifying shares or Investments by foreign nationals
mandated by applicable law) by such Person or one or more Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries of such Person.
SECTION 1.02. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture
Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision
is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The
following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
"indenture notes" means the Notes;
29
23
"indenture note holder" means a Holder or a Noteholder;
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the
Trustee; and
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company or any
other obligor on the Notes.
All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by
the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by a rule of
the Commission and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to
them therein.
SECTION 1.03. Rules of Construction. Unless the context
otherwise requires:
(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the
meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(iii) "or" is not exclusive;
(iv) words in the singular include the plural, and words
in the plural include the singular;
(v) provisions apply to successive events and
transactions;
(vi) "herein," "hereof" and other words of similar import
refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article,
Section or other subdivision;
(vii) all ratios and computations based on GAAP contained
in this Indenture shall be computed in accordance with the definition
of GAAP set forth in Section 1.01; and
(viii) all references to Sections or Articles refer to
Sections or Articles of this Indenture unless otherwise indicated.
30
24
ARTICLE TWO
THE NOTES
SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating. The Notes and the Trustee's
certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form annexed hereto
as Exhibit A with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and
other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture. The Notes may
have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange
agreements to which the Company is subject or usage. The Company shall approve
the form of the Notes and any notation, legend or endorsement on the Notes.
Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.
The terms and provisions contained in the form of the Notes
annexed hereto as Exhibit A shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a
part of this Indenture. To the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee,
by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such
terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.
Notes offered and sold in reliance on Rule 144A shall be
issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in
registered form, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A
(collectively, the "U.S. Global Notes"), deposited with the Trustee, as
custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by
the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of the
U.S. Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by
adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary
or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.
Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on
Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary
global Notes in registered form substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit
A (the "Temporary Offshore Global Notes") deposited with the Trustee, as
custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by
the Trustee as hereinafter provided. On or after the later of (i) March 15,
1998 and (ii) the Separation Date (the "Offshore Notes Exchange Date"), upon
receipt by the Trustee and the Company of a certificate substantially in the
form of Exhibit B hereto, one or more permanent global Notes in registered form
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the "Permanent Offshore
Global Notes"; and together with the Temporary Offshore Global Notes, the
"Offshore Global Notes") duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the
Trustee as hereinafter provided shall be deposited with the Trustee, as
custodian for the Depositary, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Temporary
Offshore Global Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the
beneficial interest in the Temporary Offshore Global Notes transferred.
Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation D under the
Securities Act shall be issued in the form of permanent certificated Notes in
registered form in substantially the form
31
25
set forth in Exhibit A (the "U.S. Physical Notes"). Notes issued pursuant to
Section 2.07 in exchange for interests in the Offshore Global Note shall be in
the form of permanent certificated Notes in registered form substantially in
the form set forth in Exhibit A (the "Offshore Physical Notes").
The Offshore Physical Notes and U.S. Physical Notes are
sometimes collectively herein referred to as the "Physical Notes". The U.S.
Global Notes and the Offshore Global Notes are sometimes referred to herein as
the "Global Notes".
The definitive Notes shall be typed, printed, lithographed or
engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or may be produced in
any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which the
Notes may be listed, all as determined by the Officers executing such Notes, as
evidenced by their execution of such Notes.
SECTION 2.02. Restrictive Legends. Unless and until a Note
is exchanged for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an effective
Registration pursuant to the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the U.S.
Global Notes, Temporary Offshore Global Notes and each U.S. Physical Note shall
bear the following legend on the face thereof:
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE
OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR
BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING
SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT
(A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION
D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AN "INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR") OR
(C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE
TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
(2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER THE INITIAL SALE
OF THE NOTES, RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO
ALLEGIANCE TELECOM, INC. (THE "COMPANY") OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF,
(B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER,
FURNISHES TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN
REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON
TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM
THE TRUSTEE) AND IF SUCH TRANSFER
32
26
IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE ACCRETED VALUE OF NOTES AT THE TIME OF
TRANSFER OF LESS THAN $100,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO
THE COMPANY THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES
ACT, (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN
COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL
DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE, THE
HOLDER MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF
RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO
THE TRUSTEE. IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH
TO THE TRUSTEE AND THE COMPANY SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR
OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM
THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN
A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION",
"UNITED STATES" AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY
REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE INDENTURE CONTAINS A
PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY TRANSFER OF
THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
Each Global Note, whether or not an Exchange Note, shall also
bear the following legend on the face thereof:
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY
AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY
TRUST COMPANY OR SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS
33
27
IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER
HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE,
BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF
OR SUCH SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL
NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 2.08 OF THE INDENTURE.
Prior to the Separation Date, each Note shall bear the
following legend on the face thereof:
THIS NOTE IS INITIALLY ISSUED AS PART OF AN ISSUANCE OF UNITS, EACH OF
WHICH CONSISTS OF ONE NOTE AND ONE WARRANT INITIALLY ENTITLING THE
HOLDER THEREOF TO PURCHASE .0034224719 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, PAR
VALUE $.01 PER SHARE, OF ALLEGIANCE TELECOM, INC. (A "WARRANT").
PRIOR TO THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS UPON THE EARLIEST TO OCCUR OF (i)
AUGUST 3, 1998, (ii) THE COMMENCEMENT OF AN EXCHANGE OFFER WITH
RESPECT TO THE NOTES, AND (iii) THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A SHELF
REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE NOTES, THE NOTES EVIDENCED
BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR EXCHANGED SEPARATELY
FROM, BUT MAY BE TRANSFERRED OR EXCHANGED ONLY TOGETHER WITH, THE
WARRANTS.
SECTION 2.03. Execution, Authentication and Denominations.
Subject to Article Four, the aggregate principal amount at maturity of Notes
which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Notes shall be executed by two Officers of the Company. The signature of
any of these Officers on the Notes may be by facsimile or manual signature in
the name and on behalf of the Company.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds
that office at the time the Trustee or authenticating agent authenticates the
Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.
A Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating
agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The
signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated
under this Indenture.
34
28
At any time and from time to time after the execution of this
Indenture, the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall upon receipt of a
Company Order authenticate for original issue Notes in the aggregate principal
amount specified in such Company Order; provided that the Trustee shall be
entitled to receive an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the
Company in connection with such authentication of Notes. Such Company Order
shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the
original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and in case of an issuance of
Notes pursuant to Section 2.15, shall certify that such issuance is in
compliance with Article Four.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent to
authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever
the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by
the Trustee includes authentication by such authenticating agent. An
authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company
or an Affiliate of the Company.
The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without
coupons and only in denominations of $1,000 in principal amount at maturity and
any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall
maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of
transfer or for exchange (the "Registrar"), an office or agency where Notes may
be presented for payment (the "Paying Agent") and an office or agency where
notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this
Indenture may be served, which shall be in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
of New York. The Company shall cause the Registrar to keep a register of the
Notes and of their transfer and exchange (the "Security Register"). The
Company may have one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional Paying
Agents.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement
with any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement
the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall
give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address of any such
Agent and any change in the address of such Agent. If the Company fails to
maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and/or agent for service of notices and
demands, the Trustee shall act as such Registrar, Paying Agent and/or agent for
service of notices and demands. The Company may remove any Agent upon written
notice to such Agent and the Trustee; provided that no such removal shall
become effective until (i) the acceptance of an appointment by a successor
Agent to such Agent as evidenced by an appropriate agency agreement entered
into by the Company and such successor Agent and delivered to the Trustee or
(ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as such Agent
until the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with clause (i) of
this proviso. The Company, any Subsidiary of
35
29
the Company, or any Affiliate of any of them may act as Paying Agent, Registrar
or co-Registrar, and/or agent for service of notice and demands.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar,
Paying Agent, authenticating agent and agent for service of notice and demands.
If, at any time, the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Registrar shall make
available to the Trustee on or before each Interest Payment Date and at such
other times as the Trustee may reasonably request, the names and addresses of
the Holders as they appear in the Security Register.
SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. Not later
than each due date of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on any
Notes, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately
available funds sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest
so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the
Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the
benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for
the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
(whether such money has been paid to it by the Company or any other obligor on
the Notes), and such Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Trustee of any
default by the Company (or any other obligor on the Notes) in making any such
payment. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money
held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed, and the Trustee
may at any time during the continuance of any payment default, upon written
request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay all money held by
it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon doing so, the
Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money so paid over to the
Trustee. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of
any of them acts as Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of any
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, segregate and hold in
a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders a sum of money sufficient
to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due until such
sum of money shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided
in this Indenture, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or
failure to act.
SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange. The Notes are issuable
only in registered form. The Notes shall initially be issued as part of an
issue of Units, each of which consists of one Note and one Warrant. Prior to
the Separation Date, the Notes may not be transferred or exchanged separately
from, but may be transferred or exchanged only together with, the Warrants
issued in connection with the Notes. A Holder may transfer a Note only by
written application to the Registrar stating the name of the proposed
transferee and otherwise complying with the terms of this Indenture. No such
transfer shall be effected until, and such transferee shall succeed to the
rights of a Holder only upon, final acceptance and registration of the transfer
by the Registrar in the Security Register. Prior to the registration of any
transfer by a Holder as provided herein, the Company, the Trustee, and any
agent of the Company shall treat the person in whose name the Note is
registered as the owner thereof for all purposes whether or
36
30
not the Note shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee, nor any
such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary. Furthermore, any
Holder of a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, agree that
transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only
through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Note (or
its agent) and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Note shall be
required to be reflected in a book entry. When Notes are presented to the
Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register the transfer or to
exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other authorized
denominations (including an exchange of Notes for Exchange Notes), the
Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its
requirements for such transactions are met; provided that no exchanges of Notes
for Exchange Notes shall occur until a Registration Statement shall have been
declared effective by the Commission and that any Notes that are exchanged for
Exchange Notes shall be cancelled by the Trustee. To permit registrations of
transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate Notes at the Registrar's request. No service charge shall be made
for any registration of transfer or exchange or redemption of the Notes, but
the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax
or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any
such transfer taxes or other similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges
pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.08 or 9.04).
The Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue, register the
transfer of or exchange any Note during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of
Notes selected for redemption under Section 3.03 and ending at the close of
business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or
exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
SECTION 2.07. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes. (a)
The U.S. Global Note and Offshore Global Note initially shall (i) be registered
in the name of the Depositary for such Global Notes or the nominee of such
Depositary, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary
and (iii) bear legends as set forth in Section 2.02.
Members of, or participants in, the Depositary ("Agent
Members") shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global
Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian,
or under the Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the
Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of
such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the
Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy
or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the
Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices
governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note.
37
31
(b) Transfers of a Global Note shall be limited to
transfers of such Global Note in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its
successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a
Global Note may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of
the Depositary and the provisions of Section 2.08. In addition, U.S. Physical
Notes and Offshore Physical Notes shall be transferred to all beneficial owners
in exchange for their beneficial interests in the U.S. Global Note or the
Offshore Global Note, respectively, (i) if the Depositary notifies the Company
that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the U.S. Global
Note or the Offshore Global Note, as the case may be, and a successor
depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (ii)
if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has
received a request therefor from the Depositary or (iii) in accordance with the
rules and procedures of the Depositary and the provisions of Section 2.08.
(c) Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes
that is transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest
in the other Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such
Global Note and become an interest in the other Global Note and, accordingly,
will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions, if any, and other
procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for as
long as it remains such an interest.
(d) In connection with any transfer of a portion of the
beneficial interests in the U.S. Global Note or Permanent Offshore Global Note
to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section, the Registrar
shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal
amount of the U.S. Global Note or Permanent Offshore Global Note in an amount
equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the U.S. Global
Note or Permanent Offshore Global Note to be transferred, and the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more U.S.
Physical Notes or Offshore Physical Notes, as the case may be, of like tenor
and amount.
(e) In connection with the transfer of the entire U.S.
Global Note or Offshore Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph
(b) of this Section, the U.S. Global Note or Offshore Global Note, as the case
may be, shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and
the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make
available for delivery, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary
in exchange for its beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note or Offshore
Global Note, as the case may be, an equal aggregate principal amount of U.S.
Physical Notes or Offshore Physical Notes, as the case may be, of authorized
denominations.
(f) Any U.S. Physical Note delivered in exchange for an
interest in the U.S. Global Note pursuant to paragraph (b), (d) or (e) of this
Section shall, except as otherwise
38
32
provided by paragraph (f) of Section 2.08, bear the legend regarding transfer
restrictions applicable to the U.S. Physical Note set forth in Section 2.02.
(g) Any Offshore Physical Note delivered in exchange for
an interest in the Temporary Offshore Global Note pursuant to paragraph (b),
(d) or (e) of this Section shall, except as otherwise provided by paragraph (f)
of Section 2.08, bear the legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to
the Offshore Physical Note set forth in Section 2.02.
(h) The registered holder of a Global Note may grant
proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons
that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a
Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
SECTION 2.08. Special Transfer Provisions. Unless and until
a Note is exchanged for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an
effective Registration Statement pursuant to the Notes Registration Rights
Agreement, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) Transfers to Non-QIB Institutional Accredited
Investors. The following provisions shall apply with respect to the
registration of any proposed transfer of a Note to any Institutional Accredited
Investor which is not a QIB (excluding Non-U.S. Persons):
(i) The Registrar shall register the transfer of any
Note, whether or not such Note bears the Private Placement Legend, if
(x) the requested transfer is after the time period referred to in
Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or (y) the proposed transferee
has delivered to the Registrar (A) a certificate substantially in the
form of Exhibit C hereto and (B) if the aggregate Accreted Value of
the Notes at the time of transfer is less than $100,000, an opinion of
counsel acceptable to the Company that such transfer is in compliance
with the Securities Act.
(ii) If the proposed transferor is an Agent Member holding
a beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note, upon receipt by the
Registrar of (x) the documents, if any, required by paragraph (i) and
(y) instructions given in accordance with the Depositary's and the
Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and a decrease in the principal amount at maturity of
the U.S. Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount at
maturity of the beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note to be
transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall
authenticate and make available for delivery, one or more U.S.
Physical Certificates of like tenor and amount.
39
33
(b) Transfers to QIBs. The following provisions shall
apply with respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a U.S.
Physical Note or an interest in the U.S. Global Note to a QIB (excluding
Non-U.S. Persons):
(i) If the Note to be transferred consists of (x) U.S.
Physical Notes, the Registrar shall register the transfer if such
transfer is being made by a proposed transferor who has checked the
box provided for on the form of Note stating, or has otherwise advised
the Company and the Registrar in writing, that the sale has been made
in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144A to a transferee who has
signed the certification provided for on the form of Note stating, or
has otherwise advised the Company and the Registrar in writing, that
it is purchasing the Note for its own account or an account with
respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it
and any such account is a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A, and is
aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the
Company as it has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined
not to request such information and that it is aware that the
transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to
claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A or (y) an
interest in the U.S. Global Note, the transfer of such interest may be
effected only through the book entry system maintained by the
Depositary.
(ii) If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, and
the Note to be transferred consists of U.S. Physical Notes, upon
receipt by the Registrar of the documents referred to in clause (i)
and instructions given in accordance with the Depositary's and the
Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and an increase in the principal amount at maturity
of the U.S. Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount at
maturity of the U.S. Physical Notes, to be transferred, and the
Trustee shall cancel the U.S. Physical Note so transferred.
(c) Transfers of Interests in the Temporary Offshore
Global Note. The following provisions shall apply with respect to registration
of any proposed transfer of interests in the Temporary Offshore Global Note:
(i) The Registrar shall register the transfer of any Note
(x) if the proposed transferee is a Non- U.S. Person and the proposed
transferor has delivered to the Registrar a certificate substantially
in the form of Exhibit D hereto or (y) if the proposed transferee is a
QIB and the proposed transferor has checked the box provided for on
the form of Note stating, or has otherwise advised the Company and the
Registrar in writing, that the sale has been made in compliance with
the provisions of Rule 144A to a transferee who has signed the
certification provided for on the form of Note stating, or has
otherwise advised the Company and the Registrar in writing, that it is
purchasing the Note for its
40
34
own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole
investment discretion and that it and any such account is a QIB within
the meaning of Rule 144A, and is aware that the sale to it is being
made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received
such information regarding the Company as it has requested pursuant to
Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that
it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing
representations in order to claim the exemption from registration
provided by Rule 144A.
(ii) If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, upon
receipt by the Registrar of the documents referred to in clause (i)(y)
above and instructions given in accordance with the Depositary's and
the Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books
and records the date and an increase in the principal amount at
maturity of the U.S. Global Note, in an amount equal to the principal
amount at maturity of the Temporary Offshore Global Note to be
transferred, and the Trustee shall decrease the amount of the
Temporary Offshore Global Note in such an amount.
(d) Transfers of Interests in the Permanent Offshore
Global Note or Unlegended Offshore Physical Notes. The following provisions
shall apply with respect to any transfer of interests in the Permanent Offshore
Global Note or unlegended Offshore Physical Notes. The Registrar shall
register the transfer of any such Note without requiring any additional
certification.
(e) Transfers to Non-U.S. Persons at Any Time. The
following provisions shall apply with respect to any transfer of a Note to a
Non-U.S. Person:
(i) Prior to March 15, 1998, the Registrar shall register
any proposed transfer of a Note to a Non- U.S. Person upon receipt of
a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto from the
proposed transferor.
(ii) On and after March 15, 1998, the Registrar shall
register any proposed transfer to any Non-U.S. Person if the Note to
be transferred is a U.S. Physical Note or an interest in the U.S.
Global Note, upon receipt of a certificate substantially in the form
of Exhibit D from the proposed transferor.
(iii) (a) If the proposed transferor is an Agent Member
holding a beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note, upon receipt
by the Registrar of (x) the documents, if any, required by paragraph
(ii) and (y) instructions in accordance with the Depositary's and the
Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and a decrease in the principal amount at maturity of
the U.S. Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount at
maturity of the beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Note to be
transferred, and (b) if the proposed transferee is an Agent Member,
upon receipt by
41
35
the Registrar of instructions given in accordance with the
Depositary's and the Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall
reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the
principal amount at maturity of the Offshore Global Note in an amount
equal to the principal amount at maturity of the U.S. Physical Notes
or the U.S. Global Note, as the case may be, to be transferred, and
the Trustee shall cancel the Physical Note, if any, so transferred or
decrease the amount of the U.S. Global Note.
(f) Private Placement Legend. Upon the transfer,
exchange or replacement of Notes not bearing the Private Placement Legend, the
Registrar shall deliver Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.
Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the Private
Placement Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only Notes that bear the Private
Placement Legend unless either (i) the circumstances contemplated by the second
sentence of the fourth paragraph of Section 2.01 or paragraphs (a)(i)(x) or
(e)(ii) of this Section 2.08 exist or (ii) there is delivered to the Registrar
an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee to
the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer
are required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the
Securities Act.
(g) General. By its acceptance of any Note bearing the
Private Placement Legend, each Holder of such a Note acknowledges the
restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in the
Private Placement Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Note only as
provided in this Indenture. The Registrar shall not register a transfer of any
Note unless such transfer complies with the restrictions on transfer of such
Note set forth in this Indenture. In connection with any transfer of Notes,
each Holder agrees by its acceptance of the Notes to furnish the Registrar or
the Company such certifications, legal opinions or other information as either
of them may reasonably require to confirm that such transfer is being made
pursuant to an exemption from, or a transaction not subject to, the
registration requirements of the Securities Act; provided that the Registrar
shall not be required to determine (but may rely on a determination made by the
Company with respect to) the sufficiency of any such certifications, legal
opinions or other information.
The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and
other written communications received pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section
2.08. The Company shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such
letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon
the giving of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.
SECTION 2.09. Replacement Notes. If a mutilated Note is
surrendered to the Trustee or if the Holder claims that the Note has been lost,
destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall
authenticate a replacement Note of like tenor and amount and bearing a number
not contemporaneously outstanding; provided that the requirements of this
Section 2.09 are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity
bond must be furnished that is sufficient in the judgment of both the Trustee
and the
42
36
Company to protect the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from any loss that any
of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge such Holder
for its expenses and the expenses of the Trustee in replacing a Note. In case
any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is
about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may pay such
Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.
Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the
Company and shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 2.10. Outstanding Notes. Notes outstanding at any
time are all Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for those
cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in
this Section 2.10 as not outstanding.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to
be outstanding unless and until the Trustee and the Company receive proof
satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of
the Company) holds on the maturity date money sufficient to pay Notes payable
on that date, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be outstanding
and interest on them shall cease to accrue.
A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or
one of its Affiliates holds such Note, provided, however, that, in determining
whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding Notes
have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or
waiver hereunder, Notes owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the
Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be
disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining
whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes which a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so
disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be
regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Notes and that the
pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate
of the Company or of such other obligor.
SECTION 2.11. Temporary Notes. Until definitive Notes are
ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate
temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of
definitive Notes but may have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other
variations determined to be appropriate by the Officers executing the temporary
Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such temporary Notes. If temporary
Notes are issued, the Company will cause definitive Notes to be prepared
without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Notes, the
temporary Notes shall be exchangeable for
43
37
definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary Notes at the office or agency
of the Company designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 4.02, without
charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more
temporary Notes the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate
and make available for delivery in exchange therefor a like principal amount of
definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the
temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as
definitive Notes.
SECTION 2.12. Cancellation. The Company at any time may
deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and
delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner
whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes
previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold.
The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes
surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall
cancel all Notes surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation in
accordance with its normal procedure.
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the
Notes may use "CUSIP," "CINS" or "ISIN" numbers (if then generally in use), and
the Trustee shall use CUSIP, CINS or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in
notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that
any such notice shall state that no representation is made as to the
correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in
any notice of redemption or exchange and that reliance may be placed only on
the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption
shall not be affected by any defect or omission of such numbers. The Company
will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the "CUSIP," "CINS" or "ISIN"
numbers.
SECTION 2.14. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in
a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay, or shall deposit with the
Paying Agent money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay the
defaulted interest, plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the
defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special
record date. A special record date, as used in this Section 2.14 with respect
to the payment of any defaulted interest, shall mean the 15th day next
preceding the date fixed by the Company for the payment of defaulted interest,
whether or not such day is a Business Day. At least 15 days before the
subsequent special record date, the Company shall mail to each Holder and to a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee a notice that states the subsequent special
record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.
44
38
SECTION 2.15. Issuance of Additional Notes. The Company may, subject
to Article Four of this Indenture, issue additional Notes under this Indenture.
The Notes issued on the Closing Date and any additional Notes subsequently
issued shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this
Indenture.
ARTICLE THREE
REDEMPTION
SECTION 3.01. Right of Redemption. (a) The Notes may be
redeemed, at the Company's option, in whole or in part, at any time or from
time to time, on or after February 15, 2003 and prior to maturity, upon not
less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice mailed by first class mail to
each Holder's last address as it appears in the Security Register, at the
Redemption Prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount at maturity)
set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption
Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record
Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an
Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing
February 15 of the years set forth below:
Redemption
Year Price
---- -------------
2003 105.8750%
2004 103.9167%
2005 101.9583%
2006 and thereafter 100.0000%
(b) In addition, at any time prior to February 15, 2001,
the Company may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount at maturity of the
Notes originally issued with the proceeds of one or more Public Equity
Offerings following which there is a Public Market, at any time or from time to
time in part, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of Accreted
Value on the Redemption Date) of 111.75%; provided that at least $289,250,000
aggregate principal amount at maturity of Notes remains outstanding after each
such redemption.
SECTION 3.02. Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to
redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.01(a) or 3.01(b), it shall notify the
Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of Notes to
be redeemed.
The Company shall give each notice provided for in this
Section 3.02 in an Officers' Certificate at least 45 days before the Redemption
Date (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).
45
39
SECTION 3.03. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If less
than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select
the Notes to be redeemed in compliance with the requirements, as certified to
it by the Company, of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on
which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not listed on a national
securities exchange, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole
discretion shall deem fair and appropriate; provided that no Notes of $1,000 in
principal amount at maturity or less shall be redeemed in part.
The Trustee shall make the selection from the Notes
outstanding and not previously called for redemption. Notes in denominations
of $1,000 in principal amount at maturity may only be redeemed in whole. The
Trustee may select for redemption portions (equal to $1,000 in principal amount
at maturity or any integral multiple thereof) of Notes that have denominations
larger than $1,000 in principal amount at maturity. Provisions of this
Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of
Notes called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company and the
Registrar promptly in writing of the Notes or portions of Notes to be called
for redemption.
SECTION 3.04. Notice of Redemption. With respect to any
redemption of Notes pursuant to Section 3.01(a) or 3.01(b), at least 30 days
but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail a
notice of redemption by first class mail to each Holder whose Notes are to be
redeemed.
The notice shall identify the Notes (including CUSIP, CINS or
ISIN numbers) to be redeemed and shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price;
(iii) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(iv) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered
to the Paying Agent in order to collect the Redemption Price;
(v) that, unless the Company defaults in making the
redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to
accrue on and after the Redemption Date and the only remaining right
of the Holders is to receive payment of the Redemption Price plus
accrued interest to the Redemption Date upon surrender of the Notes to
the Paying Agent;
46
40
(vi) that, if any Note is being redeemed in part, the
portion of the principal amount (equal to $1,000 in principal amount
at maturity or any integral multiple thereof) of such Note to be
redeemed and that, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of
such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount at maturity equal
to the unredeemed portion thereof will be reissued; and
(vii) that, if any Note contains a CUSIP, CINS or ISIN
number as provided in Section 2.13, no representation is being made as
to the correctness of the CUSIP, CINS or ISIN number either as printed
on the Notes or as contained in the notice of redemption and that
reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers
printed on the Notes.
At the Company's request (which request may be revoked by the
Company at any time prior to the time at which the Trustee shall have given
such notice to the Holders), made in writing to the Trustee at least 30 days
(or such shorter period as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) before a
Redemption Date, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the name
and at the expense of the Company. If, however, the Company gives such notice
to the Holders, the Company shall concurrently deliver to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate stating that such notice has been given.
SECTION 3.05. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of
redemption is mailed, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the
Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender of any Notes to
the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the Redemption Price, plus
accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption shall be deemed to be given when mailed,
whether or not the Holder receives the notice. In any event, failure to give
such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the redemption of Notes held by Holders to whom such notice was
properly given.
SECTION 3.06. Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to
any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if
the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in
trust as provided in Section 2.05) money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price
of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date other than
Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on that date that have been
delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 3.07. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption. If
notice of redemption has been given in the manner provided above, the Notes or
portion of Notes specified in such notice to be redeemed shall become due and
payable on the Redemption Date at the Redemption Price stated therein, together
with accrued interest to such Redemption Date, and on
47
41
and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such
Notes at the Redemption Price and accrued interest to the Redemption Date, in
which case the principal, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption
Date at the rate prescribed in the Notes), such Notes shall cease to accrue
interest. Upon surrender of any Note for redemption in accordance with a
notice of redemption, such Note shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at
the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption
Date; provided that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or
prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders registered as such
at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Date.
SECTION 3.08. Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of any
Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to the Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to
the unredeemed portion of such surrendered Note.
ARTICLE FOUR
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes. The Company shall pay the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in
the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture. An installment of
principal, premium, if any, or interest shall be considered paid on the date
due if the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the
Company, or any Affiliate of any of them) holds on that date money designated
for and sufficient to pay the installment. If the Company or any Subsidiary of
the Company or any Affiliate of any of them, acts as Paying Agent, an
installment of principal, premium, if any, or interest shall be considered paid
on the due date if the entity acting as Paying Agent complies with the last
sentence of Section 2.05. As provided in Section 6.09, upon any bankruptcy or
reorganization procedure relative to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as
the Paying Agent and conversion agent, if any, for the Notes.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal, premium,
if any, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful,
at the rate per annum specified in the Notes.
SECTION 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company
will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York an office or
agency where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange
or for presentation for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the
Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company
will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change
in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall
fail to
48
42
maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the
Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and
demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in
Section 10.02.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more
other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for
any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations;
provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the
Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York for such purposes. The Company will give
prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and
of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee, located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, as such office of the Company in accordance with Section 2.04.
SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness. (a) The Company
will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, Incur any
Indebtedness (other than the Notes and Indebtedness existing on the Closing
Date); provided that the Company may Incur Indebtedness if, after giving effect
to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness and the receipt and application of the
proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would be greater than zero
and less than 6:1.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and any Restricted
Subsidiary (except as specified below) may Incur each and all of the following:
(i) Indebtedness outstanding at any time in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed $100 million, less any amount of such
Indebtedness permanently repaid as provided under Section 4.10;
(ii) Indebtedness owed (A) to the Company evidenced by a
promissory note or (B) to any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any
event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a
Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness
(other than to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be
deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness
not permitted by this clause (ii);
(iii) Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net
proceeds of which are used to refinance or refund, then outstanding
Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness Incurred under clause (i), (ii),
(iv), (vi), (viii) or (ix) of this paragraph of this Section 4.03) and
any refinancings thereof in an amount not to exceed the amount so
refinanced or refunded
49
43
(plus premiums, accrued interest, fees and expenses); provided that
Indebtedness the proceeds of which are used to refinance or refund the
Notes or Indebtedness that is pari passu with, or subordinated in
right of payment to, the Notes shall only be permitted under this
clause (iii) if (A) in case the Notes are refinanced in part or the
Indebtedness to be refinanced is pari passu with the Notes, such new
Indebtedness, by its terms or by the terms of any agreement or
instrument pursuant to which such new Indebtedness is outstanding, is
expressly made pari passu with, or subordinate in right of payment to,
the remaining Notes, (B) in case the Indebtedness to be refinanced is
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such new Indebtedness,
by its terms or by the terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant
to which such new Indebtedness is issued or remains outstanding, is
expressly made subordinate in right of payment to the Notes at least
to the extent that the Indebtedness to be refinanced is subordinated
to the Notes and (C) such new Indebtedness, determined as of the date
of Incurrence of such new Indebtedness, does not mature prior to the
Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded, and
the Average Life of such new Indebtedness is at least equal to the
remaining Average Life of the Indebtedness to be refinanced or
refunded; and provided further that in no event may Indebtedness of
the Company be refinanced by means of any Indebtedness of any
Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to this clause (iii);
(iv) Indebtedness (A) in respect of performance, surety or
appeal bonds provided in the ordinary course of business, (B) under
Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements; provided that such
agreements (a) are designed solely to protect the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates or interest rates and (b) do not increase the
Indebtedness of the obligor outstanding at any time other than as a
result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or interest
rates or by reason of fees, indemnities and compensation payable
thereunder; and (C) arising from agreements providing for
indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations,
or from Guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance
bonds securing any obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, in any case Incurred in
connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Restricted
Subsidiary (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any
Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or
Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition),
in a principal amount not to exceed the gross proceeds actually
received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection
with such disposition;
(v) Indebtedness of the Company, to the extent the net
proceeds thereof are promptly (A) used to purchase Notes tendered in
an Offer to Purchase made as a result of a Change in Control or (B)
deposited to defease the Notes as set forth in Article Eight;
50
44
(vi) Guarantees of the Notes and Guarantees of
Indebtedness of the Company by any Restricted Subsidiary provided the
Guarantee of such Indebtedness is permitted by and made in accordance
with Section 4.07;
(vii) Indebtedness (including Guarantees) Incurred to
finance the cost (including the cost of design, development,
acquisition, construction, installation, improvement, transportation
or integration) to acquire equipment, inventory or network assets
(including acquisitions by way of Capitalized 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 equipment, inventory or
network assets so acquired) by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
after the Closing Date;
(viii) Indebtedness of the Company not to exceed, at any one
time outstanding, two times (A) the Net Cash Proceeds received by the
Company after the Closing Date as a capital contribution 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 (I)
such capital contribution or Net Cash Proceeds have not been used
pursuant to clause (C)(2) of the first paragraph or clause (iii),
(iv), (vi) of (vii) of the second paragraph of Section 4.04 to make a
Restricted Payment and (II) if such capital contribution or Net Cash
Proceeds are used to consummate a transaction pursuant to which the
Company Incurs Acquired Indebtedness, the amount of such Net Cash
Proceeds exceeds one-half of the amount of Acquired Indebtedness so
Incurred and (B) 80% of the fair market value of property (other than
cash and cash equivalents) received by the Company after the Closing
Date from the sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock) to a Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Company, to the
extent (I) such capital contribution or sale of Capital Stock has not
been used pursuant to clause (iii), (iv), (vi) or (vii) of the second
paragraph of Section 4.04 to make a Restricted Payment and (II) if
such capital contribution or Capital Stock is used to consummate a
transaction pursuant to which the Company Incurs Acquired
Indebtedness, 80% of the fair market value of the property received
exceeds one-half of the amount of Acquired Indebtedness so Incurred
provided that such Indebtedness does not mature prior to the Stated
Maturity of the Notes and has an Average Life longer than the Notes;
(ix) Acquired Indebtedness;
(x) Strategic Subordinated Indebtedness; and
(xi) subordinated Indebtedness of the Company (in addition
to Indebtedness permitted under clauses (i) through (x) above) in an
aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time not to exceed $100
million, less any amount of such Indebtedness permanently repaid as
provided under Section 4.10.
51
45
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section
4.03, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary may Incur pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall not be deemed to be
exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness due solely to the result
of fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies.
(c) For purposes of determining any particular amount of
Indebtedness under this Section 4.03, (1) Guarantees, Liens or obligations with
respect to letters of credit supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the
determination of such particular amount shall not be included and (2) any Liens
granted pursuant to the equal and ratable provisions referred to in Section
4.09 shall not be treated as Indebtedness. For purposes of determining
compliance with this Section 4.03, in the event that an item of Indebtedness
meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in
the above clauses, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify, and
from time to time may reclassify, such item of Indebtedness and only be
required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of such
clauses.
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments. The Company
will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or
indirectly, (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or with
respect to its Capital Stock (other than (x) dividends or distributions payable
solely in shares of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or in
options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of such Capital Stock and
(y) pro rata dividends or distributions on Common Stock of Restricted
Subsidiaries held by minority stockholders) held by Persons other than the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) purchase, redeem, retire or
otherwise acquire for value any shares of Capital Stock of (A) the Company or
an Unrestricted Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other rights to
acquire such shares of Capital Stock) held by any Person or (B) a Restricted
Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other rights to acquire such shares
of Capital Stock) held by any Affiliate of the Company (other than a Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiary) or any holder (or any Affiliate of such holder) of
5% or more of the Capital Stock of the Company, (iii) make any voluntary or
optional principal payment, or voluntary or optional redemption, repurchase,
defeasance, or other acquisition or retirement for value, of Indebtedness of
the Company that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or (iv) make
any Investment, other than a Permitted Investment, in any Person (such payments
or any other actions described in clauses (i) through (iv) above being
collectively "Restricted Payments") if, at the time of, and after giving effect
to, the proposed Restricted Payment: (A) a Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, (B) the Company could not Incur at least $1.00
of Indebtedness under the first paragraph of Section 4.03 or (C) the aggregate
amount of all Restricted Payments (the amount, if other than in cash, to be
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall
be conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution) made after the Closing Date
shall exceed the sum of (1) 50% of the aggregate amount of the Adjusted
Consolidated Net Income (or, if the Adjusted Consolidated Net Income is a loss,
minus 100% of the amount of such loss) (determined by excluding income
resulting from transfers of assets by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to
52
46
an Unrestricted Subsidiary) accrued on a cumulative basis during the period
(taken as one accounting period) beginning on the first day of the fiscal
quarter immediately following the Closing Date and ending on the last day of
the last fiscal quarter preceding the Transaction Date for which reports have
been filed with the Commission or provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section
4.17 plus (2) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company after the
Closing Date as a capital contribution or from the issuance and sale permitted
by this Indenture of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) to a
Person who is not a Subsidiary of the Company, including an issuance or sale
permitted by this Indenture of Indebtedness of the Company for cash subsequent
to the Closing Date upon the conversion of such Indebtedness into Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, or from the issuance to a
Person who is not a Subsidiary of the Company of any options, warrants or other
rights to acquire Capital Stock of the Company (in each case, exclusive of any
Disqualified Stock or any options, warrants or other rights that are redeemable
at the option of the holder, or are required to be redeemed, prior to the
Stated Maturity of the Notes), in each case except to the extent such Net Cash
Proceeds are used to Incur Indebtedness pursuant to clause (viii) of the second
paragraph under Section 4.03, plus (3) an amount equal to the net reduction in
Investments (other than reductions in Permitted Investments) in any Person
resulting from payments of interest on Indebtedness, dividends, repayments of
loans or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each case to the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary or from the Net Cash Proceeds from the sale of any
such Investment (except, in each case, to the extent any such payment or
proceeds are included in the calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income),
or from redesignations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries
(valued in each case as provided in the definition of "Investments"), not to
exceed, in each case, the amount of Investments previously made by the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The foregoing provision shall not be violated by reason of:
(i) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the
date of declaration thereof if, at said date of declaration, such
payment would comply with the foregoing paragraph;
(ii) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other
acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness that is
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes including premium, if
any, and accrued and unpaid interest, with the proceeds of, or in
exchange for, Indebtedness Incurred under clause (iii) of the second
paragraph of Section 4.03(a);
(iii) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition of
Capital Stock of the Company or an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock) in
exchange for, or out of the proceeds of a capital contribution or a
substantially concurrent offering of, shares of Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified
53
47
Stock) of the Company (or options, warrants or other rights to acquire
such Capital Stock);
(iv) the making of any principal payment or the
repurchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition
for value of Indebtedness of the Company which is subordinated in
right of payment to the Notes in exchange for, or out of the proceeds
of a capital contribution or a substantially concurrent offering of,
shares of the Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
Company (or options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital
Stock);
(v) payments or distributions, to dissenting stockholders
pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with a
consolidation, merger or transfer of assets that complies with the
provisions of Article Five;
(vi) Investments in any Person the primary business of
which is related, ancillary or complementary to the business of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such
Investments; provided that the aggregate amount of Investments made
pursuant to this clause (vi) does not exceed the sum of (a) $20
million and (b) the amount of Net Cash Proceeds received by the
Company after the Closing Date as a capital contribution or from the
sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) to a Person
who is not a Subsidiary of the Company, except to the extent such Net
Cash Proceeds are used to Incur Indebtedness pursuant to clause (viii)
of the second paragraph of Section 4.03(a) or to make Restricted
Payments pursuant to clause (C)(2) of the first paragraph, or clauses
(iii) or (iv) of this paragraph, of this Section 4.04, plus (z) the
net reduction in Investments made pursuant to this clause (vi)
resulting from distributions on or repayments of such Investments or
from the Net Cash Proceeds from the sale of any such Investment
(except in each case to the extent any such payment or proceeds is
included in the calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income) or
from such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (valued in each case
as provided in the definition of "Investments"), provided that the net
reduction in any Investment shall not exceed the amount of such
Investment;
(vii) Investments acquired in exchange for Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;
(viii) the declaration or payment of dividends on the Common
Stock of the Company following a Public Equity Offering of such Common
Stock, of up to 6% per annum of the Net Cash Proceeds received by the
Company in such Public Equity Offering;
54
48
(ix) prior to the occurrence of a Public Market, the
purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition for value of
shares of Capital Stock of the Company or options to purchase such
shares, held by directors, employees or officers, or former directors,
employees or officers, of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (or
their estates or beneficiaries under their estates), upon the death,
disability, retirement, termination of employment or pursuant to the
terms of any agreement under which such shares of Capital Stock or
options were issued; provided that the aggregate consideration paid
for such purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition for
value of such shares or options after the Closing Date does not exceed
$5 million in the aggregate (unless such repurchases are made with the
proceeds of insurance policies and the shares are purchased from the
executors, administrators, testamentary trustees, heirs, legatees or
beneficiaries);
(x) repurchases of Warrants pursuant to a Repurchase
Offer;
(xi) any purchase of any fractional shares of Common Stock
(or other Capital Stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of the
Warrants) in connection with an exercise of the Warrants; and
(xii) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not
to exceed $2 million;
provided that, except in the case of clauses (i) and (iii), no Default or Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a consequence of
the actions or payments set forth therein.
Each Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to the preceding
paragraph (other than the Restricted Payment referred to in clause (ii)
thereof, an exchange of Capital Stock for Capital Stock or Indebtedness
referred to in clause (iii) or (iv) thereof and an Investment referred to in
clause (vi) thereof), and the Net Cash Proceeds from any capital contribution
or any issuance of Capital Stock referred to in clauses (iii), (iv) and (vi),
shall be included in calculating whether the conditions of clause (C) of the
first paragraph of this Section 4.04 have been met with respect to any
subsequent Restricted Payments. In the event the proceeds of an issuance of
Capital Stock of the Company are used for the redemption, repurchase or other
acquisition of the Notes, or Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes,
then the Net Cash Proceeds of such issuance shall be included in clause (C) of
the first paragraph of this Section 4.04 only to the extent such proceeds are
not used for such redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of Indebtedness.
SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment
Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will not, and will
not permit any Restricted
55
49
Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective
any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions
permitted by applicable law on any Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary
owned by the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) pay any
Indebtedness owed to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) make
loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary or (iv)
transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary.
The foregoing provisions shall not restrict any encumbrances
or restrictions:
(i) existing on the Closing Date in this Indenture or any
other agreements in effect on the Closing Date, and any extensions,
refinancings, renewals or replacements of such agreements; provided
that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such extensions,
refinancings, renewals or replacements are no less favorable in any
material respect to the Holders than those encumbrances or
restrictions that are then in effect and that are being extended,
refinanced, renewed or replaced;
(ii) existing under or by reason of applicable law;
(iii) existing with respect to any Person or the property
or assets of such Person acquired by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, existing at the time of such acquisition and not incurred
in contemplation thereof, which encumbrances or restrictions are not
applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other
than such Person or the property or assets of such Person so acquired;
(iv) in the case of clause (iv) of the first paragraph of
this Section 4.05, (A) that restrict in a customary manner the
subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is a
lease, license, conveyance or contract or similar property or asset,
(B) existing by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer,
option or right with respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by
this Indenture or (C) arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of
business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and that do not,
individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of property
or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner
material to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(v) with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary and imposed
pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or
disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock of, or
property and assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary; or
56
50
(vi) contained in the terms of any Indebtedness or any
agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness was issued if (A) the
encumbrance or restriction applies only in the event of a payment
default or a default with respect to a financial covenant contained in
such Indebtedness or agreement, (B) the encumbrance or restriction is
not materially more disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes than
is customary in comparable financings (as determined by the Company)
and (C) the Company determines that any such encumbrance or
restriction will not materially affect the Company's ability to make
principal or interest payments on the Notes.
Nothing contained in this Section 4.05 shall prevent the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary from (1) creating, incurring, assuming or suffering to
exist any Liens otherwise permitted in Section 4.09 or (2) restricting the sale
or other disposition of property or assets of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.06. Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital
Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will not sell, and will not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to issue or sell, any
shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (including options, warrants
or other rights to purchase shares of such Capital Stock) except (i) to the
Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) issuances of director's
qualifying shares or sales to foreign nationals of shares of Capital Stock of
foreign Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent required by applicable law;
(iii) if, immediately after giving effect to such issuance or sale, such
Restricted Subsidiary would no longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary and
any Investment in such Person remaining after giving effect to such issuance or
sale would have been permitted to be made under Section 4.04 if made on the
date of such issuance or sale; or (iv) issuances or sales of Common Stock of a
Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
applies the Net Cash Proceeds, if any, of any such sale in accordance with
clause (A) or (B) of Section 4.10.
SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by
Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to Guarantee any Indebtedness of the
Company which is pari passu with or subordinate in right of payment to the
Notes ("Guaranteed Indebtedness"), unless (i) such Restricted Subsidiary
simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture
providing for a Guarantee (a "Subsidiary Guarantee") of payment of the Notes by
such Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will
not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any
rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against
the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by
such Restricted Subsidiary under its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that this
paragraph shall not be applicable to any Guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary
that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not
Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of,
57
51
such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary. If the Guaranteed Indebtedness is
(A) pari passu with the Notes, then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed
Indebtedness shall be pari passu with, or subordinated to, the Subsidiary
Guarantee or (B) subordinated to the Notes, then the Guarantee of such
Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Subsidiary Guarantee at
least to the extent that the Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the
Notes.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantee by a
Restricted Subsidiary may provide by its terms that it shall be automatically
and unconditionally released and discharged upon (i) any sale, exchange or
transfer, to any Person not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the
Company's and each Restricted Subsidiary's Capital Stock in, or all or
substantially all the assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary (which sale,
exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) the release
or discharge of the Guarantee which resulted in the creation of such Subsidiary
Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under
such Guarantee.
SECTION 4.08. Limitation on Transactions with Shareholders
and Affiliates. The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, renew or extend any
transaction (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or
exchange of property or assets, or the rendering of any service) with any
holder (or any Affiliate of such holder) of 5% or more of any class of Capital
Stock of the Company or with any Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, except upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than could be obtained, at the time of
such transaction or, if such transaction is pursuant to a written agreement, at
the time of the execution of the agreement providing therefor, in a comparable
arm's-length transaction with a Person that is not such a holder or an
Affiliate.
The foregoing limitation does not limit, and shall not apply
to:
(i) transactions (A) approved by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board of Directors or (B) for which the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary delivers to the Trustee a written
opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking firm stating
that the transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary from a financial point of view;
(ii) any transaction solely between the Company and any of
its Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries or solely between Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiaries;
(iii) the payment of reasonable and customary regular fees
to directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company;
58
52
(iv) any payments or other transactions pursuant to any
tax-sharing agreement between the Company and any other Person with
which the Company files a consolidated tax return or with which the
Company is part of a consolidated group for tax purposes; or
(v) any Restricted Payments not prohibited by Section
4.04.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transaction or series of related
transactions covered by the first paragraph of this Section 4.08 and not
covered by clauses (ii) through (v) of this paragraph, the aggregate amount of
which exceeds $1 million in value, must be approved or determined to be fair in
the manner provided for in clause (i)(A) or (B) above.
SECTION 4.09. Limitation on Liens. The Company will not, and
will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer
to exist any Lien on any of its assets or properties of any character
(including, without limitation, licenses), or any shares of Capital Stock or
Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary, without making effective provision
for all of the Notes and all other amounts due under this Indenture to be
directly secured equally and ratably with (or, if the obligation or liability
to be secured by such Lien is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes,
prior to) the obligation or liability secured by such Lien.
The foregoing limitation does not apply to:
(i) Liens existing on the Closing Date;
(ii) Liens granted after the Closing Date on any assets or
Capital Stock of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries created in
favor of the Holders;
(iii) Liens with respect to the assets of a Restricted
Subsidiary granted by such Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary to secure Indebtedness owing to the
Company or such other Restricted Subsidiary;
(iv) Liens securing Indebtedness which is Incurred to
refinance secured Indebtedness which is permitted to be Incurred under
clause (iii) of the second paragraph of Section 4.03(a); provided that
such Liens do not extend to or cover any property or assets of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the property or assets
securing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
(v) Liens on the Capital Stock of, or any property or
assets of, a Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of such
Restricted Subsidiary permitted under Section 4.03;
59
53
(vi) Liens on the Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries
securing up to $100.0 million of Indebtedness Incurred under clause
(vii) of the second paragraph of Section 4.03(a); or
(vii) Permitted Liens.
SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Asset Sales. The Company will
not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, consummate any Asset
Sale, unless (i) the consideration received by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary is at least equal to the fair market value of the assets sold or
disposed of and (ii) at least 75% of the consideration received consists of
cash or Temporary Cash Investments; provided, however, that this clause (ii)
shall not apply to long-term assignments in capacity in a telecommunications
network. In the event and to the extent that the Net Cash Proceeds received by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from one or more Asset Sales
occurring on or after the Closing Date in any period of 12 consecutive months
exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (determined as of the
date closest to the commencement of such 12-month period for which a
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been filed
with the Commission pursuant to Section 4.17), then the Company shall or shall
cause the relevant Restricted Subsidiary to (i) within 12 months after the date
Net Cash Proceeds so received exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible
Assets (A) apply an amount equal to such excess Net Cash Proceeds to
permanently repay unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Company, or any Restricted
Subsidiary providing a Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.07 or
Indebtedness of any other Restricted Subsidiary, in each case owing to a Person
other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (B) invest an
equal amount, or the amount not so applied pursuant to clause (A) (or enter
into a definitive agreement committing to so invest within 12 months after the
date of such agreement), in property or assets (other than current assets) of a
nature or type or that are used in a business (or in a company having property
and assets of a nature or type, or engaged in a business) similar or related to
the nature or type of the property and assets of, or the business of, the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the date of such investment
(as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination
shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution) and (ii) apply (no
later than the end of the 12-month period referred to in clause (i)) such
excess Net Cash Proceeds (to the extent not applied pursuant to clause (i)) as
provided in the following paragraph of this Section 4.10. The amount of such
excess Net Cash Proceeds required to be applied (or to be committed to be
applied) during such 12-month period as set forth in clause (i) of the
preceding sentence and not applied as so required by the end of such period
shall constitute "Excess Proceeds."
If, as of the first day of any calendar month, the aggregate
amount of Excess Proceeds not theretofore subject to an Offer to Purchase
pursuant to this Section 4.10 totals at least $5 million, the Company must
commence, not later than the fifteenth Business Day of such month, and
consummate an Offer to Purchase from the Holders on a pro rata basis an
aggregate
60
54
Accreted Value of Notes equal to the Excess Proceeds on such date, at a
purchase price equal to 100% of the Accreted Value of the Notes on the relevant
Payment Date, plus, in each case, accrued interest (if any) to the Payment
Date.
SECTION 4.11. Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control.
The Company must commence, within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of
Control, and consummate an Offer to Purchase for all Notes then outstanding, at
a purchase price equal to 101% of the Accreted Value thereof on the relevant
Payment Date, plus accrued interest (if any) to the Payment Date.
SECTION 4.12. Existence. Subject to Articles Four and Five
of this Indenture, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary
to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and the existence
of each Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the respective organizational
documents of the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary and the rights (whether
pursuant to charter, partnership certificate, agreement, statute or otherwise),
material licenses and franchises of the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary;
provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right,
license or franchise, or the existence of any Restricted Subsidiary, if the
maintenance or preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of
the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
SECTION 4.13. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company
will pay or discharge and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall
become delinquent (i) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges
levied or imposed upon (a) the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary, (b)
the income or profits of any such Restricted Subsidiary which is a corporation
or (c) the property of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii)
all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies that, if unpaid,
might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any such
Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the Company shall not be required to pay
or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, any such tax, assessment,
charge or claim the amount, applicability or validity of which is being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate
reserves have been established.
SECTION 4.14. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance. The
Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business
or the business of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to be maintained and
kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all
necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of
the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection
therewith may be properly conducted at all times; provided that nothing in this
Section 4.14 shall prevent the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from
discontinuing the use, operation or
61
55
maintenance of any of such properties or disposing of any of them, if such
discontinuance or disposal is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the
conduct of the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.
The Company will provide or cause to be provided, for itself
and its Restricted Subsidiaries, insurance (including appropriate
self-insurance) against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against
by corporations similarly situated and owning like properties, with reputable
insurers or with the government of the United States of America, or an agency
or instrumentality thereof, in such amounts, with such deductibles and by such
methods as shall be customary for corporations similarly situated in the
industry in which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
be, is then conducting business.
SECTION 4.15. Notice of Defaults. In the event that the
Company becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default the Company, promptly
after it becomes aware thereof, will give written notice thereof to the
Trustee.
SECTION 4.16. Compliance Certificates. (a) The Company
shall deliver to the Trustee, within 45 days after the end of each fiscal
quarter (90 days after the end of the last fiscal quarter of each year), an
Officers' Certificate stating whether or not the signers know of any Default or
Event of Default that occurred during such fiscal quarter. In the case of the
Officers' Certificate delivered within 90 days of the end of the Company's
fiscal year, such certificate shall contain a certification from the principal
executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer
that a review has been conducted of the activities of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries and the Company's and its Restricted Subsidiaries'
performance under this Indenture and that, to the knowledge of such Officers,
the Company has complied with all conditions and covenants under this
Indenture. For purposes of this Section 4.16, such compliance shall be
determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice
provided under this Indenture. If they do know of such a Default or Event of
Default, the certificate shall describe any such Default or Event of Default
and its status. The first certificate to be delivered pursuant to this Section
4.16(a) shall be for the first fiscal quarter beginning after the execution of
this Indenture.
(b) So long as (and to the extent) not prohibited by the
then current recommendations of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the
end of the Company's fiscal year, a certificate signed by the Company's
independent certified public accountants stating (i) that their audit
examination has included a review of the terms of this Indenture and the Notes
as they relate to accounting matters, (ii) that they have read the most recent
Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee pursuant to paragraph (a) of
this Section 4.16 and (iii) whether, in connection with their audit
examination, anything came to their attention that caused them to believe that
the Company was not in compliance with any of the terms, covenants, provisions
or conditions of Article Four
62
56
and Section 5.01 of this Indenture as they pertain to accounting matters and,
if any Default or Event of Default has come to their attention, specifying the
nature and period of existence thereof; provided that such independent
certified public accountants shall not be liable in respect of such statement
by reason of any failure to obtain knowledge of any such Default or Event of
Default that would not come to the attention of such accountants in the course
of an audit examination conducted in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards in effect at the date of such examination.
(c) Within 90 days of the end of each of the Company's
fiscal years, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a list of all
Significant Subsidiaries. The Trustee shall have no duty with respect to any
such list except to keep it on file and available for inspection by the
Holders.
SECTION 4.17. Commission Reports and Reports to Holders. At
all times from and after the earlier of (i) the date of the commencement of a
registered exchange offer for the Notes by the Company or the effectiveness of
the Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to and in accordance with the terms
of the Notes Registration Rights Agreement (the "Registration") and (ii) the
date that is six months from the Closing Date, in either case, whether or not
the Company is then required to file reports with the Commission, the Company
shall file with the Commission all such reports and other information as it
would be required to file with the Commission by Sections 13(a) or 15(d) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 if it were subject thereto. The Company
shall supply the Trustee and each Holder or shall supply to the Trustee for
forwarding to each such Holder, without cost to such Holder, copies of such
reports and other information. Delivery of such reports, information and
documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's
receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information
contained therein or determinable from information (including mathematical
calculations) contained therein, including the Company's compliance with any of
its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely
exclusively on Officers' Certificates). In addition, at all times prior to the
earlier of the date of the Registration and the date that is six months from
the Closing Date, the Company shall, at its cost, deliver to each Holder of the
Notes quarterly and annual reports substantially equivalent to those which
would be required by the Exchange Act. In addition, at all times prior to the
Registration, upon the request of any Holder or any prospective purchaser of
the Notes designated by a Holder, the Company shall supply to such Holder or
such prospective purchaser the information required under Rule 144A under the
Securities Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA
Section 314(a).
SECTION 4.18. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws. The
Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will 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 or any usury law or
other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from
63
57
paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on
the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time
hereafter in force, or that may affect the covenants or the performance of this
Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) the Company hereby
expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it
will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to
the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as
though no such law had been enacted.
SECTION 4.19. Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions. The
Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into
any sale-leaseback transaction involving any of its assets or properties
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, whereby the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary sells or transfers such assets or properties and then or thereafter
leases such assets or properties or any part thereof or any other assets or
properties which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be,
intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the assets or
properties sold or transferred.
The foregoing restriction does not apply to any sale-leaseback
transaction if:
(i) the lease is for a period, including renewal rights,
of not in excess of three years;
(ii) the lease secures or relates to industrial revenue or
pollution control bonds;
(iii) the transaction is solely between the Company and any
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or solely between Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(iv) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, within 12
months after the sale or transfer of any assets or properties is
completed, applies an amount not less than the net proceeds received
from such sale in accordance with clause (A) or (B) of the first
paragraph of Section 4.10.
SECTION 4.20. Calculation of Original Issue Discount. The
Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year
(i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount
(including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on outstanding Notes as of
the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such
original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended from time to time and requested by the Trustee.
64
58
ARTICLE FIVE
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc. The Company shall
not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or
otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property and assets (as an
entirety or substantially an entirety in one transaction or a series of related
transactions) to, any Person or permit any Person to merge with or into the
Company unless:
(i) the Company shall be the continuing Person, or the
Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or
into which the Company is merged or that acquired or leased such
property and assets of the Company shall be a corporation organized
and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or
any jurisdiction thereof and shall expressly assume, by a supplemental
indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all of the
obligations of the Company on all of the Notes and under this
Indenture;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction,
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction
on a pro forma basis, the Company or any Person becoming the successor
obligor of the Notes shall have a Consolidated Net Worth equal to or
greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately
prior to such transaction;
(iv) immediately after giving effect to such transaction
on a pro forma basis the Company, or any Person becoming the successor
obligor of the Notes, as the case may be, could Incur at least $1.00
of Indebtedness under the first paragraph of Section 4.03; provided
that this clause (iv) shall not apply to (x) a consolidation, merger
or sale of all (but not less than all) of the assets of the Company if
all Liens and Indebtedness of the Company or any Person becoming the
successor obligor on the Notes, as the case may be, and its Restricted
Subsidiaries outstanding immediately after such transaction would, if
Incurred at such time, have been permitted to be Incurred (and all
such Liens and Indebtedness, other than Liens and Indebtedness of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding immediately prior
to the transaction, shall be deemed to have been Incurred) for all
purposes of this Indenture or (y) a consolidation, merger or sale of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company if immediately
after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the
Company or any Person becoming the successor obligor of the Notes
shall have a Consolidated Leverage Ratio equal to or less than the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to such
transaction; and
65
59
(v) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate (attaching the arithmetic computations to demonstrate
compliance with clauses (iii) and (iv) above) and Opinion of Counsel,
in each case stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and
such supplemental indenture complies with this provision and that all
conditions precedent provided for herein relating to such transaction
have been complied with;
provided, however, that clauses (iii) and (iv) above do not apply if, in the
good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company, whose
determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, the principal purpose
of such transaction is to change the state of incorporation of the Company; and
provided further that any such transaction shall not have as one of its
purposes the evasion of the foregoing limitations.
SECTION 5.02. Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation
or merger, or any sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company in accordance
with Section 5.01 of this Indenture, the successor Person formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale,
conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and
be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company
under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been
named as the Company herein and thereafter the predecessor corporation shall be
relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes;
provided that the Company shall not be released from its obligation to pay the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes in the case of a lease
of all or substantially all of its property and assets.
ARTICLE SIX
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. An "Event of Default" shall
occur with respect to the Notes if:
(a) the Company defaults in the payment of principal of
(or premium, if any, on) any Note when the same becomes due and
payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;
(b) the Company defaults in the payment of interest on
any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default
continues for a period of 30 days;
(c) the Company defaults in the performance, or breaches
the provisions of Article Five or the fails to make or consummate an
Offer to Purchase in accordance with Section 4.10 or Section 4.11;
66
60
(d) the Company defaults in the performance of or
breaches any other covenant or agreement of the Company in this
Indenture or under the Notes (other than a default specified in clause
(a), (b) or (c) above) and such default or breach continues for a
period of 30 consecutive days after written notice by the Trustee or
the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount at maturity
of the Notes,
(e) there occurs with respect to any issue or issues of
Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary having an
outstanding principal amount of $5 million or more in the aggregate
for all such issues of all such Persons, whether such Indebtedness now
exists or shall hereafter be created, (I) an event of default that has
caused the holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and
payable prior to its Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not
been discharged in full or such acceleration has not been rescinded or
annulled within 30 days of such acceleration and/or (II) the failure
to make a principal payment at the final (but not any interim) fixed
maturity and such defaulted payment shall not have been made, waived
or extended within 30 days of such payment default;
(f) any final judgment or order (not covered by
insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $5 million in the
aggregate for all such final judgments or orders against all such
Persons (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not
so covered) shall be rendered against the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary and shall not be paid or discharged, and there shall be any
period of 30 consecutive days following entry of the final judgment or
order that causes the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or
orders outstanding and not paid or discharged against all such Persons
to exceed $5 million during which a stay of enforcement of such final
judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall
not be in effect;
(g) a court having jurisdiction in the premises enters a
decree or order for (A) relief in respect of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
effect, (B) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or
any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the
property and assets of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or
(C) the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such decree or order shall
remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 30 consecutive days; or
(h) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (A)
commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the
entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such
law, (B) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a
receiver, liquidator,
67
61
assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all
of the property and assets of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary or (C) effects any general assignment for the benefit of
creditors.
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other
than an Event of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01 that
occurs with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing under this
Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes, then outstanding, by written notice to the Company (and to
the Trustee if such notice is given by the Holders), may, and the Trustee at
the request of such Holders shall, declare the Accreted Value of, premium, if
any, and accrued interest on the Notes to be immediately due and payable. Upon
a declaration of acceleration, such Accreted Value of, premium, if any, and
accrued interest shall be immediately due and payable. In the event of a
declaration of acceleration because an Event of Default set forth in clause (e)
of Section 6.01 has occurred and is continuing, such declaration of
acceleration shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of
default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (e) shall be
remedied or cured by the Company or the relevant Significant Subsidiary or
waived by the holders of the relevant Indebtedness within 60 days after the
declaration of acceleration with respect thereto. If an Event of Default
specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01 occurs with respect to the
Company, the Accreted Value of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the
Notes then outstanding shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and
payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any
Holder.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration, but
before a judgment or decree for the payment of the money due has been obtained
by the Trustee, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may
waive all past Defaults and rescind and annul such declaration of acceleration
and its consequences if (i) all existing Events of Default, other than the
non-payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the
Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have
been cured or waived and (ii) the rescission would not conflict with any
judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs
and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at
law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the
Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not
possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.
68
62
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to Sections
6.02, 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding Notes, by notice to the Trustee, may waive an existing Default
or Event of Default and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note as specified in clause
(a) or (b) of Section 6.01 or in respect of a covenant or provision of this
Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder
of each outstanding Note affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall
cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to
have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall
extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any
right consequent thereto.
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of at least a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Trustee or 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, that may involve the Trustee in personal liability, or that the
Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of
Holders of Notes not joining in the giving of such direction and may take any
other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction
received from Holders of Notes.
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. A Holder may not
institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture
or the Notes, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other
remedy hereunder unless:
(i) the Holder gives the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default;
(ii) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to
pursue the remedy;
(iii) such Holder or Holders offer the Trustee indemnity
satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liability or expense;
(iv) the Trustee does not comply with the request within
60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and
(v) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes do not give the
Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request.
69
63
For purposes of Section 6.05 of this Indenture and this
Section 6.06, the Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 316(a) in making any
determination of whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount
of outstanding Notes have concurred in any request or direction of the Trustee
to pursue any remedy available to the Trustee or the Holders with respect to
this Indenture or the Notes or otherwise under the law.
A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of
another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other Holder.
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder
of a Note to receive payment of the Accreted Value of, premium, if any, or
interest on, such Note or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such
payment, on or after the due date expressed in the Notes, shall not be impaired
or affected without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of
Default in payment of principal, premium or interest specified in clause (a),
(b) or (c) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover
judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company
or any other obligor of the Notes for the whole amount of principal, premium,
if any, and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on
overdue principal, premium, if any, and, to the extent that payment of such
interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case
at the rate specified in the Notes, and such further amount as shall be
sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel.
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 (including any claim
for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under
Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to
the Company (or any other obligor of the Notes), its creditors or its property
and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies,
securities or other property payable or deliverable upon conversion or exchange
of the Notes or upon any such claims and to distribute the same, and any
custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other
similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each
Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee
shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to
the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agent and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to empower the Trustee to authorize or consent to, or accept or adopt on
behalf of any
70
64
Holder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition
affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the
Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
SECTION 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money
pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money in the following
order:
First: to the Trustee for all amounts due under Section 7.07;
Second: to Holders for amounts then due and unpaid for
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in respect of
which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected,
ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the
amounts due and payable on such Notes for principal, premium, if any,
and interest, respectively; and
Third: to the Company or any other obligors of the Notes, as
their interests may appear, or as a court of competent jurisdiction
may direct.
The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix
a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this
Section 6.10.
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 may
require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs
of the suit, and the court may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses, 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 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by
a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 of this Indenture, or a suit by Holders of
more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.
SECTION 6.12. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the
Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or
remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or
abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to
such Holder, then, and in every such case, subject to any determination in such
proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored
severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter
all rights and remedies of the Company, Trustee and the Holders shall continue
as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as
otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated,
destroyed, lost or wrongfully taken Notes
71
65
in Section 2.09, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the
Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or
remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be
cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or
now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or
employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent
the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or
remedy.
SECTION 6.14. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or
omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy
accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.
Every right and remedy given by this Article Six or by law to the Trustee or to
the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed
expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
ARTICLE SEVEN
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.01. General. The duties and responsibilities of
the Trustee shall be as provided by the TIA and as set forth herein.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the
Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any 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 for
believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk
or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly
so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or
affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be
subject to the provisions of this Article Seven.
SECTION 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to TIA
Sections 315(a) through (d):
(i) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be
protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document (whether in its original or
facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed
or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate
any fact or matter stated in the document;
(ii) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it
may require an Officers' Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel,
which shall conform to Section 10.03 or
72
66
Section 10.04, as the case may be. The Trustee shall not be liable
for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on
such certificate or opinion;
(iii) the Trustee may act through attorneys and agents of
its selection and the advice of such attorneys and agents shall be
full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any
action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in
reliance thereon. The Trustee shall not be responsible for the
misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care;
(iv) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise
any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the
request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall
have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against
the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in
compliance with such request or direction;
(v) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it
takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized
or within its rights or powers or for any action it takes or omits to
take in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in
principal amount at maturity of the outstanding Notes relating to the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred
upon the Trustee, under this Indenture; provided that the Trustee's
conduct does not constitute gross negligence or bad faith;
(vi) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the
Trustee shall deem it desirable that a making be proved or established
prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the
Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may,
in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an
Officer's Certificate; and
(vii) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any
investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its
discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such
facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall
determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be
entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company
personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and
shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason
of such inquiry or investigation.
SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee, in
its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes
and may otherwise deal with the
73
67
Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not the
Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee is
subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311.
SECTION 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer. The Trustee (i) makes no
representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes,
(ii) shall not be accountable for the Company's use or application of the
proceeds from the Notes and (iii) shall not be responsible for any statement in
the Notes other than its certificate of authentication.
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Default. If any Default or any Event
of Default occurs and is continuing and if such Default or Event of Default is
actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail
to each Holder in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c)
notice of the Default or Event of Default within 45 days after it occurs,
unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured; provided, however,
that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee shall be protected in
withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive
committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the
Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the
interest of the Holders.
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days
after each May 15, beginning with May 15, 1998, the Trustee shall mail to each
Holder as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such May
15, if required by TIA Section 313(a).
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall
pay to the Trustee such compensation as shall be agreed upon in writing for its
services. The compensation of the Trustee 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 and advances
incurred or made by the Trustee. Such expenses shall include the reasonable
compensation and expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.
The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any
predecessor Trustee for, and hold it harmless against, any and all claim,
damage, loss or liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based
upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it
without negligence or bad faith on its part in connection with the acceptance
or administration of this Indenture and its duties under this Indenture and the
Notes, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim
or liability and of complying with any process served upon it or any of its
officers in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or
duties under this Indenture and the Notes.
74
68
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section
7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property
held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except money or
property held in trust to pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
particular Notes.
If the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after the
occurrence of an Event of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section
6.01, the expenses and the compensation for the services will be intended to
constitute expenses of administration under Title 11 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code or any applicable federal or state law for the relief of
debtors.
The provisions of this Section 7.07 shall survive the
termination of this Indenture.
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or
removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become
effective only upon the successor Trustee's acceptance of appointment as
provided in this Section 7.08.
The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company
in writing at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove
the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor
Trustee with the consent of the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee
if: (i) the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10; (ii) the Trustee
is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent; (iii) a receiver or other public
officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or (iv) the Trustee
becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed, or if a vacancy exists
in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a
successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office,
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may
appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the
Company. If the successor Trustee does not deliver its written acceptance
required by the next succeeding paragraph of this Section 7.08 within 30 days
after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the
Company or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Notes may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after the
delivery of such written acceptance, subject to the lien provided in Section
7.07, (i) the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as
Trustee to the successor Trustee, (ii) the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective and (iii) the successor Trustee shall
have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A
successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder.
75
69
If the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10, any
Holder who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(b) may petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the
appointment of a successor Trustee.
The Company shall give notice of any resignation and any
removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all
Holders. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the
address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this
Section 7.08, the Company's obligation under Section 7.07 shall continue for
the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. If the
Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or
substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or
national banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee
corporation or national banking association without any further act shall be
the successor Trustee with the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been
named as the Trustee herein.
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility. This Indenture shall always have
a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1). 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.
SECTION 7.11. Money Held in Trust. The Trustee shall not be
liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree
with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law and except for money held
in trust under Article Eight of this Indenture.
SECTION 7.12. Withholding Taxes. The Trustee, as agent for
the Company, shall exclude and withhold from each payment of principal and
interest and other amounts due hereunder or under the Notes any and all
withholding taxes applicable thereto as required by law. The Trustee agrees to
act as such withholding agent and, in connection therewith, whenever any
present or future taxes or similar charges are required to be withheld with
respect to any amounts payable in respect of the Notes, to withhold such
amounts and timely pay the same to the appropriate authority in the name of and
on behalf of the holders of the Notes, that it will file any necessary
withholding tax returns or statements when due. The Company or the Trustee
shall, as promptly as possible after the payment of the taxes described above,
deliver to each holder of a Note appropriate documentation showing the payment
thereof, together with such additional documentary evidence as such holders may
reasonably request from time to time.
76
70
ARTICLE EIGHT
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
SECTION 8.01. Termination of Company's Obligations. Except
as otherwise provided in this Section 8.01, the Company may terminate its
obligations under the Notes and this Indenture if:
(i) all Notes previously authenticated and delivered
(other than destroyed, lost or stolen Notes that have been replaced or
Notes that are paid pursuant to Section 4.01 or Notes for whose
payment money or securities have theretofore been held in trust and
thereafter repaid to the Company, as provided in Section 8.05) have
been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and the Company has
paid all sums payable by it hereunder; or
(ii) (A) the Notes mature within one year or all of them
are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for giving the notice of redemption, (B)
the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee during such
one-year period, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in
form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, as trust funds solely
for the benefit of the Holders for that purpose, money or U.S.
Government Obligations sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally
recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee), without
consideration of any reinvestment of any interest thereon, to pay
principal, premium, if, any, and interest on the Notes to maturity or
redemption, as the case may be, and to pay all other sums payable by
it hereunder, (C) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the
Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such
deposit, (D) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of,
or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement
or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound
and (E) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all
conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
With respect to the foregoing clause (i), the Company's
obligations under Section 7.07 shall survive. With respect to the foregoing
clause (ii), the Company's obligations in Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05,
2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06 shall
survive until the Notes are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the
Company's obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive. After any
such irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing
the discharge of the Company's obligations under the Notes and this Indenture
except for those surviving obligations specified above.
SECTION 8.02. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture. The
Company will be deemed to have paid and will be discharged from any and all
obligations in respect of the Notes
77
71
on the 123rd day after the date of the deposit referred to in clause (A) of
this Section 8.02, and the provisions of this Indenture will no longer be in
effect with respect to the Notes, and the Trustee, at the expense of the
Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, except as to
(i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange, (ii) substitution of
apparently mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes, (iii) rights of
Holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, (iv) the
Company's obligations under Section 4.02, (v) the rights, obligations and
immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (vi) the rights of the Holders as
beneficiaries of this Indenture with respect to the property so deposited with
the Trustee payable to all or any of them; provided that the following
conditions shall have been satisfied:
(A) with reference to this Section 8.02, the Company has
irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the
Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section
7.10 of this Indenture) and conveyed all right, title and interest for
the benefit of the Holders, under the terms of an irrevocable trust
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee as trust
funds in trust, specifically pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of
the Holders as security for payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest, if any, on the Notes, and dedicated solely to, the
benefit of the Holders, in and to (1) money in an amount, (2) U.S.
Government Obligations that, through the payment of interest, premium,
if any, and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their
terms, will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any
payment referred to in this clause (A), money in an amount or (3) a
combination thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed
in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay
and discharge, without consideration of the reinvestment of such
interest and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or
other charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the
Trustee, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on
the outstanding Notes at the Stated Maturity of such principal or
interest; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably
instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government
Obligations to the payment of such principal, premium, if any, and
interest with respect to the Notes;
(B) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation
of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it
is bound;
(C) immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a
pro forma basis, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period
ending on the 123rd day after such date of deposit;
78
72
(D) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee (1)
either (x) a ruling directed to the Trustee received from the Internal
Revenue Service to the effect that the Holders will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of
the Company's exercise of its option under this Section 8.02 and will
be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
option had not been exercised or (y) an Opinion of Counsel to the same
effect as the ruling described in clause (x) above accompanied by a
ruling to that effect published by the Internal Revenue Service,
unless there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax
law since the date of this Indenture such that a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service is no longer required and (2) an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that (x) the creation of the defeasance trust
does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940 and (y) after the
passage of 123 days following the deposit (except, with respect to any
trust funds for the account of any Holder who may be deemed to be an
"insider" for purposes of the United States Bankruptcy Code, after one
year following the deposit), the trust funds will not be subject to
the effect of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Bankruptcy Code or
Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law in a case commenced
by or against the Company under either such statute, and either (I)
the trust funds will no longer remain the property of the Company (and
therefore will not be subject to the effect of any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally) or (II) if a court were to rule under any
such law in any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained
property of the Company, (a) assuming such trust funds remained in the
possession of the Trustee prior to such court ruling to the extent not
paid to the Holders, the Trustee will hold, for the benefit of the
Holders, a valid and perfected security interest in such trust funds
that is not avoidable in bankruptcy or otherwise except for the effect
of Section 552(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code on interest on
the trust funds accruing after the commencement of a case under such
statute and (b) the Holders will be entitled to receive adequate
protection of their interests in such trust funds if such trust funds
are used in such case or proceeding;
(E) if the Notes are then listed on a national securities
exchange, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion
of Counsel to the effect that such deposit defeasance and discharge
will not cause the Notes to be delisted; and
(F) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all
conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance
contemplated by this Section 8.02 have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the end of the 123-day
(or one year) period referred to in clause (D)(2)(y) of this Section 8.02, none
of the Company's obligations under this Indenture shall be discharged.
Subsequent to the end of such 123-day (or one year)
79
73
period with respect to this Section 8.02, the Company's obligations in Sections
2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08,
8.05 and 8.06 shall survive until the Notes are no longer outstanding.
Thereafter, only the Company's obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.05 and 8.06
shall survive. If and when a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an
Opinion of Counsel referred to in clause (D)(1) of this Section 8.02 is able to
be provided specifically without regard to, and not in reliance upon, the
continuance of the Company's obligations under Section 4.01, then the Company's
obligations under such Section 4.01 shall cease upon delivery to the Trustee of
such ruling or Opinion of Counsel and compliance with the other conditions
precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this
Section 8.02.
After any such irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request
shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company's obligations under
the Notes and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations in the
immediately preceding paragraph.
SECTION 8.03. Defeasance of Certain Obligations. The Company
may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in clauses
(iii) and (iv) under Section 5.01 and Sections 4.03 through 4.10 and Section
4.19, clause (c) under Section 6.01 with respect to such clauses (iii) and (iv)
under Section 5.01, clause (d) under Section 6.01 with respect to Sections
4.01, 4.02, 4.11 through 4.18 and 4.20 and clauses (e) and (f) under Section
6.01 shall be deemed not to be Events of Default, in each case with respect to
the outstanding Notes if:
(i) with reference to this Section 8.03, the Company has
irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the
Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section
7.10) and conveyed all right, title and interest to the Trustee for
the benefit of the Holders, under the terms of an irrevocable trust
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee as trust
funds in trust, specifically pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of
the Holders as security for payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest, if any, on the Notes, and dedicated solely to, the
benefit of the Holders, in and to (A) money in an amount, (B) U.S.
Government Obligations that, through the payment of interest and
principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will
provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment
referred to in this clause (i), money in an amount or (C) a
combination thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed
in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay
and discharge, without consideration of the reinvestment of such
interest and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or
other charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the
Trustee, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity of such principal or
interest; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably
instructed to apply such money or
80
74
the proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of
such principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the
Notes;
(ii) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation
of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it
is bound;
(iii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing on the date of such deposit;
(iv) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion
of Counsel to the effect that (A) the creation of the defeasance trust
does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940, (B) the Holders
have a valid first-priority security interest in the trust funds, (C)
the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain
obligations and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred and (D) after
the passage of 123 days following the deposit (except, with respect to
any trust funds for the account of any Holder who may be deemed to be
an "insider" for purposes of the United States Bankruptcy Code, after
one year following the deposit), the trust funds will not be subject
to the effect of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Bankruptcy Code or
Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law in a case commenced
by or against the Company under either such statute, and either (1)
the trust funds will no longer remain the property of the Company (and
therefore will not be subject to the effect of any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally) or (2) if a court were to rule under any
such law in any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained
property of the Company, (x) assuming such trust funds remained in the
possession of the Trustee prior to such court ruling to the extent not
paid to the Holders, the Trustee will hold, for the benefit of the
Holders, a valid and perfected security interest in such trust funds
that is not avoidable in bankruptcy or otherwise (except for the
effect of Section 552(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code on
interest on the trust funds accruing after the commencement of a case
under such statute), (y) the Holders will be entitled to receive
adequate protection of their interests in such trust funds if such
trust funds are used in such case or proceeding and (z) no property,
rights in property or other interests granted to the Trustee or the
Holders in exchange for, or with respect to, such trust funds will be
subject to any prior rights of holders of other Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(v) if the Notes are then listed on a national securities
exchange, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion
of Counsel to the effect that such deposit defeasance and discharge
will not cause the Notes to be delisted; and
81
75
(vi) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all
conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance
contemplated by this Section 8.03 have been complied with.
SECTION 8.04. Application of Trust Money. Subject to Section
8.06, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government
Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the
case may be, and shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S.
Government Obligations in accordance with the Notes and this Indenture to the
payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes; but such
money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by
law.
SECTION 8.05. Repayment to Company. Subject to Sections
7.07, 8.01, 8.02 and 8.03, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay
to the Company upon request set forth in an Officers' Certificate any excess
money held by them at any time and thereupon shall be relieved from all
liability with respect to such money. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall
pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of
principal, premium, if any, or interest that remains unclaimed for two years;
provided that the Trustee or such Paying Agent before being required to make
any payment may cause to be published at the expense of the Company once in a
newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York or mail to each Holder
entitled to such money at such Holder's address (as set forth in the Security
Register) notice that such money remains unclaimed and that after a date
specified therein (which shall be at least 30 days from the date of such
publication or mailing) any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will
be repaid to the Company. After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to
such money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an
applicable law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and
such Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent
is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with
Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, 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 Notes shall be revived and
reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or
8.03, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is
permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance
with Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided that, if the
Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on
any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be
subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment
from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying
Agent.
82
76
ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Company, when
authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors, and the Trustee may amend
or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without notice to or the consent of
any Holder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in
this Indenture; provided that such amendments or supplements shall not
adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect;
(2) to comply with Article Five;
(3) to comply with any requirements of the Commission in
connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(4) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of
appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee; or
(5) to make any change that, in the good faith opinion of
the Board of Directors as evidenced by a Board Resolution, does not
materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders. Subject to Sections
6.04 and 6.07 and without prior notice to the Holders, the Company, when
authorized by its Board of Directors (as evidenced by a Board Resolution), and
the Trustee may amend this Indenture and the Notes with the written consent of
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the
Notes then outstanding, and the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount at maturity of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the
Trustee may waive future compliance by the Company with any provision of this
Indenture or the Notes.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9.02, without
the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver, including a waiver
pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:
(i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or
any installment of interest on, any Note,
(ii) reduce the Accreted Value of, or premium, if any, or
interest on, any Note,
83
77
(iii) change the place or currency of payment of principal
of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Note or adversely affect
any right of repayment at the option of any Holder of any Note,
(iv) impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment on or after the Stated Maturity (or, in the
case of a redemption, on or after the Redemption Date) of any Note,
(v) reduce the above-stated percentage of outstanding
Notes the consent of whose Holders is necessary to modify or amend
this Indenture,
(vi) waive a Default in the payment of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on the Notes,
(vii) modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.02,
except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain
other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived
without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected
thereby or
(viii) reduce the percentage or aggregate principal amount
at maturity of outstanding Notes the consent of whose Holders is
necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this
Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under
this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment,
supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the
substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section
9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders affected thereby
a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. The Company
will mail supplemental indentures to Holders upon request. Any failure of the
Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any
way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.
SECTION 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent. Until an
amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a
continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Note or
portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the Note of the consenting
Holder, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any
such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note or
portion of its Note. Such revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee
receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or
waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or
84
78
waiver shall become effective on receipt by the Trustee of written consents
from the Holders of the requisite percentage in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record
date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any
amendment, supplement or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then,
notwithstanding the last two sentences of the immediately preceding paragraph,
those persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated
proxies) and only those persons shall be entitled to consent to such amendment,
supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not
such persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent
shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it
shall bind every Holder unless it is of the type described in any of clauses
(i) through (viii) of Section 9.02. In case of an amendment or waiver of the
type described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 9.02, the amendment or
waiver shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent
Holder of a Note that evidences the same indebtedness as the Note of the
consenting Holder.
SECTION 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an
amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may
require the Holder to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an
appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the
Holder and the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on any Note thereafter
authenticated. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the
Company in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate
a new Note that reflects the changed terms.
SECTION 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc. The Trustee
shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an
Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or
waiver authorized pursuant to this Article Nine is authorized or permitted by
this Indenture. Subject to the preceding sentence, the Trustee shall sign such
amendment, supplement or waiver if the same does not adversely affect the
rights of the Trustee. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute
any such amendment, supplement or waiver that affects the Trustee's own rights,
duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every
supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to
the requirements of the TIA as then in effect.
85
79
ARTICLE TEN
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 10.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939. Prior to the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, this Indenture shall incorporate
and be governed by the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of
and to govern indentures qualified under the TIA. After the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement, this Indenture shall be subject to the provisions
of the TIA that are required to be a part of this Indenture and shall, to the
extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
SECTION 10.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be
sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first
class mail addressed as follows:
if to the Company:
Allegiance Telecom, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
if to the Trustee:
The Bank of New York
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
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 Holder shall be mailed
to him at his address as it appears on the Security Register by first class
mail and shall be sufficiently given to him if so mailed within the time
prescribed. Copies of any such communication or notice to a Holder shall also
be mailed to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any
defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
Except for a notice to the Trustee, which is deemed given only when received,
and except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, if a notice or
communication is mailed in the manner provided in this Section 10.02, it is
duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
86
80
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such
notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice,
either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of
such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but
such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action
taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or
by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by
mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee
shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
SECTION 10.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions
Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to
take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(i) an Officers' Certificate 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
(ii) 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;
provided, however, that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion
of Counsel may rely on an Officers' Certificate or certificates of
public officials.
SECTION 10.04. Statements Required in Certificate. Each
certificate with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided
for in this Indenture shall include:
(i) a statement that each person signing such certificate
has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
relating thereto;
(ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statements contained in
such certificate are based;
(iii) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person,
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
(iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of
each such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
87
81
SECTION 10.05. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders.
The Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.
SECTION 10.06. Payment Date Other Than a Business Day. If an
Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Payment Date, Stated Maturity or date
of maturity of any Note shall not be a Business Day, then payment of principal
of, premium, if any, or interest on such Note, as the case may be, need not be
made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the
same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Payment Date, or
Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity or date of maturity of such Note;
provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such
Interest Payment Date, Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or date
of maturity, as the case may be.
SECTION 10.07. Governing Law. The laws of the State of New
York shall govern this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee, the Company and
the Holders agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of
New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Indenture or the Notes.
SECTION 10.08. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt
agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture,
loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
SECTION 10.09. No Recourse Against Others. No recourse for
the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the
Notes, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no
recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company
contained in this Indenture, or in any of the Notes, or because of the creation
of any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator
or against any past, present or future partner, shareholder, other
equityholder, officer, director, employee or controlling person, as such, of
the Company or of any successor Person, either directly or through the Company
or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule
of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it
being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived
and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of
this Indenture and the issue of the Notes.
SECTION 10.10. Successors. All agreements of the Company in
this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the
Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
88
SECTION 10.11. Duplicate 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.
SECTION 10.12. Separability. In case any provision in this
Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in
any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 10.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The Table
of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of
this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to
be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the
terms and provisions hereof.
SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.
ALLEGIANCE TELECOM, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Chief Executive Officer
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: /s/ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Assistant Vice President
89
EXHIBIT A
[FACE OF NOTE]
ALLEGIANCE TELECOM, INC.
11 3/4% Senior Discount Note Due 2008
[CUSIP] [CINS] __________
No. $_________
The following information is supplied for purposes of Sections
1273 and 1275 of the Internal Revenue Code:
Issue Date: February 3, 1998 Original issue discount under
Section 1273 of the Internal
Revenue Code (for each $1,000
Yield to maturity for period from principal amount): $1,043.02
Issue Date to February 15, 2008:
12.19%, compounded semi-annually on
February 15 and August 15, commencing Issue Price (for each $1,000
August 15, 1998 (computed without principal amount): $544.48
giving effect to the additional payments
of interest in the event the issuer
fails to commence the exchange offer or
cause the registration statement to be declared
effective, each as described on the reverse
hereof)
ALLEGIANCE TELECOM, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company", which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, promises to pay to ________________, or its
registered assigns, the principal sum of ___________________ ($______) on
February 15, 2008.
Interest Payment Dates: February 15 and August 15, commencing
August 15, 2003.
Regular Record Dates: February 1 and August 1.
90
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note
set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all
purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be
signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.
ALLEGIANCE TELECOM, INC.
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
(Trustee's Certificate of Authentication)
This is one of the 11 3/4% Senior Discount Notes due 2008
described in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Date: THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
By:
--------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
91
A-3
[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
ALLEGIANCE TELECOM, INC.
11 3/4% Senior Discount Note due 2008
1. Principal and Interest.
The Company will pay the principal of this Note on February
15, 2008.
The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount
of this Note on each Interest Payment Date, as set forth below, at the rate per
annum shown above.
Interest will be payable semiannually (to the holders of
record of the Notes at the close of business on the February 1 or August 1
immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date) on each Interest Payment Date,
commencing August 15, 2003; provided that no interest shall accrue on the
principal amount of this Note prior to February 15, 2003 and no interest shall
be paid on this Note prior to August 15, 2003, except as provided in the next
paragraph.
If an exchange offer registered under the Securities Act is
not consummated and a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act
with respect to resales of the Notes is not declared effective by the
Commission, on or before August 3, 1998 in accordance with the terms of the
Notes Registration Rights Agreement dated January 29, 1998 among the Company
and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated, Salomon Brothers Inc, Bear, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ &
Co. Inc. and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Lufkin & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation, interest (in
addition to the accrual of original issue discount during the period ending
February 15, 2003 and in addition to the interest otherwise due on the Notes
after such date) will accrue, at an annual rate of 0.5% of Accreted Value on
the preceding Semiannual Accrual Date on the Notes from August 3, 1998, payable
in cash semiannually, in arrears, on each February 15 and August 15, commencing
February 15, 1999, until the exchange offer is consummated or the shelf
registration statement is declared effective. The Holder of this Note is
entitled to the benefits of such Notes Registration Rights Agreement.
From and after February 15, 2003, interest on the Notes will
accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no
interest has been paid, from February 15, 2003; provided that, if there is no
existing default in the payment of interest and this Note is authenticated
between a Regular Record Date referred to on the face hereof and the next
succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such Interest
Payment Date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months.
92
A-4
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and
premium, if any, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the
extent lawful, at a rate per annum that is 2% in excess of the rate otherwise
payable.
2. Method of Payment.
The Company will pay interest (except defaulted interest) on
the principal amount of the Notes as provided above on each February 15 and
August 15 to the persons who are Holders (as reflected in the Security Register
at the close of business on such February 1 and August 1 immediately preceding
the Interest Payment Date), in each case, even if the Note is cancelled on
registration of transfer or registration of exchange after such record date;
provided that, with respect to the payment of principal, the Company will make
payment to the Holder that surrenders this Note to a Paying Agent on or after
February 15, 2008.
The Company will pay principal, premium, if any, and as
provided above, interest in money of the United States that at the time of
payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. However, the
Company may pay principal, premium, if any, and interest by its check payable
in such money. It may mail an interest check to a Holder's registered address
(as reflected in the Security Register). If a payment date is a date other
than a Business Day at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on
the next succeeding day that is a Business Day and no interest shall accrue for
the intervening period.
3. Paying Agent and Registrar.
Initially, the Trustee will act as authenticating agent,
Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any authenticating agent,
Paying Agent or Registrar without notice. The Company, any Subsidiary or any
Affiliate of any of them may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.
4. Indenture; Limitations.
The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of
February 3, 1998 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New
York (the "Trustee"). Capitalized terms herein are used as defined in the
Indenture unless otherwise indicated. The terms of the Notes include those
stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to
the Trust Indenture Act. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders
are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of
all such terms. To the extent permitted by applicable law, in the event of any
inconsistency between the terms of this Note and the terms of the Indenture,
the terms of the Indenture shall control.
The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company.
93
A-5
5. Redemption.
The Notes will be redeemable, at the Company's option, in
whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or after February 15,
2003 and prior to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior
notice mailed by first class mail to each Holder's last address as it appears
in the Security Register, at the Redemption Prices (expressed in percentages of
principal amount at maturity) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is on or prior to the
Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), if
redeemed during the 12-month period commencing February 15 of the years set
forth below:
Redemption
Year Price
---- -------------
2003 105.8750%
2004 103.9167%
2005 101.9583%
2006 and thereafter 100.0000%
In addition, at any time prior to February 15, 2001, the
Company may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount at maturity of the Notes
originally issued with the proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings
following which there is a Public Market, at any time or from time to time in
part, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of Accreted Value on the
Redemption Date) of 111.75%; provided that at least $289,250,000 aggregate
principal amount at maturity of Notes remains outstanding after each such
redemption.
Notice of any optional redemption will be mailed at least 30
days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of
Notes to be redeemed at his last address as it appears in the Security
Register. Notes in original denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed
in part. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue and the
original issue discount ceases to accrete on Notes or portions of Notes called
for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption
Price.
6. Repurchase upon Change in Control.
Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, each Holder
shall have the right to require the repurchase of its Notes by the Company in
cash pursuant to the offer described in the Indenture at a purchase price equal
to 101% of the Accreted Value thereof plus accrued interest, if any, to the
date of purchase (the "Change of Control Payment").
A notice of such Change of Control will be mailed within 30
days after any Change of Control occurs to each Holder at his last address as
it appears in the Security Register. Notes in
94
A-6
original denominations larger than $1,000 may be sold to the Company in part.
On and after the Change of Control Payment Date, interest ceases to accrue and
the original issue discount ceases to accrete on Notes or portions of Notes
surrendered for purchase by the Company, unless the Company defaults in the
payment of the Change of Control Payment.
7. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange.
The Notes are in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 of principal amount at maturity and multiples of $1,000
in excess thereof. A Holder may register the transfer or exchange of Notes in
accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other
things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay
any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The
Registrar need not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes selected for
redemption. Also, it need not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes
for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed is made.
8. Persons Deemed Owners.
A Holder shall be treated as the owner of a Note for all
purposes.
9. Unclaimed Money.
If money for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and the Paying Agent will
pay the money back to the Company at its request. After that, Holders entitled
to the money must look to the Company for payment, unless an abandoned property
law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and such Paying
Agent with respect to such money shall cease.
▇▇
▇-▇
▇▇. Discharge Prior to Redemption or Maturity.
If the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S.
Government Obligations sufficient to pay the then outstanding principal of,
premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes (a) to redemption or
maturity, the Company will be discharged from the Indenture and the Notes,
except in certain circumstances for certain sections thereof, and (b) to the
Stated Maturity, the Company will be discharged from certain covenants set
forth in the Indenture.
11. Amendment; Supplement; Waiver.
Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may
be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any existing
default or compliance with any provision may be waived with the consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding. Without notice to or the consent of any Holder, the parties
thereto may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes to, among other
things, cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency and make any change that
does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.
12. Restrictive Covenants.
The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, among other things, to Incur
additional Indebtedness, make Restricted Payments, use the proceeds from Asset
Sales, engage in transactions with Affiliates or merge, consolidate or transfer
substantially all of its assets. Within 45 days after the end of each fiscal
quarter (90 days after the end of the last fiscal quarter of each year), the
Company must report to the Trustee on compliance with such limitations.
13. Successor Persons.
When a successor person or other entity assumes all the
obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture, the
predecessor person will be released from those obligations.
14. Defaults and Remedies.
The following events constitute "Events of Default" under the
Indenture: (a) default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on)
any Note when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration,
redemption or otherwise; (b) default in the payment of interest on any Note
when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period
of 30 days; (c) default in the performance, or breach of the provisions of
96
A-8
Article Five or the failure to make or consummate an Offer to Purchase in
accordance with Section 4.10 or Section 4.11; (d) default in the performance of
or breach of any other covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or
under the Notes (other than a default specified in clause (a), (b) or (c)
above) and such default or breach continues for a period of 30 consecutive days
after written notice by the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate
principal amount at maturity of the Notes, (e) there occurs with respect to any
issue or issues of Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
having an outstanding principal amount of $5 million or more in the aggregate
for all such issues of all such Persons, whether such Indebtedness now exists
or shall hereafter be created, (I) an event of default that has caused the
holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and payable prior to its
Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been discharged in full or such
acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within 30 days of such
acceleration and/or (II) the failure to make a principal payment at the final
(but not any interim) fixed maturity and such defaulted payment shall not have
been made, waived or extended within 30 days of such payment default; (f) any
final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in
excess of $5 million in the aggregate for all such final judgments or orders
against all such Persons (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention
as not so covered) shall be rendered against the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary and shall not be paid or discharged, and there shall be any period
of 30 consecutive days following entry of the final judgment or order that
causes the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders outstanding
and not paid or discharged against all such Persons to exceed $5 million during
which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment or order, by reason of a
pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; (g) a court having
jurisdiction in the premises enters a decree or order for (A) relief in respect
of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
effect, (B) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) the winding up or liquidation of
the affairs of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and, in each case,
such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 30
consecutive days; or (h) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (A)
commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other
similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order
for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (B) consents to the
appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and
assets of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) effects any general
assignment for the benefit of creditors.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default
specified in clauses (g) or (h) of Section 6.01 of the Indenture that occur
with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare all the
Notes to be due and payable. If a bankruptcy or insolvency default with
respect to the Company
97
A-9
occurs and is continuing, the Notes automatically become due and payable.
Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the
Indenture. The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it
enforces the Indenture or the Notes. Subject to certain limitations, Holders
of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may
direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.
15. Trustee Dealings with Company.
The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any
other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from and perform services
for the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or
its Affiliates as if it were not the Trustee.
16. No Recourse Against Others.
No incorporator or any past, present or future partner,
shareholder, other equity holder, officer, director, employee or controlling
person as such, of the Company or of any successor Person shall have any
liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture
or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or
their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the
issuance of the Notes.
17. Authentication.
This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or
authenticating agent signs the certificate of authentication on the other side
of this Note.
18. Abbreviations.
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or
an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian) and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act).
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request
and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to Allegiance
Telecom, Inc., ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention:
Chief Financial Officer.
98
A-10
[FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE]
FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby
sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
---------------------------------------------------
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee
---------------------------------------------------
the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing _________________________________________________ attorney to
transfer said Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution
in the premises.
[THE FOLLOWING PROVISION TO BE INCLUDED
ON ALL NOTES OTHER THAN EXCHANGE NOTES,
PERMANENT OFFSHORE GLOBAL NOTES AND
OFFSHORE PHYSICAL NOTES]
In connection with any transfer of this Note occurring prior
to the date which is the earlier of (i) the date the shelf registration
statement with respect to resales of the Notes is declared effective or (ii)
the end of the period referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act, the
undersigned confirms that without utilizing any general solicitation or general
advertising that:
[Check One]
[ ] (a) this Note is being transferred in compliance with the
exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, provided by Rule 144A thereunder.
or
[ ] (b) this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with
(a) above and documents are being furnished which comply with
the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the
Indenture.
99
A-11
If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or other Registrar shall
not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any Person other than the
Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of
registration set forth herein and in Section 2.08 of the Indenture shall have
been satisfied.
Date:
------------------ ---------------------------------
NOTICE: The signature to this
assignment must correspond
with the name as written upon the
face of the within-mentioned
instrument in every particular,
without alteration or any change
whatsoever.
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing
this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises
sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance
on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding
the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has
determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the
transferor is relying upon the undersigned's foregoing representations in order
to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.
Date:
------------------ ---------------------------------
NOTICE: To be executed by an
executive officer
100
A-12
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.11 of the Indenture, check the Box: [ ]
If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.11 of the Indenture, state the
amount (in principal amount at maturity): $___________________.
Date: _________________
Your Signature:
------------------------------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this
Note)
Signature Guarantee:
---------------------
101
EXHIBIT B
Form of Certificate
The Bank of New York ________________, ____
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Floor ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Allegiance Telecom, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Re: Allegiance Telecom, Inc. (the "Company")
11 3/4% Senior Discount Notes
due 2008 (the "Notes")
Dear Sirs:
This letter relates to U.S. $_______________ principal amount at
maturity of Notes represented by a Note (the "Legended Note") which bears a
legend outlining restrictions upon transfer of such Legended Note. Pursuant to
Section 2.01 of the Indenture (the "Indenture") dated as of February 3, 1998
relating to the Notes, we hereby certify that we are (or we will hold such
securities on behalf of) a person outside the United States to whom the Notes
could be transferred in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S promulgated
under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Accordingly, you are hereby
requested to exchange the legended certificate for an unlegended certificate
representing an identical principal amount at maturity of Notes, all in the
manner provided for in the Indenture.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and
are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any
interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry
with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate
have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Holder]
By:
----------------------------------
Authorized Signature
102
EXHIBIT C
Form of Certificate to Be
Delivered in Connection with
Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors
____________, ____
The Bank of New York
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Allegiance Telecom, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Re: Allegiance Telecom, Inc. (the "Company")
11 3/4% Senior Discount Notes due 2008 (the "Notes")
Dear Sirs:
In connection with our proposed purchase of
$__________________ aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Notes, we
confirm that:
1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes is
subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture dated
as of February 3, 1998, relating to the Notes (the "Indenture") and the
undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise
transfer the Notes except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions
and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have
not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes may not be
offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on
our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as
hereinafter stated, that if we should sell any Notes, we will do so only (A) to
the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under
the Securities Act to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined therein),
(C) to an institutional "accredited
103
C-2
investor" (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has
furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a
signed letter substantially in the form of this letter, (D) outside the United
States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act,
(E) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under
the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing
any of the Notes from us a notice advising such purchaser that resales of the
Notes are restricted as stated herein.
3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of any Notes,
we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications,
legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably
require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing
restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a
legend to the foregoing effect.
4. We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined
in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act)
and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to
be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes,
and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the
economic risk of our or its investment.
5. We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our own
account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional
"accredited investor") as to each of which we exercise sole investment
discretion.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and
are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any
interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry
with respect to the matters covered hereby.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferee]
By:
------------------------
Authorized Signature
104
EXHIBIT D
Form of Certificate to Be Delivered
in Connection with Transfers
Pursuant to Regulation S
____________, ____
The Bank of New York
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Allegiance Telecom, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Re: Allegiance Telecom, Inc. (the "Company")
11 3/4% Senior Discount Notes due 2008 (the "Notes")
Dear Sirs:
In connection with our proposed sale of U.S.$__________________
aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Notes, we confirm that such sale
has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and, accordingly, we represent that:
(1) the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the
United States;
(2) at the time the buy order was originated, the
transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on
our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the
United States;
105
D-2
(3) no directed selling efforts have been made by us in the
United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or
Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, as applicable; and
(4) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to
evade the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and
are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any
interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry
with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate
have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferor]
By:
-------------------------------
Authorized Signature