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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2010.

Registration No. 333-                    

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE

SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   65-0723837

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

116 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(617) 375-7500

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Edmund DiSanto, Esq.

Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer,

General Counsel and Secretary

American Tower Corporation

116 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(617) 375-7500

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

 

Craig B. Brod, Esq.

Sandra L. Flow, Esq.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

One Liberty Plaza

New York, New York 10006

(212) 225-2000

 

Robert Evans III, Esq.

Shearman & Sterling LLP

599 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

(212) 848-4000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.   ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.   x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.   x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer   x                     Accelerated filer   ¨                     Non-accelerated filer   ¨                         Smaller reporting company   ¨

(Do not check if smaller reporting company)

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

  Amount to be registered/Proposed
maximum offering price per unit/
Proposed maximum
aggregate offering price (1)
  Amount of registration fee (2)

Debt Securities

Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value (3)

       
 
 

 

(1) An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price and number or amount of the securities is being registered as may periodically be offered at indeterminate prices.

 

(2) In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of the entire registration fee.

 

(3) An indeterminate number of shares of Class A common stock (“common stock”) may be issued from time to time upon conversion or exchange of debt securities. Separate consideration may or may not be received for common stock that is issuable on conversion or exchange of debt securities.

 

 

 


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LOGO

Debt Securities

 

 

We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus at the time of the offering. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

We may offer and sell from time to time, or selling securityholders may sell from time to time, together or separately, debt securities, which may be convertible or exchangeable into shares of our common stock.

These securities may be offered together or separately and in one or more series, if any, in amounts, at prices and on other terms to be determined at the time of the offering and described in a prospectus supplement.

We may offer and sell these securities through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering.

To the extent that any selling securityholder resells any securities, the selling securityholder may be required to provide you with this prospectus and a prospectus supplement identifying and containing specific information about the selling securityholder and the terms of the securities being offered.

Investing in the offered securities involves risks. You should consider the risk factors described in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents we incorporate by reference.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

Prospectus dated May 13, 2010


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About this Prospectus

   1

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

   1

American Tower Corporation

   2

Risk Factors

   2

Use of Proceeds

   3

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   3

Description of Debt Securities

   4

Description of Common Stock

   13

Legal Ownership

   15

Plan of Distribution

   17

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

   19

Validity of the Securities

   24

Experts

   24

Where You Can Find More Information

   24

 

 

We are responsible for the information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to give you any other information, and we take no responsibility for any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document containing the information.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, utilizing an automatic shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we may periodically sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides a general description of the debt securities and common stock that we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information, including information about us, contained in this prospectus. Therefore, before making your investment decision, you should carefully read:

 

   

this prospectus;

 

   

any applicable prospectus supplement, which (1) explains the specific terms of the securities being offered and (2) updates and changes information in this prospectus; and

 

   

the documents referred to in “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 24 for information about us, including our financial statements.

References to “we,” “us,” “our” and “American Tower” are references to American Tower Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless it is clear from the context that we mean only American Tower Corporation .

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference contain statements about future events and expectations, or forward-looking statements, all of which are inherently uncertain. We have based those forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future results. When we use words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” or similar expressions, we do so to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements we make regarding our substantial leverage and debt service obligations; future prospects of growth in the communications site leasing industry; the level of future expenditures by companies in this industry and other trends in this industry; the effects of consolidation among companies in our industry and among our customers and other competitive pressures; economic, political and other events, particularly those relating to our international operations; our ability to maintain or increase our market share; changes in environmental, tax and other laws; our ability to protect our rights to the land under our towers; natural disasters and similar events; the possibility of health risks relating to radio emissions; risks arising from our historical option grant practices; our future operating results; our future purchases under our stock repurchase program; our future capital expenditure levels; our future financing transactions; and our plans to fund our future liquidity needs. These statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions, which in turn are based on currently available information. These assumptions could prove inaccurate.

You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement we make in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference or elsewhere speaks only as of the date on which we make it. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. In any event, these and other important factors, including those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in a prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference, may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update or revise the forward-looking statements we make in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference or elsewhere, except as may be required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that the future events or circumstances described in any forward-looking statement we make in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference or elsewhere might not occur.

 

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

American Tower Corporation was created as a subsidiary of American Radio Systems Corporation in 1995 to own, manage, develop and lease communications and broadcast tower sites, and was spun off into a free-standing public company in 1998. Since inception, we have grown our communications site portfolio through acquisitions, long-term lease arrangements, development and construction, and through mergers with and acquisitions of other tower operators.

American Tower Corporation is a holding company, and we conduct our operations through our directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries. Our principal United States operating subsidiaries are American Towers, Inc. and SpectraSite Communications, LLC. We conduct our international operations through our subsidiary, American Tower International, Inc., which in turn conducts operations through its various international operating subsidiaries. Our international operations consist of our operations in Mexico, Brazil and India.

Our principal executive office is located at 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. Our main telephone number at that address is (617) 375-7500.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in the offered securities involves risks. Before deciding to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the discussion of risks and uncertainties under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 24.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from any sale of the securities described in this prospectus for our general corporate purposes, which may include financing possible acquisitions, refinancing our indebtedness and repurchasing our common stock. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily in short-term marketable securities or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.

Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds in the event that the securities are sold by a selling securityholder.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the indicated periods:

 

     Year Ended December 31,    Three
Months
Ended
March 31,
     2005    2006    2007    2008    2009    2010
     (In thousands)

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1)

   —      1.25x    1.50x    2.12x    2.27x    2.54x

 

(1) For the purpose of this calculation, “earnings” consists of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, (loss) income on equity method investments and fixed charges (excluding interest capitalized), and amortization of interest capitalized. “Fixed charges” consist of interest expense, including amounts capitalized, amortization of debt discount and related issuance costs and the component of rental expense associated with operating leases believed by management to be representative of the interest factor thereon. We had a (deficiency) excess in earnings to fixed charges in each period as follows (in thousands): 2005–$(133,464); 2006–$72,813; 2007–$155,462; 2008–$373,842; 2009–$423,743; and first quarter, 2010–$125,175.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This section describes the general terms that will apply to any debt securities that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms of any offered debt securities, and the extent to which the general terms described in this section apply to these debt securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement at the time of the offering. The prospectus supplement, which we will file with the SEC, may or may not modify the general terms found in this prospectus. For a complete description of any series of debt securities, you should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement that applies to that series of debt securities.

In this section, the terms “we,” “our,” “us” and “American Tower” refer solely to American Tower Corporation (and not to any of its affiliates, including subsidiaries). As used in this prospectus, “debt securities” means the senior debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness offered pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement and authenticated by the relevant trustee and delivered under the applicable indenture.

We may issue senior debt securities under an indenture dated as of May 13, 2010 between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. This indenture, as supplemented, is referred to in this prospectus as the “indenture.” We refer to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as the “trustee” in this prospectus. If a different trustee or a different indenture for a series of debt securities is used, those details will be provided in a prospectus supplement and the forms of any other indentures will be filed with the SEC at the time they are used.

We have summarized below the material provisions of the indenture and the debt securities, and indicated which material provisions will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement. For further information, you should read the indenture. The indenture is an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the indenture.

General

The debt securities that we may offer under the indenture are not limited in aggregate principal amount. We may issue debt securities at one or more times in one or more series. Each series of debt securities may have different terms. The terms of any series of debt securities will be described in, or determined by action taken pursuant to, a resolution of our board of directors or a committee appointed by our board of directors or in a supplement to the indenture relating to that series.

We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of that series, for the issuance of additional debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities of a particular series will have the same terms and conditions as outstanding debt securities of that series, except for the date of original issuance and the offering price, and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, those outstanding debt securities.

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will state the price or prices at which the debt securities will be offered and will contain the specific terms of that series. These terms may include the following:

 

   

the title of the series;

 

   

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the series;

 

   

the date or dates on which each of the principal of and premium, if any, on the securities of the series is payable and the method of determination thereof;

 

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the rate or rates at which the securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of calculating such rate or rates of interest, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the interest payment dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the record date, if any;

 

   

the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on securities of the series shall be payable;

 

   

the place or places where the securities may be exchanged or transferred;

 

   

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option, if we are to have that option with respect to the applicable series;

 

   

our obligation, if any, to redeem or purchase securities of the series in whole or in part pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the other terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

   

if other than denominations of $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 thereafter, the denominations in which securities of the series are issuable;

 

   

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the securities of the series shall or may be payable, or in which the securities of the series shall be denominated, and the particular provisions applicable thereto;

 

   

if the payments of principal of (and premium, if any), or interest, if any, on the securities of the series are to be made, at our or a holder’s election, in a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which such securities are denominated or designated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which such payments are to be made, the terms and conditions of such payments and the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments shall be determined, and the particular provisions applicable thereto;

 

   

if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the securities of the series shall be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which the securities of the series are denominated or designated to be payable), the index, formula or other method by which such amounts shall be determined;

 

   

whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the securities of the series may or must be converted into our securities or exchanged for our securities or those of another enterprise;

 

   

if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to an event of default or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

 

   

any modifications of or additions to the events of default or covenants with respect to securities of the series;

 

   

whether the securities of the series will be subject to legal defeasance or covenant defeasance as provided in the indenture;

 

   

if other than the trustee, the identity of the registrar and any paying agent;

 

   

if the securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in global form, (i) the depositary for such global securities, (ii) the form of any legend that shall be borne by such global security,

 

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(iii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any securities of the series in global form may exchange such interests for certificated securities of that series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and (iv) the circumstances under which any such exchange may occur; and

 

   

any other terms of the series.

Interest

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, if any payment date with respect to debt securities falls on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next business day. The payment made on the next business day will be treated as though it had been made on the original payment date, and no interest will accrue on the payment for the additional period of time.

Ranking

The debt securities will be our direct, unconditional, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank pari passu with all of our other unsecured senior obligations. However, the senior debt securities will be effectively junior to all of our secured obligations to the extent of the value of the assets securing those obligations. The debt securities will also be structurally subordinated to all liabilities, including trade payables and lease obligations, of our subsidiaries.

Covenants

Except as described below or in the prospectus supplement with respect to any series of debt securities, neither we nor our subsidiaries are restricted by the indenture from paying dividends or making distributions on our or their capital stock or purchasing or redeeming our or their capital stock. The indenture does not require the maintenance of any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity. In addition, with certain exceptions, the indenture does not contain any covenants or other provisions that would limit our or our subsidiaries’ right to incur additional indebtedness or limit the amount of additional indebtedness, including senior or secured indebtedness that we can create, incur, assume or guarantee.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, covenants contained in the indenture will be applicable to the series of debt securities to which the prospectus supplement relates so long as any of the debt securities of that series are outstanding.

Reporting

The indenture provides that we shall furnish to the trustee, within 15 days after we are required to file such annual and quarterly reports, information, documents and other reports with the SEC, copies of our annual report and of the information, documents and other reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. We shall also comply with the other provisions of Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, which we refer to as the Trust Indenture Act.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

The indenture provides that we may not consolidate or merge with or into, or sell or convey all or substantially all of our assets in any one transaction or series of related transactions to another person, unless:

 

   

either we are the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation, or our successor is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the indenture and all the debt securities; and

 

   

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing.

 

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The term “default” for the purpose of this provision means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would become, an event of default.

Except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of our assets, the successor will be substituted for us in the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to such indenture. Thereafter, the successor may exercise our rights and powers under the indenture.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

In the indenture, the term “event of default” with respect to debt securities of any series means any of the following:

 

   

failure by us to pay interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series for 30 days after the date payment is due and payable;

 

   

failure by us to pay principal of or premium, if any, on the debt securities of that series when due, at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise;

 

   

failure by us to comply with other covenants in the indenture or the debt securities of that series for 90 days after notice that compliance was required; and

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency of us or any of our significant subsidiaries.

The term “significant subsidiaries” for the purpose of this provision means any of our subsidiaries that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act.

If an event of default (other than relating to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency of us or breach of our reporting obligation) has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities of the affected series to be due and payable immediately.

If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency of us occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all of the outstanding debt securities and any accrued interest thereon will automatically become due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any holder.

The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series may, after satisfying conditions, rescind and annul any of the above-described declarations and consequences involving the debt securities of that series, except a continuing default or event of default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the debt securities of the affected series.

The indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities of any series against us. Except for actions for payment of overdue principal or interest, no holder of a debt security of any series may institute any action against us under the indenture unless:

 

   

the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of an event of default and the continuance of that event of default;

 

   

the holder or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have requested that the trustee pursue the remedy;

 

   

such holder or holders have offered to the trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

   

the trustee has not instituted the action within 60 days of the receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity; and

 

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the trustee has not received inconsistent direction by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series.

We will be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed by two officers of our company, stating whether or not the officers know of any default by us in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or covenant of the indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sole remedy for any breach of our obligation under the indenture to file or furnish reports or other financial information pursuant to section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act (or as otherwise required by the indenture) shall be the payment of liquidated damages, and the holders will not have any right under the indenture to accelerate the maturity of the debt securities of the affected series as a result of any such breach. If any such breach continues for 90 days after notice thereof is given in accordance with the indenture, we will pay liquidated damages to all the holders of the debt securities of that series at a rate per annum equal to (i) 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the debt securities of that series from the 90th day following such notice to but not including the 180th day following such notice (or such earlier date on which the event of default relating to the reporting obligations referred to in this paragraph shall have been cured or waived) and (ii) 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the debt securities of that series from the 180th day following such notice to but not including the 365th day following such notice (or such earlier date on which the event of default relating to the reporting obligations referred to in this paragraph shall have been cured or waived). On such 365th day (or earlier, if the event of default relating to the reporting obligations referred to in this paragraph shall have been cured or waived prior to such 365th day), such additional interest will cease to accrue, and the debt securities of that series will be subject to acceleration as provided above if the event of default is continuing. The provisions of the indenture described in this paragraph will not affect the rights of the holders of the debt securities of any series in the event of the occurrence of any other event of default.

Modification and Waiver

Except as provided in the two succeeding paragraphs, the indenture provides that we and the trustee thereunder may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities of that series), voting as one class, add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities of that series.

We and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder to:

 

   

secure the debt securities of any series;

 

   

evidence the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations under the indenture and the debt securities of any series in the case of a merger, amalgamation, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets;

 

   

add covenant(s) or events of default(s) for the protection of the holders of all or any series of debt securities;

 

   

cure any ambiguity or correct any defect or inconsistency in the indenture or make any other provisions as we may deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that no such provisions will materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of any debt securities;

 

   

evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee in accordance with the indenture;

 

   

provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to, or in place of, certificated debt securities of any series in a manner that does not materially and adversely affect any holders of the debt securities of that series;

 

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conform the text of the indenture or the debt securities of any series to any provision of this “Description of Debt Securities” or “Description of Securities” in the prospectus supplement for such series to the extent that such provision in such description was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture or the debt securities of that series;

 

   

provide for the issuance of additional debt securities of any series in accordance with the limitations set forth in the indenture as of the date of the indenture;

 

   

make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of all or any series of debt securities or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any such holder or any holder of a beneficial interest in the debt securities of that series;

 

   

comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

   

establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

 

   

secure our obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series;

 

   

in the case of convertible or exchangeable debt securities of any series, subject to the provisions of the supplemental indenture for that series, to provide for conversion rights, exchange rights and/or repurchase rights of holders of that series in connection with any reclassification or change of our common stock or in the event of any amalgamation, consolidation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of us or our subsidiaries substantially as an entirety occurs;

 

   

in the case of convertible or exchangeable debt securities of any series, to reduce the conversion price or exchange price applicable to that series;

 

   

in the case of convertible or exchangeable debt securities of any series, to increase the conversion rate or exchange ratio in the manner described in the supplemental indenture for that series, provided that the increase will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of that series in any material respect; or

 

   

any other action to amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series as described in the prospectus supplement with respect to that series of debt securities.

We and the trustee may not, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

 

   

change the final maturity of any debt security;

 

   

reduce the aggregate principal amount on any debt security;

 

   

reduce the rate or amend or modify the calculation, or time of payment, of interest, including defaulted interest on any debt security;

 

   

reduce or alter the method of computation of any amount payable on any debt security upon redemption, prepayment or purchase of any debt security or otherwise alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any debt security, or waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security;

 

   

change the currency in which the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on any debt security is payable;

 

   

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security when due, or otherwise make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to waivers of past defaults or the rights of holders of any debt security to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any debt security;

 

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modify the provisions of the indenture with respect to modification and waiver (including waiver of certain covenants, waiver of a default or event of default in respect of debt securities of any series), except to increase the percentage required for modification or waiver or to provide for the consent of each affected holder;

 

   

reduce the percentage of principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver of the indenture or the debt securities of that series;

 

   

impair the rights of holders of debt securities of any series that are exchangeable or convertible to receive payment or delivery of any consideration due upon the conversion or exchange of the debt securities of that series; or

 

   

any other action to modify or amend the indenture or the debt securities of any series as may be described in the prospectus supplement with respect to that series of debt securities as requiring the consent of each holder affected thereby.

Defeasance

The indenture provides that we will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and hold monies for payment in trust and to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on those debt securities), upon the deposit with the applicable trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal of the U.S. government obligations in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity date thereof in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of that series. Also, the establishment of such a trust will be conditioned on the delivery by us to the trustee of an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the trustee to the effect that, based upon applicable U.S. federal income tax law or a ruling published by the United States Internal Revenue Service, such a defeasance and discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to the holders. For the avoidance of doubt, such an opinion would require a change in current U.S. tax law.

We may also omit to comply with the restrictive covenants, if any, of any particular series of debt securities, other than our covenant to pay the amounts due and owing with respect to that series. Thereafter, any such omission shall not be an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, upon the deposit with the applicable trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal of the U.S. government obligations in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity date thereof in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of that series. Our obligations under the indenture and the debt securities of that series other than with respect to those covenants will remain in full force and effect. Also, the establishment of such a trust will be conditioned on the delivery by us to the trustee of an opinion of counsel to the effect that such a defeasance and discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to the holders.

Satisfaction and Discharge

At our option, we may satisfy and discharge the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series (except for specified obligations of the trustee and ours, including, among others, the obligations to apply money held in trust) when:

 

   

either (a) all debt securities of that series previously authenticated under the indenture have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or (b) all debt securities of that series not yet delivered to the trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of

 

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redemption or otherwise or (ii) will become due and payable within one year, and we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on debt securities of that series;

 

   

no default or event of default with respect to debt securities of that series has occurred or is continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of any other instrument to which we are bound;

 

   

we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by us under the indenture and any applicable supplemental indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series;

 

   

we have delivered irrevocable instructions to the trustee to apply the deposited funds toward the payment of securities of that series at the stated maturity date or the redemption date, as applicable; and

 

   

we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture as to that series have been satisfied.

Unclaimed Money

If money deposited with the trustee or paying agent for the payment of principal of, premium or accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on debt securities remains unclaimed for two years, the trustee and paying agent will pay the money back to us upon our request. However, the trustee and paying agent have the right to withhold paying the money back to us until they publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York, or mail to each holder, a notice stating that the money will be paid back to us if unclaimed after a date no less than 30 days from the publication or mailing. After the trustee or paying agent pays the money back to us, holders of debt securities entitled to the money must look to us for payment, subject to applicable law, and all liability of the trustee and the paying agent with respect to the money will cease.

Purchase and Cancellation

The registrar and paying agent will forward to the trustee any debt securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment, and the trustee will promptly cancel those debt securities in accordance with its customary procedures. We will not issue new debt securities to replace debt securities that we have paid or delivered to the trustee for cancellation or that any holder has converted.

We may, to the extent permitted by law, purchase debt securities in the open market or by tender offer at any price or by private agreement. We may, at our option and to the extent permitted by law, reissue, resell or surrender to the trustee for cancellation any debt securities we purchase in this manner; provided that we not reissue or resell those debt securities if upon reissuance or resale, they would constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Debt securities surrendered to the trustee for cancellation may not be reissued or resold and will be promptly cancelled.

Replacement of Debt Securities

We will replace mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen debt securities at the holder’s expense upon delivery to the trustee of the mutilated debt securities or evidence of the loss, destruction or theft of the debt securities satisfactory to the trustee and us. In the case of a lost, destroyed or stolen debt security, we or the trustee may require, at the expense of the holder, indemnity satisfactory to us and the trustee.

Regarding the Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is the trustee under the indenture.

Except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an event of default, the trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a

 

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prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain exceptions. Subject to these provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities, unless such holder has offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

Pursuant and subject to the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us; however, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it would be required to eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee or resign. The trustee is also the trustee under each of the indentures under which our other senior debt securities have been issued, and also acts as our stock transfer agent for our common stock, warrant agent for warrants to purchase our common stock and servicer under the loan agreement related to our securitization transaction.

No individual liability of directors, officers, employees, incorporators, stockholders or agents

The indenture provides that none of our past, present or future directors, officers, employees, incorporators, stockholders or agents in their capacity as such will have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities of any series or the indenture. Each holder of debt securities of any series by accepting a debt security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Governing law

The indenture and debt securities of each series are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

We may periodically issue debt securities that can be converted or exchanged into shares of our common stock. The description below summarizes the general terms of our common stock. This section is a summary, and it does not describe every aspect of our common stock. This summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which we refer to as the Certificate of Incorporation, and our Amended and Restated By-laws, which we refer to as the By-laws.

Authorized Shares

As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to one billion (1,000,000,000) shares of common stock with one cent ($0.01) par value per share. As of April 30, 2010, we had 403,314,611 shares of common stock outstanding.

Voting Rights

With respect to all matters upon which stockholders are entitled to vote, the holders of the outstanding shares of common stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote in person or by proxy for each share of common stock standing in the name of such stockholders on the record of stockholders. Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority (or by a plurality in the case of election of directors where the number of candidates nominated for election exceeds the number of directors to be elected) of the votes entitled to be cast by all shares of common stock present in person or by proxy.

Dividends

Subject to applicable law and rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over the common stock with respect to the payment of dividends, dividends may be declared and paid on the common stock from time to time and in amounts as our board of directors may determine. The loan agreement for our senior unsecured revolving credit facility and term loan contain covenants that restrict our ability to pay dividends unless certain financial covenants are satisfied.

Liquidation Rights

Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets available for distribution after payment in full to creditors and payment in full to holders of preferred stock then outstanding of any amount required to be paid to them. Neither the merger, consolidation or business combination of American Tower with or into any other entity in which our stockholders receive capital stock and/or other securities (including debt securities) of the surviving entity (or the direct or indirect parent entity thereof), nor the sale, lease or transfer by us of any part of our business and assets, nor the reduction of our capital stock, shall be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Other Provisions

The holders of common stock have no preemptive, subscription or redemption rights and are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. The shares of common stock presently outstanding are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We may not subdivide, combine, or pay or declare any stock dividend on, the outstanding shares of common stock unless all outstanding shares of common stock are subdivided or combined or the holders of common stock receive a proportionate dividend.

 

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Our Certificate of Incorporation restricts transfers of shares of our common stock to the extent necessary to comply with the foreign ownership limitations as set forth in the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions

Delaware Business Combination Provisions

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, which we refer to as the DGCL. Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the transaction in which the stockholder became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within the prior three years owned, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock.

Certain Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws

Our By-laws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election of directors, other than nominations made by, or at the direction of, our board of directors. These procedures may impede stockholders’ ability to bring matters before a meeting of stockholders or make nominations for directors at a meeting of stockholders.

Our Certificate of Incorporation includes provisions eliminating the personal liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, and our By-laws include provisions indemnifying our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though a derivative action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. In addition, the value of investments in our securities may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

In accordance with the DGCL, our Certificate of Incorporation may be amended, altered or repealed by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock. Our By-laws may be amended, altered or repealed by vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of common stock or by the board of directors.

Certain Provisions of our Debt Obligations

Change of control and merger, consolidation and asset sale provisions in our indentures for our outstanding notes and loan agreement for our senior unsecured revolving credit facility and term loan may discourage a takeover attempt. These provisions may make acquiring us more difficult.

Listing of Common Stock

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AMT.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., 525 William Penn Place, 7 th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15259, telephone number (412) 234-7571.

 

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LEGAL OWNERSHIP

In this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement, when we refer to the “holders” of securities as being entitled to specified rights or payments, we mean only the actual legal holders of the securities. While you will be the holder if you hold a security registered in your name, more often than not the holder actually will be a broker, bank or other financial institution or, in the case of a global security, the depositary. Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the trustee, any transfer agent, any registrar and any third parties employed by us, the trustee, any transfer agent and any registrar, run only to persons who are registered as holders of our securities, except as may be specifically provided for in the contract governing the securities. For example, once we make payment to the registered holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment even if that holder is legally required to pass the payment along to you as a street name customer but does not do so.

Street Name and Other Indirect Holders

Holding securities in accounts at banks, brokers or other financial institutions is called holding in “street name.” If you hold our securities in street name, we will recognize only the bank or broker, or the financial institution the bank or broker uses to hold the securities, as a holder. These intermediary banks, brokers, other financial institutions and depositaries pass along principal, interest, dividends and other payments, if any, on the securities, either because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they legally are required to do so. This means that if you are an indirect holder, you will need to coordinate with the institution through which you hold your interest in a security in order to determine how the provisions involving holders described in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement actually will apply to you. For example, if the debt security in which you hold a beneficial interest in street name can be repaid at the option of the holder, you cannot redeem it yourself by following the procedures described in the prospectus supplement that applies to that security. Instead, you would need to cause the institution through which you hold your interest to take those actions on your behalf. Your institution may have procedures and deadlines different from or additional to those described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If you hold our securities in street name or through other indirect means, you should check with the institution through which you hold your interest in a security to find out:

 

   

How it handles payments and notices with respect to the securities;

 

   

Whether it imposes fees or charges;

 

   

How it handles voting, if applicable;

 

   

How and when you should notify it to exercise on your behalf any rights or options that may exist under the securities;

 

   

Whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a direct holder as described below; and

 

   

How it would pursue rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests.

Book-Entry Issuance

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities will be book-entry securities that are cleared and settled through the Depositary Trust Company, which we refer to as the DTC, a securities depositary. Upon issuance, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, all book-entry securities of the same series will be represented by one or more fully registered global securities. Each global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and will be registered in the name of DTC or a nominee of DTC. DTC will thus be the only registered holder of any such securities and will be considered the sole owner of the securities.

 

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Purchasers may only hold interests in the global securities through DTC if they are participants in the DTC system. Purchasers may also hold interests through a securities intermediary – a bank, brokerage house or other institution that maintains securities accounts for customers – that has an account with DTC or its nominee. DTC will maintain accounts showing the securities holdings of its participants, and these participants will in turn maintain accounts showing the securities holdings of their customers. Some of these customers may themselves be securities intermediaries holding securities for their customers. Thus, each beneficial owner of a book-entry security will hold that security indirectly through a hierarchy of intermediaries, with DTC at the “top” and the beneficial owner’s own securities intermediary at the “bottom.”

The securities of each beneficial owner of a book-entry security will be evidenced solely by entries on the books of the beneficial owner’s securities intermediary. The actual purchaser of the securities will generally not be entitled to have the securities represented by the global securities registered in its name and will not be considered the owner. In most cases, a beneficial owner will also not be able to obtain a paper certificate evidencing the holder’s ownership of securities. The book-entry system for holding securities eliminates the need for physical movement of certificates. The laws of some jurisdictions require some purchasers of securities to take physical delivery of their securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer book-entry securities.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement with respect to a series of debt securities, the beneficial owner of book-entry securities represented by a global security may exchange the securities for definitive or paper securities only if:

 

   

DTC is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such global security and we are unable to find a qualified replacement for DTC within 90 days;

 

   

at any time DTC ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and we are unable to find a qualified replacement for DTC within 90 days;

 

   

We in our sole discretion decide to allow some or all book-entry securities to be exchangeable for definitive securities in registered form; or

 

   

An event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, and a holder of the securities has requested definitive securities.

Any global security that is exchangeable will be exchangeable in whole for definitive securities in registered form with the same terms, and in the case of debt securities, in an equal aggregate principal amount in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 (unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement). Definitive securities will be registered in the name or names of the person or persons specified by DTC in a written instruction to the registrar of the securities. DTC may base its written instruction upon directions it receives from its participants.

In this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, for book-entry securities, references to actions taken by security holders will mean actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and references to payments and notices of redemption to security holders will mean payments and notices of redemption to DTC as the registered holder of the securities for distribution to participants in accordance with DTC’s procedures.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

We will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the book-entry securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities covered by this prospectus in any of the following three ways (or in any combination of the following three ways):

 

   

to or through underwriters or dealers;

 

   

directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; or

 

   

through agents.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part).

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of the securities covered by this prospectus, including:

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them;

 

   

the initial public offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

Underwriters or the third parties described above may offer and sell the offered securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. If we use underwriters in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions described above. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to customary conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities if they purchase any of the offered securities.

We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

 

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Certain persons participating in this offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. Specifically, in connection with underwritten offerings of the offered securities and in accordance with applicable law and industry practice, the underwriters may over-allot and may bid for, and purchase, the securities in the open market.

Agents, underwriters and other third parties described above that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We may have agreements with the agents, underwriters and those other third parties to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect of those liabilities. Agents, underwriters and those other third parties may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

In compliance with guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, which we refer to as FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member will not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to persons considering the purchase of fixed rate debt securities covered by this prospectus. A discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to persons considering the purchase of convertible debt securities, short-term debt securities (generally, debt securities having maturities of not more than one year), floating rate debt securities, or foreign currency debt securities, will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement if such debt securities will be issued. Persons considering the purchase of warrants should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition thereof.

This summary, which does not represent tax advice, is based on laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change (including changes in effective dates) or possible differing interpretations. This summary deals only with debt securities that will be held as capital assets and, except where otherwise specifically stated, is addressed only to persons who purchase debt securities in the initial offering. It does not address tax considerations applicable to investors that may be subject to special tax rules, such as banks, tax-exempt entities, insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities electing to mark to market, persons that will hold debt securities as a position in a “straddle” or conversion transaction, or as part of a “synthetic security” or other integrated financial transaction or persons that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar. Prospective purchasers of debt securities should review the accompanying prospectus supplements for summaries of special U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular issue of debt securities, including any floating rate debt securities or foreign currency debt securities (defined below).

IRS Circular 230 Notice: To ensure compliance with Internal Revenue Service Circular 230, prospective purchasers of debt securities are hereby notified that: (a) any discussion of U.S. federal tax issues contained or referred to in this prospectus or any document referred to herein is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by prospective purchasers for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on them under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code; (b) such discussion is written for use in connection with the promotion or marketing of the transactions or matters addressed herein; and (c) prospective purchasers should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor in determining the tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of debt securities, including the application to their particular situation of the U.S. federal income tax considerations discussed below, as well as the application of state, local, foreign or other tax laws.

As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a debt security that is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes), that was established under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate whose world-wide income is subject to U.S. federal income tax; or (iv) a trust if (x) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) the trust has a valid election in effect under current Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person. If a partnership holds debt securities, the tax treatment of partners will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners of a partnership holding debt securities should accordingly consult their own tax advisors. As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a debt security that is neither a U.S. Holder nor other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

Payments of Interest . Payments of qualified stated interest (as defined below under “—Original Issue Discount”) on a debt security will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at the time that such payments are accrued or are received (in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s method of tax accounting).

 

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Purchase, Sale, Exchange and Retirement of Debt Securities . A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in a debt security generally will equal the cost of such debt security to such holder, increased by any amounts includible in income by the holder as original issue discount and market discount and reduced by any amortized premium (each as described below) and any payments other than payments of qualified stated interest (as defined below) made on such debt security.

Upon the sale, exchange or retirement of a debt security, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or retirement (less any accrued qualified stated interest, which will be taxable as such) and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such debt security.

Except as discussed below with respect to market discount, gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the debt security for more than one year at the time of disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by an individual U.S. Holder generally are subject to tax at a lower rate than short-term capital gains or ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Original Issue Discount . In addition to bearing stated interest, the debt security may be issued with original issue discount, which we refer to as OID. U.S. Holders of debt securities with OID generally will be subject to the special tax accounting rules for obligations issued with original issue discount provided by the Code and certain regulations promulgated thereunder, which we refer to as the OID Regulations. Debt securities issued with OID will be referred to as original issue discount debt securities. Notice will be given in the accompanying prospectus supplement when we determine that a particular debt security is an original issue discount debt security. U.S. Holders of such original issue discount debt securities should be aware that, as described in greater detail below, they generally must include OID in ordinary gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as it accrues, in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to that income.

A debt security will generally be considered to be issued with OID if its stated redemption price at maturity (as defined below) exceeds its issue price (as defined below) by more than a de minimis amount (generally, 0.25% of such stated redemption price multiplied by the complete years to maturity). The “stated redemption price at maturity” of a debt security is generally the sum of all payments to be made on the debt security other than qualified stated interest (as defined below). “Qualified stated interest” is generally stated interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or in property (other than our debt instruments) at least annually during the entire term of a debt security at a single fixed rate or, subject to certain conditions, based on one or more interest indices. The “issue price” of each debt security in a particular offering will generally be the first price at which a substantial amount of that particular offering is sold to the public (ignoring sales to underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers).

In general, each U.S. Holder of an original issue discount debt security, whether such holder uses the cash or the accrual method of tax accounting, will be required to include in ordinary gross income the sum of the “daily portions” of OID on the debt security for all days during the taxable year that the U.S. Holder owns the debt security. The daily portions of OID on an original issue discount debt security are determined by allocating to each day in any accrual period a ratable portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. Accrual periods may be any length and may vary in length over the term of an original issue discount debt security, provided that no accrual period is longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or interest occurs on either the final day or the first day of an accrual period. In the case of an initial U.S. Holder, the amount of OID on an original issue discount debt security allocable to each accrual period is determined by (a) multiplying the adjusted issue price (as defined below) of the original issue discount debt security at the beginning of the accrual period by the yield to maturity (as defined below) of such original issue discount debt security (appropriately adjusted to reflect the length of the accrual period) and (b) subtracting from that product the amount (if any) of qualified stated interest allocable to that accrual period. The “yield to maturity” of a debt security is the discount rate that causes the present value of all payments on the debt security as of its original issue date to equal the issue price of such debt security. The “adjusted issue price” of an original issue discount debt security at the

 

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beginning of any accrual period will generally be the sum of its issue price (generally including accrued interest, if any) and the amount of OID allocable to all prior accrual periods, reduced by the amount of all payments other than payments of qualified stated interest (if any) made with respect to such debt security in all prior accrual periods. As a result of this “constant-yield” method of including OID in income, the amounts includible in income by a U.S. Holder in respect of an original issue discount debt security denominated in U.S. dollars generally are lesser in the early years and greater in the later years than the amounts that would be includible on a straight-line basis.

A U.S. Holder generally may make an irrevocable election to include in its income its entire return on a debt security ( i.e ., the excess of all remaining payments to be received on the debt security, including payments of qualified stated interest, over the amount paid by such U.S. Holder for such debt security) under the constant-yield method described above. For debt securities purchased at a premium or bearing market discount in the hands of the U.S. Holder, the U.S. Holder making such election will also be deemed to have made the election (discussed below under “—Premium and Market Discount”) to amortize premium or to accrue market discount in income currently on a constant-yield basis.

A subsequent U.S. Holder of an original issue discount debt security that purchases the debt security at a cost less than its remaining redemption amount (as defined below), or an initial U.S. Holder that purchases an original issue discount debt security at a price other than the debt security’s issue price, also generally will be required to include in gross income the daily portions of OID, calculated as described above. However, if such U.S. Holder acquires the original issue discount debt security with “acquisition premium” ( i.e. , at a price greater than its adjusted issue price, which in the case of an initial U.S. Holder would be the issue price), the holder is required to reduce its periodic inclusions of OID income by a portion of the acquisition premium equal to the ratio of the OID that would otherwise be includable in such U.S. Holder’s income with respect to the debt security during the current taxable year, over the total remaining OID on the debt security as of the acquisition date. The “remaining redemption amount” for a debt security is the total of all future payments to be made on the debt security other than payments of qualified stated interest.

Certain of the debt securities may be subject to special redemption, repayment or interest rate reset features, as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Debt securities containing such features, in particular original issue discount debt securities, may be subject to special rules that differ from the general rules discussed above. Purchasers of debt securities with such features should carefully examine the accompanying prospectus supplement and should consult their own tax advisors with respect to such debt securities because the tax consequences with respect to such features, and especially with respect to OID, will depend, in part, on the particular terms of the purchased debt securities.

Premium and Market Discount . A U.S. Holder of a debt security that purchases the debt security at a cost greater than its remaining redemption amount (as defined in the third preceding paragraph) will be considered to have purchased the debt security at a premium, and may elect to amortize such premium (as an offset to interest income), using a constant-yield method, over the remaining term of the debt security. Such election, once made, generally applies to all bonds held or subsequently acquired by the U.S. Holder on or after the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder that elects to amortize such premium must reduce its tax basis in a debt security by the amount of the premium amortized during its holding period. Original issue discount debt securities purchased at a premium will not be subject to the OID rules described above.

With respect to a U.S. Holder that does not elect to amortize bond premium, the amount of bond premium will be included in the U.S. Holder’s tax basis when the debt security matures or is disposed of by the U.S. Holder. Therefore, a U.S. Holder that does not elect to amortize such premium and that holds the debt security to maturity generally will be required to treat the premium as a capital loss when the debt security matures.

If a U.S. Holder of a debt security purchases the debt security at a price that is lower than its remaining redemption amount or, in the case of an original issue discount debt security, its adjusted issue price, by at least

 

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0.25% of its remaining redemption amount multiplied by the number of remaining whole years to maturity, the debt security will be considered to have “market discount” in the hands of such U.S. Holder. In such case, gain realized by the U.S. Holder on the disposition of the debt security generally will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount that accrued on the debt security while held by such U.S. Holder. In addition, the U.S. Holder could be required to defer the deduction of the interest paid on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry the debt security. In general terms, market discount on a debt security will be treated as accruing ratably over the term of such debt security or, at the election of the U.S. Holder, under a constant yield method.

A U.S. Holder may elect to include market discount in income on a current basis as it accrues (on either a ratable or constant-yield basis), in lieu of treating a portion of any gain realized on a sale of a debt security as ordinary income. If a U.S. Holder elects to include market discount on a current basis, the interest deduction deferral rule described above will not apply. Any such election, if made, applies to all market discount bonds acquired by the taxpayer on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which such election applies and is revocable only with the consent of the IRS.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding . The issuing and paying agent will be required to file information returns with the IRS with respect to payments made to U.S. Holders of debt securities unless an exemption exists. In addition, U.S. Holders who are not exempt will be subject to backup withholding tax in respect of such payments if they do not provide their taxpayer identification numbers to the issuing and paying agent. All individuals are subject to these requirements. In general, corporations, tax-exempt organizations and individual retirement accounts are exempt from these requirements.

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

Under present U.S. federal income tax law, and subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding:

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) below, no withholding of U.S. federal income tax generally will be required with respect to the payment by us or any issuing and paying agent of principal or interest (which for purposes of this discussion includes OID) on a debt security owned by a Non-U.S. Holder, provided (i) that the beneficial owner does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote within the meaning of section 871(h)(3) of the Code and the regulations thereunder, (ii) the beneficial owner is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us through stock ownership, (iii) the beneficial owner is not a bank whose receipt of interest on a debt security is described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and (iv) the beneficial owner provides a statement signed under penalties of perjury that includes its name and address and certifies that it is a Non-U.S. Holder in compliance with applicable requirements, generally made, under current procedures, on IRS Form W-8BEN (or satisfies certain documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a Non-U.S. Holder);

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) below, a Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized on the sale, exchange or redemption of a debt security, unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the holder of a trade or business in the United States (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. “permanent establishment” maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder) or (ii) in the case of gain realized by an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the retirement or disposition and certain other conditions are met;

(c) Under recently enacted legislation, interest paid to a foreign financial institution after December 31, 2012, or the gross proceeds of a disposition of debt securities paid to a foreign financial institution after such date, generally will be subject to a withholding tax of 30 percent, unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial

 

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information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which would include certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners) and to withhold on certain payments. A withholding tax of 30 percent also generally will be imposed on interest paid to a non-financial foreign entity after December 31, 2012, and the gross proceeds of a disposition of debt securities by such an entity after such date, unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying the direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity. These new requirements will apply only to debt securities issued after March 18, 2012. Under certain circumstances, a Non-U.S. Holder of a debt security subject to the withholding tax described above may be eligible for refunds or credits of such tax. Investors are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these new withholding requirements on their investment in debt securities.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. Holder with respect to interest income that is effectively connected with its U.S. trade or business. In addition, under certain circumstances, effectively connected interest income of a corporate Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to a “branch profits” tax imposed at a 30% rate. A Non-U.S. Holder with effectively connected income will, however, generally not be subject to withholding tax on interest income if, under current procedures, it delivers a properly completed IRS Form W-8ECI.

In general, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to a payment of interest on a debt security to a Non-U.S. Holder, or to proceeds from the disposition of a debt security by a Non-U.S. Holder, in each case, if the holder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a Non-U.S. Holder and neither we nor our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, to the contrary. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be refunded or credited against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. In certain circumstances, if a debt security is not held through a qualified intermediary, the amount of payments made on such debt security, the name and address of the beneficial owner and the amount, if any, of tax withheld may be reported to the IRS.

The rules regarding withholding, backup withholding and information reporting for Non-U.S. Holders are complex, may vary depending on a holder’s particular situation, and are subject to change. In addition, special rules apply to certain types of Non-U.S. Holders including partnerships, trusts and other entities treated as pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Non-U.S. Holders should accordingly consult their own tax advisors as to the specific methods to use and forms to complete to satisfy these rules.

 

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VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES

The validity of the securities described in this prospectus will be passed upon for American Tower by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for American Tower by Edmund DiSanto, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel of American Tower. The validity of the securities described in this prospectus will be passed upon for any underwriters or agents, as the case may be, by Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Please note that the SEC’s website is included in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement as an inactive textual reference only. The information contained on the SEC’s website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and should not be considered to be part of this prospectus, except as described in the following paragraph. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facility at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facility.

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement certain information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Certain information that we subsequently file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus and in our other filings with the SEC. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC, and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, until all the securities offered by this prospectus have been sold and all conditions to the consummation of such sales have been satisfied, except that we are not incorporating any information included in a Current Report on Form 8-K that has been or will be furnished (and not filed) with the SEC, unless such information is expressly incorporated herein by a reference in a furnished Current Report on Form 8-K or other furnished document:

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2010;

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on May 6, 2010;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 29, 2010, February 24, 2010 (excluding Item 2.02 and Exhibit 99.1), March 1, 2010 and May 13, 2010; and

 

   

the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on June 4, 1998 under the Exchange Act, and any subsequent amendments and reports filed to update such description.

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address: 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, Telephone: (617) 375-7500, Attention: Investor Relations.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the various expenses payable by the Registrant in connection with the securities being registered hereby. Except as otherwise noted, all of the fees set forth below are estimates.

 

Filing Fee for Registration Statement

   $         (1)

Legal Fees and Expenses

             (2)

Accounting Fees and Expenses

             (2)

Trustee’s Fees and Expenses (including counsel fees)

             (2)

Printing and Engraving Fees

             (2)

Rating Agency Fees

             (2)

Miscellaneous

             (2)
      

Total

   $         (2)
      

 

(1) Deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.
(2) An estimate of the aggregate amount of these expenses will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Subsection (a) of Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or DGCL, empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Subsection (b) of Section 145 of the DGCL empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the capacities set forth above, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

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Subsection (d) of Section 145 of the DGCL provides that any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.

Section 145 of the DGCL further provides that to the extent a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith and that such expenses may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in Section 145 of the DGCL; that any indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled; that any indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of such person’s heirs, executors and administrators; and empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liabilities under Section 145.

Article XII of our By-laws provides that we shall indemnify each person who is or was an officer or director of the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that a certificate of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Article Seventh of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation limits the personal liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.

We have purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which would indemnify our directors and officers against damages arising out of certain kinds of claims which might be made against them based on their negligent acts or omissions while acting in their capacity as such.

The form Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1 to this Registration Statement provides for indemnification of, or contribution to, our officers that sign this Registration Statement and directors by the underwriters against certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in certain instances.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits.

See the “Exhibit Index,” which follows the signature pages to this registration statement and is herein incorporated by reference.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however , that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such posteffective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of the registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be

 

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deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however , that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 13th day of May, 2010.

 

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

By:  

/ S /    E DMUND D I S ANTO        

 

Edmund DiSanto

Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative

Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. This document may be executed in counterparts that when so executed shall constitute one registration statement, notwithstanding that all of the undersigned are not signatories to the original of the same counterpart.

 

Signatures

  

Title

/ S /    J AMES D. T AICLET , J R .        

(James D. Taiclet, Jr.)

  

Chairman, President and Chief

Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

/ S /    T HOMAS A. B ARTLETT        

(Thomas A. Bartlett)

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

/ S /    R OBERT J. M EYER , J R .        

(Robert J. Meyer, Jr.)

  

Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate

Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

/ S /    R AYMOND P. D OLAN        

(Raymond P. Dolan)

  

Director

/ S /    R ONALD M. D YKES        

(Ronald M. Dykes)

  

Director

/ S /    C AROLYN F. K ATZ         

(Carolyn F. Katz)

  

Director

/ S /    G USTAVO L ARA C ANTU         

(Gustavo Lara Cantu)

  

Director

/ S /    J OANN A. R EED         

(Joann A. Reed)

  

Director

/ S /    P AMELA D. A. R EEVE        

(Pamela D. A. Reeve)

  

Director

/ S /    D AVID E. S HARBUTT        

(David E. Sharbutt)

  

Director

/ S /    S AMME L. T HOMPSON        

(Samme L. Thompson)

  

Director

 

II-5


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

  1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement for non-convertible debt securities.
  1.2**   Underwriting Agreement for convertible debt securities.
  2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among American Tower Corporation, Asteroid Merger Sub, LLC and SpectraSite, Inc., dated as of May 3, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 5, 2005 (File No. 001 - 14195).
  4.1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware on August 8, 2005, incorporated by reference to Annex E to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on May 27, 2005 (File Number 333 - 125328).
  4.2   Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, as amended February 25, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2009 (File Number 001-14195).
  4.3*   Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2010, between American Tower Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee.
  4.4**   Form of debt securities.
  5.1*   Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP.
12.1*   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1*   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2*   Consent of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
25.1*   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee under the Indenture.

 

* Filed herewith.
** To be filed by post-effective amendment or as an amendment to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Exhibit 1.1

[Principal Amount]

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

[Title of Securities]

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

[Date]

To the Representatives of the Several Underwriters

named in Schedule A hereto,

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

1. Introductory . American Tower Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, agrees with the several Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (the “ Underwriters ”) to issue and sell to the several Underwriters $[          ] principal amount of its [Title of Securities] (the “ Securities ”), all to be issued under an indenture, dated as of [              ], 20[      ] and [as supplemented by a supplemental indenture dated as of [              ], 20[      ]] (the “ Indenture ”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

2. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the several Underwriters that:

(a) Filing and Effectiveness of Registration Statement; Certain Defined Terms . The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-[              ]), including a related prospectus or prospectuses, covering the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act, which has become effective. “ Registration Statement ” at any particular time means such registration statement in the form then filed with the Commission, including any amendment thereto, any document incorporated by reference therein and all 430B Information and all 430C Information with respect to such registration statement, that in any case has not been superseded or modified. “ Registration Statement ” without reference to a time means the Registration Statement as of the Effective Time. For purposes of this definition, 430B Information shall be considered to be included in the Registration Statement as of the time specified in Rule 430B.

For purposes of this Agreement:

430B Information ” means information included in a prospectus then deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B(e) or retroactively deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B(f).

430C Information ” means information included in a prospectus then deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430C.

Applicable Time ” means [      ]:00 [a/p]m (Eastern time) on the date of this Agreement.

 

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Closing Date ” has the meaning defined in Section 3 hereof.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Effective Time ” of the Registration Statement relating to the Securities means the time of the first contract of sale for the Securities.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Final Prospectus ” means the Statutory Prospectus that discloses the public offering price, other 430B Information and other final terms of the Securities and otherwise satisfies Section 10(a) of the Securities Act. Any reference herein to the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to be as amended and supplemented and to refer to and include all documents incorporated by reference therein.

General Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors, as evidenced by its being so specified in Schedule B to this Agreement.

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, relating to the Securities in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).

Limited Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not a General Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

Rules and Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Statutory Prospectus ” with reference to any particular time means the prospectus relating to the Securities that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to that time, including all 430B Information and all 430C Information with respect to the Registration Statement. For purposes of the foregoing definition, 430B Information shall be considered to be included in the Statutory Prospectus only as of the actual time that form of prospectus (including a prospectus supplement) is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and not retroactively.

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Unless otherwise specified, a reference to a “rule” is to the indicated rule under the Securities Act.

(b)  Compliance with Securities Act Requirements . (i) (A) At the time the Registration Statement initially became effective, (B) at the time of each amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act (whether by post-effective amendment, incorporated report or form of prospectus), (C) at the Effective Time relating to the Securities and (D) on the Closing Date, the Registration Statement conformed and will conform in all respects to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Trust Indenture Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder and did not and will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (ii) (A) on its date, (B) at the time of filing the Final Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) and (C) on the Closing Date, the Final Prospectus will conform in all respects to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Trust Indenture Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, and will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to (x) statements in or omissions from any such document based upon written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives

 

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specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the information described as such in Section 8(b) hereof or (y) that part of the Registration Statement which shall constitute the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee.

(c) Automatic Shelf Registration Statement . (i)  Well-Known Seasoned Issuer Status . (A) At the time of initial filing of the Registration Statement, (B) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), and (C) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c)) made any offer relating to the Securities in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163, the Company was a “well known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405.

(ii) Effectiveness of Automatic Shelf Registration Statement . The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement,” as defined in Rule 405, that initially became effective within three years of the date of this Agreement. If immediately prior to the Renewal Deadline (as hereinafter defined), any of the Securities remain unsold by the Underwriters, the Company will prior to the Renewal Deadline file, if it has not already done so and is eligible to do so, a new automatic shelf registration statement relating to the Securities, in a form satisfactory to the Representatives. If the Company is no longer eligible to file an automatic shelf registration statement, the Company will prior to the Renewal Deadline, if it has not already done so, file a new shelf registration statement relating to the Securities, in a form satisfactory to the Representatives, and will use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective within 180 days after the Renewal Deadline. The Company will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Securities to continue as contemplated in the expired registration statement relating to the Securities. References herein to the Registration Statement shall include such new automatic shelf registration statement or such new shelf registration statement, as the case may be. “Renewal Deadline” means the third anniversary of the initial effective time of the Registration Statement.

(iii) Eligibility to Use Automatic Shelf Registration Form . The Company has not received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) objecting to use of the automatic shelf registration statement form. If at any time when Securities remain unsold by the Underwriters the Company receives from the Commission a notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or otherwise ceases to be eligible to use the automatic shelf registration statement form, the Company will (i) promptly notify the Representatives, (ii) if required, promptly file a new registration statement or post-effective amendment on the proper form relating to the Securities, in a form satisfactory to the Representatives, (iii) use its best efforts to cause any such registration statement or post-effective amendment to be declared effective as soon as practicable, and (iv) promptly notify the Representatives of any such effectiveness. The Company will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Securities to continue as contemplated in the registration statement that was the subject of the Rule 401(g)(2) notice or for which the Company has otherwise become ineligible. References herein to the Registration Statement shall include such new registration statement or post-effective amendment, as the case may be.

(iv) Filing Fees . The Company has paid or shall pay the required Commission filing fees relating to the Securities within the time required by Rule 456(b)(1) without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r).

 

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(d) Ineligible Issuer Status . (i) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2)) of the Securities and (ii) at the date of this Agreement, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405, including (x) the Company or any other subsidiary in the preceding three years not having been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or having been made the subject of a judicial or administrative decree or order as described in Rule 405 and (y) the Company in the preceding three years not having been the subject of a bankruptcy petition or insolvency or similar proceeding, not having had a registration statement be the subject of a proceeding under Section 8 of the Securities Act and not being the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Securities, all as described in Rule 405.

(e) General Disclosure Package . As of the Applicable Time, neither (i) the General Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus(es) issued at or prior to the Applicable Time and the preliminary prospectus supplement dated [              ], 20[      ], including the base prospectus, dated[              ], 20[      ] (as amended or supplemented as of the Applicable Time, and including any and all documents incorporated by reference therein, the “ Preliminary Prospectus” ), (which is the most recent Statutory Prospectus distributed to investors generally), and the other information, if any, stated in Schedule B to this Agreement to be included in the General Disclosure Package, all considered together (collectively, the “ General Disclosure Package ”), nor (ii) any individual Limited Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Statutory Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus based upon written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the information described as such in Section 8(b) hereof.

(f) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses . Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representatives as described in the next sentence, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information then contained in the Registration Statement. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information then contained in the Registration Statement or as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, if republished immediately following such event or development, would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (i) the Company has promptly notified or will promptly notify the Representatives and (ii) the Company has promptly amended or will promptly amend or supplement such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.

(g) Exchange Act Reports . When filed with the Commission, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K most recently filed with the Commission and all subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K (collectively, but not including any Item of Form 8-K furnished to rather than filed with the Commission, the “ Exchange Act Reports ”) that have been filed by the Company with the Commission, and incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder.

 

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(h) Securities . The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company, and when executed and authenticated, will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and will constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles; the Securities will conform in all material respects to the description thereof in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

( i ) Execution and Delivery of Indenture. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and constitutes a valid and legally binding instrument, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles; the Indenture conforms in all material respects to the description thereof in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

(j) Underwriting Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(k) Absence of Further Requirements . No consent, approval, authorization, or order of, or filing with, any governmental agency or body or any court is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Indenture in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities by the Company, except such as have been obtained or made and such as may be required by the Blue Sky laws of the several states of the United States.

(l) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts Resulting from Transaction . Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Indenture, the issuance and sale of the Securities and compliance with the respective terms and provisions thereof will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, (i) any statute, rule, regulation or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any of their properties, (ii) any indenture, mortgage, loan or credit agreement, deed of trust, note, contract, franchise, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any such subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any such subsidiary is bound or to which any of the properties of the Company or any such subsidiary is subject, except for any breaches, violations or defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business, properties or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”), or (iii) the charter or by laws of the Company or any such subsidiary, and the Company has full power and authority to authorize, issue and sell the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement.

(m) Absence of Manipulation . Prior to the date hereof, the Company has not taken any action which is designed to or which has constituted or which might have been expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company in connection with the offering of the Securities.

(n) Commission. Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other like payment in connection with the offering of the Securities.

 

5


(o) Federal Reserve Regulations. None of the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor any agent thereof acting on the behalf of them has taken, and none of them will take, any action that might cause this Agreement or the issuance or sale of the Securities to violate Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

(p) Good Standing of the Company . The Company has been duly incorporated and is an existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus; and the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where failure to so qualify and be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(q) Subsidiaries . Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated (or formed, as the case may be) and is an existing corporation (or limited partnership or limited company, as the case may be) in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdictions of incorporation, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus; and each subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation (or limited partnership or limited company, as the case may be) in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where failure to so qualify and be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the issued and outstanding capital stock (or partnership or other equity interests) of each subsidiary of the Company has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and (except for any general partnership interest) nonassessable; and, except for those liens and other security interests established in connection with the issuance of the American Tower Trust I Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2007-1 on May 4, 2007 (the “ Securitization ”), the capital stock (or partnership or other equity interests) of each subsidiary owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, is owned free from liens, encumbrances and defects.

(r) Financial Statements . The financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the dates shown and their results of operations and cash flows for the periods shown, and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis.

(s) Auditors. Deloitte & Touche LLP, which has audited certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

(t) Accounting . The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; except where the failure to so maintain, in the case of each of clauses (i) through (iv) above, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6


(u) Ratings . No “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act (i) has imposed (or has informed the Company that it is considering imposing) any condition (financial or otherwise) on the Company’s retaining any rating assigned to the Company or any securities of the Company or (ii) has indicated to the Company that it is considering (a) the downgrading, suspension, or withdrawal of, or any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change in, any rating so assigned or (b) any change in the outlook for any rating of the Company or any securities of the Company.

(v) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (i) there has been no material adverse change, nor any development or event involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (ii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

(w) Investment Company Act . The Company is not an open end investment company, unit investment trust or face amount certificate company that is or is required to be registered under Section 8 of the United States Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “ Investment Company Act ”), nor is it a closed end investment company required to be registered, but not registered, thereunder; and the Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, will not be an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act.

(x) Accurate Disclosure . The statements made in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus under the heading “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,” insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain federal income tax laws of the United States, constitute a fair summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences for an investment in the Securities.

(y) Environmental. Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any statute, any rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “ environmental laws ”), and is not subject to any notice, investigation, claim, action, proceeding, order or decree relating to environmental laws, which violation, notice, investigation, claim, action, proceeding, order or decree would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

(z) Property . Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real properties and all other properties and assets owned by them, in each case free from liens, encumbrances and defects that would materially affect the value thereof or materially interfere with the use made or to be made thereof by them; and except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries hold any leased real or personal property under valid and enforceable leases with no exceptions that would materially interfere with the use made or to be made thereof by them.

(aa) Legal Proceedings . Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there are no pending actions, suits or proceedings against or affecting the Company,

 

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any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Indenture, or which are otherwise material in the context of the sale of the Securities; and no such actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or, to the knowledge of the Company, contemplated.

3. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of Securities . On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of [      ]% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest from [      ] to the Closing Date (as defined herein), the respective principal amounts of Securities set forth opposite the names of the Underwriters in Schedule A hereto.

The Company will deliver against payment of the purchase price the Securities to be offered and sold by the Underwriters in the form of one or more permanent global securities in registered form without interest coupons which will be deposited with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. Investors may hold their interests in a global security directly through DTC, if they are DTC participants, or indirectly through organizations that are DTC participants.

Payments for the Securities shall be made by the Underwriters in Federal (same day) funds by wire transfer to an account previously designated to the Representatives at [      ] a.m., New York City time, on [              ], 20[      ], or at such other time not later than seven full business days thereafter as the Representatives and the Company determine, such time being herein referred to as the “ Closing Date. ” For purposes of Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, the Closing Date (if later than the otherwise applicable settlement date) shall be the settlement date for payment of funds and delivery of securities for all the Securities sold pursuant to the offering. The Securities will be made available for checking at the New York office of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP at least 24 hours prior to the Closing Date.

The Company agrees to reimburse each of the Underwriters for their respective expenses, referred to in Section 5(h) hereof, incurred in connection with the performance of their respective obligations under this Agreement and the Indenture.

4. Offering by Underwriters .

It is understood that the several Underwriters propose to offer the Securities for sale to the public as set forth in the Final Prospectus.

5. Certain Agreements of the Company . The Company agrees with the several Underwriters that:

(a) Filing of Prospectuses. The Company has filed or will file each Statutory Prospectus (including the Final Prospectus) pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 424(b) not later than the second business day following the earlier of the date it is first used or the execution and delivery of this Agreement. The Company has complied and will comply with Rule 433.

(b) Filing of Amendments; Response to Commission Requests . The Company will promptly advise the Representatives of any proposal to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or any Statutory Prospectus at any time prior to the later of the Closing Date and the end of the period contemplated by Section 5(c) and will offer the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a reasonable opportunity to comment on any such amendment or supplement; and the Company will also advise the Representatives promptly of (i) the filing of any such amendment or supplement and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object (except any documents

 

8


required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the Exchange Act), (ii) any request by the Commission or its staff for any amendment to the Registration Statement, for any supplement to any Statutory Prospectus or for any additional information, (iii) the institution by the Commission of any stop order proceedings in respect of the Registration Statement or the threatening of any proceeding for that purpose, and (iv) the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities in any jurisdiction or the institution or threatening of any proceedings for such purpose. The Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or the suspension of any such qualification and, if issued, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

(c) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws . If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is (or but for the exemption in Rule 172 would be) required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Underwriter or dealer, any event occurs as a result of which the Final Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend the Registration Statement, file a new registration statement or supplement the Final Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives of such event and will promptly prepare and file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and the dealers and any other dealers upon request of the Representatives, an amendment or supplement or new registration statement which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance. Neither the Representatives’ consent to, nor the Underwriters’ delivery of, any such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver of any of the conditions set forth in Section 7 hereof.

(d) Rule 158. As soon as practicable, but not later than 16 months, after the date of this Agreement, the Company will make generally available to its securityholders an earnings statement covering a period of at least 12 months beginning after the date of this Agreement and satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158.

(e) Furnishing of Prospectuses . The Company will furnish to the Representatives copies of the Registration Statement, including all exhibits, any Statutory Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to such documents, in each case as soon as available and in such quantities as the Representatives reasonably request. The Company will pay the expenses of printing and distributing to the Underwriters all such documents.

(f) Blue Sky Qualifications . The Company will arrange for the qualification of the Securities for sale and the determination of their eligibility for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives designate and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters; provided that the Company will not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of process in any such state or subject itself to taxation generally in any jurisdiction.

(g) Reporting Requirements . During the period of five years hereafter, the Company will furnish, upon request, to the Representatives and to each of the other Underwriters, (i) as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, a copy of its annual report to stockholders for such year, and (ii) as soon as available, a copy of each report and any definitive proxy statement of the Company filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act or mailed to stockholders; provided, however, that so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and is timely filing reports with the Commission on its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“ EDGAR ”), it is not required to furnish such reports or statements to the Underwriters.

 

9


(h) Payment of Expenses . The Company will pay all expenses incidental to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement including (i) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and its professional advisers; (ii) all expenses in connection with the execution, issue, authentication and initial delivery of the Securities, the preparation and printing of the Preliminary Prospectus, any other document comprising any part of the General Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus, all amendments and supplements thereto, each Limited Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any other document relating to the issuance, offer, sale and delivery of the Securities; and (iii) the cost of any advertising approved by the Company in connection with the issuance of the Securities. The Company will also pay or reimburse the Underwriters (to the extent incurred by them) for any expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with qualification of the Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions in the United States and Canada (on a private placement basis) as the Representatives designate and the printing of memoranda relating thereto, for any fees charged by investment rating agencies for the rating of the Securities, costs and expenses related to the review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. of the Securities (including filing fees and the fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such review), any travel expenses of the officers and employees of the Company and any other expenses of the Company in connection with attending or hosting meetings with prospective purchasers of the Securities and for expenses incurred in distributing Preliminary Prospectuses, any other document comprising any part of the General Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus (including any amendments and supplements thereto) and any Limited Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to the Underwriters.

(i) Absence of Manipulation . The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

6. Free Writing Prospectuses . (a)  Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses . The Company represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company and the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Company and the Representatives is hereinafter referred to as a “ Permitted Free Writing Prospectus .” The Company represents that it has treated and agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely Commission filing where required, legending and record keeping.

(b) Term Sheets. The Company will prepare a final term sheet relating to the Securities, containing only information that describes the final terms of the Securities and otherwise in a form consented to by the Representatives, and will file such final term sheet within the period required by Rule 433(d)(5)(ii) following the date such final terms have been established for the Securities. Any such final term sheet is an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus for purposes of this Agreement. The Company also consents to the use by any Underwriter of a free writing prospectus that (i) contains only (A) information describing the preliminary terms of the Securities or their offering or (B) information that describes the final terms of the Securities or their offering and that is included in or is subsequently included in the term sheet listing the final terms of the Securities or their offering, included in Schedule B to this Agreement, or is included in or is subsequently included in the Final Prospectus, or (ii) does not contain any material information about the Company or its securities that was provided by or on behalf of the Company, it being understood and agreed that the Company shall not be responsible to any Underwriter for liability arising from any inaccuracy in such free writing prospectus referred to in clause (i) or (ii) as compared with the information in the Final Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package.

 

10


7. Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters . The obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Securities on the Closing Date will be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein (as though made on such Closing Date), to the accuracy of the statements of Company officers made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions precedent:

(a)  Accountants’ Comfort Letter . The Representatives shall have received a letter, dated the date of this Agreement, of Deloitte & Touche LLP confirming that they are a registered public accounting firm and independent public accountants with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and Rules and Regulations thereunder, and otherwise in form reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, concerning the financial information with respect to the Company set forth in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

(b)  Filing of Prospectus. The Final Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with the Rules and Regulations and Section 5(a) hereof. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Underwriter, shall be contemplated by the Commission.

(c)  No Material Adverse Change . Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred (i) any change, or any development or event involving a prospective change, in the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business, properties or prospects of the Company or its subsidiaries taken as a whole which, in the judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities; (ii) any downgrading in the rating of any debt securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Securities Act), or any public announcement that any such organization has under surveillance or review its rating of any debt securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible downgrading, of such rating); (iii) any material adverse change in U.S. or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, whether in the primary market or in respect of dealings in the secondary market; (iv) any suspension or material limitation of trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, or any setting of minimum or maximum prices for trading on such exchange; (v) or any suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market; (vi) any banking moratorium declared by any U.S. federal or New York authorities; (vii) any major disruption of settlements of securities, payment, or clearance services in the United States or (viii) any attack on, outbreak or escalation of hostilities or act of terrorism involving the United States, any declaration of war by Congress or any other national or international calamity or emergency if, in the judgment of the Representatives, the effect of any such attack, outbreak, escalation, act, declaration, calamity or emergency is such as to make it impractical or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities.

(d)  Opinion of Counsel for Company . The Representatives shall have received (1) opinions and related letter, dated the Closing Date, of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, special counsel for the Company, to the effect set forth in Schedule C-1 hereto, (2) opinions, dated the Closing Date, of Edmund DiSanto, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company, to the effect set forth in Schedule C-2 hereto, and (3) opinions, dated the Closing Date, of Anthony Lehv, Esq., Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Company, to the effect set forth in Schedule D hereto.

 

11


(e) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. The Representatives shall have received from Shearman & Sterling LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they may request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

(f)  Officer’s Certificate . The Representatives shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company in which such officers shall state on behalf of the Company that: the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct; the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the best of their knowledge, are contemplated by the Commission; and, subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there has been no material adverse change, nor any development or event involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole except as set forth in or contemplated by the General Disclosure Package or as described in such certificate. In addition, such certificate shall include representations that the only agreements material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are those specified in an Annex I to such certificate.

(g) Bring-down Comfort Letter. The Representatives shall have received a letter, dated the Closing Date, of Deloitte & Touche LLP which meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this Section except that the specified date referred to in such subsection will be a date not more than three days prior to the Closing Date for the purposes of this subsection.

The Company will furnish the Representatives with such conformed copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and documents as the Representatives reasonably request. The Representatives may in their sole discretion waive on behalf of the Underwriters compliance with any conditions to the obligations of the Underwriters hereunder.

8. Indemnification and Contribution . (a)  Indemnification of Underwriters . The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its officers, employees, agents, partners, members, directors and its affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”), against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) (i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any part of the Registration Statement as of any time, any Statutory Prospectus as of any time, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or (ii) arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make, in the case of any part of the Registration Statement as of any time, the statements therein not misleading or, in the case of any Statutory Prospectus as of any time, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and will reimburse each Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided , however , that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from any of

 

12


such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the information described as such in subsection (b) below.

(b) Indemnification of Company . Each Underwriter will severally and not jointly indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, directors, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, an “ Underwriter Indemnified Party ”), against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which such Underwriter Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) (i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any part of the Registration Statement as of any time, any Statutory Prospectus as of any time, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or (ii) arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein necessary in order to make, in the case of any part of the Registration Statement as of any time, the statements therein not misleading or, in the case of any Statutory Prospectus as of any time, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, and will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Preliminary Prospectus and Final Prospectus furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: [                      ]

(c) Actions against Parties; Notification . Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under subsection (a) or (b) above, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure and the omission to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under subsection (a) or (b) above. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party unless such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such action and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault, or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. No indemnifying party shall be liable under subsections (a), (b) or (c) of this Section for any settlement of any claim or action effected without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld; provided , however , that such indemnifying party has notified the indemnified party in writing of its refusal to accept such settlement within 30 days of its receipt of a notice from the indemnified party outlining the terms of such settlement.

 

13


(d) Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Section is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters from the Company under this Agreement. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this subsection (d). Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as on entity for such purposes) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 8(d).

(e) Additional Obligation. The obligations of the Company under this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have.

9. Default of Underwriters . If any Underwriter or Underwriters default in their obligations to purchase Securities hereunder on the Closing Date and the aggregate principal amount of Securities that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed 10% of the total principal amount of Securities that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date, the Representatives may make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the purchase of such Securities by other persons, including any of the Underwriters, but if no such arrangements are made by such Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the Securities that such defaulting Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on such Closing Date. If any Underwriter or Underwriters so default and the aggregate principal amount of Securities with respect to which such default or defaults occur exceeds 10% of the total principal amount of Securities that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company for the purchase of such Securities by other persons are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except as provided in Section 10. As used in this Agreement, the term “ Underwriter ” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section. Nothing herein will relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

 

14


10. Survival of Certain Representations and Obligations . The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the several Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, the Company or any of their respective representatives, officers or directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9 or if for any reason the purchase of the Securities by the Underwriters is not consummated, the Company shall remain responsible for the expenses to be paid or reimbursed by it pursuant to Section 5 and the respective obligations of the Company and the Underwriters pursuant to Section 8 shall remain in effect, and if any Securities have been purchased hereunder, the representations and warranties in Section 2 and all obligations under Section 5 shall also remain in effect. If the purchase of the Securities by the Underwriters is not consummated for any reason other than solely because of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9 hereof, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by them in connection with the offering of the Securities.

11. Notices . All communications hereunder will be in writing and, if sent to the Underwriters, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to the Representatives c/o [                     ] at [                     ] or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to it at 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Executive and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President and General Counsel; provided , however , that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8 will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to such Underwriter.

12. Successors . This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the directors, officers, employees, agents, partners, affiliates and controlling persons referred to in Section 8, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

13. Representation of Underwriters . The Representatives will act for the several Underwriters in connection with this financing, and any action under this Agreement taken by the Representatives when herein so authorized will be binding upon all the Underwriters.

14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

15. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that:

(a) No Other Relationship . The Representatives have been retained solely to act as underwriters in connection with the sale of Securities and that no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company and the Representatives has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Final Prospectus, irrespective of whether the Representatives have advised or are advising the Company on other matters;

(b) Arms’ Length Negotiations . The price of the Securities set forth in this Agreement was established by the Company following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Representatives and the Company is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(c) Absence of Obligation to Disclose . The Company has been advised that the Representatives and their affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that the Representatives have no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; and

 

15


(d) Waiver . The Company waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against the Representatives for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that the Representatives shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Company in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of the Company, including stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company.

16. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

The Company hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

16


If the foregoing is in accordance with the Representatives’ understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company one of the counterparts hereof, whereupon it will become a binding agreement between the Company and the several Underwriters in accordance with its terms.

 

      Very truly yours,
  AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.
 

Acting on behalf of themselves and as the Representatives of the several Underwriters

 

By [Representatives]

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

17


SCHEDULE A

 

Underwriter

   Principal
Amount of  Securities
  
      

Total

   $  
      

 

A-1


SCHEDULE B

(1) General Use Free Writing Prospectuses (included in the General Disclosure Package)

Final term sheet, dated [              ], 20[      ], a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B-1.

(2) Other Information Included in the General Disclosure Package

[                      ]

 

B-1


Exhibit B-1

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

Final Term Sheet

 

Issuer:

     American Tower Corporation (“AMT”)

Security Description:

     Senior Notes

Face Amount:

    

Gross Proceeds (before expenses):

    

Coupon:

    

Maturity:

    

Offering Price:

    

Yield to Maturity:

    

Spread to Treasury:

    

Benchmark:

    

Ratings:

     (1)

Interest Payment Dates:

    

Commencing:

    

Make-whole call:

    

Trade Date:

    

Settlement Date:

    

Cusip Numbers:

    

Use of Proceeds:

    

Joint Book-Running Managers:

    

Lead Managers :

    

Co-Managers:

    

 

(1) These securities ratings have been provided by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. None of these ratings is a recommendation to buy, sell or hold these securities. Each rating may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time, and should be evaluated independently of any other rating.

The information in this Term Sheet supplements the Preliminary Prospectus dated [              ], 20[      ] of AMT (the “Preliminary Prospectus”) and supercedes the information in the Preliminary Prospectus to the extent inconsistent with the information in the Preliminary Prospectus. Defined terms used and not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Preliminary Prospectus.

 

B-2


SCHEDULE C-1

Form of Opinion and Letter of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, Special Counsel for the Company

Referred to in Section 7(d)

Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. In addition, we have assumed and have not verified the accuracy as to factual matters of each document we have reviewed (including, without limitation, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company in the Underwriting Agreement).

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further assumptions and qualifications set forth below, it is our opinion that:

1. The Company is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

2. The Company has corporate power to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein, and the Company has corporate power to issue the Securities, to enter into the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture and to perform its obligations thereunder.

3. The execution and delivery of the Indenture have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and the Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”) and is a valid, binding and enforceable agreement of the Company.

4. The execution and delivery of the Securities have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and the Securities have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and are the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

5. The statements under the heading “Description of Debt Securities” and “Description of Securities” in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain provisions of the Securities and the Indenture, provide a fair summary of such provisions.

6. The execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and the Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company.

7. The issuance and sale of the Securities to the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement do not, and the performance by the Company of its obligations in the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities will not, (a) require any consent, approval, authorization, registration or qualification of or with any governmental authority of the United States of America, the State of New York or the State of Delaware under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware that in our experience normally would be applicable to general business entities with respect to such issuance, sale or performance, except such as have been obtained or effected under the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Trust Indenture Act (but we express no opinion relating to any state securities or Blue Sky laws), or (b) result in a breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, any of the agreements of the Company specified in Annex I to the officer’s

 

C-1


certificate dated [                      ], delivered pursuant to Section 7(f) of the Underwriting Agreement, or a violation of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company, or (c) result in a violation of any United States federal or New York State law or Delaware General Corporation Law or published rule or regulation that in our experience normally would be applicable to general business entities with respect to such issuance, sale or performance (but we express no opinion relating to the United States federal securities laws or any state securities or Blue Sky laws) (but in respect of this paragraph 7 we express no opinion relating to the U.S. Communications Act of 1934, as amended, or the rules, regulations and orders of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission promulgated thereunder (together, the “Communications Act”)).

8. No registration of the Company under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, is required for the offer and sale of the Securities by the Company in the manner contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and the application of the proceeds thereof as described therein.

Insofar as the foregoing opinions relate to the valid existence and good standing of the Company, they are based solely on confirmation from public officials. Insofar as the foregoing opinions relate to the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any agreement or obligation of the Company, (a) we have assumed that the Company and each other party to such agreement or obligation has satisfied those legal requirements that are applicable to it to the extent necessary to make such agreement or obligation enforceable against it (except that no such assumption is made as to the Company regarding matters of the federal law of the United States of America (other than the Communications Act), the law of the State of New York or the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware that in our experience normally would be applicable to general business entities with respect to such agreement or obligation) and (b) such opinions are subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity. In rendering the opinion in numbered paragraph 7, we have assumed that to the extent any document referred to in clause (b) of numbered paragraph 7 is governed by the law of a jurisdiction other than the law of the State of New York or the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, such document would be interpreted in accordance with its plain meaning.

The foregoing opinions are limited to the federal law of the United States of America (other than the Communications Act), the law of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

We are furnishing this opinion letter to you, as Representatives of the Underwriters, solely for the benefit of the Underwriters in their capacity as such in connection with the offering of the Securities. This opinion letter is not to be relied on by or furnished to any other person or used, circulated, quoted or otherwise referred to for any other purpose. We assume no obligation to advise you or any other person, or to make any investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof that might affect the opinions expressed herein.

 

C-2


Letter of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP:

References to “Registration Statement” herein shall exclude documents incorporated by reference therein and Exhibit 25.

Because the primary purpose of our professional engagement was not to establish or confirm factual matters or financial, accounting or statistical information, and because many determinations involved in the preparation of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in each of them are of a wholly or partially non-legal character or relate to legal matters outside the scope of our opinion letter to you of even date herewith, we are not passing upon and do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference in each of them (except to the extent expressly set forth in numbered paragraph 5 of our opinion letter to you of even date herewith), and we make no representation that we have independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements (except as aforesaid). We also are not passing upon and do not assume any responsibility for ascertaining whether or when any of the General Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference in each of them hereto was conveyed to any person for purposes of Rule 159 under the Securities Act.

However, in the course of our acting as special counsel to the Company in connection with its preparation of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, we participated in telephone conversations with representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company, your representatives and representatives of your counsel, during which conversations the contents of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus and portions of certain of the documents incorporated by reference in each of them and related matters were discussed, and we reviewed certain corporate records and documents furnished to us by the Company.

Based on our participation in such conversations and our review of such records and documents as described above, our understanding of the U.S. federal securities laws and the experience we have gained in our practice thereunder, we advise you that:

(a) The Registration Statement (except the financial statements and schedules and other financial data included therein, as to which we express no view), at the time it became effective, and the Final Prospectus (except as aforesaid), as of the date thereof, appeared on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder. In addition, we do not know of any contracts or other documents of a character required to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus that are not filed or described as required.

(b) The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus (except the financial statements and schedules and other financial data and management’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included or incorporated by reference therein, as to which we express no view), as of the respective dates of their filing with the Commission, appeared on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(c) No information has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the Registration Statement, including the documents incorporated by reference therein (except the financial statements and schedules and other financial data and management’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included or incorporated by reference therein, as to which we express no view), at the time it became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

C-3


(d) No information has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the General Disclosure Package, including the documents incorporated by reference therein (except in each case the financial statements and schedules and other financial data and management’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package, as to which we express no view) at [    ]:00 [am/pm] [(Eastern time)] on [date], contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(e) No information has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the Final Prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference therein (except the financial statements and schedules and other financial data and management’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included or incorporated by reference therein, as to which we express no view), as of the date thereof or hereof, contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

We confirm to you that (a) based solely upon email confirmation of receipt of the filing and Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, the Registration Statement is effective under the Securities Act, and (b) based solely upon a telephonic confirmation from a representative of the Commission, no stop order with respect thereto has been issued by the Commission, and to the best of our knowledge, no proceeding for that purpose has been instituted or threatened by the Commission.

We are furnishing this letter to you, as Representatives of the Underwriters, solely for the benefit of the Underwriters in their capacity as such in connection with the offering of the Securities. This letter is not to be relied on by or furnished to any other person or used, circulated, quoted or otherwise referred to for any other purpose. We assume no obligation to advise you, or to make any investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof that might affect the views expressed herein.

 

C-4


SCHEDULE C-2

Form of Opinion of Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company,

Referred to in Section 7(d)

1. Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated (or formed, as the case may be) and is validly existing as a corporation (or limited partnership or limited company, as the case may be) in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdictions of incorporation, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, except where failure to so qualify and be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

2. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation (or limited partnership or limited company, as the case may be) in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where failure to so qualify and be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

3. Except for those liens and other security interests established in connection with the issuance of the American Tower Trust I Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2007-1 on May 4, 2007, the capital stock (or partnership or other equity interests) of each subsidiary owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, is owned free from liens, encumbrances and defects.

4. The issuance and sale of the Securities to the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement do not, and the performance by the Company of its obligations in the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture will not, (a) to my knowledge, result in a violation of any order of any governmental agency or body or any court having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, or (b) result in a violation of the charter or by-laws of any subsidiary of the Company.

5. To my knowledge, except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there are no pending actions, suits or proceedings against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect, or would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture, or that are otherwise material in the context of the sale of the Securities; and I have received no notice of any threat to bring such an action, suit or proceeding.

6. The documents incorporated by reference in the Statutory Prospectus and the Final Prospectus (except the financial statements and schedules and other financial data and management’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included therein, as to which I express no view), as of the respective dates of their filing with the Commission, appeared on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

7. The descriptions in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus of statutes, legal and governmental proceedings and contracts and other documents are accurate in all material respects and fairly present the information required to be shown; and I do not know of any legal or governmental proceedings required to be described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus that are not described as required or of any contracts or documents of a character required to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or required to be described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus that are not filed or described as required.

 

C-5


The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Delaware General Corporation Law and the federal laws of the United States (but I express no opinion relating to the Communications Act of 1934, or the rules, regulations and orders of the Federal Communications Commission promulgated thereunder, or relating to the United States federal securities laws or any state securities or Blue Sky laws). With your approval, I have relied as to certain matters on information obtained from public officials, other officers of the Company and other sources I believe to be responsible.

I am furnishing this opinion letter to you, as Representatives of the Underwriters, solely for the benefit of the Underwriters in their capacity as such in connection with the offering of the Securities. This letter is not to be relied on by or furnished to any other person or used, circulated, quoted or otherwise referred to for any other purpose without my prior written consent.

 

C-6


SCHEDULE D

Form of Opinion of Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance officer of the Company

Referred to in Section 7(d)

(i) No consent, approval, authorization, order or waiver of, or filing with, the Federal Communications Commission (the “ FCC ”) under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Communications Act ”), or the published policies, rules and regulations of the FCC is required to be obtained or made for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the sale of the Securities where the failure to obtain such consent, approval, authorization, order or waiver or to make such filing would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

(ii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, the Communications Act or any FCC regulation, rule, published policy or order that would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

(iii) To the knowledge of such counsel, except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there are no administrative or judicial proceedings pending before, or threatened by, the FCC with respect to the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or any towers owned or operated by the Company that, if determined adversely, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect upon the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

I am furnishing this opinion letter to you, as Representatives of the Underwriters, solely for the benefit of the Underwriters in their capacity as such in connection with the offering of the Securities. This letter is not to be relied on by or furnished to any other person or used, circulated, quoted or otherwise referred to for any other purpose without my prior written consent.

 

D-1

Exhibit 4.3

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of May 13, 2010

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

Trustee

 

 


ARTICLE 1

  

DEFINITIONS

   1

SECTION 1.01

  

Certain Terms Defined

   1

ARTICLE 2

  

SECURITY FORMS

   4

SECTION 2.01

  

Forms Generally

   4

SECTION 2.02

  

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

   4

ARTICLE 3

  

ISSUE, EXECUTION, FORM AND REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

   4

SECTION 3.01

  

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

   4

SECTION 3.02

  

Authentication and Delivery of Securities

   6

SECTION 3.03

  

Execution of Securities

   6

SECTION 3.04

  

Certificate of Authentication

   6

SECTION 3.05

  

Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest

   6

SECTION 3.06

  

Global Security Legend

   7

SECTION 3.07

  

Registration, Transfer and Exchange

   7

SECTION 3.08

  

Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities

   8

SECTION 3.09

  

Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

   9

SECTION 3.10

  

Cancellation of Securities

   10

SECTION 3.11

  

Temporary Securities

   10

SECTION 3.12

  

CUSIP and ISIN Numbers

   10

SECTION 3.13

  

Treasury Securities

   10

SECTION 3.14

  

Holder Lists

   11

ARTICLE 4

  

CERTAIN COVENANTS

   11

SECTION 4.01

  

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest on Securities

   11

SECTION 4.02

  

Maintenance of Office or Agency

   11

SECTION 4.03

  

Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust

   11

SECTION 4.04

  

Reports

   12

SECTION 4.05

  

Compliance Certificate

   12

SECTION 4.06

  

Taxes

   13

SECTION 4.07

  

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

   13

SECTION 4.08

  

Waiver of Certain Covenants

   13

SECTION 4.09

  

Calculation of Original Issue Discount

   13

ARTICLE 5

  

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

   13

SECTION 5.01

  

Events of Default

   13

SECTION 5.02

  

Acceleration

   14

SECTION 5.03

  

Other Remedies

   14

SECTION 5.04

  

Waiver of Past Defaults

   15


SECTION 5.05

  

Control by Majority

   15

SECTION 5.06

  

Limitation on Suits

   15

SECTION 5.07

  

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

   15

SECTION 5.08

  

Collection Suit by Trustee

   16

SECTION 5.09

  

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

   16

SECTION 5.10

  

Priorities

   16

SECTION 5.11

  

Undertaking for Costs

   16

ARTICLE 6

  

THE TRUSTEE

   16

SECTION 6.01

  

Duties of Trustee

   16

SECTION 6.02

  

Rights of Trustee

   17

SECTION 6.03

  

Individual Rights of Trustee

   18

SECTION 6.04

  

Trustee’s Disclaimer

   18

SECTION 6.05

  

Notice of Defaults

   18

SECTION 6.06

  

Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Securities

   18

SECTION 6.07

  

Compensation and Indemnity

   18

SECTION 6.08

  

Replacement of Trustee

   19

SECTION 6.09

  

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

   20

SECTION 6.10

  

Eligibility; Disqualification

   20

SECTION 6.11

  

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

   20

SECTION 6.12

  

Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company

   20

ARTICLE 7

  

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

   20

SECTION 7.01

  

Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

   20

SECTION 7.02

  

With Consent of Holders

   22

SECTION 7.03

  

Effect of Supplemental Indenture

   23

SECTION 7.04

  

Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

   23

SECTION 7.05

  

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

   23

SECTION 7.06

  

Revocation and Effect of Consents

   23

SECTION 7.07

  

Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

   24

ARTICLE 8

  

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS

   24

SECTION 8.01

  

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

   24

SECTION 8.02

  

Successor Corporation Substituted

   24

ARTICLE 9

  

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

   24

SECTION 9.01

  

Applicability of Article

   24

SECTION 9.02

  

Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed

   24

SECTION 9.03

  

Notice of Redemption

   24

SECTION 9.04

  

Effect of Notice of Redemption

   25

 

ii


SECTION 9.05

  

Deposit of Redemption Price

   25

SECTION 9.06

  

Securities Redeemed in Part

   25

ARTICLE 10

  

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

   26

SECTION 10.01

  

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

   26

SECTION 10.02

  

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

   26

SECTION 10.03

  

Covenant Defeasance

   26

SECTION 10.04

  

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

   27

SECTION 10.05

  

Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

   27

SECTION 10.06

  

Repayment to the Company

   28

SECTION 10.07

  

Reinstatement

   28

ARTICLE 11

  

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

   28

SECTION 11.01

  

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

   28

SECTION 11.02

  

Notices

   29

ARTICLE 12

  

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

   29

SECTION 12.01

  

Trust Indenture Act Controls

   29

SECTION 12.02

  

Notices

   29

SECTION 12.03

  

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

   30

SECTION 12.04

  

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

   30

SECTION 12.05

  

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

   30

SECTION 12.06

  

Rules by Trustee and Agents

   30

SECTION 12.07

  

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

   30

SECTION 12.08

  

Governing Law

   31

SECTION 12.09

  

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

   31

SECTION 12.10

  

Successors

   31

SECTION 12.11

  

Severability

   31

SECTION 12.12

  

Counterpart Originals

   31

SECTION 12.13

  

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

   31

SECTION 12.14

  

Waiver of Jury Trial

   31

SECTION 12.15

  

Force Majeure

   31

SECTION 12.16

  

Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders

   31

SECTION 12.17

  

Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays

   31

 

iii


AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939

and this Indenture

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

  

Indenture Section

§310(a)(1)

   6.10

        (a)(2)

   6.10

        (a)(3)

   Not Applicable

        (a)(4)

   Not Applicable

        (a)(5)

   6.10

        (b)

   6.10

        (c)

   Not Applicable

§311(a)

   6.11

        (b)

   6.11

        (b)(2)

   6.06

        (c)

   Not Applicable

§312(a)

   3.14

        (b)

   12.03

        (c)

   12.03

§313(a)

   6.06

        (b)

   6.06

        (b)(2)

   6.06, 6.07

        (c)

   6.06, 12.02

        (d)

   6.06

§314(a)

   4.04, 4.05, 12.02

        (a)(4)

   12.05

        (b)

   Not Applicable

        (c)(1)

   12.04

        (c)(2)

   12.04

        (c)(3)

   Not Applicable

        (d)

   Not Applicable

        (e)

   12.05

        (f)

   Not Applicable

§315(a)

   6.01

        (b)

   6.06, 6.05

        (c)

   6.01

        (d)

   6.01

        (d)(1)

   6.01

        (d)(2)

   6.01

        (d)(3)

   6.01

        (e)

   5.11

§316(a)(last sentence)

   3.13

        (a)(1)(A)

   5.05

        (a)(1)(B)

   5.02, 5.04

        (a)(2)

   Not Applicable

        (b)

   5.07

        (c)

   Not Applicable

§317(a)(1)

   5.08

        (a)(2)

   5.09

        (b)

   4.03

318(a)

   12.01

 

* This cross-reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.

 

iv


INDENTURE dated as of May 13, 2010 between American Tower Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make the Indenture a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE:

In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the Holders thereof, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Securities as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01 Certain Terms Defined . The following terms (except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act or the definitions of which in the Securities Act are referred to in the Trust Indenture Act (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires) shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings given to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (whether or not so indicated herein). The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.

“Agent Members” has the meaning provided in Section 3.08(a).

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Board of Directors” means, with respect to any Person, the Board of Directors of such Person, or any authorized committee of the Board of Directors of such Person or any officer of such Person duly authorized by the Board of Directors of such Person to take a specific action.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the secretary or an assistant 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 are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

“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 Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor corporation.

 

1


“Company Order” means a certificate signed in the name of the Company by its chairman of the Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, or any vice president and by its treasurer, any assistant treasurer, its controller, any assistant controller, its secretary or any assistant secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the designated office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 525 William Penn Place, 7 th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15259, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning provided in Section 10.03.

“Default” means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be an Event of Default.

“Depositary” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees, and their respective successors.

“Event of Default” means any event or condition specified as such in Section 5.01 which shall have continued for the period of time, if any, therein designated.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Global Security” means a Security evidencing all or part of a series of Securities, issued to the Depositary for that series in accordance with Section 3.05 and bearing the appropriate legend prescribed in Section 3.06.

“Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

“Holder,” “Holder of Securities,” “Securityholder” or other similar terms mean the registered holder of any Security.

“Indenture” means this indenture as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Issue Date” means the date on which the Securities of any series are originally issued under this Indenture.

“Legal Defeasance” has the meaning provided in Section 10.02.

“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

“Officer” means the Company’s chairman of the Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, any vice president, treasurer, any assistant treasurer, controller, any assistant controller, secretary or any assistant secretary.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed in the name of the Company by its chairman of the Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, or any vice president and by its treasurer, any assistant treasurer, controller, any assistant controller, secretary or any assistant secretary in accordance with the requirements of Section 12.04.

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or who may be other counsel satisfactory to the Trustee.

“outstanding”, when used with reference to Securities, subject to Section 3.13, means, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except

 

  (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

2


  (b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent), provided that if such Securities are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as herein provided, or provision satisfactory to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice;

 

  (c) Securities in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered, or which shall have been paid, pursuant to the terms of Section 3.09 (unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company is presented that any of such Securities is held by a person in whose hands such Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company); and

 

  (d) Securities that have been defeased pursuant to Section 10.01.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Securities on behalf of the Company. The Company may act as Paying Agent with respect to any Securities issued hereunder.

“Payment Office,” when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Securities are payable as specified as contemplated by Sections 3.01 and 4.01.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint stock company, business trust, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

“Physical Securities” means Securities issued pursuant to Section 3.02 in exchange for interest in the Global Security or pursuant to Section 3.08(b) in registered form substantially in the form hereinabove recited.

“Registrar” has the meaning provided in Section 3.07.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.01.

“Responsible Officer” with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, trust officer 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 knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of its Indenture.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Security” or “Securities” means any Security or Securities, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Security Register” has the meaning provided in Section 3.07.

“Significant Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any subsidiary of such Person that would be a “significant subsidiary” of such Person as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the Issue Date of Securities of the applicable series.

“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was originally executed, and “TIA”, when used in respect of an indenture supplemental hereto, means such Act as in force at the time such indenture supplemental hereto becomes effective.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided , however , that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

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ARTICLE 2

SECURITY FORMS

SECTION 2.01 Forms Generally . The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.02 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article.

The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel-engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

SECTION 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication . The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust

Company, N.A.,
as Trustee

By     
  Authorized Signatory

ARTICLE 3

ISSUE, EXECUTION, FORM AND REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 3.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series . The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, there shall be established in or pursuant to (i) a Board Resolution, (ii) action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution and (subject to Sections 3.03 and 3.04) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or (iii) one or more indentures supplemental hereto:

(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Sections 3.03, 3.08, 3.10, 7.05 or 9.03);

 

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(3) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;

(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of calculating such rate or rates of interest, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;

(5) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable;

(6) the place or places where the Securities may be exchanged or transferred;

(7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option, and, if other than as provided in Section 9.02, the manner in which the particular Securities of such series (if less than all Securities of such series are to be redeemed) are to be selected for redemption;

(8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series in whole or in part pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(9) if other than denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(10) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall or may by payable, or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated, and the particular provisions applicable thereto;

(11) if the payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series are to be made, at the election of the Company or a Holder, in a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which such Securities are denominated or designated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which such payments are to be made, the terms and conditions of such payments and the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments shall be determined, and the particular provisions applicable thereto;

(12) if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated or designated to be payable), the index, formula or other method by which such amounts shall be determined;

(13) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Stated Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

(14) any modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or the covenants of the Company set forth herein with respect to Securities of the series;

(15) if either or both of Section 10.02 and Section 10.03 shall be inapplicable to the Securities of the series ( provided that if no such inapplicability shall be specified, then both Section 10.02 and Section 10.03 shall be applicable to the Securities of the series) and any other terms upon which the Securities of such series will be defeasible;

(16) if other than the Trustee, the identity of the Registrar and any Paying Agent;

 

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(17) if the Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in global form, (i) the Depositary for such global Securities, (ii) the form of any legend in addition to or in lieu of that in Section 3.06 that shall be borne by such global Security, (iii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any Securities of the series in global form may exchange such interests for certificated Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination, and (iv) if other than as provided in Section 3.07, the circumstances under which any such exchange may occur;

(18) if, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Securities of such series may or must be converted into securities of the Company or exchanged for securities of the Company or another enterprise; and

(19) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 7.01, but which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such series), including any terms that may be required by or advisable under the laws of the United States of America or regulations thereunder or advisable (as determined by the Company) in connection with the marketing of Securities of the series.

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided (i) by a Board Resolution, (ii) by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution and (subject to Sections 3.02-3.05) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate or (iii) in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth, or providing the manner for determining, the terms of the Securities of such series, and an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant thereto in connection with the issuance of any Securities of such series shall be delivered to the Trustee prior to the authentication and delivery thereof.

SECTION 3.02 Authentication and Delivery of Securities . Upon the execution and delivery of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter, Securities may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and upon delivery to the Trustee of all documents and certificates as required by this Indenture, the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and make available for delivery said Securities to the Company or as may otherwise be set forth in a Company Order without any further action by the Company.

SECTION 3.03 Execution of Securities . One Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on any Security no longer holds that office at the time such Security is authenticated, such Security shall nevertheless be valid.

SECTION 3.04 Certificate of Authentication . Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinabove recited, executed by the Trustee by manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 3.05 Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest . (a) The Securities shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 but in any event not less than $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities, the Securities shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Securities shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plans as the officers of the Company executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee.

Any of the Securities may be issued with appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and variations, and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, including those required by Section 3.06, or with the rules of any securities market in which the Securities are admitted to trading, or to conform to general usage.

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, shall bear interest from the applicable date and shall be payable on the dates specified on the face of the form of Security. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

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(b) Global Securities. If Securities of or within a series are issuable in whole or in part in global form, then any such Security of such series shall be deposited with the Trustee as custodian for the Depositary and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for the Depositary. The Global Security shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Securities represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary (or with such other custodian as the Depositary may direct), and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Securities may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee as hereinafter provided.

(c) The person in whose name any Security is registered at the close of business on any Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Security subsequent to the Regular Record Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, except if and to the extent the Company shall default in the payment of the interest due on such Interest Payment Date, in which case such defaulted interest, plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, shall be paid to the persons in whose names outstanding Securities are registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of such payment) established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Company to the Holders of Securities not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date.

SECTION 3.06 Global Security Legend . Any Security in global form authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form, or in such other form as may be necessary or appropriate to reflect the arrangements with or to comply with the requirements of any Depositary:

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY FOR ALL PURPOSES.

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 IN 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 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 SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE.

SECTION 3.07 Registration, Transfer and Exchange . The Securities are issuable only in registered form. The Company will keep at each office or agency (the “Registrar”) for each series of Securities a register or registers (the “Security Register(s)”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it will register, and will register the transfer of, Securities as provided in this Article. Such Security Register or Security Registers shall be in written form in the English language or in any other form capable of being converted into such form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times such Security Register or Security Registers shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. The initial Registrar shall be the Trustee.

Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at each such office or agency, the Company shall execute and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the designated transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series, in each case, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount.

 

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At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (except a Security in global form) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and Stated Maturity, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

A Holder may transfer a Security 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 Security is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes whether or not the Security 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 Security shall, by acceptance of such Global Security, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Security may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Depositary (or its nominee) and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Security shall be required to be reflected in a book entry. When Securities 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 Securities of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if the requirements for such transactions set forth herein are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request.

The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities (other than any such transfer taxes or other similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 3.11, 7.05 or 9.06). No service charge to any Holder shall be made for any such transaction.

The Company shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Securities of any series for a period of 15 days next preceding the first mailing of notice of redemption of Securities of that series to be redeemed, or (b) any Securities of any series selected, called or being called for redemption except, in the case of any Security of any series where public notice has been given that such Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed.

All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Agent Members or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

SECTION 3.08 Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities . (a) Each Global Security initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Securities 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 3.06.

Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Security, 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 Security 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 Security.

 

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(b) Transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of such Global Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary for such series, its successors or their respective nominees. The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of a series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Securities. In such event, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series of like tenor, will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary.

In addition, Physical Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security, if (i) the Depositary (A) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security, and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, or (B) ceases to be qualified to serve as Depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order that such Global Security shall be so transferable, registrable and exchangeable, and such transfers shall be registrable, or (iii) an Event of Default of which the Trustee has actual notice has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from a beneficial owner to issue such Physical Securities.

(c) Any beneficial interest in a Global Security that is transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in another Global Security representing securities of the same series will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global Security and become an interest in such other Global Security and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions, if any, and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Security for as long as it remains such an interest.

(d) In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 3.08, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in such Global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, one or more Physical Securities of like tenor and amount.

(e) In connection with the transfer of an entire Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section, such Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Security, an equal principal amount of Physical Securities of authorized denominations.

(f) The registered holder of a Global Security 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 Securities of such series.

(g) Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

SECTION 3.09 Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities . In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated, defaced or be apparently destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its discretion may execute, and upon the written request of any officer of the Company and delivery to the Trustee of all documents and certificates as required by this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, a new Security of the same series bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated or defaced Security, or in lieu of and substitution for the Security so apparently destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substitute Security shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by each of them to indemnify and defend and to save each of them harmless and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft evidence to their satisfaction of the apparent destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

Upon the issuance of any substitute Security, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature, or has been called for redemption in full, shall become mutilated or defaced or be apparently destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security of the same series, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated or defaced Security), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and to the Trustee and any agent of the Company or

 

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the Trustee such security or indemnity as any of them may require to save each of them harmless from all risks, however remote, and, in every case of apparent destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the apparent destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every substitute Security issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section by virtue of the fact that any Security is apparently destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company whether or not the apparently destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations of rights set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by law, with respect to the holder of a substitute Security, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced, or apparently destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

SECTION 3.10 Cancellation of Securities . All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange, if surrendered to the Company or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it; and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of cancelled Securities in accordance with its customary procedures. If the Company shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 3.11 Temporary Securities . Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery temporary Securities of such series (printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form satisfactory to the Trustee). Temporary Securities shall be issuable as registered Securities of such series without coupons, of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such series but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities of such series. Without unreasonable delay the Company shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at each office or agency to be maintained by the Company for the purpose pursuant to Section 4.02, and upon delivery to the Trustee of all documents and certificates as required by this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Securities a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of such series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of such series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

SECTION 3.12 CUSIP and ISIN Numbers . The Company in issuing the Securities of any series may use a “CUSIP” and “ISIN” number (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP numbers or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders of such series; provided that any such notice shall state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption or exchange and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers or ISIN numbers.

SECTION 3.13 Treasury Securities . In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

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SECTION 3.14 Holder Lists . The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes, and the Company shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act § 312(a).

ARTICLE 4

CERTAIN COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest on Securities . The Company, for the benefit of each series of the Securities, will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and any premium and any interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture. Principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of that series shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due on the Securities of that series.

SECTION 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency . The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, a Payment Office where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities 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 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 Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby initially appoints the Trustee at its office or agency as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series 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.

SECTION 4.03 Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust . (a) If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or any interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and any interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

(b) Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or any interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

(c) The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities (other than the Trustee) to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent will agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.03, that such Paying Agent will (i) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent; (ii) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Holders until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided; (iii) give the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of that series; and (iv) during the continuance of any Default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Securities of that series, and upon the written request of that Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series.

 

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(d) The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent will be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

(e) Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or any interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, or interest has become due and payable will be paid to the Company upon a Company Order (or, if then held by the Company, will be discharged from such trust); and the Holder of such Security will thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money will thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 calendar days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 4.04 Reports . The Company covenants:

(a) to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe), if any, that the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports that may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, in respect of a debt security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(b) to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(c) to transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities of each series within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 12.02, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 4.04 as may be required to be transmitted to such Holders by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

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 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).

SECTION 4.05 Compliance Certificate .

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the first date any series of Securities issued under this Indenture is outstanding, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or

 

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observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 5 days upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 4.06 Taxes . The Company shall pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Securities.

SECTION 4.07 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws . The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

SECTION 4.08 Waiver of Certain Covenants . The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision, or condition set forth in this Indenture or any applicable supplemental indenture, with respect to the Securities of any series, if the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Securities of such series shall, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision, or condition in accordance with Article 7 and Section 5.07, but no such waiver will extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision, or condition will remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 4.09 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 Securities 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.

ARTICLE 5

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

SECTION 5.01 Events of Default . The term “Event of Default” with respect to Securities of any series, wherever used herein, means any one of the following events which shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default), whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a) failure by the Company to pay interest, if any, on Securities of that series for 30 days after the date payment is due and payable; or

(b) failure by the Company to pay principal of or premium, if any, on the Securities of that series when due, at Stated Maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or

(c) failure by the Company to comply with any other covenant in this Indenture or the Securities of that series for 90 days after notice that compliance was required; or

(d) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case, or

(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, or

 

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(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or

(e) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case, or

(ii) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

(f) any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of that series as provided in the applicable supplemental indenture.

SECTION 5.02 Acceleration . (a) Subject to Section 5.03, if an Event of Default described in clauses (a) through (c) of Section 5.01 occurs and is continuing with respect to Securities of any series, then, and in each and every such case, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of then outstanding Securities of that series by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the entire principal of all the Securities of the affected series, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (e) of Section 5.01 occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all the Securities of the affected series then outstanding, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, shall become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

(b) At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article 5 provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all overdue interest on all of the Securities of that series, (B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) Securities of that series which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in the Securities of that series, (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in the Securities of that series, and (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel and (ii) all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.04. No such rescission will affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 5.03 Other Remedies . If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal amount of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the affected series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of such series or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities of such series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sole remedy for any breach of the Company’s obligation under this Indenture to file or furnish reports or other financial information pursuant to Trust Indenture Act § 314(a)(1) (or as otherwise required by this Indenture) shall be the payment of liquidated damages, and the Holders will not have any right under this Indenture to accelerate the Stated Maturity of the Securities of the affected series as a result of any such breach. If any such breach continues for 90 days after notice thereof is given in accordance with this Indentures, the Company shall pay liquidated damages to all the Holders of the Securities of such series at a rate per

 

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annum equal to (i) 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the Securities of the affected series from the 90th day following such notice to but not including the 180th day following such notice (or such earlier date on which the Event of Default relating to the reporting obligations referred to in this paragraph shall have been cured or waived) and (ii) 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the Securities of the affected series from the 180th day following such notice to but not including the 365th day following such notice (or such earlier date on which the Event of Default relating to the reporting obligations referred to in this paragraph shall have been cured or waived). On such 365th day (or earlier, if the Event of Default relating to the reporting obligations referred to in this paragraph shall have been cured or waived prior to such 365th day), such additional interest will cease to accrue, and the Securities of the affected series will be subject to acceleration as provided above if the Event of Default is continuing. This paragraph will not affect the rights of the holders of Securities of the affected series in the event of the occurrence of any other Event of Default.

SECTION 5.04 Waiver of Past Defaults . Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of such series waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal amount, premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on any Security of such series or, in the case of the Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable, in the payment or delivery of any consideration due upon conversion or exchange of the Securities of that series (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided , however , that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration in accordance with Section 5.02(b). 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 impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 5.05 Control by Majority . With respect to the Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of that series or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

SECTION 5.06 Limitation on Suits . A Holder of any Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of the applicable series only if:

(a) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and the continuance of such Event of Default;

(b) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity; and

(e) during the 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

Holders may not use this Indenture or any Securities to prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series or to obtain a preference or priority over any other Holders.

SECTION 5.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal (whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption (if applicable), upon any required repurchase by the Company (if applicable) or otherwise) of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security or, if applicable, payment or delivery of any consideration due upon conversion or exchange of any Security, in each case, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

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SECTION 5.08 Collection Suit by Trustee . If an Event of Default specified in clauses (a) or (b) of Section 5.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, remaining unpaid on any Securities of such series and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest 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 5.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim . The Trustee is authorized to 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 the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian 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 agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of any series 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 5.10 Priorities . If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 6.07, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities of any series for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities of such series for principal, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, respectively; and

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 5.10.

SECTION 5.11 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 a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees 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 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of Securities of the affected series pursuant to Section 5.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.

ARTICLE 6

THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 6.01 Duties of Trustee .

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

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(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions required to be furnished to the Trustee hereunder to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts state therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own bad faith or willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 5.05.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 6.01.

(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

SECTION 6.02 Rights of Trustee .

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any 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.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the written and oral advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

(f) 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 of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

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(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

(h) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its rights to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(i) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(j) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of Officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

SECTION 6.03 Individual Rights of Trustee .

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities of any series and may otherwise deal with the Company or any affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as trustee or resign, subject to Sections 6.10 and 6.11. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties.

SECTION 6.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer . The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or Securities of any series, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities of any series or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in Securities of any series or any other document in connection with the sale of Securities of any series or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

SECTION 6.05 Notice of Defaults . If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any series and if it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder of Securities of such series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except with respect to a Default or Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series relating to the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of that series or in the payment or delivery of any consideration due upon conversion or exchange of any Security of such series (if applicable), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities of that series.

SECTION 6.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Securities . Within 60 days after each December 15 beginning with the December 15 following the Issue Date of Securities of any series, and for so long as Securities of such series remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders of Securities of such series a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with the Trust Indenture Act § 313(a) (but if no event described in the Trust Indenture Act § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act § 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by the Trust Indenture Act § 313(c).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Securities of such series shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Securities of that series are listed in accordance with the Trust Indenture Act § 313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange or delisted therefrom.

SECTION 6.07 Compensation and Indemnity . The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

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The Company shall fully indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including this Section 6.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense is caused by its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 6.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of each series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Securities. Such lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(d) or (e) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

The provisions of this Section 6.07 shall survive termination of this Indenture. The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

SECTION 6.08 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.

The Trustee may resign in writing at any time with regard to Securities of one or more series and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series at the time outstanding may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee with regard to Securities of one or more series if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 6.10;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) 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 with regard to Securities of one or more series, 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 Securities of the affected series at the time outstanding may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time outstanding may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 6.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

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A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the lien provided for in Section 6.07.

SECTION 6.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc . If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

SECTION 6.10 Eligibility; Disqualification . There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $75.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to the Trust Indenture Act § 310(b); provided , however , that there shall be excluded from the operation of Trust Indenture Act § 310(b)(i) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Trust Indenture Act § 310(b)(i) are met.

SECTION 6.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company . The Trustee is subject to the Trust Indenture Act § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in the Trust Indenture Act § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to the Trust Indenture Act § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

SECTION 6.12 Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company . Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than three Business Days after the date any Officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such Officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

ARTICLE 7

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 7.01 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders . The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate), and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into one or more supplemental indentures (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Securities of any series, any property or assets;

(b) to evidence the assumption of the Company’s obligations to Holders of the Securities in the case of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Company or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;

(c) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Company and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided , however , that in respect of any such additional

 

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covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default;

(d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make any other provisions as the Company may deem necessary or desirable; provided , however , that no such provisions shall materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series;

(e) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of the appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to Section 6.08;

(f) to provide for uncertificated Securities of any series in addition to or in place of certificated Securities of such series or to alter the provisions of Article 3 (including the related definitions) in a manner that does not materially and adversely affect any Holder of Securities of such series;

(g) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Securities of any series to any provision of the “Description of the Securities” in the related prospectus or prospectus supplement for such series to the extent that such provision in the “Description of the Securities” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture or the Securities of such series;

(h) to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities of any series in accordance with the limitations set forth herein as of the date hereof;

(i) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of all or any series of Securities or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any such Holder or any holder of a beneficial interest in the Securities of such series;

(j) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(k) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 3.01;

(l) to secure the Company’s obligations in respect of the Securities of any series;

(m) in the case of convertible or exchangeable Securities of any series, subject to the provisions of the supplemental indenture for such series of Securities, to provide for conversion rights, exchange rights and/or repurchase rights of Holders of such series of Securities in connection with any reclassification or change of the Company’s common stock or in the event of any amalgamation, consolidation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or its subsidiaries substantially as an entirety occurs;

(n) in the case of convertible or exchangeable Securities of any series, to reduce the conversion price or exchange price applicable to such series of Securities;

(o) in the case of convertible or exchangeable Securities of any series, to increase the conversion rate or exchange ratio in the manner described in the supplemental indenture for such series of Securities, provided that the increase will not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities of such series in any material respect; or

(p) any other action to amend or supplement the Indenture or the Securities of any series as set forth in the supplemental indenture with respect to the Securities of that series.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 6.02, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

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Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities then outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 7.02.

SECTION 7.02 With Consent of Holders . Except as provided below in this Section 7.02, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series then outstanding affected by such supplemental indenture voting as one class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with purchase of, or tender or exchange offers for, the Securities of such series), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate), and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, amend this Indenture or enter into one or more supplemental indentures (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as in force at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series; and, subject to Sections 5.04 and 5.07, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than an uncured Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities of any series, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) and compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Securities of any series may be waived as to such series of Securities with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series affected by such waiver, voting as one class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, the Securities of such series); provided , however , that without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 7.02 may not (but only with respect to any Securities of any series held by a non-consenting Holder):

(a) change the Stated Maturity of Securities of any series;

(b) reduce the aggregate principal amount of Securities of any series;

(c) reduce the rate or amend or modify the calculation, or time of payment, of interest, including defaulted interest on the Securities of any series;

(d) reduce or alter the method of computation of any amount payable on redemption, prepayment or purchase of Securities of any series (or the time at which any such redemption, prepayment or purchase may be made) or otherwise alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of Securities of any series, or waive a redemption payment with respect to any Securities of any series;

(e) make the principal thereof, or interest, thereon payable in any coin or currency other than provided in the Securities of any series or in accordance with the terms of the Securities of any series, this Indenture and any supplemental indenture;

(f) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on Securities of any series when due, or otherwise make any change in the provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Securities of any series to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of any series;

(g) modify any of the provisions of this Section 7.02, Section 5.04 or Section 4.08, except to increase the percentage in principal amount of Holders required under any such Section or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby, provided , however , that this clause (g) will not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section 7.02, Section 5.04 and Section 4.08, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Section 6.08;

(h) reduce the percentage of principal amount of Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(i) impair the rights of Holders of the Securities of any series that are exchangeable or convertible to receive payment or delivery of any consideration due upon the conversion or exchange of the Securities of that series; or

 

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(j) modify or amend any of the provisions of the Indenture or Securities of any series as may be set forth in the supplemental indenture with respect to the Securities of that series as requiring the consent of each Holder affected thereby.

The Holders of the Securities of any series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such amendment, waiver or supplemental indenture shall be and shall be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate) certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders of the Securities of any series as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may at its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities of any series under this Section 7.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 7.02, the Company (or the Trustee at the request and expense of the Company) shall give notice thereof to the Holders of the then outstanding Securities of any series affected thereby, as provided in Section 12.02. Any failure of the Company to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

SECTION 7.03 Effect of Supplemental Indenture . Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, or any amendment to or waiver of the provisions of the Indenture, this Indenture shall be and shall be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture, amendment or waiver shall be and shall be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

SECTION 7.04 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act . Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities of any series shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article that shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect if this Indenture shall then be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 7.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities . Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture, amendment or waiver pursuant to the provisions of this Article 7 may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for by such supplemental indenture or as to any action taken by the Holders of Securities of any series. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of such series then outstanding.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Security shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

SECTION 7.06 Revocation and Effect of Consents . Until an amendment, waiver or a supplemental indenture becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Security and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder of a Security or subsequent Holder of a Security may revoke the consent as to its Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

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SECTION 7.07 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc . The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 7 if the amendment or supplemental indenture does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be provided with and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture or any relevant supplemental indenture.

ARTICLE 8

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS

SECTION 8.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets . The Company may not consolidate or merge with or into, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets in any one transaction or series of related transactions to any other Person, unless:

(a) the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation (the “successor”) is either the Company or is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and all the Securities; and

(b) immediately after giving effect to the transaction no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 8.02 Successor Corporation Substituted . Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 8.01 (except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets), the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to the Company), 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; provided , however , that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Securities of any series except in the case of the Company’s consolidation or merger with or into, or sale or conveyance of all of the Company’s assets to, any other Person that meets the requirements of Section 8.01.

ARTICLE 9

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 9.01 Applicability of Article . Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 9.02 Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed . If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select Securities to be redeemed as follows:

(a) if the Securities to be redeemed are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which such Securities are listed; or

(b) if the Securities to be redeemed are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis (subject to the procedures of the Depositary) or, to the extent a pro rata basis is not permitted, by lot or in such other manner as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate.

No Securities of $2,000 of principal amount or less will be redeemed in part. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of such series called for redemption.

Securities of a series called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption.

SECTION 9.03 Notice of Redemption . At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder of Securities of any series to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Securities of such series or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.

 

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The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

(1) the CUSIP and ISIN (if applicable) numbers;

(2) the redemption date;

(3) the redemption price;

(4) if any Security of a series is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Security;

(5) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(6) that Securities of such series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(7) that interest, if any, on the Securities of such series or portions of them called for redemption shall cease to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(8) the paragraph of the Securities of such series and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which such Securities called for redemption are being redeemed; and

(9) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP and ISIN (if applicable) numbers, if any, listed in such notice or printed on such Securities.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided , however , that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days (or such shorter time as may be agreed to by the Trustee) prior to the redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

SECTION 9.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption . Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 9.03, Securities of any series called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price.

SECTION 9.05 Deposit of Redemption Price . Prior to 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on a redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities of a series to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities of such series to be redeemed.

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest, if any, on the Securities or the portions of the Securities called for redemption shall cease to accrue for as long as the Company has deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent funds in satisfaction of the applicable redemption price. If a Security is redeemed on or after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security was registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date.

SECTION 9.06 Securities Redeemed in Part . Upon surrender of any Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and, upon the Company’s written request, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company a new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered. If a Global Security is so surrendered, such new Security shall also be a Global Security.

 

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ARTICLE 10

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 10.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance . Unless pursuant to Section 3.01 provision is made for the inapplicability of either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of a series under Section 10.02 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of a series under Section 10.03, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article, shall be applicable to the Securities of such series, and the Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 10.02 or 10.03 be applied to all outstanding Securities of such series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 10.

SECTION 10.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge .

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 10.01 of the option applicable to defease the outstanding Securities of a particular series under this Section 10.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 10.04, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such outstanding Securities on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of such series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 10.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments provided to it acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of such series to receive payments in respect of the principal amount, premium, if any, interest, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 10.04;

(b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.06, 3.07, 3.08(a), 3.09, 3.11, 4.02 and 4.03;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Article 10.

Subject to compliance with this Article 10, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 10.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 10.03 with respect to the Securities of such series.

SECTION 10.03 Covenant Defeasance . Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 10.01 of the option applicable to obtain a covenant defeasance with respect to the outstanding Securities of a particular series under this Section 10.03, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 10.04, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.04, 4.06 and 8.01 and the covenants contained in any supplemental indenture applicable to such series, with respect to the outstanding Securities of such series on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 10.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such series shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of such series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.01 with respect to outstanding Securities of such series, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and of the Securities of such series shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 10.01 of the option applicable to this Section 10.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 10.04, Sections 5.01(d) and 5.01(e) shall not constitute Events of Default.

 

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SECTION 10.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance . The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 10.02 or Section 10.03 to the outstanding Securities of a particular series:

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, cash in United States dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, interest, if any, on such outstanding Securities on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company shall specify whether such Securities are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

(b) in the case of an election under Section 10.02, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

(i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(ii) since the Issue Date of the Securities of the applicable series, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of an election under Section 10.03, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound;

(f) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that on the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally;

(g) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the affected Securities over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company or others; and

(h) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

SECTION 10.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions . Subject to Section 10.06, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 10.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 10.04 in respect of the outstanding Securities of a particular series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 10.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge that by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such series.

 

27


Anything in this Article 10 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 10.04 with respect to the Securities of any series which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 10.04(a)), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

SECTION 10.06 Repayment to the Company . Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest, if any, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 10.07 Reinstatement . If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. Dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 10.02 or 10.03, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 10.02 or 10.03 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 10.02 or 10.03, as the case may be; provided , however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Security to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities (except, as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer, exchange or conversion of Securities of such series herein expressly provided for or in the form of Security for such series and any rights to receive payment of interest thereon), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when:

(a) either

(i) all Securities of such series theretofore have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Securities that have been replaced or paid, and Securities for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(ii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for the principal amount and premium, if any, plus accrued interest, if any, on all such Securities; and

(b) no Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the is a party or by which the Company is bound; and

(c) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable under this Indenture and any applicable supplemental indenture with respect to such Securities; and

 

28


(d) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture and any applicable supplemental indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of such Securities at Stated Maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 4.03, Section 10.06 and Section 11.02 shall survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 shall be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 6.07, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

SECTION 11.02 Notices . Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 4.03 and Section 10.06, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 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 such Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on Securities of any series because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls . If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by the Trust Indenture Act § 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

SECTION 12.02 Notices . Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company:

American Tower Corporation

116 Huntington Avenue

Boston, MA 02116

Telecopier No.: (617) 375-7575

Attention: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

If to the Trustee:

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

525 William Penn Place

7 th Floor

Pittsburgh, PA 15259

Telecopier No.: 412-234-7571

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

29


All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in the Trust Indenture Act § 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act. 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.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

SECTION 12.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders . Holders may communicate pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of any series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of the Trust Indenture Act § 312(c).

SECTION 12.04 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:

(a) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

SECTION 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act § 314(e) and shall include:

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he, she or it has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

SECTION 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents . The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions; provided that no such rule shall conflict with the terms of this Indenture or the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 12.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders . No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or agent of the Company, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities of any series, this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Securities of any series.

 

30


SECTION 12.08 Governing Law . THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES OF ANY SERIES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

SECTION 12.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements . This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

SECTION 12.10 Successors . All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities of any series shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

SECTION 12.11 Severability . In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series 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 12.12 Counterpart 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 12.13 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 of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 12.14 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OF ANY SERIES, OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

SECTION 12.15 Force Majeure . In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

SECTION 12.16 Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders . Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities of such series, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.

SECTION 12.17 Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays . If the Stated Maturity of interest on or principal of the Securities of a particular series or the date fixed for redemption of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal with respect to such Securities 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 date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date.

[Signatures on following page]

 

31


SIGNATURES

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of May 13, 2010.

 

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION, as Company
By:   

/S/ Thomas A. Bartlett

  Name:    Thomas A. Bartlett
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:   

/S/ Raymond K. O’Neil

  Name:    Raymond K. O’Neil
  Title:   Senior Associate

 

32

Exhibit 5.1

LOGO

May 13, 2010

American Tower Corporation

116 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to American Tower Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) of the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (excluding the documents incorporated by reference therein, the “ Registration Statement ”) filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), relating to the offering from time to time, together or separately in one or more series, of senior debt securities of the Company (the “ Debt Securities ”), which may be convertible into the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”). The Debt Securities and the Common Stock are referred to herein collectively as the “ Securities .”

The Securities being registered under the Registration Statement will have an indeterminate aggregate initial offering price and will be offered on a continuous or delayed basis pursuant to the provisions of Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

The Debt Securities may be issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of May 13, 2010 (as amended or supplemented, the “ Indenture ”) between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (the “ Trustee ”).


American Tower Corporation, p.2

 

In arriving at the opinions expressed below, we have reviewed the following documents:

 

  (a) the Registration Statement and the documents incorporated by reference therein;

 

  (b) an executed copy of the Indenture, filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and

 

  (c) copies of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the corporate secretary of the Company, respectively.

In addition, we have reviewed the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of all such corporate records of the Company and such other documents, and we have made such investigations of law, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below.

In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. In addition, we have assumed and have not verified the accuracy as to factual matters of each document we have reviewed.

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further assumptions and qualifications set forth below, it is our opinion that:

1. The Debt Securities will be the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

2. The Common Stock to be issued upon conversion or exchange of any Debt Securities in accordance with their terms, will be validly issued by the Company, fully paid and nonassessable.

Insofar as the foregoing opinions relate to the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any agreement or obligation of the Company, (x) we have assumed that the Company and each other party to such agreement or obligation has satisfied or, prior to the issuance of the Securities, will satisfy, those legal requirements that are applicable to it to the extent necessary to make such agreement or obligation enforceable against it and (y) such opinions are subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity.

In rendering the opinions expressed above, we have further assumed that (i) the Company will authorize the offering and issuance of the Securities and will duly authorize, approve and establish the final terms and conditions thereof, which terms will conform to the


American Tower Corporation, p.3

 

descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement and, in the case of the Debt Securities, to the terms of the Indenture, and will not violate any applicable law, conflict with any matter of public policy, result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or violate any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (ii) the Company will duly authorize, execute and deliver any agreement necessary with respect to the Securities or contemplated by the Securities or the Registration Statement and will take any other appropriate additional corporate action; (iii) the Securities will be offered, issued, sold and delivered in compliance with applicable law and any requirements therefor set forth in any corporate action authorizing such Securities and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Indenture; (iv) the Securities will be offered, sold and delivered to, and paid for by, the purchasers thereof at the price specified in, and in accordance with the terms of, an agreement or agreements duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto; and (v) if issued in certificated form, certificates representing the Securities will be duly executed and delivered and, to the extent required by any applicable agreement, duly authenticated and countersigned, and if issued in book-entry form, the Securities will be duly registered to the extent required by any applicable agreement.

In rendering the opinions expressed in paragraph 1 above, we have assumed that each series of Debt Securities will be issued with an original aggregate principal amount (or in the case of Debt Securities issued at original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) of $2,500,000 or more.

We note that any designation in the Securities of the U.S. federal courts sitting in New York City as the venue for actions or proceedings relating to such Securities is (notwithstanding any waiver thereof) subject to the power of such courts to transfer actions pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1404(a) or to dismiss such actions or proceedings on the grounds that such a federal court is an inconvenient forum for such an action or proceeding.

We note that by statute New York provides that a judgment or decree rendered in a currency other than the currency of the United States shall be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of entry of the judgment or decree. There is no corresponding federal statute and no controlling Federal court decision on this issue. Accordingly, we express no opinion as to whether a Federal court would award a judgment in a currency other than U.S. dollars or, if it did so, whether it would order conversion of the judgment into U.S. dollars. In addition, to the extent that any Securities includes a provision relating to indemnification against any loss in obtaining currency due from a court judgment in another currency, we express no opinion as to the enforceability of such provision.

The foregoing opinions are limited to the federal law of the United States of America (other than the U.S. Communications Act of 1934, as amended), the law of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (including the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware).


American Tower Corporation, p.4

 

We hereby consent to the use of our name in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement under the heading “Legal Matters” and in any prospectus supplement related thereto as counsel for the Company that has passed on the validity of the Securities, and to the use of this opinion as a part (Exhibit 5.1) of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The opinions expressed herein are rendered on and as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you or any other person, or to make any investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof that might affect the opinions expressed herein.

 

Very truly yours,

CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP

By

 

/S/ Sandra L. Flow

  Sandra L. Flow, a Partner

Exhibit 12.1

STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

American Tower Corporation

The following table reflects the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

    

 

Year Ended December 31,

   Three
Months
Ended
March  31,

2010
     2005     2006    2007    2008    2009   
     (In thousands)

Computation of Earnings:

                

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and (loss) income on equity method investments

   $ (135,554   $ 70,864    $ 152,840    $ 371,920    $ 421,487    $ 124,829

Add:

                

Interest expense (1)

     223,911        217,134      237,314      255,073      251,291      58,789

Operating leases

     50,601        71,092      73,916      79,189      82,522      22,168

Amortization of interest capitalized

     2,563        2,600      2,622      2,692      2,751      518
                                          

Earnings as adjusted

     141,521        361,690      466,692      708,874      758,051      206,304

Computation of fixed charges:

                

Interest expense

     223,911        217,134      237,314      255,073      251,291      58,789

Interest capitalized

     473        651      —        770      495      172

Operating leases

     50,601        71,092      73,916      79,189      82,522      22,168
                                          

Fixed charges

     274,985        288,877      311,230      335,032      334,308      81,129
                                          

(Deficiency) excess in earnings required to cover fixed charges

   $ (133,464   $ 72,813    $ 155,462    $ 373,842    $ 423,743    $ 125,175
                                          

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2)

     —          1.25x      1.50x      2.12x      2.27x      2.54x

 

(1) Interest expense includes amortization of deferred financing costs. Interest expense also includes an amount related to our capital lease with TV Azteca.
(2) For the purpose of this calculation, “earnings” consists of (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes, (loss) income on equity method investments and fixed charges (excluding interest capitalized), and amortization of interest capitalized. “Fixed charges” consist of interest expense, including amounts capitalized, amortization of debt discount and related issuance costs and the component of rental expense associated with operating leases believed by management to be representative of the interest factor thereon.

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated March 1, 2010, relating to the financial statements of American Tower Corporation, and the effectiveness of American Tower Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of American Tower Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

May 13, 2010

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

¨ CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

  95-3571558

(State of incorporation

if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

700 South Flower Street

Suite 500

Los Angeles, California

  90017
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

 

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   65-0723837

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

116 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts

  02116
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

 

Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 


1. General information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Name

  

Address

Comptroller of the Currency

United States Department of the Treasury

   Washington, D.C. 20219
Federal Reserve Bank    San Francisco, California 94105
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation    Washington, D.C. 20429

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes.

 

2. Affiliations with Obligor.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None.

 

16. List of Exhibits.

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”) and 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).

 

  1. A copy of the articles of association of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

 

  2. A copy of certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business. (Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

  3. A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers (Exhibit 3 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

 

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  4. A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-162713).

 

  6. The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

 

  7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Pittsburgh, and State of Pennsylvania, on the 7th day of May, 2010.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

By:   /S/ Raymond K. O’Neil
Name:   Raymond K. O’Neil
Title:   Senior Associate

 

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EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

of 700 South Flower Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90017

At the close of business March 31, 2010, published in accordance with Federal regulatory authority instructions.

 

     Dollar Amounts
in Thousands

ASSETS

  

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

  

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

     1,504

Interest-bearing balances

     288

Securities:

  

Held-to-maturity securities

     12

Available-for-sale securities

     581,259

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

  

Federal funds sold

     113,000

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     0

Loans and lease financing receivables:

  

Loans and leases held for sale

     0

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

     0

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

     0

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

     0

Trading assets

     0

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

     10,486

Other real estate owned

     0

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

     2

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

     0

Intangible assets:

  

Goodwill

     856,313

Other intangible assets

     237,642

Other assets

     166,465
      

Total assets

   $ 1,966,971
      

 

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LIABILITIES

  

Deposits:

  

In domestic offices

   533

Noninterest-bearing

   533

Interest-bearing

   0

Not applicable

  

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

  

Federal funds purchased

   0

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

   0

Trading liabilities

   0

Other borrowed money:

  

(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

   268,691

Not applicable

  

Not applicable

  

Subordinated notes and debentures

   0

Other liabilities

   210,010

Total liabilities

   479,234

Not applicable

  

EQUITY CAPITAL

  

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

   0

Common stock

   1,000

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

   1,121,520

Not applicable

  

Retained earnings

   364,077

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   1,140

Other equity capital components

   0

Not available

  

Total bank equity capital

   1,487,737

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

   0

Total equity capital

   1,487,737
    

Total liabilities and equity capital

   1,966,971
    

I, Karen Bayz, Managing Director of the above-named bank do hereby declare that the Reports of Condition and Income (including the supporting schedules) for this report date have been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Karen Bayz             )     Managing Director

We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of the Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) for this report date and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

Troy Kilpatrick, President

   )       

Frank P. Sulzberger, MD

   )        Directors (Trustees)

William D. Lindelof, MD

   )       

 

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