UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 23, 2013
(January 22, 2013)
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION
(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-32422 | 20-0792300 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
||
4001 Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, Arkansas | 72212 | |||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(501) 748-7000
Registrants telephone number, including area code
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 1.01. | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
On January 23, 2013 (the Closing Date), Windstream Corporation (the Company) announced that it had completed its previously announced private offering of its 6.375% Senior Notes due 2023 (the Notes). In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into an Indenture, dated as of the Closing Date (the Indenture), among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company named therein, as guarantors thereto (the Guarantors), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the Trustee), and a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date (the Registration Rights Agreement), among the Company, the Guarantors, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers of the Notes (the Initial Purchasers). The Notes were offered only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. A copy of the press release announcing the completion of the offering of the Notes is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Indenture
Pursuant to the Indenture, the Company issued and sold to the Initial Purchasers $700 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes. The terms of the Indenture provide that, among other things, the Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank equally with the Companys unsecured unsubordinated debt, senior to any of the Companys subordinated debt, and will effectively be subordinated to the Companys secured debt, including indebtedness under the Companys Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, to the extent of the assets securing such debt. The Companys obligations under the Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed by all of the Companys domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the borrowings under the Companys Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
Interest on the Notes accrues at a rate of 6.375% per annum. Interest on the Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on August 1, 2013. The Company will make each interest payment to the holders of record of the Notes on the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15.
Optional Redemption . At any time prior to February 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, thereon, to the date of redemption. In addition, the Company may redeem some or all of the Notes on or after February 1, 2018, at redemption prices set forth in the Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest. At any time prior to February 1, 2016, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, including any permitted additional Notes, at a redemption price equal to 106.375% of the principal amount.
Repurchase upon Change of Control . Upon the occurrence of a change in control triggering event (as defined in the Indenture), each holder of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the Notes in cash at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase.
Other Covenants . The Indenture contains covenants that limit, among other things, the Companys and certain of its subsidiaries ability to (1) incur additional debt and issue preferred stock, (2) make certain restricted payments, (3) consummate specified asset sales, (4) enter into transactions with affiliates, (5) create liens, (6) declare or pay any dividend or make any other distributions, (7) make certain investments and (8) merge or consolidate with another person.
Events of Default . The Indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include non-payment, breach of covenants in the Indenture, payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. Generally, if an event of default occurs, the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest, including additional interest, on all the Notes to be due and payable.
Use of Proceeds . The Company used the net proceeds of this offering to pay the consideration in connection with the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation (as defined below under Item 8.01), including any accrued and unpaid interest, on the PAETEC 8.875% Notes (as defined below under Item 8.01) tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation together with related fees and expenses. The Company intends to use the remaining net proceeds of the offering, together with available cash, to redeem all of the PAETEC 8.875% Notes that remain outstanding following consummation of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation.
The foregoing description of the Indenture and the Notes is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Indenture, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1, and the Notes, the forms of which are attached hereto as Exhibit 4.2, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company has agreed, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to file a registration statement (the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) with respect to a registered offer (the Registered Exchange Offer) to exchange the Notes for new notes of the Company (the Exchange Notes) having terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Notes within 180 days of the Closing Date, and to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act by the SEC within 210 days of the Closing Date, and to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registered Exchange Offer to be consummated not later than 240 days following the Closing Date. The Exchange Notes will generally be freely transferable under the Securities Act.
In addition, the Company has agreed under certain circumstances to file one or more shelf registration statements to cover resales of the Notes. In the event that (i) applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC do not permit the Company to effect a Registered Exchange Offer, (ii) for any other reason the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated within 240 days of the Closing Date, (iii) an Initial Purchaser notifies the Company following consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer that Notes held by such Initial Purchaser are not eligible to be exchanged for the Exchange Notes in the Registered Exchange Offer, or (iv) certain holders of the Notes are not permitted to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer or do not receive fully tradable Exchange Notes pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company will, at its cost, (a) promptly file and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective no later than 240 days after the Closing Date a shelf registration statement with the SEC covering resales of the Notes and (b) use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the shelf registration statement continuously effective for a period of one year after its effective date (subject to certain exceptions).
If the Company fails to satisfy these obligations and its other obligations as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will be required to pay additional interest to the holders of the Notes. The Company agrees that if: (i) it does not file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to the Notes with the SEC on or prior to the 180th day following the Closing Date, (ii) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 210th calendar day following the Closing Date, or (iii) the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated or a shelf registration statement is not declared effective, in each case on or prior to the 240th day following the Closing Date, (any event described in (i) through (iii) being referred to individually as a Registration Default), then the Company will pay additional cash interest on the Notes. The rate of the additional interest will be 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of a Registration Default, and such rate will increase by an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum additional interest rate of 1.0% per annum. The Company will pay such additional interest on regular interest payment dates. Such additional interest will be in addition to any other interest payable from time to time with respect to the Notes and the Exchange Notes.
The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.3 and incorporated herein by reference.
Each of the initial purchasers or an affiliate thereof acts as a lender under the Companys credit facilities. In addition, affiliates of each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. act as co-documentation agents under the Companys senior secured credit facilities. Affiliates of certain initial purchasers also act as bookrunners and arrangers under the Companys senior secured credit facilities. Furthermore, the Company used the net proceeds of this offering to, among other things, repurchase outstanding PAETEC 8.875% Notes by way of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. The Company engaged Wells Fargo Securities, LLC to act as the sole dealer manager and solicitation agent for the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation, for which roles Wells Fargo Securities, LLC have received and will receive customary fees. Certain of the initial purchasers may hold PAETEC 8.875% Notes and, if such PAETEC 8.875% Notes have been or will be tendered and accepted in the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation, have received or will receive a portion of the proceeds of the offering of the Notes.
Refinancing Amendment
On January 23, 2013, the Company announced that it had amended its existing senior secured credit facilities (the Refinancing Amendment). The Refinancing Amendment provides for the incurrence of $1,345.0 million of additional term loans, the proceeds of which were used to repay the credit facility tranche A-2 and tranche B-1 term loans due in July 2013 and the credit facility tranche B-2 term loans due in December 2015.
The foregoing description of the Refinancing Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Refinancing Amendment and the form of the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, and which are incorporated herein by reference.
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., which is the administrative agent and collateral agent under the Companys senior secured credit facilities, Bank of America, N.A., which served as lead arranger and bookrunner on the Refinancing Amendment, certain of the other lenders under the Companys senior secured credit facilities, and certain of their respective affiliates have performed or may in the future perform various commercial banking, lending, investment banking, financial advisory, trustee, hedging or other services for the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, for which they have received or will receive fees and reimbursement of expenses.
A copy of the press release announcing the Refinancing Amendment is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information in Item 1.01 of this Form 8-K is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.
Item 8.01. | Other Events. |
Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation
On January 22, 2013, the Company announced the the pricing of its tender offer and solicitation of consents (the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation) for any and all of the outstanding $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the PAETEC 8.875% Notes) issued by PAETEC Holding Corp. (PAETEC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. A copy of the press release announcing the pricing of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3 and is incorporated herein by reference.
On January 23, 2013, the Company also announced the results of the early settlement of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation and receipt of the requisite consents to enter into the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2013 (the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture), among PAETEC, certain subsidiaries of PAETEC and the Company, as guarantors thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, to the indenture governing the PAETEC 8.875% Notes (as previously amended and supplemented, the PAETEC Indenture). As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 22, 2013 (the Early Tender Deadline), approximately $583.3 million aggregate principal amount of the PAETEC 8.875% Notes were tendered (representing approximately 89.7% of the outstanding PAETEC 8.875% Notes). The Company exercised its option to accept for payment and settle the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation with respect to all PAETEC 8.875% Notes that were validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline (the Early Settlement). Such Early Settlement occurred on January 23, 2013, concurrently with the closing of the offering of the Notes, and the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture became effective at that time. The Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation will expire at midnight, New York City time, on February 5, 2013, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Company.
The Eleventh Supplemental Indenture eliminates or modifies certain restrictive covenants and other provisions contained in the PAETEC Indenture and releases all of the collateral securing obligations under the PAETEC 8.875% Notes. A copy of the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.4 and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the press release announcing the early results of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.4 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number |
Description |
|
4.1 | Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2013, among Windstream Corporation, certain subsidiaries of Windstream Corporation, as guarantors thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. | |
4.2 | Form of 6.375% Senior Note due 2023 (included in Exhibit 4.1). | |
4.3 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2013, among Windstream Corporation, certain Subsidiaries of Windstream Corporation, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representative of the several initial purchases of the 6.375% Senior Notes due 2023 of Windstream Corporation. | |
4.4 | Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2013, among PAETEC Holding Corp., certain subsidiaries of PAETEC Holding Corp. and Windstream Corporation, as guarantors thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. | |
10.1 | Refinancing Amendment. | |
10.2 | Form of Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (included in Exhibit 10.1). | |
99.1 | Press Release, dated January 23, 2013, announcing the completion of the offering of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2023. | |
99.2 | Press Release, dated January 23, 2013, with respect to Refinancing Amendment. | |
99.3 | Press Release, dated January 22, 2013, announcing the pricing of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. | |
99.4 | Press Release, dated January 23, 2013, announcing the results of the early settlement of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Current Report on Form 8-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION | ||
By: |
/s/ John P. Fletcher |
|
Name: | John P. Fletcher | |
Title: | Executive Vice President and General Counsel |
Date: January 23, 2013
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
Description |
|
Exhibit Number |
Description |
|
4.1 | Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2013, among Windstream Corporation, certain subsidiaries of Windstream Corporation as guarantors thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. | |
4.2 | Form of 6.375% Senior Note due 2023 (included in Exhibit 4.1). | |
4.3 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2013, among Windstream Corporation, certain Subsidiaries of Windstream Corporation, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representative of the several initial purchases of the 6.375% Senior Notes due 2023 of Windstream Corporation. | |
4.4 | Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2013, among PAETEC Holding Corp., certain subsidiaries of PAETEC Holding Corp. and Windstream Corporation as guarantors thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. | |
10.1 | Refinancing Amendment. | |
10.2 | Form of Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (included in Exhibit 10.1). | |
99.1 | Press Release, dated January 23, 2013, announcing the completion of the offering of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2023. | |
99.2 | Press Release, dated January 23, 2013, with respect to Refinancing Amendment. | |
99.3 | Press Release, dated January 22, 2013, announcing the pricing of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. | |
99.4 | Press Release, dated January 23, 2013, announcing the results of the early settlement of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. |
Exhibit 4.1
EXECUTION VERSION
Windstream Corporation
6 3 / 8 % SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023
Indenture
Dated as of January 23, 2013
U.S. Bank National Association
Trustee
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section |
|
310(a)(1) |
7.10 | |
(a)(2) |
7.10 | |
(a)(3) |
N.A. | |
(a)(4) |
N.A. | |
(a)(5) |
7.10 | |
(b) |
7.10 | |
(c) |
N.A. | |
311(a) |
7.11 | |
(b) |
7.11 | |
(c) |
N.A. | |
312(a) |
2.06 | |
(b) |
12.03 | |
(c) |
12.03 | |
313(a) |
7.06 | |
(b)(1) |
N.A. | |
(b)(2) |
7.06, 7.07 | |
(c) |
7.06, 12.02 | |
(d) |
7.06 | |
314(a)(4) |
12.05 | |
(b) |
N.A. | |
(c)(1) |
N.A. | |
(c)(2) |
N.A. | |
(c)(3) |
N.A. | |
(d) |
N.A. | |
(e) |
12.05 | |
(f) |
N.A. | |
315(a) |
N.A. | |
(b) |
N.A. | |
(c) |
N.A. | |
(d) |
N.A. | |
(e) |
N.A. | |
316(a) (last sentence) |
N.A. | |
(a)(1)(A) |
N.A. | |
(a)(1)(B) |
6.04 | |
(a)(2) |
N.A. | |
(b) |
N.A. |
* | N.A. means not applicable. |
This Cross-Reference Table is not part of this Indenture
Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section |
|
(c) |
12.14 | |
317(a)(1) |
N.A. | |
(a)(2) |
N.A. | |
(b) |
N.A. | |
318(a) |
N.A. | |
(b) |
N.A. | |
(c) |
12.01 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
|
|||
Section 1.01. Definitions |
1 | |||
Section 1.02. Other Definitions |
26 | |||
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act |
27 | |||
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction |
27 | |||
ARTICLE TWO THE NOTES |
|
|||
Section 2.01. Form and Dating |
28 | |||
Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication |
29 | |||
Section 2.03. Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes |
30 | |||
Section 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent |
30 | |||
Section 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust |
31 | |||
Section 2.06. Holder Lists |
31 | |||
Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange |
31 | |||
Section 2.08. Replacement Notes |
44 | |||
Section 2.09. Outstanding Notes |
44 | |||
Section 2.10. Treasury Notes |
45 | |||
Section 2.11. Temporary Notes |
45 | |||
Section 2.12. Cancellation |
45 | |||
Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest |
46 | |||
Section 2.14. CUSIP Numbers |
46 | |||
ARTICLE THREE REDEMPTION AND OFFERS TO PURCHASE |
|
|||
Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee |
46 | |||
Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed |
46 | |||
Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption |
47 | |||
Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption |
48 | |||
Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price |
48 | |||
Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part |
49 | |||
Section 3.07. Optional Redemption |
49 | |||
Section 3.08. Repurchase Offers |
50 | |||
Section 3.09. No Sinking Fund |
52 |
i
ARTICLE FOUR COVENANTS |
|
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Section 4.01. Payment of Notes |
52 | |||
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency |
52 | |||
Section 4.03. Reports |
53 | |||
Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate |
54 | |||
Section 4.05. Taxes |
55 | |||
Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws |
55 | |||
Section 4.07. Restricted Payments |
55 | |||
Section 4.08. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries |
59 | |||
Section 4.09. Incurrence of Indebtedness |
61 | |||
Section 4.10. Asset Sales |
64 | |||
Section 4.11. Transactions with Affiliates |
65 | |||
Section 4.12. Liens |
67 | |||
Section 4.13. Business Activities |
67 | |||
Section 4.14. Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control |
68 | |||
Section 4.15. [INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] |
69 | |||
Section 4.16. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries |
69 | |||
Section 4.17. Payments for Consent |
70 | |||
Section 4.18. Guarantees |
71 | |||
Section 4.19. Sale and Leaseback Transactions |
71 | |||
Section 4.20. [INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] |
72 | |||
Section 4.21. Termination of Applicability of Certain Covenants if Notes Rated Investment Grade |
72 | |||
ARTICLE FIVE SUCCESSORS |
|
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Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets |
72 | |||
Section 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted |
73 | |||
ARTICLE SIX DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES |
|
|||
Section 6.01. Events of Default |
73 | |||
Section 6.02. Acceleration |
75 | |||
Section 6.03. Other Remedies |
76 | |||
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults |
76 | |||
Section 6.05. Control by Majority |
76 | |||
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits |
77 | |||
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment |
77 | |||
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee |
78 | |||
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim |
78 | |||
Section 6.10. Priorities |
78 | |||
Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs |
79 |
ii
ARTICLE SEVEN TRUSTEE |
|
|||
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee |
79 | |||
Section 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee |
80 | |||
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee |
82 | |||
Section 7.04. Trustees Disclaimer |
82 | |||
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults |
82 | |||
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes |
83 | |||
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity |
83 | |||
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee |
84 | |||
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. |
85 | |||
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification |
85 | |||
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company |
86 | |||
ARTICLE EIGHT DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
|
|||
Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance |
86 | |||
Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge |
86 | |||
Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance |
87 | |||
Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance |
87 | |||
Section 8.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions |
89 | |||
Section 8.06. Repayment to the Company |
89 | |||
Section 8.07. Reinstatement |
90 | |||
ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER |
|
|||
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders of Notes |
90 | |||
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes |
91 | |||
Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act |
93 | |||
Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents |
93 | |||
Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes |
93 | |||
Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc. |
94 | |||
ARTICLE TEN NOTE GUARANTEES |
|
|||
Section 10.01. Guarantee |
94 | |||
Section 10.02. Limitation on Guarantor Liability |
95 | |||
Section 10.03. Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee |
96 | |||
Section 10.04. Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms |
96 | |||
Section 10.05. Release of Guarantor |
97 |
iii
ARTICLE ELEVEN SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE |
|
|||
Section 11.01. Satisfaction and Discharge |
97 | |||
Section 11.02. Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions |
98 | |||
Section 11.03. Repayment to the Company |
99 | |||
ARTICLE TWELVE MISCELLANEOUS |
|
|||
Section 12.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls |
99 | |||
Section 12.02. Notices |
100 | |||
Section 12.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes |
101 | |||
Section 12.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent |
101 | |||
Section 12.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion |
101 | |||
Section 12.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents |
102 | |||
Section 12.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders |
102 | |||
Section 12.08. Governing Law |
102 | |||
Section 12.09. Consent to Jurisdiction |
102 | |||
Section 12.10. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements |
103 | |||
Section 12.11. Successors |
103 | |||
Section 12.12. Severability |
103 | |||
Section 12.13. Counterpart Originals |
103 | |||
Section 12.14. Acts of Holders |
103 | |||
Section 12.15. Benefit of Indenture |
105 | |||
Section 12.16. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. |
105 |
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A | FORM OF 2023 NOTE | |
Exhibit B | FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER | |
Exhibit C | FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE | |
Exhibit D | FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR | |
Exhibit E | FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS |
iv
INDENTURE dated as of January 23, 2013 among Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation, the Guarantors (as defined below) listed on the signature pages hereto and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States, as Trustee.
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its 6 3 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 as provided in this Indenture. The Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for a guarantee of the Notes and of certain of the Companys obligations hereunder. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company and the Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
The Company (as defined below), the Guarantors and the Trustee (as defined below) agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the Companys 6 3 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01. Definitions
144A Global Note means a global note substantially in the form of Exhibit A bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, that shall be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount at maturity of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
Acquired Debt means Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person merges with or into or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and not Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person merging with or into or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.
Additional Interest means all additional interest owing on the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
Additional Notes means an unlimited maximum aggregate principal amount of Notes (other than the Notes issued on the date hereof) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 and having the same terms in all respects as the Notes, or similar in all respects to the Notes, except that interest will accrue on the Additional Notes from their date of issuance.
Affiliate of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, control, as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with shall have correlative meanings.
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Agent means any Registrar or Paying Agent.
Alltel means Alltel Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware.
Applicable Premium means, at any date of redemption, the greater of (i) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note and (ii) the excess of (A) the present value at such date of redemption of (1) the principal amount of such Note plus the premium thereon as set out in the table in Section 3.07 on February 1, 2018, plus (2) all remaining required interest payments due on such Note through February 1, 2018 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the date of redemption), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (B) the principal amount of such Note.
Applicable Procedures means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.
Asset Sale means:
(1) | the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets, other than a transaction governed by Section 4.14 and/or Section 5.01; and |
(2) | the issuance of Equity Interests by any of the Companys Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof of Equity Interests in any of its Subsidiaries (other than directors qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable law). |
Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items shall be deemed not to be Asset Sales:
(1) | any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets or Equity Interests having a Fair Market Value of less than $25.0 million; |
(2) | a transfer of assets or Equity Interests between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; |
(3) | an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary thereof; |
(4) | the sale or lease of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or other assets in the ordinary course of business; |
(5) | the sale or other disposition of Cash Equivalents; |
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(6) | dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings; |
(7) | a Restricted Payment that is permitted by Section 4.07 and any Permitted Investment; |
(8) | any sale or disposition of any property or equipment that has become damaged, worn out or obsolete; |
(9) | the creation of a Lien not prohibited by this Indenture; |
(10) | any sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary; |
(11) | licenses of intellectual property; |
(12) | any disposition of Designated Noncash Consideration; provided that such disposition increases the amount of Net Proceeds of the Asset Sale that resulted in such Designated Noncash Consideration; and |
(13) | any foreclosure upon any assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of a Lien not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture; provided that such foreclosure does not otherwise constitute a Default under this Indenture. |
Attributable Debt in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.
Bankruptcy Law means title 11 of the United States Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
Beneficial Owner has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular person (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms Beneficially Owns and Beneficially Owned shall have a corresponding meaning.
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Board of Directors means:
(1) | with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or, except in the context of the definitions of Change of Control and Continuing Directors, a duly authorized committee thereof; |
(2) | with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership; and |
(3) | with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function. |
Board Resolution means a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.
Business Day means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
Capital Lease Obligation means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.
Capital Stock means:
(1) | in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; |
(2) | in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; |
(3) | in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and |
(4) | any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person. |
Cash Equivalents means:
(1) | U.S. dollars and foreign currency received in the ordinary course of business or exchanged into U.S. dollars within 180 days; |
(2) | securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof ( provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof), maturing, unless such securities are deposited to defease any Indebtedness, not more than one year from the date of acquisition; |
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(3) | certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party under the Credit Agreement or any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a rating at the time of acquisition thereof of P-1 or better from Moodys or A-1 or better from S&P; |
(4) | repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above; |
(5) | commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Company) rated at least A-2 or higher from Moodys or S&P and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition; |
(6) | securities issued and fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, rated at least A by Moodys or S&P and having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition; and |
(7) | money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (6) of this definition. |
Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) | the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act); |
(2) | the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; |
(3) | any person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; |
(4) | the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors; or |
(5) |
the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (A) the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction continues as, or is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the surviving or transferee Person |
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constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance) and (B) immediately after such transaction, no person or group (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes, directly or indirectly, the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee Person. |
Change of Control Triggering Event means the occurrence of a Change of Control (x) that is accompanied or followed by a downgrade of the Notes within the Ratings Decline Period by each of Moodys and S&P or, if either S&P and Moodys is not providing a rating on the Notes at any time for reasons outside the control of the Company, the equivalent of such ratings by another nationally recognized statistical ratings organization selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company), and (y) the rating of the Notes on any day during such Ratings Decline Period is below the lower of the rating by such nationally recognized statistical ratings organization in effect (i) immediately preceding the first public announcement of the Change of Control (or occurrence thereof if such Change of Control occurs prior to public announcement) and (ii) on the Issue Date.
Clearstream means Clearstream Banking S.A. and any successor thereto.
Commission means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Stock means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock (other than Preferred Stock) of such Person, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or issued thereafter.
Company means Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation, until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article Five and thereafter means the successor.
Consolidated Cash Flow means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus , without duplication:
(1) | provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus |
(2) | Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that any such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus |
(3) | depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period), goodwill impairment charges and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges or expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus |
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(4) | the amount of any minority interest expense deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus |
(5) | any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity-based awards, to the extent deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus |
(6) | any non-cash SFAS 133 income (or loss) related to hedging activities, to the extent deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus |
(7) | non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than (a) the accrual of revenue consistent with past practice and (b) the reversal in such period of an accrual of, or cash reserve for, cash expenses in a prior period, to the extent such accrual or reserve did not increase Consolidated Cash Flow in a prior period; |
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.
Notwithstanding the preceding, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, the Fixed Charges of and the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses of, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company (A) in the same proportion that the Net Income of such Restricted Subsidiary was added to compute such Consolidated Net Income of the Company and (B) only to the extent that a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended or distributed to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements and instruments applicable to that Subsidiary or its stockholders.
Consolidated Leverage Ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of:
(1) | the aggregate outstanding amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination on a consolidated basis (subject to the terms described in paragraph (2) below) after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of the Indebtedness giving rise to the need to make such calculation (including a pro forma application of the use of proceeds therefrom) on such date, to |
(2) | the Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company for the most recent four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately prior to such date of determination. |
For purposes of this definition:
(a) |
Consolidated Cash Flow shall be calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to (A) the incurrence of the Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) giving rise to the need to make such calculation and any |
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incurrence (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) or repayment of other Indebtedness on the date of determination, and (B) any acquisition or disposition of a Person, division or line of business (including, without limitation, any acquisition giving rise to the need to make such calculation as a result of the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such acquisition) incurring, assuming or otherwise becoming liable for Indebtedness) at any time on or subsequent to the first day of the applicable four-quarter period specified in clause (2) of the preceding paragraph and on or prior to the date of determination, as if such acquisition or disposition (including the incurrence or assumption of any such Indebtedness and also including any Consolidated Cash Flow associated with such acquisition or disposition) occurred on the first day of such four-quarter period; and |
(b) | pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company. |
Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that:
(1) | the Net Income of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof (and the net loss of any such Person shall be included only to the extent that such loss is funded in cash by the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof); |
(2) | the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement or instrument applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its equityholders; |
(3) | the Net Income of any Person acquired during the specified period for any period prior to the date of such acquisition shall be excluded; |
(4) | the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded; and |
(5) | notwithstanding clause (1) above, the Net Income or loss of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be excluded, whether or not distributed to the specified Person or one of its Subsidiaries. |
Continuing Directors means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:
(1) | was a member of such Board of Directors on the Issue Date; or |
(2) | was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election. |
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Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.
Credit Agreement means that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended and restated on August 8, 2012, among the Company, certain lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, including any related notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time after the Issue Date (including increases in the amounts available for borrowing thereunder), regardless of whether such amendment, restatement, modification, renewal, refunding, replacement or refinancing is with the same financial institutions or otherwise.
Credit Facilities means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement and indentures or debt securities) or commercial paper facilities, in each case with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term debt, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time, including any refunding, replacement or refinancing thereof through the issuance of debt securities.
Custodian means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.
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.
Definitive Note means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 2.07, substantially in the form of Exhibit A , except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached thereto.
Depositary means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.04 as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.
Designated Noncash Consideration means the Fair Market Value of noncash consideration received by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officers Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Noncash Consideration.
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Disqualified Stock means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 123 days after the date on which the Notes mature; provided, however, that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such dates shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07. The term Disqualified Stock shall also include any options, warrants or other rights that are convertible into Disqualified Stock or that are redeemable at the option of the holder, or required to be redeemed, prior to the date that is 123 days after the date on which the Notes mature.
Domestic Restricted Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company other than a Restricted Subsidiary that is (1) a controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code (a) whose primary operating assets are located outside the United States and (b) that is not subject to tax under Section 882(a) of the Internal Revenue Code because of a trade or business within the United States or (2) a Subsidiary of an entity described in the preceding clause (1).
Earn-out Obligation means any contingent consideration based on future operating performance of the acquired entity or assets or other purchase price adjustment or indemnification obligation, payable following the consummation of an acquisition based on criteria set forth in the documentation governing or relating to such acquisition.
Equity Interests means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
Equity Offering means any public or private placement of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to any Person (other than (i) to any Subsidiary thereof and (ii) issuances of equity securities pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any employee benefit plan of the Company).
Euroclear means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, and any successor thereto.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Notes means the Notes issued in the Exchange Offer in accordance with Section 2.07(f).
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Exchange Offer has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Existing Indebtedness means the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement or under the Notes and the related Note Guarantees) in existence on the Issue Date after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of the Notes until such amounts are repaid.
Fair Market Value means the price that would be paid in an arms-length transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy, as determined in good faith by a responsible officer of the Company, whose determination, unless otherwise specified below, shall be conclusive if evidenced by an Officers Certificate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the responsible officers determination of Fair Market Value must be evidenced by an Officers Certificate delivered to the Trustee if the Fair Market Value exceeds $25.0 million.
Fixed Charges means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) | the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations, but excluding the amortization or write-off of debt issuance costs; plus |
(2) | the consolidated interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus |
(3) | any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a pledge of Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to secure Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary), whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus |
(4) |
the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued (but, in the case of accrued, only in the case of (x) Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is not a Guarantor or (y) Disqualified Stock of such Person or of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) and whether or not in cash, on any series of Disqualified Stock of such Person or on any series of Preferred Stock of such Persons Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable |
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solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of such Person or to such Person or to a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, |
in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the opinions and pronouncements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and in the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which were in effect on July 17, 2006.
Global Note Legend means the legend set forth in Section 2.07(g)(ii), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
Global Notes means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A , issued in accordance with Section 2.01 or Section 2.07.
Government Securities means securities that are direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged.
Guarantee means, as to any Person, a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness of another Person.
Guarantors means:
(1) | each direct and indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that Guarantees any Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date; and |
(2) | any other Subsidiary of the Company that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; |
and their respective successors and assigns until released from their obligations under their Note Guarantees and this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
Hedging Obligations means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:
(1) | interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, interest rate collar agreements and other agreements or arrangements with respect to interest rates; |
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(2) | commodity swap agreements, commodity option agreements, forward contracts and other agreements or arrangements with respect to commodity prices; and |
(3) | foreign exchange contracts, currency swap agreements and other agreements or arrangements with respect to foreign currency exchange rates. |
Holder means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.
Incur means, with respect to any Indebtedness, to incur, create, issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable for or with respect to, or become responsible for, the payment of, contingently or otherwise, such Indebtedness (and Incurrence and Incurred shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing); provided that (1) any Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (2) neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount nor the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (to the extent provided for when the Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock on which such interest or dividend is paid was originally issued) shall be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness; provided that in each case the amount thereof is for all other purposes included in the Fixed Charges and Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiary as accrued.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(1) | in respect of borrowed money; |
(2) | evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof); |
(3) | in respect of bankers acceptances; |
(4) | in respect of Capital Lease Obligations and Attributable Debt; |
(5) | in respect of the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; provided that Indebtedness shall not include any Earn-out Obligation or obligation in respect of purchase price adjustment, except to the extent that the contingent consideration relating thereto is not paid within 15 Business Days after the contingency relating thereto is resolved; |
(6) | representing Hedging Obligations; |
(7) | representing Disqualified Stock valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed repurchase price plus accrued dividends; or |
(8) | in the case of a Subsidiary of such Person, representing Preferred Stock valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed repurchase price plus accrued dividends, |
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if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and other than pursuant to clauses (4), (5), (6), (7) or (8)) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term Indebtedness includes (x) all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) other than a pledge of Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to secure Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, provided that the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the lesser of (A) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination and (B) the amount of such Indebtedness, and (y) to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person, provided further that any obligation of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of minimum guaranteed commissions, or other similar payments, to clients, minimum returns to clients or stop loss limits in favor of clients or indemnification obligations to clients, in each case pursuant to contracts to provide services to clients entered into in the ordinary course of business, shall be deemed not to constitute Indebtedness. For purposes hereof, the maximum fixed repurchase price of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, as if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock were repurchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and, with respect to contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, and shall be:
(1) | the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and |
(2) | the principal amount thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness. |
Indenture means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
Indirect Participant means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
Initial Purchasers means the initial purchasers of the Notes under the Purchase Agreement.
Insignificant Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of the Company that has total assets of not more than $1.0 million and that is designated by the Company as an Insignificant Subsidiary; provided that the total assets of all Subsidiaries that are so designated, as reflected on the Companys most recent consolidating balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, may not in the aggregate at any time exceed $10.0 million.
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Institutional Accredited Investor means an institution that is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, which is not also a QIB.
Investment Grade means both BBB- or higher by S&P and Baa3 or higher by Moodys, or the equivalent of such ratings by S&P or Moodys, or, if either S&P and Moodys is not providing a rating on the Notes at any time, the equivalent of such rating by another nationally recognized statistical ratings organization.
Investments means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans or other extensions of credit (including Guarantees), advances, capital contributions (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.
If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investment in such Subsidiary not sold or disposed of. The acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person shall be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investment held by the acquired Person in such third Person.
Issue Date means the date of original issuance of the Notes under this Indenture.
Legal Holiday means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.
Legended Regulation S Global Note means a global Note in the form of Exhibit A , bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount at maturity of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.
Letter of Transmittal means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer.
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title
15
retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
Net Income means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends, excluding, however:
(1) | any gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such gain or loss, realized in connection with: (a) any sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business of such Person; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and |
(2) | any extraordinary or non-recurring gain, loss, expense or charge (including any one-time expenses related to the Transactions), together with any related provision for taxes. |
Net Proceeds means the aggregate cash proceeds, including payments in respect of deferred payment obligations (to the extent corresponding to the principal, but not the interest component, thereof) received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of (1) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or other disposition of any such non-cash consideration, including, without limitation, legal, accounting, investment banking and brokerage fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, (2) taxes paid or payable as a result thereof, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, (3) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness or other liabilities secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale or required to be paid as a result of such sale, (4) any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP, (5) in the case of any Asset Sale by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, payments to holders of Equity Interests in such Restricted Subsidiary in such capacity (other than such Equity Interests held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof) to the extent that such payment is required to permit the distribution of such proceeds in respect of the Equity Interests in such Restricted Subsidiary held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof and (6) appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve against liabilities associated with such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale, all as determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that (a) excess amounts set aside for payment of taxes pursuant to clause (2) above remaining after such taxes have been paid in full or the statute of limitations therefor has expired and (b) amounts initially held in reserve pursuant to clause (6) no longer so held, shall, in the case of each of subclause (a) and (b), at that time become Net Proceeds.
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Non-Recourse Debt means Indebtedness:
(1) | as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) other than a pledge of the Equity Interests of the Unrestricted Subsidiary that is the obligor thereunder, (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender; |
(2) | no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Notes) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and |
(3) | as to which either (a) the explicit terms provide that there is no recourse against any of the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof or (b) the lenders have been notified in writing that they shall not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case other than recourse against the Equity Interests of the Unrestricted Subsidiary that is the obligor thereunder. |
Non-U.S. Person means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.
Note Guarantee means a Guarantee of the Notes pursuant to this Indenture.
Notes means the 6 3 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 of the Company issued on the date hereof and any Additional Notes, including any Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor. The Notes and the Additional Notes (including any Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor), if any, shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.
Obligations means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
Offering Memorandum means the final offering memorandum, dated January 8, 2013, relating to the Notes.
Officer means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of such Person.
Officers Certificate means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by at least two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of this Indenture.
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Opinion of Counsel means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee (who may be counsel to or an employee of the Company) that meets the requirements of this Indenture.
Participant means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).
Participating Broker-Dealer has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Permitted Business means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted (as described in the Offering Memorandum) by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date and other businesses reasonably related thereto or a reasonable extension or expansion thereof.
Permitted Investments means:
(1) | any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; |
(2) | any Investment in Cash Equivalents; |
(3) | any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment: |
(a) | such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or |
(b) | such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; |
(4) | any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10; |
(5) | Hedging Obligations that are Incurred for the purpose of fixing, hedging or swapping interest rate, commodity price or foreign currency exchange rate risk (or to reverse or amend any such agreements previously made for such purposes), and not for speculative purposes; |
(6) | any Investment acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default; |
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(7) | advances to customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business that are, in conformity with GAAP, recorded as accounts receivable, prepaid expenses or deposits on the balance sheet of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and endorsements for collection or deposit arising in the ordinary course of business; |
(8) | Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property, in each case in the ordinary course of business; |
(9) | advances to employees not in excess of $5.0 million outstanding at any one time in the aggregate; |
(10) | commission, payroll, travel and similar advances to officers and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are expected at the time of such advance ultimately to be recorded as an expense in conformity with GAAP; |
(11) | Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons; |
(12) | other Investments in any Person other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company (provided that any such Person is either (i) not an Affiliate of the Company or (ii) is an Affiliate of the Company (A) solely because the Company, directly or indirectly, owns Equity Interests in, or controls, such Person or (B) engaged in bona fide business operations and is an Affiliate solely because it is under common control with the Company) having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (12) since July 17, 2006 and then outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) 5.0% of Total Assets and (y) $375.0 million at the time of such Investment; provided, however, that if an Investment pursuant to this clause (12) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company at the date of the making of the Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above, and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (12); and |
(13) | Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (13) since July 17, 2006, not to exceed $25.0 million (but, to the extent that any Investment made pursuant to this clause (13) since July 17, 2006 is sold or otherwise liquidated for cash or designated as a Restricted Subsidiary, minus the lesser of (a) the cash return of capital with respect to such Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) or the Fair Market Value of such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of redesignation, as applicable, and (b) the initial amount of such Investment). |
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Permitted Liens means:
(1) | Liens securing obligations in an amount when created or Incurred, together with the amount of all other obligations secured by a Lien under this clause (1) at that time outstanding (and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect thereof) and (in the case of clause (B) only) any Liens securing obligations in respect of the 6.75% Notes due 2028 of Windstream Holding of the Midwest, Inc., not to exceed the greater of (A) the sum of (i) the amount of Indebtedness Incurred and outstanding at such time under Section 4.09(b)(i), (iv) and (xv) plus (ii) the amount of Indebtedness available for Incurrence at such time under Section 4.09(b)(i), (iv) and (xv) and (B) the product of (x) 2.50 and (y) the Companys Consolidated Cash Flow for the most recent four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available at such time, which Consolidated Cash Flow shall be calculated on a pro forma basis in the manner set out in clause (a) of the definition of Consolidated Leverage Ratio; |
(2) | Liens in favor of the Company or any Guarantor; |
(3) | Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary; |
(4) | Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition and do not extend to any property other than the property so acquired by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary; |
(5) | Liens securing the Notes and the Note Guarantees in respect thereof; |
(6) | Liens existing on the Issue Date (excluding any such Liens securing Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement); |
(7) | Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that such Liens do not extend to any property or assets other than the property or assets that secure the Indebtedness being refinanced; |
(8) | pledges of Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary securing Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary; |
(9) | Liens on cash or Cash Equivalents securing Hedging Obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) that are Incurred for the purpose of fixing, hedging or swapping interest rate, commodity price or foreign currency exchange rate risk (or to reverse or amend any such agreements previously made for such purposes), and not for speculative purposes, or (b) securing letters of credit that support such Hedging Obligations; |
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(10) | Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security obligations; |
(11) | Liens, deposits or pledges to secure the performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of Indebtedness), leases, or other similar obligations arising in the ordinary course of business; |
(12) | survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, rights of way, zoning or other restrictions as to the use of properties, and defects in title which, in the case of any of the foregoing, were not incurred or created to secure the payment of Indebtedness, and which in the aggregate do not materially adversely affect the value of such properties or materially impair the use for the purposes of which such properties are held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; |
(13) | judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made; |
(14) | Liens, deposits or pledges to secure public or statutory obligations, surety, stay, appeal, indemnity, performance or other similar bonds or obligations; and Liens, deposits or pledges in lieu of such bonds or obligations, or to secure such bonds or obligations, or to secure letters of credit in lieu of or supporting the payment of such bonds or obligations; |
(15) | Liens in favor of collecting or payor banks having a right of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof on deposit with or in possession of such bank; |
(16) | any interest or title of a lessor, licensor or sublicensor in the property subject to any lease, license or sublicense (other than any property that is the subject of a Sale Leaseback Transaction); |
(17) | Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established to the extent required by GAAP; |
(18) | Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statements regarding operating leases or consignments; and |
(19) | Liens securing obligations that do not exceed $15.0 million at any one time outstanding. |
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Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:
(1) | the amount of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the amount of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and the amount of any reasonably determined premium necessary to accomplish such refinancing and such reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith); |
(2) | such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; |
(3) | if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of the Notes and is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as applicable, on terms at least as favorable, taken as a whole, to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; |
(4) | if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is pari passu in right of payment with the Notes or any Note Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is pari passu with, or subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes or such Note Guarantees; |
(5) | and such Indebtedness is Incurred either (a) by the Company or any Guarantor or (b) by the Restricted Subsidiary that is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded. |
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.
Preferred Stock means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person that has preferential rights to any other Capital Stock of such Person with respect to dividends or redemptions upon liquidation.
Private Placement Legend means the legend set forth in Section 2.07(g)(i) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.
Purchase Agreement means the Purchase Agreement dated January 8, 2013, among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representative of the several Initial Purchasers.
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QIB means a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A.
Ratings Decline Period means the period that (i) begins on the earlier of (a) the date of the first public announcement of the occurrence of a Change of Control or of the intention by the Company or a shareholder of the Company, as applicable, to effect a Change of Control or (b) the occurrence thereof and (ii) ends 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control; provided that such period shall be extended for so long as the rating of the Notes, as noted by the applicable rating agency, is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by the applicable rating agency.
Registration Rights Agreement means (1) with respect to the Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Registration Rights Agreement, to be dated the Issue Date, among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representative of the several Initial Purchasers, and (2) with respect to any Additional Notes, any registration rights agreement between the Company and the other parties thereto relating to the registration by the Company of such Additional Notes under the Securities Act.
Regulation S means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
Regulation S Global Note means a Legended Regulation S Global Note or an Unlegended Regulation S Global Note, as appropriate.
Replacement Assets means (1) non-current assets (including any such assets acquired by capital expenditures) that shall be used or useful in a Permitted Business or (2) substantially all the assets of a Permitted Business or the Voting Stock of any Person engaged in a Permitted Business that is or shall become on the date of acquisition thereof a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
Responsible Officer , when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) 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 such persons knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
Restricted Definitive Note means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
Restricted Global Note means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
Restricted Investment means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
Restricted Period means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.
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Restricted Subsidiary of a Person means any Subsidiary of such Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Rule 144 means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
Rule 144A means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
Rule 903 means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.
Rule 904 means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.
S&P means Standard & Poors Ratings Services and its successors.
Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, with respect to any Person, any transaction involving any of the assets or properties of such Person whether now owned or hereafter acquired, whereby such Person sells or otherwise transfers such assets or properties and then or thereafter leases such assets or properties or any part thereof or any other assets or properties which such Person intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the assets or properties sold or transferred.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Shelf Registration Statement means the Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Significant Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary that would constitute a significant subsidiary within the meaning of Article 1 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act.
Stated Maturity means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
Subordinated Debt means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor which is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the related Note Guarantees, as applicable, pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) | any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and |
(2) | any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof). |
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Total Assets means the total assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Company prepared in conformity with GAAP but excluding the value of any outstanding Restricted Investments or Investments made under clause (12) of the definition of Permitted Investments.
TIA means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA.
Transactions means the contribution of all of Alltels wireline assets to the Company in exchange for, among other things, senior notes and all of the stock of the Company, the distribution of such stock to Alltels shareholders and exchange of notes for other debt securities of Alltel, the merger of the Company with and into Valor, and the entry into the Credit Agreement and the borrowings thereunder on June 17, 2006 and the offering of notes each as described under the heading Description of the Transactions in the offering memorandum dated June 28, 2006 relating to the issuance of such notes.
Treasury Rate means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the date fixed for prepayment (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source for similar market data)) most nearly equal to the then remaining term of the Notes to February 1, 2018; provided, however , that if the then remaining term of the Notes to February 1, 2018 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the then remaining term of the Notes to February 1, 2018 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.
Trustee means U.S. Bank National Association, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
Unlegended Regulation S Global Note means a permanent global Note in the form of Exhibit A , bearing the Global Note Legend, deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and issued upon expiration of the Restricted Period.
Unrestricted Definitive Note means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
Unrestricted Global Note means a permanent Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A , that bears the Global Note Legend, that has the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached thereto, that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary and that does not bear the Private Placement Legend.
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Unrestricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution in compliance with Section 4.16 and any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary.
U.S. Person means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.
Valor means Valor Communications Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Voting Stock of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is ordinarily entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(1) | the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that shall elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by |
(2) | the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness. |
Section 1.02. Other Definitions .
Term |
Defined in
Section |
|
Act |
12.14 | |
Affiliate Transaction |
4.11 | |
Asset Sale Offer |
4.10 | |
Authentication Order |
2.02 | |
Basket Period |
4.07 | |
Change of Control Offer |
4.14 | |
Change of Control Payment |
4.14 | |
Change of Control Payment Date |
4.14 | |
Covenant Defeasance |
8.03 | |
Credit Facility Refinancing |
4.09 | |
DTC |
2.01 | |
Event of Default |
6.01 | |
Excess Proceeds |
4.10 | |
Excess Proceeds Trigger Date |
4.10 | |
Legal Defeasance |
8.02 | |
Offer Amount |
3.08 |
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Term |
Defined in
Section |
|
Offer Period |
3.08 | |
offshore transaction |
2.07 | |
Paying Agent |
2.04 | |
Payment Default |
6.01 | |
Permitted Debt |
4.09 | |
Purchase Date |
3.08 | |
Registrar |
2.04 | |
Related Proceedings |
12.09 | |
Repurchase Offer |
3.08 | |
Restricted Payments |
4.07 | |
Specified Courts |
12.09 |
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
indenture securities means the Notes and the Note Guarantees;
indenture security Holder means a Holder of a Note;
indenture to be qualified means this Indenture;
indenture trustee or institutional trustee means the Trustee; and
obligor on the Notes means the Company, the Guarantors and any successor obligor upon the Notes or the Note Guarantees.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction .
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) | a term has the meaning assigned to it; |
(b) | an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP; |
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(c) | or is not exclusive; |
(d) | words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; |
(e) | herein, hereof and other word of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section, Article or other subdivision; |
(f) | all references to Sections or Articles or Exhibits refer to Sections or Articles or Exhibits of or to this Indenture unless otherwise indicated; and |
(g) | references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time. |
ARTICLE TWO
THE NOTES
Section 2.01. Form and Dating .
(a) General . The Notes and the Trustees certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A . The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued in registered form without interest coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.
The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture, and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
(b) Global Notes . The Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A , (and shall include the Global Note Legend thereon and the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached thereto). The Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or, if the Custodian and the Trustee are not the same Person, by the Custodian at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.07 hereof.
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(c) Regulation S Global Notes . The Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Legended Regulation S Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company ( DTC ) in New York, New York, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. Following the termination of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in the Legended Regulation S Global Note may be exchanged for beneficial interests in Unlegended Regulation S Global Notes pursuant to Section 2.07 and the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the authentication of Unlegended Regulation S Global Notes, the Trustee shall cancel the Legended Regulation S Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Global Notes 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 the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.
(d) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable . The provisions of the Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking and Customer Handbook of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.
(e) Form of Initial Notes . The Notes issued on the date of this Indenture shall initially be issued in the form of one or more Restricted Global Notes.
Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication .
One Officer of the Company shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Company may, subject to Article Four of this Indenture and applicable law, issue Additional Notes under this Indenture, including Exchange Notes. The Notes issued on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes subsequently issued shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture. Furthermore, in the case of Additional Notes having the same CUSIP number as the Notes issued on the date hereof, such Additional Notes shall be fungible with all other Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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At any time and from time to time after the execution of this Indenture, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Officer of the Company (an Authentication Order ), authenticate Notes for (i) original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order and (ii) Additional Notes in such amounts as may be specified from time to time without limit, so long as such issuance is permitted under Article Four of this Indenture and applicable law. The Authentication Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated. In addition, the Trustee shall issue upon receipt of an Authentication Order other Notes issued in exchange therefor from time to time.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.
Section 2.03. Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes .
If a Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Company, the Company shall pay all principal, interest and premium and Additional Interest, if any, on that Holders Notes in accordance with those instructions. All other payments on Notes shall be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar within the United States of America unless the Company elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.
Section 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent .
(a) The Company shall maintain a registrar with an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange ( Registrar ) and a paying agent with an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment ( Paying Agent ). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term Registrar includes any co-registrar and the term Paying Agent includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
(b) The Company initially appoints DTC to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
(c) The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
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Section 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on the Notes, and shall promptly notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or one of its Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
Section 2.06. 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 TIA Section 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 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 TIA Section 312(a).
Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange .
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if (i) the Depositary (A) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Notes or (B) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and in each case the Company fails to appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary; (ii) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes, subject to the procedures of the Depositary; provided that in no event shall the Legended Regulation S Global Note be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes other than in accordance with Section 2.07(c)(ii); or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. In addition, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be exchanged for Definitive Notes upon request of a Participant
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(for itself or on behalf of a beneficial owner) by written notice given to the Trustee by or on behalf of the Depositary in accordance with the customary procedures of the Depositary and in compliance with this Section 2.07. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.08 and 2.11 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.07 or Section 2.08 or 2.11 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except as provided in this Section 2.07. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.07(a); however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.07(b), (c) or (f) hereof.
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes . The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note . Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided , however , that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Legended Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.07(b)(i).
(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.07(b)(i) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in the Legended Regulation S
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Global Note other than in accordance with Section 2.07(c)(ii). Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Company in accordance with Section 2.07(f), the requirements of this Section 2.07(b)(ii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount at maturity of the relevant Global Notes pursuant to Section 2.07(i).
(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.07(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B , including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and
(B) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Legended Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B , including the certifications in item (2) thereof.
(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any Holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.07(b)(ii) above and:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal (1) it is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, (2) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (3) it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
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(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C , including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or
(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B , including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar or the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an opinion of counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes .
(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes . If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C , including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;
(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B , including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
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(C) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED];
(D) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED];
(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than that listed in subparagraph (B) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable; or
(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B , including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof,
the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.07(i) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.07(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
(ii) Beneficial Interests in Legended Regulation S Global Note to Definitive Notes . A beneficial interest in the Legended Regulation S Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.
(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that (1) it is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, (2) it is not engaged in, and
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does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (3) it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C , including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or
(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B , including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar or the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an opinion of counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.07(b)(ii), the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.07(i), and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive
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Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests .
(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes . If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C , including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;
(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B , including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B , including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or
(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B , including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof,
the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the appropriate 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the appropriate Regulation S Global Note.
(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes . A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal (1) it is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, (2) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no
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arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (3) it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C , including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or
(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to transfer such Note to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B , including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar or the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an opinion of counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.07(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Unrestricted Global Note.
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes . A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (i), (ii)(B), (ii)(D) or (iii) above at a time when a Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.
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(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes . Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holders compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.07(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.07(e).
(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes . Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B , including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(B) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]; and
(C) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B , including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.
(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that (1) it is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, (2) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (3) it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business;
(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
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(C) any such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C , including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or
(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to transfer such Note to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B , including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar or the Company so requests, an opinion of counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.
(f) Exchange Offer . Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, (y) they are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, and have no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (z) they are acquiring the Exchange Notes in their ordinary course of business and (ii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Restricted Global Notes so accepted Unrestricted Global Notes in the appropriate principal amount.
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(g) Legends . The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
(i) Private Placement Legend . Except as permitted below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE HEREON (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) (THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (RULE 144A), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANYS AND THE TRUSTEES RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) PRIOR TO THE END OF THE 40 DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE
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TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF A HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) to this Section 2.07 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(ii) Global Note Legend . Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.
(h) Regulation S Global Note Legend . The Regulation S Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).
(i) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes . At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.12 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
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(j) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges .
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon the Companys order or at the Registrars request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.06, 3.08, 4.10, 4.14 and 9.05).
(iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(v) The Company shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes under Section 3.02 and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date or (D) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note tendered and not withdrawn in connection with a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer.
(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(vii) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02.
(viii) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.07 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.
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(ix) 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 Note (including any transfers between or among depositary participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery 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.
(x) Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have the responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.
Section 2.08. Replacement Notes .
(a) If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustees requirements are met. An indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.
(b) Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
Section 2.09. Outstanding Notes .
(a) The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.10, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary thereof shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(c).
(b) If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser or protected purchaser.
(c) If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
(d) If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of any of the foregoing) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.
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Section 2.10. Treasury Notes .
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes 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 conclusively relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
Section 2.11. Temporary Notes .
(a) Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Notes but may have variations that the Company consider appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
(b) Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 2.12. Cancellation .
The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures for the disposition of canceled securities in effect as of the date of such disposition (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the disposition of all canceled Notes shall be delivered to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that the Company has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
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Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest .
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
Section 2.14. CUSIP Numbers .
The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
ARTICLE THREE
REDEMPTION AND OFFERS TO
PURCHASE
Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee .
If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.
Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed .
(a) If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in accordance with any other method the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. In the case of Global Notes, the Notes to be
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redeemed shall be selected in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.
(b) The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount at maturity thereof to be redeemed. No Notes in amounts of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.
Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption .
(a) 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 whose Notes are 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 Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(i) the redemption date;
(ii) the redemption price;
(iii) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount at maturity of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note;
(iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(v) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price and become due on the date fixed for redemption;
(vi) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(vii) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;
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(viii) the CUSIP number, or any similar number, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed; and
(ix) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.
(b) At the Companys request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Companys name and at its expense; provided , however , that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days 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. The notice, if mailed in the manner provided herein shall be presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice.
Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption .
Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. Interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date, unless the Company defaults in making the applicable redemption payment. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.
Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price .
(a) Not later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes 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 and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.
(b) If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal from the redemption date until such principal is paid and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01.
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Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part .
Upon surrender and cancellation of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered. No Notes in denominations of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part.
Section 3.07. Optional Redemption .
(a) At any time prior to February 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) the Applicable Premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of redemption.
(b) At any time on or after February 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on February 1 of the years indicated below:
Year |
Percentage | |||
2018 |
103.188 | % | ||
2019 |
102.125 | % | ||
2020 |
101.063 | % | ||
2021 and thereafter |
100.000 | % |
(c) At any time prior to February 1, 2016, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture (including any Additional Notes) at a redemption price of 106.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that: (1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture (including any Additional Notes) must remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company or its Subsidiaries); and (2) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.
(d) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06.
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Section 3.08. Repurchase Offers .
In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.14, the Company shall be required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase all or a portion of their respective Notes (a Repurchase Offer ), the Company shall follow the procedures specified in such Sections and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the procedures specified below.
The Repurchase Offer shall remain open for a period of no less than 30 days and no more than 60 days following its commencement, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the Offer Period ). No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the Purchase Date ), the Company shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 hereof (the Offer Amount ) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Repurchase Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.
If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Repurchase Offer.
Upon the commencement of a Repurchase Offer, the Company shall send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Repurchase Offer. The Repurchase Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Repurchase Offer, shall state:
(i) that the Repurchase Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.08 and Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 hereof, and the length of time the Repurchase Offer shall remain open;
(ii) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;
(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any;
(iv) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note (or portion thereof) accepted for payment pursuant to the Repurchase Offer shall cease to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any, after the Purchase Date;
(v) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to a Repurchase Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000;
(vi) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Repurchase Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled Option
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of Holder to Elect Purchase on the reverse of the Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;
(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;
(viii) that, if the aggregate amount of Notes surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall, subject in the case of a Repurchase Offer made pursuant to Section 4.10 to the provisions of Section 4.10, select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, shall be purchased); and
(ix) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).
On the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, subject in the case of a Repurchase Offer made pursuant to Section 4.10 to the provisions of Section 4.10, accept for payment on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes (or portions thereof) tendered pursuant to the Repurchase Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that such Notes (or portions thereof) were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.08. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than three days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of Notes tendered by such Holder, as the case may be, and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Note. The Trustee, upon written request from the Company shall authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the respective Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Repurchase Offer on the Purchase Date.
The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to a Repurchase Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with Section 3.08, 4.10 or 4.14, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.08, 4.10 or 4.14 by virtue of such compliance.
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Section 3.09. No Sinking Fund .
The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
ARTICLE FOUR
COVENANTS
Section 4.01. Payment of Notes .
(a) The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, holds as of 12:00 p.m. (noon) 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 then due. The Company shall pay all Additional Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
(b) The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest, and Additional Interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency .
(a) The Company shall maintain in the United States of America an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or Registrar or agent of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall 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.
(b) The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of their obligation to maintain an office or
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agency in the United States of America for such purposes. The Company shall 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.
(c) The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.04 of this Indenture.
Section 4.03. Reports .
(a) The Company shall furnish to the Trustee and, upon request, to beneficial owners and prospective investors a copy of all of the information and reports referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) below within the time periods specified in the Commissions rules and regulations:
(i) all quarterly and annual financial information that is required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K, including a Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Companys certified independent accountants; and
(ii) all current reports that are required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K.
Whether or not required by the Commission, the Company shall comply with the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and shall file the reports specified in Section 4.03(a)(i) and Section 4.03(a)(ii) with the Commission within the time periods specified above unless the Commission shall not accept such a filing. The Company agrees that it shall not take any action for the purpose of causing the Commission not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission shall not accept the Companys filings for any reason, the Company shall post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraph on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Company were required to file those reports with the Commission.
(b) If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by this Section 4.03 shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Companys Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
(c) The Company and the Guarantors, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, shall furnish to the Holders and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
(d) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.03 is for informational purposes only and the Trustees receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Companys compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers Certificates).
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Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate .
(a) The Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Companys 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 and Guarantors have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to his or her knowledge, the Company and Guarantors have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture and are not in default in the performance or 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 and the Guarantors are taking or propose to take with respect thereto) and that to his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company and the Guarantors are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.
(b) So long as not contrary to the then current recommendations of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the year-end financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.03(a)(i) above shall be accompanied by a written statement of the Companys independent public accountants (which shall be a firm of established national reputation) that in making the examination necessary for certification of such financial statements, nothing has come to their attention that would lead them to believe that the Company or the Guarantors have failed to comply with the provisions of Article Four or Article Five hereof in so far as they relate to financial or accounting matters or, if an event of noncompliance has come to their attention, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, it being understood that such accountants shall not be liable directly or indirectly to any Person for any failure to obtain knowledge of any such violation.
(c) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after any Officer becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company and the Guarantors are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.
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Section 4.05. Taxes .
The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, any 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 Notes.
Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws .
Each of the Company and Guarantors covenant (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 each of the Company and Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive 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 4.07. Restricted Payments .
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(i) declare or pay (without duplication) any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Companys or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Companys or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends, payments or distributions (x) payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or (y) to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);
(ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof held by Persons other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(iii) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value Subordinated Debt, except (a) a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof or (b) the purchase, repurchase or other
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acquisition of any such Indebtedness in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such purchase, repurchase or other acquisition; or
(iv) make any Restricted Investment
(all such payments and other actions set forth in Section 4.07(a)(i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as Restricted Payments ),
unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:
(A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;
(B) the Company would, after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a); and
(C) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on or after July 17, 2006 (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (8), (9) (only in connection with any calculation made for purposes of making a Restricted Payment on or prior to July 17, 2007; any payments made under such clause (9), even prior to such date, will be included as Restricted Payments for purposes of making any calculation after such date), (10) and (11) of Section 4.07(b)), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) an amount equal to the Companys Consolidated Cash Flow for the period (taken as one accounting period) from October 1, 2006 to the end of the Companys most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available (the Basket Period ) less 1.4 times the Companys Fixed Charges for the Basket Period, plus
(2) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company after July 17, 2006 as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or from the Incurrence of Indebtedness (including the issuance of Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that has been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests sold to, or Indebtedness held by, a Subsidiary of the Company and except to the extent converted into or exchanged for Disqualified Stock), plus
(3) with respect to Restricted Investments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after July 17, 2006 pursuant to this Section 4.07(a), (i) the aggregate amount of cash equal to the return
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from such Restricted Investments in any Person resulting from repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or from the net proceeds received in cash from the sale of any such Restricted Investment (except, in each case, to the extent any such payment or proceeds are included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income) or (ii) in the case of redesignations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries, the Fair Market Value of the Restricted Investments therein at the time of such redesignation.
(b) Section 4.07(a) shall not prohibit, so long as, in the case of Section 4.07(b)(5), (7) and (8), no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby:
(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at said date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;
(2) the payment of any dividend or other distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
(3) the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of a contribution to the common equity of the Company or a substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment shall be excluded from Section 4.07(a)(C)(2);
(4) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes or the Note Guarantees with the net cash proceeds from an Incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(5) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued or incurred in accordance with Section 4.09;
(6) the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of options or warrants to the extent that such Equity Interests represent all or a portion of the exercise price thereof;
(7) the repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company constituting fractional shares in an aggregate amount since July 17, 2006 not to exceed $300,000;
(8) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries held by any current or former employee, consultant or director of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any employee equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests in any fiscal year shall not
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exceed the sum of: (i) $20.0 million, with unused amounts pursuant to this subclause (i) being carried over to succeeding fiscal years; plus (ii) the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company since July 17, 2006 as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to any current or former employee, consultant or director of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are used to permit a repurchase, redemption or other acquisition under this subclause (ii) shall be excluded from Section 4.07(a)(C)(2);
(9) dividends paid by the Company on its Common Stock in an amount not to exceed $237.5 million in the aggregate for the first two quarterly dividend payments immediately following July 17, 2006 and any dividend declared by Valor, prior to July 17, 2006 and paid thereafter;
(10) the repurchase of any Subordinated Debt at a purchase price not greater than 101% of the principal amount thereof in the event of (x) a change of control pursuant to a provision no more favorable to the holders thereof than Section 4.14 hereof or (y) an Asset Sale pursuant to a provision no more favorable to the holders thereof than Section 4.10 hereof, provided that, in each case, prior to the repurchase, the Company has made a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as the case may be, and repurchased all Notes issued under this Indenture that were validly tendered for payment in connection therewith;
(11) Restricted Payments made on July 17, 2006 as part of the Transactions as described in the offering memorandum dated June 28, 2006; and
(12) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100.0 million.
(c) The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued to or by the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by this Section 4.07 were computed, together with a copy of any opinion or appraisal required by this Indenture.
(d) For the purposes of this covenant, any payment made on or after July 17, 2006, but prior to the Issue Date shall be deemed to be a Restricted Payment to the extent that such payment would have been a Restricted Payment had the Indenture been in effect at the time of such payment (and, to the extent that such Restricted Payment would have been permitted by clauses (b)(1) through (b)(12) above, such Restricted Payment may be deemed by the Company to have been made pursuant to such clause).
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Section 4.08. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries .
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
(i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock (or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits) to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or pay any liabilities owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(iii) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
(b) However, the preceding restrictions shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions:
(i) existing under, by reason of or with respect to the Credit Agreement, Existing Indebtedness or any other agreements in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, extensions, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, extensions, supplements, refundings, replacement or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Companys Board of Directors, no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the Credit Agreement, Existing Indebtedness or such other agreements, as the case may be, as in effect on the Issue Date;
(ii) set forth in this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;
(iii) existing under, by reason of or with respect to applicable law, rule regulation or order;
(iv) with respect to any Person or the property or assets of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries existing at the time of such acquisition and not incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, extensions, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, extensions, supplements, refundings, replacement or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those in effect on the date of the acquisition;
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(v) in the case of Section 4.08(a)(iii):
(1) that restrict in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is a lease, license, conveyance or contract or similar property or asset,
(2) existing by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture,
(3) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on the property so acquired, or
(4) arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof in any manner material to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof;
(vi) existing under, by reason of or with respect to any agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock of, or property and assets of, a Restricted Subsidiary that restrict distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending such sale or other disposition;
(vii) on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers or required by insurance, surety or bonding companies, in each case, under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(viii) existing under, by reason of or with respect to Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
(ix) existing under, by reason of or with respect to provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property, in each case contained in joint venture agreements, limited liability company agreements and other similar agreements and which the Companys Board of Directors determines shall not adversely affect the Companys ability to make payments of principal or interest payments on the Notes; and
(x) existing under, by reason of or with respect to Indebtedness of any Guarantor; provided that the Companys Board of Directors determines in good faith at the time such encumbrances or restrictions are created that they do not adversely affect the Companys ability to make payments of principal or interest payments on the Notes.
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Section 4.09. Incurrence of Indebtedness .
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness; provided, however , that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are Guarantors may Incur Indebtedness, if the Companys Consolidated Leverage Ratio at the time of the Incurrence of such additional Indebtedness, and after giving effect thereto, is less than 4.50 to 1.
(b) Section 4.09(a) shall not prohibit the Incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, Permitted Debt ):
(i) the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding pursuant to this clause (i) not to exceed $4.0 billion, less the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof to permanently repay any such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.10;
(ii) the Incurrence of Existing Indebtedness;
(iii) the Incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness represented by the Notes to be issued on the Issue Date and the Guarantees of Notes (including Additional Notes) by the Guarantors;
(iv) the Incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property (real or personal), plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (whether through the direct acquisition of such assets or the acquisition of Equity Interests of any Person owning such assets), in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), not to exceed the greater of (x) 3.0% of Total Assets and (y) $250.0 million;
(v) the Incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be Incurred under Section 4.09(a) or clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (xiv) or (xv) of this Section 4.09(b);
(vi) the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness owing to and held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (A) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof and (B) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof, shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this Section 4.09(b)(vi);
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(vii) the Guarantee by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof that was permitted to be Incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09;
(viii) the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations that are Incurred for the purpose of fixing, hedging or swapping interest rate, commodity price or foreign currency exchange rate risk (or to reverse or amend any such agreements previously made for such purposes), and not for speculative purposes;
(ix) the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or Guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing any obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, in any case Incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition), so long as the principal amount does not exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof in connection with such disposition;
(x) the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided, however, that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its Incurrence;
(xi) the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit in respect of workers compensation claims or self-insurance obligations or bid, performance, appeal or surety bonds (in each case other than for an obligation for borrowed money);
(xii) the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business; provided that, upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or Incurrence;
(xiii) the Incurrence by the Company or any Guarantor of Indebtedness to the extent that the net proceeds thereof are promptly deposited to defease or to satisfy and discharge the Notes;
(xiv) the Incurrence of Acquired Debt, provided that after giving effect to the Incurrence thereof, the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of Indebtedness under the Consolidated Leverage Ratio set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and
(xv) the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this Section 4.09(b)(xv), not to exceed $250.0 million.
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For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that any proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in Section 4.09(b)(i) through (xv) above, or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a), the Company shall be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness at the time of its Incurrence in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09; provided that any refinancing (a Credit Facility Refinancing ) of amounts Incurred in reliance on the exception provided by Section 4.09(b)(i) shall be deemed to have been Incurred in reliance on such Section 4.09(b)(i). Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement outstanding on the Issue Date shall be deemed to have been Incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by Section 4.09(b)(i). Additionally, all or any portion of any item of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement Incurred on the Issue Date and Credit Facility Refinancings, which at all times shall be deemed to have been Incurred under Section 4.09(b)(i) above) may later be reclassified as having been Incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) or under any one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in Section 4.09(b)(i) through (xv) so long as such Indebtedness is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to such provision at the time of reclassification.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that may be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness due solely to the result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies.
(d) The Company shall not Incur any Indebtedness that is contractually subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company unless it is contractually subordinate in right of payment to the Notes to the same extent. No Guarantor shall Incur any Indebtedness that is contractually subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of such Guarantor unless it is contractually subordinate in right of payment to such Guarantors Note Guarantee to the same extent. For purposes of the foregoing, no Indebtedness shall be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, solely by reason of any Liens or Guarantees arising or created in respect thereof or by virtue of the fact that the holders of any secured Indebtedness have entered into intercreditor agreements giving one or more of such holders priority over the other holders in the collateral held by them.
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Section 4.10. Asset Sales .
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(i) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and
(ii) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents or Replacement Assets or a combination of both. For purposes of this Section 4.10(a)(ii), each of the following shall be deemed to be cash:
(A) any liabilities (as shown on the Companys or such Restricted Subsidiarys most recent balance sheet) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities , Indebtedness that is by its terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee and liabilities to the extent owed to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or Equity Interests pursuant to a written assignment and assumption agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability therefor;
(B) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into Cash Equivalents or Replacement Assets within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the extent of the Cash Equivalents or Replacement Assets received in that conversion);
(C) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) 1.5% of Total Assets or (y) $100.0 million (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).
(b) Within 365 days after the receipt by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may apply such Net Proceeds at its option:
(i) to repay (x) Indebtedness secured by assets of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent of the value of the assets securing such Indebtedness), (y) Obligations under the Credit Agreement or (z) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor (to the extent of the value of the assets of such Restricted Subsidiary); or
(ii) to purchase Replacement Assets.
Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.
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(c) On the 366th day after an Asset Sale or such earlier date, if any, as the Company determines not to apply the Net Proceeds relating to such Asset Sale as set forth in Section 4.10(b) (each such date being referred as an Excess Proceeds Trigger Date ), such aggregate amount of Net Proceeds that has not been applied on or before the Excess Proceeds Trigger Date as permitted pursuant to Section 4.10(b) ( Excess Proceeds ) shall be applied by the Company to make an offer (an Asset Sale Offer ) to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes or any Note Guarantee containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, and shall be payable in cash.
(d) The Company may defer the Asset Sale Offer until there are aggregate unutilized Excess Proceeds equal to or in excess of $30.0 million resulting from one or more Asset Sales, at which time the entire unutilized amount of Excess Proceeds (not only the amount in excess of $30.0 million) shall be applied as provided in Section 4.10(c). If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may use such Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness shall be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the Excess Proceeds subject to such Asset Sale shall no longer be deemed to be Excess Proceeds.
(e) The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sales provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached their obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.
Section 4.11. Transactions with Affiliates .
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into, make, amend, renew or extend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or Guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an Affiliate Transaction ), unless:
(i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained
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in a comparable arms-length transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(ii) the Company delivers to the Trustee:
(1) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25.0 million, a Board Resolution set forth in an Officers Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions complies with this Section 4.11 and that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company (if any); and
(2) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $100.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions from a financial point of view issued by an independent accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing.
(b) The following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a):
(i) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Person that shall become a Restricted Subsidiary as part of any such transactions (but excluding any such transaction to the extent that any payments thereunder made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to such Person are substantially concurrently paid by such Person to any other Affiliate of the Company, except to the extent that any such transaction would not be prohibited by this Section 4.11);
(ii) payment of reasonable and customary fees to, and reasonable and customary indemnification and similar payments on behalf of, directors of the Company;
(iii) Permitted Investments and Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of Section 4.07;
(iv) any sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;
(v) transactions pursuant to agreements or arrangements in effect on the Issue Date, or any amendment, modification, or supplement thereto or replacement thereof, as long as such agreement or arrangement, as so amended, modified, supplemented or replaced, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries than the original agreement or arrangement in existence on the Issue Date;
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(vi) any employment, consulting, service or termination agreement, or reasonable and customary indemnification arrangements, entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with officers and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and the payment of compensation to officers and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including amounts paid pursuant to employee benefit plans, employee stock option or similar plans), so long as such agreement or payment has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company;
(vii) payments or loans to employees or consultants in the ordinary course of business which are approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith;
(viii) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company, directly or indirectly, owns Equity Interests in, or controls, such Person; and
(ix) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, which are fair to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the determination of a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the Company, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party.
Section 4.12. Liens .
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, unless all payments due under this Indenture and the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations so secured (or, in the case of Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes or the related Note Guarantees, prior or senior thereto, with the same relative priority as the Notes shall have with respect to such subordinated Indebtedness) until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.
Section 4.13. Business Activities .
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary thereof to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
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Section 4.14. Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control .
(a) If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, each Holder of Notes shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000) of that Holders Notes pursuant to an offer by the Company (a Change of Control Offer ) at an offer price (a Change of Control Payment ) in cash equal to not less than 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon, to the date of repurchase (the Change of Control Payment Date ). No later than 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event (unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof), the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes on the Change of Control Payment Date specified in such notice, which date shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures described in Section 3.08 (including the notice required thereby). The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached their obligations under the Change of Control provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.
(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:
(i) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and
(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officers Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Company.
(c) The Paying Agent shall promptly mail or wire transfer to each Holder of Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple $1,000 in excess of $2,000.
(d) The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.
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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.14, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.14 and all other provisions of this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
Section 4.15. [INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] .
Section 4.16. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries .
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that:
(i) any Guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof of any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary being so designated shall be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (or both, if applicable) at the time of such designation, and such Incurrence of Indebtedness would be permitted under Section 4.09;
(ii) the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary being so designated (including any Guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof of any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary) shall be deemed to be a Restricted Investment made as of the time of such designation and that such Investment would be permitted under Section 4.07;
(iii) the Subsidiary being so designated:
(1) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof unless either (A) such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding is with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, which are fair to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the determination of a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the Company, or (B) the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;
(2) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (A) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (B) to maintain or preserve such Persons financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and
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(3) has not Guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except (A) to the extent such Guarantee or credit support would be released upon such designation or (B) a pledge of the Equity Interests of the Unrestricted Subsidiary that is the obligor thereunder; and
(iv) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.
(b) Any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by this Indenture. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet any of the preceding requirements described in Section 4.16(a)(iii), it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness, Investments, or Liens on the property, of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be Incurred or made by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness, Investments or Liens are not permitted to be Incurred or made as of such date under this Indenture, the Company shall be in default under this Indenture.
(c) The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that:
(i) such designation shall be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness (including any Non-Recourse Debt) of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted if such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09;
(ii) all outstanding Investments owned by such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to be made as of the time of such designation and such designation shall only be permitted if such Investments would be permitted under Section 4.07;
(iii) all Liens upon property or assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary existing at the time of such designation would be permitted under Section 4.12; and
(iv) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.
Section 4.17. Payments for Consent .
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the
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terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
Section 4.18. Guarantees .
The Company shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than any Insignificant Subsidiary), directly or indirectly, to Guarantee or pledge any assets to secure the payment of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary unless such Restricted Subsidiary is a Guarantor or simultaneously delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and executes a supplemental indenture, substantially in the form of Exhibit E-1 hereto, providing for the Guarantee of the payment of the Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary, which Guarantee shall be senior to or pari passu with such Subsidiarys Guarantee of such other Indebtedness.
Section 4.19. Sale and Leaseback Transactions .
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if:
(i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, could have (A) Incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Section 4.09 and (B) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.12 in which case such Indebtedness and Lien shall be deemed to have been so Incurred;
(ii) the gross cash proceeds of that Sale and Leaseback Transaction are at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the property that is the subject of that Sale and Leaseback Transaction; and
(iii) the transfer of assets in that Sale and Leaseback Transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, Section 4.10.
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Section 4.20. [INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] .
Section 4.21. Termination of Applicability of Certain Covenants if Notes Rated Investment Grade .
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Companys and its Restricted Subsidiaries obligations to comply with this Article Four (except for Sections 4.01, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.12, 4.14, 4.18 and 4.19) and Section 5.01(a)(iii) will terminate with respect to the Notes and cease to have any further effect from and after the first date when the Notes are rated Investment Grade.
ARTICLE FIVE
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets .
(a) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:
(i) either: (1) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made (A) is a corporation or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia ( provided that, if the Person formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger, or the transferee of such properties or assets, is a limited liability company, then there shall be a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person which shall be a corporation organized in the jurisdictions permitted by this Section 5.01(a)(i) and a co-obligor of the Notes) and (B) assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made, shall either (x) be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) or (y) have a Consolidated Leverage Ratio that is lower than the Consolidated Leverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; and
(iv) each Guarantor, unless such Guarantor is the Person with which the Company has entered into a transaction under this Section 5.01, shall have by amendment to its Note Guarantee confirmed that its Note Guarantee shall apply to the obligations of the Company or the surviving Person in accordance with the Notes and this Indenture.
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(b) In addition, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person. Section 5.01(a)(ii) and (iii) shall not apply to (i) any merger, consolidation or sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) any transaction if, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company, the sole purpose of the transaction is to reincorporate the Company in another state of the United States.
Section 5.02. 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 5.01 hereof, the successor Person 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, assignment, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the Company shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company in this Indenture. In the event of any such transfer (other than any transfer by way of lease), the predecessor Company will be released and discharged from all liabilities and obligations in respect of the Notes and the Indenture and the predecessor Company may be dissolved, wound up or liquidated at any time thereafter.
ARTICLE SIX
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default .
(a) Each of the following is an Event of Default with respect to the Notes:
(i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Additional Interest with respect to, the Notes;
(ii) default in payment when due (whether at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption, required repurchase or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;
(iii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with Article Five;
(iv) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after written notice by the Trustee or Holders representing 25% or more of the aggregate
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principal amount of Notes then outstanding to comply with Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 (other than a failure to purchase Notes in connection therewith, which shall constitute an Event of Default under clause (ii) above);
(v) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after written notice by the Trustee or Holders representing 25% or more of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture;
(vi) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is Guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, if that default:
(A) is caused by a failure to make any principal payment when due at the final maturity of such Indebtedness and prior to the expiration of any grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a Payment Default ); or
(B) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $100.0 million or more;
(vii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments (to the extent such judgments are not paid or covered by insurance provided by a reputable carrier that has the ability to perform) aggregating in excess of $100.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;
(viii) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes;
(ix) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company (or any Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case,
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
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(C) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(D) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; and
(x) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company (or Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), in an involuntary case; or
(B) appoints a custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company (or Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company (or Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary); or
(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company (or Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary);
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
Section 6.02. Acceleration .
(a) In the case of an Event of Default specified in clauses (ix) and (x) of Section 6.01(a) above with respect to (i) the Company or (ii) any Significant Subsidiary of the Company (or any Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to Notes, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company specifying the Event of Default. Upon such declaration, the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest), shall become due and payable immediately.
(b) In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes because an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as a result of the acceleration of any Indebtedness described in Section 6.01(a)(vi), the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically annulled if the holders of all Indebtedness described in Section 6.01(a)(vi) have rescinded the declaration of acceleration in respect of such Indebtedness within 30 Business Days of the date of such declaration, and if the annulment of the acceleration of the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, and all existing Events of Default with respect to Notes, except non-payment of principal or interest on the Notes that became due solely because of the acceleration of the Notes, have been cured or waived.
(c) In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07, an equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Notes.
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Section 6.03. Other Remedies .
(a) If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Notes, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, and Additional Interest, if any, with respect to, the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
(b) The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note 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.
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults .
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or Additional Interest on, or the principal of, the Notes.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that the requisite percentage of Holders have consented to such waiver and attaching copies of such consents. In case of any such waiver, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Notes shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder and under the Notes, respectively. This Section 6.04 shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the TIA and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the TIA is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture and the Notes, as permitted by the TIA. Upon any such waiver, such Default with respect to the affected Notes shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to such Notes 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 6.05. Control by Majority .
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising
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any remedy available to the Trustee with respect to the Notes, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the Notes. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in personal liability, or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders of Notes not joining in the giving of such direction and may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from Holders of Notes.
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits .
(a) A Holder of a Note may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:
(i) the Holder gives the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to Notes;
(ii) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(iii) such Holder or Holders offer the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liability or expense;
(iv) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and
(v) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request.
(b) A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holder).
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment .
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of the principal of, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, such Note or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment, on or after the due date expressed in the Notes, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
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Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee .
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(i) or (a)(ii) occurs and is continuing with respect to the Notes, 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, interest, and Additional Interest, if any, remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest and Additional Interest, if any, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .
The Trustee 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 of the Notes then outstanding allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to any of the Company or Guarantors (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other securities or 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 7.07. 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 7.07 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 Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.10. Priorities .
(a) If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;
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Second: to Holders of Notes in respect of which such money was collected for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, interest, and Additional Interest, if any, respectively; and
Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
(b) The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.
Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs .
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as 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 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
ARTICLE SEVEN
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee .
Except to the extent, if any, provided otherwise in the TIA (as from time to time in effect):
(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, 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 persons own affairs.
(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 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 any certificates or opinions required to be delivered hereunder, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions 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 stated therein).
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(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
(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 6.05.
(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 7.01.
(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 Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, costs, liability or expense that might be incurred by it in connection with the request or direction.
(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee (acting in any capacity) shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.
Section 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee .
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document 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.
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(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 selection and the 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 willful 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 unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default (except any Event of Default occurring pursuant to Sections 6.01(a)(i), 6.01(a)(ii) and 4.01) unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of such event is sent to the Trustee in accordance with Section 12.02, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.
(h) 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.
(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right 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.
(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.
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Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee .
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may become a creditor of, or otherwise deal with, the Company or any of its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest as described in the TIA (as in effect at such time), it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
Section 7.04. Trustees Disclaimer .
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Companys use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Companys 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, it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication, and it shall not be responsible for the compliance by the Company or any Holder with any federal or state securities laws or the determination as to which beneficial owners are entitled to receive notices hereunder.
Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall not have (a) any responsibility with respect to (i) the accuracy of the records of any Depositary or any other Person with respect to any beneficial interest in Global Notes or (ii) the selection of the particular portions of a Global Note to be redeemed or refunded in the event of a partial redemption or refunding of part of the Notes Outstanding that are represented by Global Notes, or (b) any obligation to (i) deliver to any Person, other than a Holder, any notice with respect to Global Notes, including any notice of redemption or refunding or (ii) make payment to any Person, other than a Holder, of any amount with respect to the principal of, redemption premium, if any, or interest on Global Notes.
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults .
If a Default or an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Notes and if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has notice of such Default or Event of Default as described in Section 7.02(g), the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs; provided, however, that in any event the Trustee shall not be required to mail such notice prior to 10 days after a Responsible Officer receives notice of such default or Event of Default as described in Section 7.02(g). Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest or Additional Interest on any Note then outstanding, 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 Notes.
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Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes .
(a) Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date hereof, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA Section 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA Section 313(c).
(b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA Section 313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or any delisting thereof.
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity .
(a) The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder in accordance with a written schedule provided by the Trustee to the Company. The Trustees 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 Trustees agents and counsel.
(b) The Company and the Guarantors shall fully indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities or 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 and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by either of 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 may be attributable to its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Company and the Guarantors 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 unless the failure to notify the Company impairs the Companys ability to defend such claim. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Company does not need to pay for any settlement made without its consent. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee as a result of the violation of this Indenture by the Trustee if such violation arose from the Trustees negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.
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(c) The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and resignation or removal of the Trustee.
(d) To secure the Companys payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes, which it may exercise by right of set-off, on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and resignation or removal of the Trustee.
(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(ix) and (x) hereof 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.
(f) The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.
(g) Any amounts due and owing to the Trustee hereunder (whether in the nature of fees, expenses, indemnification payments or reimbursements for advances) which have not been paid by or on behalf of the Company within 30 days following written notice thereof given to the Company shall bear interest at an interest rate equal to the Trustees announced prime rate in effect from time to time, plus two percent (2%) per annum.
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee .
(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustees acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee with respect to the Notes by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:
(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(ii) 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;
(iii) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
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(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 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 then outstanding Notes may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(f) 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 7.07. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Companys obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc .
If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another Person, the successor Person without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10. 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 trust powers, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50.0 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 TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 310(b).
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Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company .
The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein. The Trustee hereby waives any right to set off any claim that it may have against the Company in any capacity (other than any capacity in which it serves under this Indenture) against any of the assets of the Company held by the Trustee; provided , however , that if the Trustee is or becomes a lender of any other Indebtedness permitted hereunder to be pari passu with the Notes, then such waiver shall not apply to the extent of such Indebtedness.
ARTICLE EIGHT
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .
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 8.02 or 8.03 be applied to all outstanding Notes and the Notes Guarantees related to the Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Eight.
Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge .
Upon the Companys exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and all obligations of the Guarantors shall be deemed to have been discharged with respect to their obligations under the Note Guarantees related to the Notes on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, Legal Defeasance ). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees related to the Notes, respectively, which shall thereafter be deemed to be outstanding only for the purposes of Section 8.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the related Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Companys obligations with respect to such Notes under Article Two concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes and mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the
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Companys obligations under Section 4.02, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Companys and the Guarantors obligations in connection therewith and (d) this Article Eight. Subject to compliance with this Article Eight, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.
Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance .
Upon the Companys exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19 and 5.01(a)(iii) with respect to the outstanding Notes and the Note Guarantees related to the Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, Covenant Defeasance ), and the Notes 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 Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and the Notes Guarantees related to the Notes, the Company and the Guarantors 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 with respect to Notes under Section 6.01, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Companys exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04, Sections 6.01(a)(iii) through (viii) shall not constitute Events of Default with respect to Notes.
Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance .
(a) The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 to the outstanding Notes:
(i) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, or interest and premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;
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(ii) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the Issue Date, 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 shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes 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;
(iii) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes 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;
(iv) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing either: (a) on the date of such deposit; or (b) insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 123rd day after the date of deposit;
(v) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is bound;
(vi) the Company must have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that assuming no intervening bankruptcy of the Company or any Guarantor between the date of deposit and the 123 rd day following the deposit and assuming that no Holder is an insider of the Company under applicable bankruptcy law, after the 123 rd 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, including Section 547 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, and Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law;
(vii) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others;
(viii) if the Notes are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, the Company must deliver to the Trustee irrevocable instructions to redeem all of the Notes on the specified redemption date; and
(ix) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent (other than the expiration of the 123-day period referred to in Section 8.04(a)(vi)) relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
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Section 8.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .
(a) Subject to Section 8.06, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.04 in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes 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 Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(b) 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 8.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
(c) Anything in this Article Eight 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 8.04 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 8.04(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 8.06. 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, interest, or Additional Interest, if any, on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, interest, or Additional Interest, if any, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its written request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note 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 reasonable 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
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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 shall be repaid to the Company.
Section 8.07. Reinstatement .
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, 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 Companys obligations under this Indenture, the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 and, in the case of a Legal Defeasance, the Guarantors obligations under their respective Note Guarantees shall be revised and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03, in each case until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided , however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of their obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders of Notes .
(a) Notwithstanding Section 9.02, with respect to the Notes, the Company, the Guarantors, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees without the consent of any Holder of a Note:
(i) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(ii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;
(iii) to provide for the assumption of any of the Companys or Guarantors obligations to Holders of Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of such the Companys or Guarantors assets;
(iv) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or that does not materially adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;
(v) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
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(vi) to comply with Section 4.18;
(vii) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee;
(viii) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with this Indenture; or
(ix) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the section of the Offering Memorandum entitled Description of Notes to the extent that such provision in this Indenture or the Notes was intended to conform to the text of such Description of Notes.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by resolutions of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental Indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of any documents requested under Section 7.02(b) hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of any amended or supplemental Indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture that affects its own rights, duties, protections, privileges, indemnities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes .
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.02, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes (and related Note Guarantees) with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes (and related Note Guarantees) may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes).
(b) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders of Notes on such record date, or its duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 90 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.
(c) Upon the request of the Company accompanied by resolutions of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amendment or supplement to this Indenture, and
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upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02(b), the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such amendment or supplement unless such amendment or supplement directly affects the Trustees own rights, duties, protections, privileges, indemnities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amendment or supplement.
(d) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
(e) After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture, or the Notes. However, with respect to the Notes, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):
(i) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(ii) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the provisions, or waive any payment, with respect to the redemption of the Notes other than provisions relating to Sections 4.10 and 4.14 (except to the extent provided in clause (ix) below);
(iii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;
(iv) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(v) make any Note payable in money other than U.S. dollars;
(vi) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes;
(vii) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
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(viii) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Notes or the Note Guarantees;
(ix) amend, change or modify the obligation of the Company to make and consummate an Asset Sale Offer with respect to any Asset Sale in accordance with Section 4.10 after the obligation to make such Asset Sale Offer has arisen, or the obligation of the Company to make and consummate a Change of Control Offer in the event of a Change of Control Triggering Event in accordance with Section 4.14 after such Change of Control Triggering Event has occurred, including, in each case, amending, changing or modifying any definition relating thereto;
(x) except as otherwise permitted under Section 4.18 and Section 5.01, consent to the assignment or transfer by the Company or any Guarantor of any of their rights or obligations under this Indenture;
(xi) amend or modify any of the provisions of this Indenture or the related definitions affecting the ranking of the Notes or any Note Guarantee in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes or any Note Guarantee; and
(xii) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.
Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in a document that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents .
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holders Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note 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.
Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes .
(a) The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
(b) Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
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Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc. .
The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement to this Indenture or any Note authorized pursuant to this Article Nine if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities, protections, privileges, indemnities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplemental Indenture or Note until its Board of Directors approve it. In executing any amendment or supplement or Note, the Trustee shall receive and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
ARTICLE TEN
NOTE GUARANTEES
Section 10.01. Guarantee .
(a) Subject to this Article Ten, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, and fully and unconditionally, guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that: (i) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes, if lawful (subject in all cases to any applicable grace period provided herein), and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or
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any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Subject to Section 6.06, each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Note Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.
(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to any of the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by any of them to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.
(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Six hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.
Section 10.02. Limitation on Guarantor Liability .
Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to its Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article Ten, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
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Section 10.03. Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee .
(a) If an Officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.
(b) The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
(c) If required by Section 4.18, the Company shall cause such Subsidiaries to execute supplemental indentures to this Indenture in accordance with Section 4.18 and this Article Ten, to the extent applicable.
Section 10.04. Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms .
(a) A Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:
(i) immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and
(ii) either:
(A) the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture, its Note Guarantee and the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee; or
(B) such sale or other disposition or consolidation or merger complies with Section 4.10.
(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note Guarantee and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by a Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for a Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. All the Note Guarantees so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
(c) Except as set forth in Article Five, and notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 10.04(a), nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.
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Section 10.05. Release of Guarantor .
(a) The Note Guarantee of a Guarantor shall be released:
(i) in connection with any transaction permitted by this Indenture after which such Guarantor would no longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale of Capital Stock, if any, complies with Section 4.10;
(ii) if the Company properly designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary under this Indenture;
(iii) upon satisfaction and discharge of the Notes as set forth under Section 11.01 or upon defeasance of the Notes as set forth under Article 8; or
(iv) solely in the case of a Note Guarantee created pursuant to Section 4.18, upon the release or discharge of the Guarantee which resulted in the creation of such Note Guarantee pursuant to this Section 4.18, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee.
(b) Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article Ten.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 11.01. Satisfaction and Discharge .
(a) This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:
(i) either:
(A) all Notes that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption
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or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company or any Guarantor 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 thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;
(ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor are a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;
(iii) the Company or any Guarantor have paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and
(iv) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.
(b) 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.
(c) Notwithstanding the above, the Trustee shall pay to the Company from time to time upon its request any cash or Government Securities held by it as provided in this section which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect a satisfaction and discharge under this Article Eleven.
(d) After the conditions to discharge contained in this Article Eleven have been satisfied, and the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, and delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied, the Trustee upon written request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Indenture (except for those surviving obligations specified Section 11.01).
Section 11.02. Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .
Subject to Section 11.03 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01
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hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes 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 Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 11.03. 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 and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on their request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note 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 or 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 shall be repaid to the Company.
ARTICLE TWELVE
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls .
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.
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Section 12.02. Notices .
(a) Any notice or communication by the Company or any Guarantor, on the one hand, or the Trustee on the other hand, to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others address:
If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:
Windstream Corporation
4001 Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212-2442
Facsimile: (501) 748-7400
Attention: John Fletcher
with a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, New York 10036
Facsimile: (917) 777-4112
Attention: Richard B. Aftanas
If to the Trustee:
U.S. Bank National Association
Two Midtown Plaza
1349 West Peachtree Street
Suite 1050
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Facsimile: (404) 898-8844
(b) The Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee, by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
(c) 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; three 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.
(d) 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 TIA Section 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. 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.
(e) Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance on such waiver.
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(f) In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
(g) 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.
(h) 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 of Notes with Other Holders of Notes .
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of TIA Section 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 (except in connection with the original issuance of the Notes), the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(i) an Officers Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) 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
(ii) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel (who may rely upon an Officers Certificate or certificates of public officials as to matters of fact), all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
Section 12.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .
(a) 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 TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:
(i) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
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(ii) 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;
(iii) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
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.
Section 12.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders .
No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member, manager or partner of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Section 12.08. Governing Law .
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES.
Section 12.09. Consent to Jurisdiction .
Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby ( Related Proceedings ) may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York (collectively, the Specified Courts ), and each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by
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mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such partys address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Section 12.10. 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 any of its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 12.11. Successors .
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind such Guarantors successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.04.
Section 12.12. Severability .
In case any provision in this Indenture or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 12.13. 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 12.14. Acts of Holders .
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by the Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
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to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the Act of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company if made in the manner provided in this Section 12.14.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to such witness, notary or officer the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 12.14, the principal amount and serial numbers of Notes held by any Holder, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar as provided in Section 2.04.
(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of the Notes any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, by or pursuant to resolutions of its Board of Directors, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Notes entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders of Notes generally in connection therewith or the date of the most recent list of Holders of Notes forwarded to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.06 and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record of Notes at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Notes for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of the then outstanding Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the then outstanding Notes shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Notes on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.
(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration or transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.
(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so itself with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.
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Section 12.15. Benefit of Indenture .
Nothing in this Indenture or the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Registrar and its successors hereunder, and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 12.16. 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.
[ SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW ]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Indenture as of January 23, 2013.
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION | ||
By |
/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner |
|
Name: | Jeffery R. Gardner | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
[ Signature Page to the Indenture ]
GUARANTORS: | ||||||
BISHOP COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION | ||||||
BUFFALO VALLEY MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. | ||||||
CINERGY COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY OF VIRGINIA | ||||||
COMMUNICATIONS SALES AND LEASING, INC. | ||||||
CONESTOGA ENTERPRISES, INC. | ||||||
CONESTOGA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. | ||||||
CT CELLULAR, INC. | ||||||
CT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. | ||||||
CT WIRELESS CABLE, INC. | ||||||
D&E COMMUNICATIONS, INC. | ||||||
D&E INVESTMENTS, INC. | ||||||
D&E MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. | ||||||
D&E NETWORKS, INC. | ||||||
EQUITY LEASING, INC. | ||||||
GABRIEL COMMUNICATIONS FINANCE COMPANY | ||||||
HEART OF THE LAKES CABLE SYSTEMS, INC. | ||||||
HOSTED SOLUTIONS CHARLOTTE, LLC | ||||||
HOSTED SOLUTIONS RALEIGH, LLC | ||||||
IOWA TELECOM DATA SERVICES, L.C. | ||||||
IOWA TELECOM TECHNOLOGIES, LLC | ||||||
IWA SERVICES, LLC | ||||||
KDL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION | ||||||
KDL HOLDINGS, LLC | ||||||
KERRVILLE CELLULAR, LLC | ||||||
KERRVILLE COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION | ||||||
KERRVILLE MOBILE HOLDINGS, LLC | ||||||
KERRVILLE WIRELESS HOLDINGS, LLC | ||||||
LAKEDALE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC | ||||||
LEXCOM INC. | ||||||
NORLIGHT TELECOMMUNICATIONS OF VIRGINIA, INC. | ||||||
NUVOX, INC. | ||||||
OKLAHOMA WINDSTREAM, LLC | ||||||
PCS LICENSES, INC. | ||||||
PROGRESS PLACE REALTY HOLDING COMPANY, LLC | ||||||
TELEVIEW, LLC | ||||||
TEXAS WINDSTREAM, INC. | ||||||
VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTERPRISES FINANCE CORP. |
VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTERPRISES II, LLC | ||||||
VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTERPRISES, LLC | ||||||
VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS INVESTMENTS, LLC | ||||||
VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS OF TEXAS, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM ALABAMA, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM ARKANSAS, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM BAKER SOLUTIONS, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM COMMUNICATIONS KERRVILLE, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM COMMUNICATIONS TELECOM, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM CTC INTERNET SERVICES, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM DIRECT, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM EN-TEL, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM HOLDING OF THE MIDWEST, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM HOSTED SOLUTIONS, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICES, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM IOWA COMMUNICATIONS, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM IOWA-COMM, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM KDL-VA, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM KERRVILLE LONG DISTANCE, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM LAKEDALE LINK, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM LAKEDALE, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM LEASING, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM LEXCOM ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM LEXCOM LONG DISTANCE, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM LEXCOM WIRELESS, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM MONTEZUMA, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM NETWORK SERVICES OF THE MIDWEST, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM NORTHSTAR, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM NUVOX ARKANSAS, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM NUVOX ILLINOIS, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM NUVOX INDIANA, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM NUVOX KANSAS, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM NUVOX OKLAHOMA, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM OKLAHOMA, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM SHAL NETWORKS, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM SHAL, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM SOUTH CAROLINA, LLC | ||||||
WINDSTREAM SUGAR LAND, INC. | ||||||
WINDSTREAM SUPPLY, LLC |
WIRELESS ONE OF NORTH CAROLINA, LLC | ||||||
By |
/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner |
|||||
Name: | Jeffery R. Gardner | |||||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
[ Signature Page to the Indenture ]
GUARANTORS: | ||||
SOUTHWEST ENHANCED NETWORK SERVICES, LP | ||||
By: Valor Telecommunications Enterprises, LLC, its general partner | ||||
By: |
/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner |
|||
Name: | Jeffery R. Gardner | |||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
WINDSTREAM SOUTHWEST LONG DISTANCE, LP | ||||
By: Valor Telecommunications Enterprises, LLC, its general partner | ||||
By: |
/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner |
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Name: | Jeffery R. Gardner | |||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
[ Signature Page to the Indenture ]
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee |
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By: |
/s/ Muriel Shaw |
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Name: | Muriel Shaw | |||
Title: | Assistant Vice President |
[ Signature Page to the Indenture ]
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTE
[Face of Note]
[THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.]
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE HEREON (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) (THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (RULE 144A), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANYS AND THE TRUSTEES RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) PRIOR TO THE END OF THE 40 DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF A HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.
[ Additional language for Regulation S Note to be inserted after paragraph 1 ]
[THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).]
CUSIP | ||
No. | **$ ** |
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION
6 3 / 8 % SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023
Issue Date:
Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (the Company , which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, promises to pay to [ ], or its registered assigns, the principal sum of $[ ] on August 1, 2023.
Interest Payment Dates: February 1 and August 1, commencing August 1, 2013.
Record Dates: January 15 and July 15.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
[ SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS ]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company have caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officer.
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION | ||
By: |
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Name: | Anthony W. Thomas | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
(Trustees Certificate of Authentication)
This is one of the 6 3 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: |
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U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, | ||
as Trustee | ||
By: |
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Authorized Signatory |
[Reverse Side of Note]
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION
6 3 / 8 % SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1. Interest . The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 6 3 / 8 % per annum from the date hereof until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company shall pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an Interest Payment Date ). Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be August 1, 2013. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; the Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2. Method of Payment . The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the record date immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.13 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. If a Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Company, the Company shall pay all principal, interest and premium and Additional Interest, if any, on that Holders Notes in accordance with those instructions. All other payments on Notes shall be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar within the United States of America unless the Company elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. Paying Agent and Registrar . Initially, the Trustee under the Indenture shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
4. Indenture . The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of January 23, 2013 ( Indenture ) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Indenture pursuant to which this Note is issued provides that an unlimited aggregate principal amount of Additional Notes may be issued thereunder.
Optional Redemption . (a) At any time prior to February 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) the Applicable Premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of redemption.
(b) At any time on or after February 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on February 1 of the years indicated below:
Year |
Percentage | |||
2018 |
103.188 | % | ||
2019 |
102.125 | % | ||
2020 |
101.063 | % | ||
2021 and thereafter |
100.000 | % |
(c) At any time prior to February 1, 2016, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture (including any Additional Notes) at a redemption price of 106.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that: (1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture (including any Additional Notes) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company or its Subsidiaries); and (2) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.
5. Repurchase at Option of Holder . (a) If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, each Holder of Notes shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000) of that Holders
Notes pursuant to an offer by the Company (a Change of Control Offer ) at an offer price (a Change of Control Payment ) in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon, to the date of purchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes on a date (the Change of Control Payment Date ) specified in such notice, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by the Indenture and described in such notice.
6. Asset Sales . Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company or Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, as applicable, may apply such Net Proceeds at its option: to repay (A) Indebtedness secured by assets of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent of the value of the assets securing such Indebtedness), (B) Obligations under the Credit Agreement or (C) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor (to the extent of the value of the assets of such Restricted Subsidiary); or to purchase Replacement Assets. Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.
On the 366th day after an Asset Sale or such earlier date, if any, as the Company determines not to apply the Net Proceeds relating to such Asset Sale as set forth in Section 4.10(b) (each such date being referred as an Excess Proceeds Trigger Date ), such aggregate amount of Net Proceeds that has not been applied on or before the Excess Proceeds Trigger Date as permitted pursuant to Section 4.10(b) ( Excess Proceeds ) shall be applied by the Company to make an offer (an Asset Sale Offer ) to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes or any Note Guarantee containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, and shall be payable in cash. The Company may defer the Asset Sale Offer until there are aggregate unutilized Excess Proceeds equal to or in excess of $30.0 million resulting from one or more Asset Sales, at which time the entire unutilized amount of Excess Proceeds (not only the amount in excess of $30.0 million) shall be applied as provided in Section 4.10(c) of the Indenture. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may use such Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness shall be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the Excess Proceeds subject to such Asset Sale shall no longer be deemed to be Excess Proceeds.
7. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note (1) for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed or (2) tendered and not withdrawn in connection with a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer. Transfer may be restricted as provided in the Indenture.
8. Persons Deemed Owners . The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.
9. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver . Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes), and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes). Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture, or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to, among other things, cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or make any change that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder.
10. Defaults and Remedies . In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to (i) the Company or (ii) any Significant Subsidiary of the Company (or any Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Notes, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company specifying the Event of Default. In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes because an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as a result of the acceleration of any Indebtedness described in Section 6.01(a)(vi) of the Indenture, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically annulled if the holders of all Indebtedness described in Section 6.01(a)(vi) of the Indenture have rescinded the declaration of acceleration in respect of such Indebtedness within 30 Business Days of the date of such declaration, and if the annulment of the acceleration of the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, and all existing Events of Default, except non-payment of principal or interest on the Notes that became due solely because of the acceleration of the Notes, have been cured or waived.
In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Indenture, an equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Notes.
Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest or Additional Interest) 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 Notes. If certain conditions are satisfied, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or Additional Interest on, or the principal of, the Notes.
11. Trustee Dealings with Company . The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may become a creditor of, or otherwise deal with the Company or any of its Affiliates, with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
12. No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member, manager or partner of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
13. Authentication . This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
14. Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes . In addition to the rights provided to Holders under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of the date of the Indenture, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and the parties named on the signature pages thereof, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more registration rights agreements between the Company and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Company to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the Securities Act (the Registration Rights Agreement ).
15. CUSIP Numbers . Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP
numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
16. Guarantee . The Companys obligations under the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Guarantors.
17. Copies of Documents . The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:
Windstream Corporation
4001 Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212-2442
Facsimile: (504) 748-7400
Attention: John Fletcher
with a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, New York 10036
Facsimile: (917) 777-4112
Attention: Richard B. Aftanas
A SSIGNMENT F ORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: |
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(I NSERT ASSIGNEE S LEGAL NAME ) |
(Insert assignees soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
(Print or type assignees name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint |
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to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date: |
Your Signature: |
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(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) |
Signature Guarantee*: |
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* | Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee). |
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:
¨ Section 4.10 ¨ Section 4.14
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$
Date: |
Your Signature: |
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(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) | ||||
Tax Identification No.: |
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Signature Guarantee*: |
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* | Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee). |
[ To be inserted for Rule 144A Global Note ]
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
Date of Exchange |
Amount of Decrease in
Principal Amount at Maturity of this Global Note |
Amount of Increase in
Principal Amount at Maturity of this Global Note |
Principal Amount at
Maturity of this Global Note Following such decrease (or increase) |
Signature of
Authorized Signatory of Trustee or Custodian |
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[ To be inserted for Regulation S Global Note ]
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE
The following exchanges of a part of this Regulation S Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or of other Restricted Global Notes for an interest in this Regulation S Global Note, have been made:
Date of Exchange |
Amount of Decrease in
Principal Amount at Maturity of this Global Note |
Amount of Increase in
Principal Amount at Maturity of this Global Note |
Principal Amount at
Maturity of this Global Note Following such decrease (or increase) |
Signature of
Authorized Signatory of Trustee or Custodian |
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EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Windstream Corporation
4001 Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212-2442
Facsimile: (501) 748-7400
Attention: John Fletcher
U.S. Bank National Association
Two Midtown Plaza
1349 West Peachtree Street
Suite 1050
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Facsimile: (404) 898-8844
Re: |
6 3 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 |
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2013 (the Indenture ), among Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (the Company ), the Guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
(the Transferor ) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount at maturity of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the Transfer ), to (the Transferee ), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
¨ 1. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note Pursuant to Rule 144A . The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
B-1
¨ 2. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Legended Regulation S Global Note, or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S . The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Legended Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
¨ 3. Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 144A or Regulation S . The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
¨ (a) such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof; or
¨ (b) such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
B-2
4. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note .
¨ (a) Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
¨ (b) Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and, in the case of a transfer from a Restricted Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (a) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (b) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (c) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (d) the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person, and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
¨ (c) Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
Dated: |
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[Insert Name of Transferor] | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
B-4
ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
1. | The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following: |
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
¨ | (a) | a beneficial interest in the: | ||
(i) | 144A Global Note (CUSIP ); or | |||
(ii) | Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP ); or | |||
¨ | (b) | a Restricted Definitive Note. |
2. | After the Transfer the Transferee will hold: |
[CHECK ONE]
¨ | (a) | a beneficial interest in the: | ||
(i) | 144A Global Note (CUSIP ); or | |||
(ii) | Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP ); or | |||
(iii) | Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP ); or | |||
¨ | (b) | a Restricted Definitive Note; or | ||
¨ | (c) | an Unrestricted Definitive Note, |
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
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EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Windstream Corporation
4001 Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212-2442
Facsimile: (501) 748-7400
Attention: John Fletcher
U.S. Bank National Association
Two Midtown Plaza
1349 West Peachtree Street
Suite 1050
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Facsimile: (404) 898-8844
Re: |
6 3 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 |
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2013 (the Indenture ), among Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (the Company ), the Guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
(the Owner ) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount at maturity of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the Exchange ). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note
¨ (a) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owners beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount at maturity, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owners own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
¨ (b) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owners beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby
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certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owners own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
¨ (c) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owners Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owners own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
¨ (d) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owners Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owners own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes
¨ (a) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owners beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount at maturity, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owners own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
¨ (b) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owners Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] :
¨ 144A Global Note, :
¨ Regulation S Global Note, :
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with an equal principal amount at maturity, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owners own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
Dated: |
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[Insert Name of Transferor] | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
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EXHIBIT D
FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM
ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR
Windstream Corporation
4001 Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212-2442
Facsimile: (501) 748-7400
Attention: John Fletcher
U.S. Bank National Association
Two Midtown Plaza
1349 West Peachtree Street
Suite 1050
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Facsimile: (404) 898-8844
Re: |
6 3 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 |
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2013 (the Indenture ), among Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (the Company ), the Guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
In connection with our proposed purchase of $ aggregate principal amount of:
(a) | ¨ | beneficial interest in a Global Note, or | ||
(b) | ¨ | a Definitive Note, |
we confirm that:
1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ).
2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we shall do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a qualified institutional buyer (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional accredited investor (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the
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Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.
3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.
4. We are an institutional accredited investor (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.
5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional accredited investor) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.
The Trustee and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
Dated: |
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[Insert Name of Accredited Investor] | ||||||||
By: |
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Name: | ||||||||
Title: |
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EXHIBIT E
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS
Supplemental Indenture (this Supplemental Indenture ), dated as of , among (the Guaranteeing Subsidiary ), a subsidiary of Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation (or its permitted successor) (the Company ), and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States (or its permitted successor), as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the Trustee ).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Company and the other Guarantors party thereto have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the Indenture ), dated as of January 23, 2013 providing for the issuance of the Companys 6 3 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 (the Notes );
WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall, subject to Article Ten of the Indenture, unconditionally guarantee the Notes on the terms and conditions set forth therein (the Note Guarantee ); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee agree as follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes:
1. Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
2. Agreement to Guarantee .
(a) Subject to Article Ten of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary fully and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:
(i) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes, if lawful (subject in all cases to any applicable grace period provided herein), and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and
(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
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(b) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees that, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor.
(c) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary, subject to Section 6.06 of the Indenture, hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Note Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and the Indenture.
(d) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors, or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to any of the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by any of them to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.
(e) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.
(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six of the Indenture for the purposes of the Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Six of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of the Note Guarantee.
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(g) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.
(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary confirms, pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Indenture, that it is the intention of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary that the Note Guarantee not constitute (i) a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to the Note Guarantee or (ii) an unlawful distribution under any applicable state law prohibiting shareholder distributions by an insolvent subsidiary to the extent applicable to the Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary will be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article Ten of the Indenture, result in the obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance or such an unlawful shareholder distribution.
3. Execution and Delivery . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Note Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of the Note Guarantee.
4. Guaranteeing Subsidiary May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into, any Person other than as set forth in Section 10.04 of the Indenture.
5. Release . The Guaranteeing Subsidiarys Note Guarantee shall be released as set forth in Section 10.05 of the Indenture.
6. No Recourse Against Others . Pursuant to Section 12.07 of the Indenture, no director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, the Indenture, this Supplemental Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. This waiver and release are part of the consideration for the Note Guarantee.
7. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN . THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.
8. Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.
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9. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
10. Trustee . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.
[ SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS ]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.
[NAME OF GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY] | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
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Exhibit 4.3
EXECUTION VERSION
Registration Rights Agreement
Dated as of January 23, 2013
among
Windstream Corporation,
the Guarantors identified herein,
and
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the Agreement) is made and entered into this 23 r d day of January 2013, among Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the Company), the subsidiaries of the Company identified as Guarantors on the signature pages hereto (the Guarantors) and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers listed in Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement (collectively, the Initial Purchasers).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated January 8, 2013, among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (the Purchase Agreement), which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of an aggregate of $700.0 million principal amount of the Companys 6 3 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 (the Initial Securities). In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed to provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.
In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Definitions .
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms shall have the following meanings:
1933 Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
1934 Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of l934, as amended from time to time.
Closing Date shall mean January 23, 2013.
Company shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Companys successors.
Depositary shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any other depositary appointed by the Company, which depositary must be a clearing agency registered under the 1934 Act.
Exchange Offer shall mean the exchange offer by the Company of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.
Exchange Offer Registration shall mean a registration under the 1933 Act effected pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement shall mean an exchange offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form), and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by reference therein.
Exchange Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.
Exchange Securities shall mean the 6 3 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 issued by the Company and guaranteed by the Guarantors under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Initial Securities in all material respects (except for references to certain interest rate provisions, restrictions on transfers and restrictive legends), to be offered to Holders of Initial Securities in exchange for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Guarantors shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Guarantors respective successors.
Holder shall mean each Initial Purchaser, for so long as it owns any Registrable Securities, and each of its successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who become registered owners of Registrable Securities under the Indenture and each Participating Broker-Dealer that holds Exchange Securities for so long as such Participating Broker-Dealer is required to deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.
Indenture shall mean the Indenture relating to the Initial Securities, dated as of January 23, 2013, among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Initial Securities shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Majority Holders shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding (as defined in the Indenture) Registrable Securities; provided that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company and other obligors on the Initial Securities or any Affiliate (as defined in the Indenture) of the Company shall be disregarded in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage amount.
Participating Broker-Dealer shall mean Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and any other broker-dealer which makes a market in the Initial Securities and exchanges Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer for Exchange Securities.
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Person shall mean an individual, partnership (general or limited), corporation, limited liability company, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.
Private Exchange shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.
Private Exchange Securities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.
Prospectus shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including any such prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to a prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and in each case including all material incorporated by reference therein.
Purchase Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Registrable Securities shall mean (i) the Initial Securities and, if issued, the Private Exchange Securities; provided, however , that Initial Securities and, if issued, the Private Exchange Securities, shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (1) a Registration Statement with respect to such Initial Securities shall have been declared effective under the 1933 Act and such Initial Securities shall have been disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (2) such Initial Securities have been sold to the public pursuant to Rule l44 (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule 144A) under the 1933 Act, (3) such Initial Securities shall have ceased to be outstanding or (4) the Exchange Offer is consummated (except in the case of Initial Securities purchased from the Company and continued to be held by an Initial Purchaser) and (ii) any Exchange Securities issued to a Participating Broker-Dealer until resold under the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
Registration Expenses shall mean any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) registration and filing fees, including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any qualified independent underwriter (and its counsel) that is required to be retained by any holder of Registrable Securities in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws and compliance with the rules of FINRA (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities and any filings with FINRA), (iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting
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agreements, securities sales agreements and other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing, if any, of any of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange or exchanges, (v) all rating agency fees, (vi) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company or the Guarantors and of the independent public accountants of the Company or the Guarantors, including the expenses of any special audits or cold comfort letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance, (vii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, and any escrow agent or custodian, (viii) the reasonable fees and disbursements of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, special counsel representing the Holders of Registrable Securities in connection with a Shelf Registration hereunder and (ix) any fees and disbursements of the underwriters customarily required to be paid by issuers or sellers of securities and the fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company or the Guarantors in connection with any Registration Statement, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.
Registration Statement shall mean any registration statement of the Company which covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all amendments and supplements to any such Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.
SEC shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency or government body performing the functions currently performed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Shelf Registration shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof.
Shelf Registration Statement shall mean a shelf registration statement of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 of this Agreement which covers Registrable Securities or Private Exchange Securities on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.
Trustee shall mean the trustee with respect to the Initial Securities, the Private Exchange Securities, if issued, and/or the Exchange Securities under the Indenture.
2. Registration Under the 1933 Act .
2.1 Exchange Offer . The Company and the Guarantors shall, for the benefit of the Holders, at their cost, (A) prepare and, not later than 180 days following the Closing Date, file with the SEC an Exchange Offer Registration Statement on an appropriate form
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under the 1933 Act with respect to a proposed Exchange Offer and the issuance and delivery to the Holders, in exchange for the Registrable Securities (other than Private Exchange Securities) of a like principal amount of Exchange Securities, (B) use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective under the 1933 Act within 210 days of the Closing Date and (C) use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be consummated not later than 240 days following the Closing Date. The Exchange Securities will be issued under the Indenture. Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall promptly commence the Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Exchange Offer to enable each Holder eligible and electing to exchange Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities (assuming that such Holder (a) is not an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, (b) is not a broker-dealer tendering Registrable Securities acquired directly from the Company for its own account, (c) acquired the Exchange Securities in the ordinary course of such Holders business and (d) has no arrangements or understandings with any Person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Securities, and has made representations to the Company to that effect) to transfer such Exchange Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the 1933 Act and under state securities or blue sky laws.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(a) mail as promptly as practicable after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has been declared effective under the 1933 Act to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with any letter of transmittal and any related documents;
(b) keep the Exchange Offer open for acceptance for a period of not less than 30 calendar days after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders (or longer if required by applicable law) (such period referred to herein as the Exchange Period);
(c) utilize the services of the Depositary for the Exchange Offer;
(d) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Registrable Securities at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), on the last business day of the Exchange Period, by sending to the institution specified in the notice, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing such Holders election to have such Registrable Securities exchanged;
(e) notify each Holder that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest, but will not retain any rights under this Agreement (except in the case of the Initial Purchasers and Participating Broker-Dealers as provided herein); and
(f) otherwise comply in all respects with all applicable laws relating to the Exchange Offer.
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If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, an Initial Purchaser holds any Initial Securities acquired by them and having the status of an unsold allotment in the initial distribution, the Company and the Guarantors upon the request of any such Initial Purchaser shall, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Securities in the Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser in exchange (the Private Exchange) for the Initial Securities held by such Initial Purchaser, a like principal amount of debt securities of the Company on a senior basis, that are identical (except that such securities shall bear appropriate transfer restrictions) to the Exchange Securities (the Private Exchange Securities). For the avoidance of doubt, such Exchange Securities shall be likewise guaranteed by the Guarantors.
The Exchange Securities and the Private Exchange Securities shall be issued under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects to the Indenture and which, in either case, has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the TIA), or is exempt from such qualification and shall provide that the Exchange Securities shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture but that the Private Exchange Securities shall be subject to such transfer restrictions. The Indenture or such indenture shall provide that the Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities and the Private Exchange Securities shall vote and consent together on all matters as one class and that none of the Exchange Securities, the Private Exchange Securities or the Initial Securities will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to have the Private Exchange Securities bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Securities, to the extent permitted by the CUSIP Service Bureau. Neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors shall have any liability under this Agreement solely as a result of such Private Exchange Securities not bearing the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Securities.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and/or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(i) accept for exchange all Registrable Securities duly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the letter of transmittal which shall be an exhibit thereto;
(ii) accept for exchange all Initial Securities properly tendered pursuant to the Private Exchange;
(iii) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange; and
(iv) cause the Trustee promptly to authenticate and deliver Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, to each Holder of Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.
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Interest on each Exchange Security and Private Exchange Security will accrue from the last date on which interest was paid on the Registrable Securities surrendered in exchange therefor (or if the Exchange Security or Private Exchange Security is authenticated between a record date and an interest payment date with respect to the Registrable Securities surrendered in exchange therefor, from such interest payment date) or, if no interest has been paid on such Registrable Securities, from the Closing Date. The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be subject to any conditions, other than (i) that the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, or the making of any exchange by a Holder, does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, (ii) the due tendering of Registrable Securities in accordance with the Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange, as applicable, (iii) that each Holder of Registrable Securities exchanged in the Exchange Offer shall have represented that all Exchange Securities to be received by it shall be acquired in the ordinary course of its business and that at the time of the consummation of the Exchange Offer it shall have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the 1933 Act) of the Exchange Securities and shall have made such other representations as may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or interpretations to render the use of Form S-4 or other appropriate form under the 1933 Act available, (iv) all governmental approvals which the Company reasonably deems necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall have been obtained and (v) that no action or proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange which, in the Companys judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Company or any of the Guarantors to proceed with the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange. The Company shall inform the Initial Purchasers of the names and addresses of the Holders to whom the Exchange Offer is made, and the Initial Purchasers shall have the right to contact such Holders and otherwise facilitate the tender of Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer.
2.2 Shelf Registration . (i) If, because of any changes in law, SEC rules or regulations or applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the SEC, the Company is not permitted to effect the Exchange Offer as contemplated by Section 2.1 hereof, (ii) if for any other reason the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 240 days after the Closing Date, (iii) upon the request of any of the Initial Purchasers with respect to Registrable Securities not eligible to be exchanged for Exchange Securities in the Exchange Offer or (iv) if a Holder is not permitted to participate in the Exchange Offer or does not receive fully tradable Exchange Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then in case of each of clauses (i) through (iv) the Company and the Guarantors shall, at their cost:
(a) file with the SEC and use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be declared effective no later than 240 days after the Closing Date, a Shelf Registration Statement relating to the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the Majority Holders participating in the Shelf Registration and set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement.
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(b) Use their commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective in order to permit the Prospectus forming part thereof to be usable by Holders for a period of one year from the date the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, or for such shorter period that will terminate when all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, cease to be outstanding or otherwise cease to be Registrable Securities (the Effectiveness Period); provided, however , that the Effectiveness Period in respect of the Shelf Registration Statement shall be extended to the extent required to permit dealers to comply with the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of Rule 174 under the 1933 Act and as otherwise provided herein.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, use their commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that (i) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any Prospectus forming part thereof and any supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (iii) any Prospectus forming part of any Shelf Registration Statement, and any supplement to such Prospectus (as amended or supplemented from time to time), does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
The Company and the Guarantors shall not permit any securities other than Registrable Securities to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement. The Company and the Guarantors further agree, if necessary, to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement, as required by Section 3(b) below, and to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.
2.3 Expenses . The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2. Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holders Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.
2.4. Effectiveness . (a) The Company and the Guarantors will be deemed not to have used their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, to become, or to remain, effective during the requisite period if the Company or any of the Guarantors voluntarily takes any action that would, or omits to take any action which omission would, result in any such Registration Statement not being declared effective or in the Holders of Registrable Securities covered thereby not being able to exchange or offer and sell such Registrable Securities during that period as and to the extent contemplated hereby, unless such action is required by applicable law.
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(b) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC; provided, however , that if, after it has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, such Registration Statement will be deemed not to have become effective during the period of such interference, until the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement may legally resume.
2.5 Interest . In the event that either (a) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC on or prior to the 180th calendar day following the Closing Date, (b) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has not been declared effective on or prior to the 210th calendar day following the Closing Date or (c) the Exchange Offer is not consummated or a Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective, in either case, on or prior to the 240th calendar day following the Closing Date (each such event referred to in clauses (a) through (c) above, a Registration Default), the interest rate borne by the Initial Securities shall be increased (such additional interest being referred to as Additional Interest) by 0.25% per annum upon the occurrence of each Registration Default, which rate will be further increased by 0.25% each 90-day period that such Additional Interest continues to accrue under any such circumstance, provided that the maximum aggregate increase in the interest rate of Initial Securities will in no event exceed 1% per annum. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of Additional Interest will cease and the interest rate will revert to the original rate.
If the Shelf Registration Statement is unusable by the Holders for any reason, and the aggregate number of days in any consecutive twelve-month period for which the Shelf Registration Statement shall not be usable exceeds 30 days in the aggregate, then the interest rate borne by the Initial Securities shall be increased by 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the Initial Securities for the first 90-day period (or portion thereof) beginning on the 31 st such date that such Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be usable, which rate shall be increased by an additional 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the Initial Securities at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period, provided that the maximum aggregate increase in the interest rate of Initial Securities will in no event exceed 1% per annum. Any amounts payable under this paragraph shall also be deemed Additional Interest for purposes of this Agreement. Upon the Shelf Registration Statement once again becoming usable, the interest rate borne by the Initial Securities will be reduced to the original interest rate if the Company and the Guarantors are otherwise in compliance with this Agreement at such time. Additional Interest shall be computed based on the actual number of days elapsed in each 90-day period in which the Shelf Registration Statement is unusable.
The Company shall notify the Trustee within five business days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional Interest is required to be
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paid (an Event Date). Additional Interest shall be paid by depositing with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of Registrable Securities, on or before the applicable semiannual interest payment date, immediately available funds in sums sufficient to pay the Additional Interest then due. The Additional Interest due shall be payable on each interest payment date to the record Holder of Initial Securities entitled to receive the interest payment to be paid on such date as set forth in the Indenture. Each obligation to pay Additional Interest shall be deemed to accrue from and including the day following the applicable Event Date.
3. Registration Procedures .
In connection with the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors with respect to Registration Statements pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof, the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement, within the relevant time period specified in Section 2, on the appropriate form under the 1933 Act, which form (i) shall be selected by the Company, (ii) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof, (iii) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include or incorporate by reference all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein, and (iv) shall comply in all respects with the requirements of Regulation S-T under the 1933 Act, and use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective in accordance with Section 2 hereof;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary under applicable law to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period; and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provision then in force) under the 1933 Act and comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to them with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by each Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the selling Holders thereof (including sales by any Participating Broker-Dealer);
(c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, (i) notify each Holder of Registrable Securities, at least five business days prior to filing, that a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities is being filed and advising such Holders that the distribution of Registrable Securities will be made in accordance with the method selected by the Majority Holders participating in the Shelf Registration; (ii) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities and to each underwriter of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents as such Holder or underwriter may reasonably request, including financial statements and schedules and, if the Holder so requests, all exhibits in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities; and (iii) hereby consent to the use of the
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Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;
(d) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use their commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement and each underwriter of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities shall reasonably request by the time the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each such Holder and underwriter to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided, however , that the Company and the Guarantors shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), or (ii) take any action which would subject it to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;
(e) notify promptly each Holder of Registrable Securities under a Shelf Registration or any Participating Broker-Dealer who has notified the Company that it is utilizing the Exchange Offer Registration Statement as provided in paragraph (f) below and, if requested by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, confirm such advice in writing promptly (i) when a Registration Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendments and supplements thereto become effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for post-effective amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, if, between the effective date of a Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any, relating to the offering cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (v) of the happening of any event or the discovery of any facts during the period a Shelf Registration Statement is effective which makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading, (vi) of the receipt by the Company or any of the Guarantors of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities, as the case may be, for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and (vii) of any determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement would be appropriate;
(f) in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (i) include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled Plan of Distribution which section shall be reasonably acceptable to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, on behalf of the Participating
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Broker-Dealers, and which shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made public by the staff of the SEC with respect to the potential underwriter status of any broker-dealer that holds Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that will be the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange Securities to be received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer, including a statement that any such broker-dealer who receives Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be deemed a statutory underwriter and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities, (ii) furnish to each Participating Broker-Dealer who has delivered to the Company the notice referred to in Section 3(e), without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as such Participating Broker-Dealer may reasonably request, (iii) hereby consent to the use of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, by any Person subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the SEC, including all Participating Broker-Dealers, in connection with the sale or transfer of the Exchange Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, and (iv) include in the transmittal letter or similar documentation to be executed by an exchange offeree in order to participate in the Exchange Offer (x) the following provision:
If the exchange offeree is a broker-dealer holding Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of Exchange Securities received in respect of such Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and
(y) a statement to the effect that by a broker-dealer making the acknowledgment described in clause (x) and by delivering a Prospectus in connection with the exchange of Registrable Securities, the broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act.
(g) (i) in the case of an Exchange Offer, furnish counsel for the Initial Purchasers and (ii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any comment letters received from the SEC or any other request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or for additional information;
(h) use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest possible moment;
(i) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, and each underwriter, if any, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules (without documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits thereto, unless requested);
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(j) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) and registered in such names as the selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, may reasonably request at least three business days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;
(k) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any facts, each as contemplated by Sections 3(e)(v) and 3(e)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, use their commercially reasonable efforts to prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities or Participating Broker-Dealers, such Prospectus will not contain at the time of such delivery any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or will remain so qualified. At such time as such public disclosure is otherwise made or the Company determines that such disclosure is not necessary, in each case to correct any misstatement of a material fact or to include any omitted material fact, the Company agrees promptly to notify each Holder of such determination and to furnish each Holder such number of copies of the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, as such Holder may reasonably request;
(l) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to a Prospectus or any document which is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or a Prospectus after initial filing of a Registration Statement or any free writing prospectus, provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers on behalf of such Holders; and make representatives of the Company and the Guarantors as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders of Registrable Securities, or the Initial Purchasers on behalf of such Holders, available for discussion of such document;
(m) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities, Private Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement, and provide the Trustee with printed certificates for the Exchange Securities, Private Exchange Securities or the Registrable Securities, as the case may be, in a form eligible for deposit with the Depositary;
(n) (i) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, (ii) cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA and (iii) execute, and use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;
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(o) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into agreements (including underwriting agreements) and take all other customary and appropriate actions in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities and in such connection whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an underwritten registration:
(i) make such representations and warranties to the Holders of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in similar underwritten offerings as may be reasonably requested by them;
(ii) furnish to each Initial Purchaser, each Holder and each underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, a certificate, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or the date of the closing under any underwriting or similar agreement, as applicable, signed by (x) the President or a Vice President of the Company and (y) the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Company, confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 5(c) and Section 5(d) of the Purchase Agreement and such other matters as such parties may reasonably request;
(iii) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, cause the same to set forth indemnification provisions and procedures substantially equivalent to the indemnification provisions and procedures set forth in Section 4 hereof with respect to the underwriters and all other parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section or, at the request of any underwriters, in the form customarily provided to such underwriters in similar types of transactions; and
(iv) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested and as are customarily delivered in similar offerings to the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold and the managing underwriters, if any.
The above shall be done at (i) the effectiveness of such Registration Statement (and each post-effective amendment thereto) and (ii) each closing under any underwriting or similar agreement as and to the extent required thereunder;
(p) in the case of a Shelf Registration or if a Prospectus is required to be delivered by any Participating Broker-Dealer in the case of an Exchange Offer, make available for inspection during regular business hours by representatives of the Holders of the Registrable Securities, any underwriters participating in any disposition pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, any Participating Broker-Dealer and any counsel or accountant retained
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by any of the foregoing (collectively, the Inspectors), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company or any Guarantor (Records) reasonably requested by any such persons, and cause the respective officers, directors, employees, and any other agents of the Company or any Guarantor to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, underwriter, special counsel or accountant in connection with a Registration Statement, and make such representatives of the Company or any Guarantor available for discussion of such documents as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers. Records which the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and any Records which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall be maintained in confidence and shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors to any other Person until such time as (1) disclosure of such Records is required to be set forth in the Shelf Registration Statement or a Prospectus in order that such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus, as the case may be, does not contain an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing (in which case the subject information may only be disclosed to another Person following such time as the Shelf Registration Statement in which such information is included is publicly filed by the Company with the SEC), (2) disclosure is required to be made in connection with a court, administrative or regulatory proceeding or required by law (but only after prior written notice of such requirement shall have been given to the Company, to the extent legally permitted), or (3) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public. Each such Inspector will be required to agree to keep information obtained by it as a result of its inspections pursuant to this Agreement confidential (except as otherwise permitted to be disclosed hereunder) and not to use such information as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Company unless and until such is made generally available to the public. Each Inspector will be required to further agree that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought under clause (1) above, give notice to the Company and allow the Company and its subsidiaries at their expense to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential;
(q) (i) in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration Statement, a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, any Prospectus forming a part thereof, any amendment to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to such Prospectus or any free writing prospectus, provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers and to counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities and make such changes in any such document prior to the filing thereof as the Initial Purchasers or counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities may reasonably request and, except as otherwise required by applicable law, not file any such document in a form to which the Initial Purchasers on behalf of the Holders of Registrable Securities and counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy of or to which the Initial Purchasers on behalf of the Holders of Registrable Securities or counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities shall reasonably object, and make the representatives of the Company or any Guarantor available for discussion of such documents as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers; and
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(ii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable time prior to filing any Shelf Registration Statement, any Prospectus forming a part thereof, any amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to such Prospectus or any free writing prospectus, provide copies of such document to the Holders of Registrable Securities, to the Initial Purchasers, to counsel for the Holders and to the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any, make such changes in any such document prior to the filing thereof as the Initial Purchasers, the counsel to the Holders or the underwriter or underwriters reasonably request and not file any such document in a form to which the Majority Holders, the Initial Purchasers on behalf of the Holders of Registrable Securities, counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities or any underwriter shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy of or to which the Majority Holders, the Initial Purchasers on behalf of the Holders of Registrable Securities, counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities or any underwriter shall reasonably object, and make the representatives of the Company or any Guarantor available for discussion of such document as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders of Registrable Securities, the Initial Purchasers on behalf of such Holders, counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities or any underwriter.
(r) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities exchange on which similar debt securities issued by the Company are then listed if reasonably requested by the Majority Holders, or if requested by the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any;
(s) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities to be rated by the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Majority Holders, or if requested by the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any;
(t) otherwise comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering at least 12 months which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and Rule 158 thereunder;
(u) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with FINRA and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter and its counsel (including any qualified independent underwriter that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA); and
(v) upon consummation of an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, obtain a customary opinion of counsel to the Company and the Guarantors as may be required by the Trustee.
In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may (as a condition to such Holders participation in the Shelf Registration) require each Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company such information regarding the Holder and the proposed distribution by such Holder of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to
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time reasonably request in writing. The Company may exclude from such Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable Securities of any Holder who fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time (not to exceed 15 business days) after receiving such request and shall be under no obligation to compensate any such Holder for any lost income, interest or other opportunity forgone, or any liability incurred, as a result of the Companys decision to exclude such Holder in accordance with this paragraph.
In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event or the discovery of any facts, each of the kind described in Section 3(e)(v) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement until such Holders receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(k) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such Holder will deliver to the Company (at its expense) all copies in such Holders possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holders possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.
If any of the Registrable Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the underwriter or underwriters and manager or managers that will manage such offering will be selected by the Majority Holders of such Registrable Securities included in such offering and shall be acceptable to the Company. No Holder of Registrable Securities may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holders Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company and the Guarantors shall be under no obligation to participate in any underwritten offering with respect to the Registrable Securities in connection with the Shelf Registration and no such underwritten offering shall be effected pursuant to this Agreement without the prior consent of the Company.
4. Indemnification; Contribution .
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, each Holder, each Participating Broker-Dealer, each Person who participates as an underwriter (any such Person being an Underwriter) and each Person, if any, who controls any Holder or Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:
(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) pursuant to which Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities
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were registered under the 1933 Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433 under the 1933 Act (Issuer Free Writing Prospectus) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 4(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and
(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by any indemnified party), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) above;
provided, however , that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by an Initial Purchaser, Holder or Underwriter expressly for use in a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
(b) Each Holder severally, but not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors, each Initial Purchaser, each Underwriter and the other selling Holders, and each of their respective directors and officers, and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, the Guarantors, the Initial Purchasers, any Underwriter or any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in Section 4(a) hereof, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Shelf Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus included therein (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to such Holder furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in the Shelf Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus;
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provided, however , that no such Holder shall be liable for any claims hereunder in excess of the amount of net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement.
(c) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action or proceeding commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure so to notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying party or parties be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 4 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 4(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.
(e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 4 is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
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The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Guarantors or the Holders and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company, the Guarantors and the Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 4. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 4 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4, no Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Initial Securities sold by it were offered exceeds the amount of any damages which such Holder 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 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
For purposes of this Section 4, each Person, if any, who controls a Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Holder, and each director of the Company, and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.
5. Miscellaneous .
5.1 Rule 144A . Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Registrable Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the 1933 Act in order to permit resales of such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act.
5.2 No Inconsistent Agreements . The Company and the Guarantors have not entered into and the Company and the Guarantors will not after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of
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Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not and will not for the term of this Agreement in any way conflict with the rights granted to the holders of the Companys and the Guarantors other issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements.
5.3 Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company and the Guarantors have obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or departure.
5.4 Notices . All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, registered first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (a) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.4, which address initially is the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement with respect to the Initial Purchasers; and (b) if to the Company or the Guarantors, initially at the Companys address set forth in the Purchase Agreement, and thereafter at such other address of which notice is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.4.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; two business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands, or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the person giving the same to the Trustee under the Indenture, at the address specified in such Indenture.
5.5 Successor and Assigns . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.
5.6 Third Party Beneficiaries . Each Initial Purchaser (even if such Initial Purchaser is not a Holder of Registrable Securities) shall be a third party beneficiary to the
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agreements made hereunder between the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder. Each Holder of Registrable Securities shall be a third party beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights hereunder.
5.7. Specific Enforcement . Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Company and the Guarantors acknowledge that any failure by the Company or any Guarantor to comply with its obligations under Sections 2.1 through 2.4 hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it would not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Companys and the Guarantors obligations under Sections 2.1 through 2.4 hereof.
5.8. Restriction on Resales . Until the expiration of one year after the Closing Date, the Company and the Guarantors will not, and will cause their affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(1) under the 1933 Act) not to, resell any Initial Securities which are restricted securities (as such term is defined under Rule 144(a)(3) under the 1933 Act) that have been reacquired by any of them and shall immediately upon any purchase of any such Initial Securities submit such Initial Securities to the Trustee for cancellation.
5.9 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
5.10 Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
5.11 GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THEREOF .
5.12 Severability . In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of January 23, 2013.
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION | ||
By |
/s/ Anthony W. Thomas |
|
Name: | Anthony W. Thomas | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
[ Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement ]
GUARANTORS: |
BISHOP COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION |
BUFFALO VALLEY MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. |
CINERGY COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY OF VIRGINIA |
COMMUNICATIONS SALES AND LEASING, INC. |
CONESTOGA ENTERPRISES, INC. |
CONESTOGA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. |
CT CELLULAR, INC. |
CT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. |
CT WIRELESS CABLE, INC. |
D&E COMMUNICATIONS, INC. |
D&E INVESTMENTS, INC. |
D&E MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. |
D&E NETWORKS, INC. |
EQUITY LEASING, INC. |
GABRIEL COMMUNICATIONS FINANCE COMPANY |
HEART OF THE LAKES CABLE SYSTEMS, INC. |
HOSTED SOLUTIONS CHARLOTTE, LLC |
HOSTED SOLUTIONS RALEIGH, LLC |
IOWA TELECOM DATA SERVICES, L.C. |
IOWA TELECOM TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
IWA SERVICES, LLC |
KDL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION |
KDL HOLDINGS, LLC |
KERRVILLE CELLULAR, LLC |
KERRVILLE COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION |
KERRVILLE MOBILE HOLDINGS, LLC |
KERRVILLE WIRELESS HOLDINGS, LLC |
LAKEDALE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC |
LEXCOM INC. |
NORLIGHT TELECOMMUNICATIONS OF VIRGINIA, INC. |
NUVOX, INC. |
OKLAHOMA WINDSTREAM, LLC |
PCS LICENSES, INC. |
PROGRESS PLACE REALTY HOLDING COMPANY, LLC |
TELEVIEW, LLC |
TEXAS WINDSTREAM, INC. |
VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTERPRISES FINANCE CORP. |
VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTERPRISES II, LLC |
VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTERPRISES, LLC |
VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS INVESTMENTS, LLC |
VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS OF TEXAS, LLC |
WINDSTREAM ALABAMA, LLC |
WINDSTREAM ARKANSAS, LLC |
WINDSTREAM BAKER SOLUTIONS, INC. |
WINDSTREAM COMMUNICATIONS KERRVILLE, LLC |
WINDSTREAM COMMUNICATIONS TELECOM, LLC |
WINDSTREAM CTC INTERNET SERVICES, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM DIRECT, LLC | ||
WINDSTREAM EN-TEL, LLC | ||
WINDSTREAM HOLDING OF THE MIDWEST, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM HOSTED SOLUTIONS, LLC | ||
WINDSTREAM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICES, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM IOWA COMMUNICATIONS, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM IOWA-COMM, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM KDL-VA, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM KERRVILLE LONG DISTANCE, LLC | ||
WINDSTREAM LAKEDALE LINK, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM LAKEDALE, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM LEASING, LLC | ||
WINDSTREAM LEXCOM ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | ||
WINDSTREAM LEXCOM LONG DISTANCE, LLC | ||
WINDSTREAM LEXCOM WIRELESS, LLC | ||
WINDSTREAM MONTEZUMA, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM NETWORK SERVICES OF THE MIDWEST, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM NORTHSTAR, LLC | ||
WINDSTREAM NUVOX ARKANSAS, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM NUVOX ILLINOIS, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM NUVOX INDIANA, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM NUVOX KANSAS, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM NUVOX OKLAHOMA, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM OKLAHOMA, LLC | ||
WINDSTREAM SHAL NETWORKS, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM SHAL, LLC | ||
WINDSTREAM SOUTH CAROLINA, LLC | ||
WINDSTREAM SUGAR LAND, INC. | ||
WINDSTREAM SUPPLY, LLC | ||
WIRELESS ONE OF NORTH CAROLINA, LLC |
By |
/s/ Anthony W. Thomas |
|||
Name: | Anthony W. Thomas | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
[ Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement ]
GUARANTORS: | ||
SOUTHWEST ENHANCED NETWORK SERVICES, LP | ||
By: Valor Telecommunications Enterprises, LLC, its general partner | ||
By: |
/s/ Anthony W. Thomas |
|
Name: | Anthony W. Thomas | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | |
WINDSTREAM SOUTHWEST LONG DISTANCE, LP | ||
By: Valor Telecommunications Enterprises, LLC, its general partner | ||
By: |
/s/ Anthony W. Thomas |
|
Name: | Anthony W. Thomas | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
[ Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement ]
CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, | ||
as of the date first above written: | ||
By: | WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC | |
For itself and as Representative of the other Initial Purchasers named in Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement. |
||
By: |
/s/ Marc A. Birenbaum |
|
Authorized Signatory |
[ Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement ]
Exhibit 4.4
ELEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
ELEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this Supplemental Indenture ), dated as of January 23, 2013, among PAETEC Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), each of the entities listed on Annex A attached hereto as Subsidiary Guarantors (the Subsidiary Guarantors ), Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation ( Windsteam ), and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the Trustee ).
RECITALS
WHEREAS , the Company and certain of its Subsidiary Guarantors have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of June 29, 2009 (as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, the Second Supplemental Indenture, the Third Supplemental Indenture, the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, the Seventh Supplemental Indenture, the Eighth Supplemental Indenture, the Ninth Supplemental Indenture and the Tenth Supplemental Indenture referred to below, the Indenture ), providing for an initial issuance of an aggregate principal amount of $350,000,000 of the Companys 8 7 / 8 % Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the Notes ) and an additional issuance of an aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000 of the Notes on January 12, 2010 and guarantees of the Notes by the Subsidiary Guarantors (the Subsidiary Guarantees ), and the Company and other Subsidiary Guarantors have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee a First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 12, 2010 (the First Supplemental Indenture ), a Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 5, 2010 (the Second Supplemental Indenture ), a Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 23, 2010 (the Third Supplemental Indenture ), a Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 22, 2010 (the Fourth Supplemental Indenture ), a Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 15, 2010 (the Fifth Supplemental Indenture ), a Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 6, 2010 (the S ixth Supplemental Indenture ), a Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 6, 2010 (the Seventh Supplemental Indenture ), an Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 5, 2011 (the Eighth Supplemental Indenture ), a Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 3, 2011 (the Ninth Supplemental Indenture ), and a Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 16, 2011 (the Tenth Supplemental Indenture );
WHEREAS , Windstream has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee a Guaranty, dated as of December 1, 2011, pursuant to which Windstream has guaranteed the payment and performance of the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture;
WHEREAS , Section 9.02 of the Indenture provides, among other things, that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, when authorized by their Boards of Directors (as evidenced in each case by a Board Resolution), and the Trustee may amend the Indenture and the Notes with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, as calculated in accordance with Section 2.10 of the Indenture; and, in the case of an amendment to release of all or substantially all of the collateral securing the Notes, the consent of Holders of at least 66 2 / 3 % in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding (together, the Requisite Consents );
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WHEREAS , the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Windstream desire to supplement and amend the Indenture;
WHEREAS , Windstream has distributed an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated as of January 8, 2013 (as amended from time to time, the Offer to Purchase ), and an accompanying Consent and Letter of Transmittal, to the Holders of the Notes seeking their consent (the Consent Solicitation ) to certain proposed amendments to the Indenture, as described in the Offer to Purchase;
WHEREAS , the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, and Windstream have obtained the Requisite Consents from the Holders to amend certain provisions of the Indenture on the terms hereinafter provided; and
WHEREAS , all acts and requirements necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Windstream have been done;
NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
Definitions
1. Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used in this Supplemental Indenture (including the recitals hereto) without definition shall have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.
ARTICLE TWO
Amendments
1. Amendments to the Indenture . This Supplemental Indenture hereby amends the Indenture and Notes as provided for below:
(a) Section 4.03 (Limitation on Indebtedness) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(b) Section 4.04 (Limitation on Restricted Payments) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(c) Section 4.05 (Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
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(d) Section 4.06 (Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(e) Section 4.07 (Limitation on Transactions With Affiliates) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(f) Section 4.08 (Limitation on Liens) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(g) Section 4.09 (Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(h) Section 4.10 (Limitation on Asset Sales) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(i) Section 4.11 (Repurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(j) Article Two, Section 2 (Amendment to Section 4.11) of the Tenth Supplemental Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(k) Section 4.13 (Payment of Taxes and Other Claims) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(l) Section 4.14 (Maintenance of Properties and Insurance) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(m) Section 4.17 (SEC Reports and Reports to Holders) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(n) Article Two, Section 3 (Amendment to Section 4.17) of the Tenth Supplemental Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(o) Section 4.19 (Future Subsidiary Guarantors) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(p) Section 4.20 (After-Acquired Collateral) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(q) Section 4.21 (Additional Interest Notice) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety;
(r) Clauses (2) and (3) of Section 5.01 (Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets) of the Indenture shall be deleted in their entirety;
(s) Clause (3) of Section 6.01 (Events of Default) of the Indenture shall be modified to delete the cross references to Section 4.10 and Section 4.11 of the Indenture;
(t) Clauses (5), (6) and (10) of Section 6.01 (Events of Default) of the Indenture shall be deleted in their entirety; and
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(u) Article Twelve (Collateral) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety.
(v) The failure to comply with the terms of any of the Sections of the Indenture set forth in clauses (a) through (r) and (u) above shall no longer constitute a Default or an Event of Default under the Indenture and shall no longer have any other consequence under the Indenture; and
(w) All definitions set forth in Section 1.01 of the Indenture that relate to defined terms used solely in Sections deleted by this Supplemental Indenture are hereby deleted in their entirety.
ARTICLE THREE
Miscellaneous
1. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indenture Part of Indenture .
(a) | Except as expressly amended and supplemented hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby. In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Indenture and the terms and conditions of this Supplemental Indenture, then the terms and conditions of this Supplemental Indenture shall prevail. |
(b) | The Notes include certain of the foregoing provisions from the Indenture. Upon the date hereof, as provided for in this Supplemental Indenture, such provisions from the Notes shall be deemed deleted or amended as applicable. |
2. Trustees Disclaimer . The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture. The recitals and the statements herein are deemed to be those of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Windstream, and not of the Trustee.
3. Governing Law . THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS, WINDSTREAM AND THE TRUSTEE AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.
4. Severability . If any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
5. Successors . All agreements of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Windstream in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind any successors thereto.
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6. Counterparts . This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement.
7. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.
8. Conflict with the Trust Indenture Act . If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision of the TIA that is required under the TIA to be part of and govern any provision of this Supplemental Indenture, the provision of the TIA shall control. If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA that may be so modified or excluded, the provision of the TIA shall be deemed to apply to the Indenture as so modified or to be excluded by this Supplemental Indenture.
***
5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
The Company | ||||
Paetec Holding Corp. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Anthony W. Thomas |
|||
Name: | Anthony W. Thomas | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||
The Subsidiary Guarantors | ||||
Each of the entities listed on Annex A attached hereto | ||||
By: |
/s/ Anthony W. Thomas |
|||
Name: | Anthony W. Thomas | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||
Windstream Corporation | ||||
By: |
/s/ Anthony W. Thomas |
|||
Name: | Anthony W. Thomas | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]
The Trustee | ||||
The Bank of New York Mellon | ||||
By: |
/s/ Laurence J. OBrien |
|||
Name: | Laurence J. OBrien | |||
Title: | Vice President |
[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]
ANNEX A
Subsidiary Guarantors
Access One Communications Corp. |
Allworx Corp. |
Cavalier IP TV, LLC |
Cavalier Services, LLC |
Cavalier Telephone Corporation |
Cavalier Telephone Mid-Atlantic, L.L.C. |
Cavalier Telephone, L.L.C. |
CavTel Holdings, LLC |
Compco, Inc. |
Elantic Networks, Inc. |
Intellifiber Networks, Inc. |
LDMI Telecommunications, Inc. |
McLeodUSA Information Services LLC |
McLeodUSA LLC |
McLeodUSA Purchasing, L.L.C. |
McLeodUSA Telecommunications Services, L.L.C. |
MPX, Inc. |
Network Telephone Corporation |
NT Corporation |
OmniCall, Inc. |
PaeTec Communications of Virginia, Inc. |
PaeTec Communications, Inc. |
PAETEC Corp. |
PAETEC iTel, L.L.C. |
PAETEC Realty LLC |
PaeTec Software Corp. |
SM Holdings, LLC |
Talk America Holdings, Inc. |
Talk America Inc. |
Talk America of Virginia, Inc. |
TC Services Holding Co., Inc. |
The Other Phone Company, Inc. |
US LEC Communications LLC |
US LEC LLC |
US LEC of Alabama LLC |
US LEC of Florida LLC |
US LEC of Georgia LLC |
US LEC of Maryland LLC |
US LEC of North Carolina LLC |
US LEC of Pennsylvania LLC |
US LEC of South Carolina LLC |
US LEC of Tennessee LLC |
US LEC of Virginia L.L.C. |
XETA Technologies, Inc. |
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION VERSION
REFINANCING AMENDMENT dated as of January 23, 2013 (this Refinancing Amendment ) to the Credit Agreement originally dated as of July 17, 2006 and amended and restated as of August 8, 2012 (as amended from time to time, the Fourth ARCA ) by and among Windstream Corporation (the Borrower ), the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (the Administrative Agent ) and the other agents and arrangers party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Amended Credit Agreement (as defined below).
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.19 of the Fourth ARCA, the Borrower has requested Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness to (x) refinance outstanding Tranche A-2 Term Loans and Tranche B-1 Term Loans in whole and (y) refinance outstanding Tranche B-2 Term Loans in whole or in part;
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 2.19, (x) the Borrower has requested a Refinancing Amendment pursuant to which the Borrower shall incur such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in the form of a tranche of term B loans in an amount not exceeding $1,345,000,000 (such term loans, the Tranche B-4 Term Loans , and the Lenders providing such Tranche B-4 Term Loans, the Tranche B-4 Lenders ) to, on the Fifth ARCA Effective Date (as defined in Section 5 hereof), refinance (i) Tranche A-2 Term Loans and Tranche B-1 Term Loans in whole and (ii) Tranche B-2 Term Loans in whole or in part, and (y) such Refinancing Amendment shall not require the consent of any Lenders other than the Tranche B-4 Lenders;
WHEREAS, (i) each Tranche B-4 Lender has agreed to make a Tranche B-4 Term Loan to the Borrower in the amount reflected for such Lender on Schedule 2.01 under the heading Tranche B-4 Commitment and (ii) the parties hereto agree to the other amendments reflected herein and in the Amended Credit Agreement, in each case (x) as permitted by Section 2.19 of the Fourth ARCA and (y) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1 . Amendment and Restatement of the Fourth ARCA. Effective as of the Fifth ARCA Effective Date, the Fourth ARCA is hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form of the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement set forth as Exhibit A hereto (as so amended and restated, being referred to as the Amended Credit Agreement ). All schedules
and exhibits to the Fourth ARCA, in the forms thereof immediately prior to the Fifth ARCA Effective Date, will continue to be schedules and exhibits to the Amended Credit Agreement.
SECTION 2 . Concerning the Term Loans . On the Fifth ARCA Effective Date, each Tranche B-4 Lender shall make, severally but not jointly, a Tranche B-4 Term Loan in a principal amount equal to such Tranche B-4 Lenders Tranche B-4 Commitment set forth on Schedule 2.01 attached hereto under the caption Tranche B-4 Commitment.
SECTION 3 . Representations and Warranties. To induce the other parties hereto to enter into this Refinancing Amendment, the Borrower represents and warrants that:
(a) As of the date hereof and as of the Fifth ARCA Effective Date, this Refinancing Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it. This Refinancing Amendment (as of the date hereof and as of the Fifth ARCA Effective Date) and the Amended Credit Agreement (as of the Fifth ARCA Effective Date) constitute its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
(b) The representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in Article 3 of the Amended Credit Agreement and in the other Loan Documents that are qualified by materiality are true and correct, and the representations and warranties that are not so qualified are true and correct in all material respects, in each case on and as of the date hereof (other than with respect to any representation and warranty that expressly relates to an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty is true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).
(c) After giving effect to this Refinancing Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby, no Default has occurred and is continuing.
(d) After giving effect to this Refinancing Amendment, (i) the fair value of the assets of each Loan Party, at a fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of each Loan Party will exceed the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) each Loan Party will be able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) no Loan Party will have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and proposed to be conducted after the Fifth ARCA Effective Date.
2
SECTION 4 . Effectiveness of this Refinancing Amendment. This Refinancing Amendment shall become effective as of the date hereof, provided the Administrative Agent shall have received duly executed counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of the Borrower, each Tranche B-4 Lender and the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 5 . Effectiveness of Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The effectiveness of the amendment and restatement of the Fourth ARCA in the form of the Amended Credit Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent (the date on which all of such conditions shall first be satisfied, the Fifth ARCA Effective Date ):
(a) This Refinancing Amendment shall have become effective in accordance with Section 4.
(b) The conditions set forth in Section 4.03(a) and (b) of the Amended Credit Agreement shall be satisfied on and as of the Fifth ARCA Effective Date, and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate dated as of the Fifth ARCA Effective Date, and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Borrower, to such effect.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received the favorable legal opinions of (i) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York counsel to the Loan Parties, (ii) Willkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, special regulatory counsel for the Loan Parties and (iii) John P. Fletcher, Esq., general counsel of the Borrower, in each case addressed to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each L/C Issuer dated the Fifth ARCA Effective Date, which opinions shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinions.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Request in respect of the Tranche B-4 Term Loans. Such Borrowing Notice shall comply with the notice requirements set forth in Section 2.03 of the Amended Credit Agreement.
(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of each Loan Party, the authorization of execution, delivery and performance of the Refinancing Amendment, the performance of the Amended Credit Agreement, and any other legal matters relating to the Wireline Companies or the Loan Documents, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
3
(f) Each Loan Party not a party hereto shall have entered into a reaffirmation agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(g) The Borrower shall have paid all fees and other amounts due and payable pursuant to this Refinancing Amendment and the Amended and Restated Engagement Letter dated as of January 10, 2013 (the Amended and Restated Engagement Letter ), including, to the extent invoiced (each such invoice to be accompanied by customary backup documentation), reimbursement or payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Refinancing Amendment and any other out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent required to be paid or reimbursed pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement or the Amended and Restated Engagement Letter.
(h) The Tranche B-4 Lenders shall have received, no later than three Business Days prior to the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, all documentation and other information about the Borrower and the Guarantors as has been reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Tranche B-4 Lenders that they reasonably determine is required by regulatory authorities under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the Act, that has been reasonably requested at least five Business Days in advance of the Fifth ARCA Effective Date.
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Fifth ARCA Effective Date and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.
SECTION 6 . Effect of Amendment. (a) Except as expressly set forth herein or in the Amended Credit Agreement, this Refinancing Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Lenders or the Agents under the Amended Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Fourth ARCA or any other provision of the Fourth ARCA or of any other Loan Document, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect. Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle the Borrower to a consent to, or a waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Fourth ARCA, the Amended Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances.
(b) On and after the Fifth ARCA Effective Date, each reference in the Fourth ARCA to this Agreement, hereunder, hereof, herein, or words of like import, and each reference to the Credit Agreement in any other Loan Document shall be deemed a reference to the Amended Credit Agreement. This Refinancing Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document for all purposes of the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
4
SECTION 7 . Governing Law. THIS REFINANCING AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION 8 . Costs and Expenses. The Borrower agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent promptly after receipt of a written request together with customary backup documentation for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Refinancing Amendment, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 9 . Counterparts. This Refinancing Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery by facsimile or other electronic imaging means of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Refinancing Amendment shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Refinancing Amendment.
SECTION 10 . Headings. Section headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Refinancing Amendment.
[Remainder of page intentionally blank]
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JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. , as Administrative Agent | ||||
By: |
/s/ John G. Kowaiczuk |
|||
Name: | John G. Kowaiczuk | |||
Title: | Executive Director | |||
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , as Tranche B-4 Lender | ||||
By: |
/s/ Russ Bunting |
|||
Name: |
Russ Bunting | |||
Title: |
Director | |||
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION , as Borrower | ||||
By: |
/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner |
|||
Name: |
Jeffery R. Gardner | |||
Title: |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit A
Form of Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
[FOLLOWS ON NEXT PAGE]
FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
originally dated as of
July 17, 2006
as amended and restated as of
January 23, 2013
by and among
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION
(formerly known as ALLTEL HOLDING CORP.),
The Lenders Party Hereto
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent,
and
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
CITIBANK, N.A.
COBANK ACB
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING INC.
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
SUNTRUST BANK
UNION BANK, N.A.
WELLS FARGO BANK N.A.
as Co-Documentation Agents 1
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
as Bookrunner and Lead Arranger 2
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
CITIBANK, N.A.
COBANK ACB
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING INC.
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.
UNION BANK, N.A.
WELLS FARGO BANK N.A.
as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Arrangers
1 |
Solely with respect to the Tranche B-4 Term Loans, Barclays Bank PLC, BNP Paribas, Citibank, N.A., Cobank ACB, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, SunTrust Bank, Union Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents. |
2 |
Solely with respect to the Tranche B-4 Term Loans, Bank of America, N.A., as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
P AGE | ||||||
ARTICLE 1 |
|
|||||
D EFINITIONS |
|
|||||
Section 1.01 . | Defined Terms | 4 | ||||
Section 1.02 . | Classification of Loans and Borrowings | 56 | ||||
Section 1.03 . | Terms Generally | 57 | ||||
Section 1.04 . | Accounting Terms; GAAP | 57 | ||||
Section 1.05 . | Pro Forma Calculations | 57 | ||||
ARTICLE 2 |
|
|||||
T HE C REDITS |
|
|||||
Section 2.01 . | Loans | 58 | ||||
Section 2.02 . | Loans and Borrowings | 62 | ||||
Section 2.03 . | Requests for Borrowings | 62 | ||||
Section 2.04 . | Letters of Credit | 63 | ||||
Section 2.05 . | Funding of Borrowings | 68 | ||||
Section 2.06 . | Interest Elections | 69 | ||||
Section 2.07 . | Termination, Reduction and Extension of Commitments | 70 | ||||
Section 2.08 . | Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt | 74 | ||||
Section 2.09 . | Scheduled Amortization of Term Loans | 75 | ||||
Section 2.10 . | Optional and Mandatory Prepayment of Loans | 78 | ||||
Section 2.11 . | Fees | 81 | ||||
Section 2.12 . | Interest | 82 | ||||
Section 2.13 . | Alternate Rate of Interest | 83 | ||||
Section 2.14 . | Increased Costs | 83 | ||||
Section 2.15 . | Break Funding Payments | 84 | ||||
Section 2.16 . | Taxes | 85 | ||||
Section 2.17 . | Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs | 88 | ||||
Section 2.18. | Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders | 89 | ||||
Section 2.19. | Refinancing Amendments | 90 | ||||
ARTICLE 3 |
|
|||||
R EPRESENTATIONS A ND W ARRANTIES |
|
|||||
Section 3.01 . | Organization; Powers | 92 | ||||
Section 3.02 . | Authorization; Enforceability | 92 | ||||
Section 3.03 . | Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts | 92 | ||||
Section 3.04 . | Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change | 93 | ||||
Section 3.05 . | Properties | 93 | ||||
Section 3.06 . | Litigation and Environmental Matters | 93 | ||||
Section 3.07 . | Compliance with Laws and Agreements | 94 | ||||
Section 3.08 . | Investment and Holding Company Status | 94 | ||||
Section 3.09 . | Taxes | 94 | ||||
Section 3.10 . | ERISA | 94 | ||||
Section 3.11 . | Disclosure | 94 |
i
Section 3.12. | Subsidiaries | 95 | ||||
Section 3.13 . | Insurance | 95 | ||||
Section 3.14 . | Labor Matters | 95 | ||||
Section 3.15 . | Solvency | 96 | ||||
Section 3.16 . | Licenses; Franchises | 96 | ||||
Section 3.17 . | OFAC | 97 | ||||
ARTICLE 4 |
|
|||||
C ONDITIONS |
|
|||||
Section 4.01 . | [Reserved]. | 97 | ||||
Section 4.02 . | [Reserved]. | 97 | ||||
Section 4.03 . | Each Credit Event | 97 | ||||
ARTICLE 5 |
|
|||||
A FFIRMATIVE C OVENANTS |
|
|||||
Section 5.01 . | Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information | 98 | ||||
Section 5.02 . | Notices of Material Events | 100 | ||||
Section 5.03 . | Information Regarding Collateral | 100 | ||||
Section 5.04 . | Existence; Conduct of Business | 101 | ||||
Section 5.05 . | Payment of Obligations | 101 | ||||
Section 5.06 . | Maintenance of Properties; Insurance; Casualty and Condemnation | 101 | ||||
Section 5.07 . | Books and Records; Inspection Rights | 102 | ||||
Section 5.08 . | Compliance with Laws | 102 | ||||
Section 5.09 . | Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit | 102 | ||||
Section 5.10 . | Additional Subsidiaries | 103 | ||||
Section 5.11 . | Further Assurances | 104 | ||||
Section 5.12 . | Rated Credit Facilities | 104 | ||||
Section 5.13 . | Windstream Communications | 104 | ||||
ARTICLE 6 |
|
|||||
N EGATIVE C OVENANTS |
|
|||||
Section 6.01 . | Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities | 105 | ||||
Section 6.02 . | Liens | 108 | ||||
Section 6.03 . | Fundamental Changes | 110 | ||||
Section 6.04 . | Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions | 110 | ||||
Section 6.05 . | Asset Sales | 113 | ||||
Section 6.06 . | Sale and Leaseback Transactions | 115 | ||||
Section 6.07 . | Swap Agreements | 115 | ||||
Section 6.08 . | Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Debt | 115 | ||||
Section 6.09 . | Transactions with Affiliates | 118 | ||||
Section 6.10 . | Restrictive Agreements | 119 | ||||
Section 6.11 . | Amendment of Material Documents | 120 | ||||
Section 6.12 . | Change in Fiscal Year | 120 | ||||
Section 6.13 . | [Reserved]. | 120 | ||||
Section 6.14 . | Interest Coverage Ratio | 120 | ||||
Section 6.15 . | Leverage Ratio | 121 |
ii
ARTICLE 7 |
|
|||||
E VENTS O F D EFAULT |
|
|||||
ARTICLE 8 |
|
|||||
T HE A GENTS |
|
|||||
ARTICLE 9 |
|
|||||
M ISCELLANEOUS |
|
|||||
Section 9.01 . | Notices | 126 | ||||
Section 9.02 . | Waivers; Amendments | 127 | ||||
Section 9.03 . | Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver | 130 | ||||
Section 9.04 . | Successors and Assigns | 131 | ||||
Section 9.05 . | Survival | 136 | ||||
Section 9.06 . | Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness | 136 | ||||
Section 9.07 . | Severability | 136 | ||||
Section 9.08 . | Right of Setoff | 136 | ||||
Section 9.09 . | Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service Of Process | 137 | ||||
Section 9.10 . | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 138 | ||||
Section 9.11 . | Headings | 138 | ||||
Section 9.12 . | Confidentiality | 138 | ||||
Section 9.13 . | USA PATRIOT ACT | 139 | ||||
Section 9.14 . | Interest Rate Limitation | 140 | ||||
Section 9.15 . | Amendments to Security Documents | 140 | ||||
Section 9.16 . | No Fiduciary Duty | 140 |
SCHEDULES :
Schedule 1.01-A Additional Facility Obligations |
Schedule 1.01-B Existing Letters of Credit |
Schedule 2.01 Commitments |
Schedule 3.05 Real Properties |
Schedule 3.06 Disclosed Matters |
Schedule 3.12 Subsidiaries |
Schedule 3.13 Insurance |
Schedule 5.10 Certain Regulated Subsidiaries |
Schedule 6.01 Existing Indebtedness |
Schedule 6.02 Existing Liens |
Schedule 6.04 Existing Investments |
Schedule 6.06 Sale and Leaseback Transactions |
Schedule 6.09 Transactions with Affiliates |
Schedule 6.10 Existing Restrictions |
EXHIBITS :
Exhibit A Form of Assignment and Assumption |
Exhibit B Form of Guarantee Agreement |
Exhibit C Form of Security Agreement |
Exhibit D Form of Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement |
Exhibit E Form of Conversion Agreement |
iii
FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT originally dated as of July 17, 2006, as amended and restated as of January 23, 2013, by and among WINDSTREAM CORPORATION (formerly known as ALLTEL HOLDING CORP.), the LENDERS party hereto, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A., Cobank ACB, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, SunTrust Bank, Union Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents.
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
The Original Credit Agreement has been amended and restated in the form of the First ARCA, the Second ARCA, the Third ARCA and, through the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement, the Fourth ARCA (such terms and other capitalized terms used in these preliminary statements being defined in Section 1.01 hereof). Pursuant to the Fifth ARCA Refinancing Amendment, and upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth therein, the Fourth ARCA is being further amended and restated in the form of this Amended Agreement.
The parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
D EFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01 . Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
2006 Equity Incentive Plan means Windstream Corporations 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, attached as Annex G to the Registration Statement.
2007 Amendment Effective Date means February 27, 2007.
2015 Commitment Fee Rate means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to (a) if the Leverage Ratio on the most recent determination date is 2.00 to 1.0 or higher, 0.50% and (b) otherwise, 0.40%. For purposes of this definition, (x) the Leverage Ratio shall be determined as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter based on the Borrowers consolidated financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) and (y) each change in the 2015 Commitment Fee Rate resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period from and including the day when the Administrative Agent receives the financial statements indicating such change to but excluding the effective date of the next such change; provided that, at the option of the Administrative Agent (or at the request of the Required Lenders), if the Borrower fails to deliver consolidated financial statements to the Administrative Agent as and when required by Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b), the 2015 Commitment Fee Rate will be that set forth in clause (a) above during the period from the expiration of the time specified for such delivery until such financial statements are so delivered.
4
2013 Notes means the 8 1 / 8 % senior unsecured notes due 2013 of the Borrower issued under Rule 144A under the Securities Act on or prior to the Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount of $800,000,000.
2015 Revolving Commitment means, with respect to each 2015 Revolving Lender, the commitment of such 2015 Revolving Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lenders Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. As of the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, the initial amount of each 2015 Revolving Lenders Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 under the caption 2015 Revolving Commitment or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its 2015 Revolving Commitment.
2015 Revolving Credit Exposure means, with respect to any 2015 Revolving Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lenders 2015 Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure at such time.
2015 Revolving Lender means a Lender with a 2015 Revolving Commitment or, if the 2015 Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with a 2015 Revolving Credit Exposure.
2015 Revolving Loan means a Loan made by a 2015 Revolving Lender pursuant to a 2015 Revolving Commitment.
2016 Notes means the 8 5 / 8 % senior unsecured notes due 2016 of the Borrower issued to Alltel on or prior to the Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount of $1,746,000,000.
2019 Notes means the 7% senior unsecured notes due 2019 of the Borrower issued under Rule 144A under the Securities Act in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $500,000,000.
ABR , when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
AC Holdings means Windstream Holdings of the Midwest, a Nebraska corporation (formerly known as Alltel Communications Holdings of the Midwest, Inc.).
AC Holdings Bonds means the 6 3 / 4 % Notes due 2028 issued by AC Holdings in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000,000.
AC Holdings Indenture means the Indenture dated as of February 23, 1998 under which the AC Holdings Bonds were issued.
5
Accelerated Tranche A-3 Maturity Date means September 15, 2015.
Acquisition means any purchase or acquisition by any Wireline Company in a single transaction or a series of transactions individually or, together with its Affiliates, of (a) any Equity Interests in another Person which are sufficient to permit such Wireline Company and its Affiliates to Control such other Person or (b) all or substantially all of the assets of, or assets comprising a division, unit or line of business of, another Person, whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with such other Person. Acquire has a meaning correlative thereto.
Act has the meaning specified in Section 9.13.
Additional Lender means, at any time, any bank, other financial institution or institutional investor that, in any case, is not at the relevant time of determination an existing Lender and that agrees to provide any portion of any (a) Incremental Loans in accordance with Section 2.01(i) or (b) Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with Section 2.19.
Adjusted LIBO Rate means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.
Administrative Agent means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and its permitted successors in such capacity as provided in Article 8.
Administrative Questionnaire means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
Affiliate means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
Agents means the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Co-Documentation Agents, the Lead Arranger and the Joint Bookrunners and Arrangers.
Agreement , when used with reference to this Agreement, means the Amended Agreement, as it may be further amended from time to time.
All-in Yield means, as to any Indebtedness on any date of determination, the yield thereon, based on the interest rate applicable to such Indebtedness on such date, including margin, original issue discount, upfront fees (with original issue discount and upfront fees being equated to interest margins for purposes of determining the yield on any Indebtedness), or otherwise; provided that All-in Yield shall not include arrangement, underwriting, structuring or similar fees paid to arrangers or fees that are not paid ratably to the market for such Indebtedness.
Alltel means Alltel Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
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Alltel Georgia means Windstream Georgia Communications Corp., a Georgia corporation (formerly known as Alltel Georgia Communications Corp.).
Alltel Georgia Bonds means the 6 1 / 2 % Debentures due 2013 issued by Alltel Georgia in an aggregate principal amount of $80,000,000.
Alternate Base Rate means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1 / 2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one month Interest Period in effect on such day plus 1%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, Federal Funds Effective Rate or Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively.
Amended Agreement means this Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 23, 2013.
Applicable Leveraged-Based Rate means, (a) with respect to 2015 Eurodollar Revolving Loans and 2015 ABR Revolving Loans, in each case for any day, the percentage per annum corresponding to the Leverage Ratio on such day as set forth in the table below in the relevant column:
Leverage Ratio |
2015 Eurodollar
Revolving Loans |
2015 ABR Revolving
Loans |
||||||
Category 1 ³ 3.25 to 1.0 |
2.25 | % | 1.25 | % | ||||
Category 2 < 3.25 to 1.0 but ³ 3.00 to 1.0 |
2.00 | % | 1.00 | % | ||||
Category 3
< 3.00 to 1.0 but
³ 2.75 to 1.0 |
1.75 | % | 0.75 | % | ||||
Category 4 < 2.75 to 1.0 |
1.50 | % | 0.50 | % |
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(b) with respect to the Tranche A-3 Term Loans, in each case for any day, the percentage per annum corresponding to the Leverage Ratio on such day as set forth in the table below in the relevant column:
Leverage Ratio |
Tranche A-3
Term
Loans (Eurodollar Loans) |
Tranche A-3 Term
Loans (ABR Loans) |
||||||
Category 1
³ 4.00 to 1.00 |
2.50 | % | 1.50 | % | ||||
Category 2
< 4.00 to 1.00 but
³ 3.25 to 1.00 |
2.25 | % | 1.25 | % | ||||
Category 3
< 3.25 to 1.00 but
³ 3.00 to 1.00 |
2.00 | % | 1.00 | % | ||||
Category 4
< 3.00 to 1.00 |
1.75 | % | 0.75 | % |
and (c) with respect to the Tranche A-4 Term Loans, in each case for any day, the percentage per annum corresponding to the Leverage Ratio on such day as set forth in the table below in the relevant column:
Leverage Ratio |
Tranche A-4 Term
Loans (Eurodollar Loans) |
Tranche A-4 Term
Loans (ABR Loans) |
||||||
Category 1
³ 4.00 to 1.00 |
2.50 | % | 1.50 | % | ||||
Category 2
< 4.00 to 1.00 but
³ 3.25 to 1.00 |
2.25 | % | 1.25 | % | ||||
Category 3
< 3.25 to 1.00 but
³ 3.00 to 1.00 |
2.00 | % | 1.00 | % | ||||
Category 4
< 3.00 to 1.00 |
1.75 | % | 0.75 | % |
For purposes of the foregoing clauses (a) through (c), (i) the Applicable Leveraged-Based Rate shall be determined as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter based upon the Borrowers annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) and (ii) each change in the Applicable Leveraged-Based Rate resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of such consolidated financial statements indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change, provided that, at the option of the Administrative Agent (or at the request of the Required Revolving Lenders (for any Revolving Loans), the Required Tranche A-3 Lenders (for any Tranche A-3 Term Loans) or the Required Tranche A-4 Lenders (for any Tranche A-4 Term Loans)), the Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 1 if the Borrower fails to deliver the annual or quarterly
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consolidated financial statements required to be delivered by it pursuant to Sections 5.01(a) and (b), during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial statements are delivered.
Applicable Merger has the meaning specified in Section 6.02(d).
Applicable Rate means, for any day and for any Loan, the following percentages per annum set forth opposite such Loans:
Applicable Transaction has the meaning specified in the definition of Pro-Forma Basis
Approved Fund has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.
Asset Disposition means (a) any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition (including pursuant to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction) of any assets of any Wireline Company pursuant to Section 6.05(b)(ii), (h), (k) or (n), (b) the issuance by any Subsidiary of any Equity Interest, or (c) the receipt by any Subsidiary of any capital contribution, other than (x) any such issuance of an Equity Interest to, or the receipt of any such capital contribution from, another Wireline Company and (y) directors qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable law; provided that any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets or Equity Interests having a Fair Market Value of less than $25,000,000 shall not be deemed to be an Asset Disposition.
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Assignment and Assumption means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Assumed Bonds means the AC Holdings Bonds, the Alltel Georgia Bonds and the Assumed Valor Bonds.
Assumed Valor Bonds means the Valor Bonds.
Attributable Debt in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value will be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.
Available Cash means, on any date of determination, an amount (which may be a negative amount) equal to the sum of the following in respect of the Wireline Companies on a consolidated basis for the period commencing on the first day of the first Fiscal Quarter commencing after the Effective Date and ending on the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter for which a certificate shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(c) (and which the Administrative Agent shall have had an opportunity to review for not less than five Business Days):
(a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for such period; plus
(b) to the extent not included in calculating such Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, any extraordinary or non-recurring cash gain during such period, other than any such gain resulting from any sale, transfer or other disposition of assets; minus
(c) without duplication and to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, the sum of (i) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for such period, except to the extent constituting Restricted Payments; (ii) all taxes of the Wireline Companies paid in cash during such period; and (iii) any extraordinary or nonrecurring loss, expense or charge paid in cash during such period; provided that amounts shall be included in this clause (c) for any period only to the extent not duplicative of any cost or expense which was (x) included in determining Consolidated Adjusted Net Income for such period and (y) not been added back to such Consolidated Adjusted Net Income in determining Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for such period.
Available Distributable Cash means, on any date of determination, an amount (which may be a negative amount) equal to the sum of:
(a) Available Cash as of such date of determination; minus
(b) without duplication, the sum of the following amounts, in each case for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on such date of determination:
(i) the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made by the Wireline Companies during such period, other than any such Restricted Payments (A) made to another Wireline Company, (B) paid from Available Equity Proceeds, (C) made as a part of the Transactions, (D) permitted under clause (ii), (ix) or (xii) of Section 6.08(a) or (E) permitted under clause (x) of Section 6.08(a) to the extent not exceeding the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents owned by Valor immediately prior to, and by the Borrower immediately after giving effect to, the Merger;
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(ii) the aggregate amount of Investments, determined net (without duplication of any other netting) of the aggregate amount of cash proceeds received by the Wireline Companies from any subsequent sale or repayment thereof, made by the Wireline Companies during such period, other than any such Investments (A) in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, but only to the extent made or funded with (i) Equity Interests of the Borrower, (ii) the proceeds of Permitted Additional Debt, (iii) the proceeds of Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness, (iv) the proceeds of Revolving Loans but only to the extent such Revolving Loans have been refinanced within 120 days with Permitted Additional Debt, Incremental Loans consisting of term loans, Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness or Available Equity Proceeds or (v) Incremental Loans consisting of term loans, (B) in connection with a Permitted Asset Exchange, but only to the extent the consideration paid by the Wireline Companies consists of assets or properties (other than cash) or cash consideration funded with the proceeds of Permitted Additional Debt, (C) in any Collateral Support Party (except, in the case of any Investment by a Loan Party in a Collateral Support Party that is not a Loan Party, to the extent that the distribution or repayment to such Loan Party of such Investment is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Collateral Support Party or its equity holders), (D) funded from Available Equity Proceeds, (E) permitted under clause (a), (b), (g), (h), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n) (but only to the extent such Investment is reflected in and duplicative of all or a portion of a Permitted Acquisition), (o), (p) or (q) of Section 6.04 or (F) in connection with the acquisition of CT Communications, Inc., and its subsidiaries;
(iii) the aggregate amount of payments made by the Wireline Companies to repay, prepay, redeem, defease or acquire for value at or prior to stated maturity, or to refund, refinance or exchange, any Indebtedness (other than (A) Revolving Loans hereunder, (B) any of the Refinancings, or (C) any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(v) unless such Indebtedness is a Distribution Advance) or make any other scheduled, mandatory or voluntary payment of any such Indebtedness, other than (x) any such payments funded from (1) Available Equity Proceeds, (2) the proceeds of Permitted Additional Debt, (3) the proceeds of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (4) the
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proceeds of Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness, (5) the proceeds of Incremental Loans, (6) the proceeds of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness or (7) the proceeds of Revolving Loans but only to the extent such Revolving Loans have been refinanced within 120 days with Permitted Additional Debt, Incremental Loans consisting of term loans, Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness or Available Equity Proceeds, (y) so long as (A) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or shall result therefrom, (B) the Borrower shall be in compliance with Sections 6.14 and 6.15, determined on a Pro Forma Basis and (C) the Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis computed as of the last day of the most recently-ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) shall not exceed 2.0 to 1.0, any other payments in respect of Indebtedness and (z) payments made in the form of Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock) or Indebtedness constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness or Permitted Additional Debt; and
(iv) the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made during such period, other than Capital Expenditures financed with (1) Available Equity Proceeds, (2) Reinvestment Funds or (3) the proceeds of a Debt Issuance (other than proceeds of Revolving Loans).
Available Equity Proceeds means, on any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts, in each case for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on such date of determination:
(a) the aggregate amount of Net Proceeds of any Equity Issuances (excluding Equity Issuances of Disqualified Stock but including Equity Issuances pursuant to the conversion or exchange of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock) during such period; minus
(b) the aggregate amount of such Net Proceeds of Equity Issuances which have been applied prior to such date of determination to fund any of the following payments, without duplication:
(i) all or a portion of the consideration payable by the Wireline Companies in connection with a Permitted Acquisition;
(ii) Capital Expenditures;
(iii) any other Investments, determined net (without duplication of any other netting) of the aggregate amount of cash proceeds received by the Wireline Companies from any subsequent sale or repayment thereof, made by the Wireline Companies (other than (A) Investments in any Collateral Support Party (except, in the case of any Investment by a Loan Party in a Collateral Support Party that is not a Loan Party, to the extent that the distribution or repayment to such Loan Party of such Investment is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation
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applicable to that Collateral Support Party or its equity holders); and (B) Investments permitted under clause (b), (h), (j), (k), (o), (n) (but only to the extent such Investment is reflected in and duplicative of all or a portion of a Permitted Acquisition) or (q) of Section 6.04);
(iv) Restricted Payments made by the Wireline Companies (other than Restricted Payments to any Wireline Company); provided that any such Restricted Payment by a Wireline Company to any other Person (other than another Wireline Company) which is made with the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous Restricted Payment from another Wireline Company shall be deemed to be a single Restricted Payment for these purposes; and
(v) any payments made by the Wireline Companies to repay, prepay, redeem, defease or acquire for value at or prior to stated maturity, or to refund, refinance or exchange any Indebtedness (other than (i) Revolving Loans hereunder or (ii) any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(v), unless such Indebtedness is a Distribution Advance) or make any other scheduled, mandatory or voluntary payment of any such Indebtedness.
BBA LIBOR has the meaning specified in the definition of LIBO Rate.
Beneficial Owner has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular person (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms Beneficially Owns and Beneficially Owned will have a corresponding meaning.
Board means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.
Borrower means Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation, together with its successors (as successor to ALLTEL Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation, pursuant to the Merger, and previously known as Valor).
Borrowing means Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.
Borrowing Request means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.
Business Day means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term Business Day shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.
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Capital Expenditures means, for any period, (a) the additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Wireline Companies that are (or should be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Wireline Companies for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP and (b) any Capital Lease Obligations incurred by the Wireline Companies during such period in connection with any such capital expenditures, but excluding (i) the Merger and Permitted Acquisitions, (ii) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased substantially contemporaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment but only to the extent such purchase price does not exceed the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time or (iii) any capital expenditure paid for (or that will be paid for) with RUS Grant Funds.
Capital Lease Obligations of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP; provided , that if at any time the obligations of such Person in respect of an operating lease are required to be recharacterized as Capital Lease Obligations as a result of a change in GAAP after the date hereof, then for purposes hereof such Persons obligations under such operating lease shall not, following the date of such recharacterization, be deemed Capital Lease Obligations.
Cash Collateral Account has the meaning specified in Section 8 of the Security Agreement.
Cash Consideration means the consideration received by the Wireline Companies for any Asset Disposition that is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents or Replacement Assets or a combination of the foregoing. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:
(a) any liabilities (as shown on the Borrowers most recent balance sheet) of the Wireline Companies (other than contingent liabilities, Restricted Indebtedness and liabilities to the extent owed to any Wireline Company) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or Equity Interests pursuant to a written assignment and assumption agreement that releases the applicable Wireline Companies from further liability therefor;
(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Wireline Companies from such transferee that are converted by the Wireline Companies into Cash Equivalents or Replacement Assets within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the extent of the Cash Equivalents or Replacement Assets received in that conversion); and
(c) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Wireline Companies in such Asset Disposition having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (c) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) 1.5% of Total Assets at such time and (y) $100,000,000 (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).
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Cash Equivalents means:
(a) dollars and foreign currency received in the ordinary course of business or exchanged into dollars within 180 days;
(b) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof ( provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof), maturing, unless such securities are deposited to defease any Indebtedness, not more than one year from the date of acquisition;
(c) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any Lender Party or any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 and a rating at the time of acquisition thereof of P-1 or better from Moodys or A-1 or better from S&P;
(d) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (b) and (c) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c) above;
(e) commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) rated at least A-2 or higher from Moodys or S&P and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;
(f) securities issued and fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, rated at least A by Moodys or S&P and having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition; and
(g) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (a) through (f) of this definition.
Cash Management Agreements means all agreements between the Borrower and any Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender (determined at the time such agreement is designated as a Cash Management Agreement pursuant to Section 20 of the Security Agreement) in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds.
Casualty Event means any casualty or other insured damage to any property of any Wireline Company with a fair market value immediately prior to such event of at least $10,000,000, or any taking of any such property under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding, or any transfer of any such property in lieu of a condemnation or similar taking thereof.
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Change in Law means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Fourth ARCA Effective Date or (c) compliance by any Lender, Issuing Bank or Participant (or, for purposes of Section 2.14(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lenders or such Issuing Banks holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Fourth ARCA Effective Date; provided however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,(i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder, issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a Change in Law regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.
Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) any person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower;
(b) the first day on which a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Borrower are not Continuing Directors;
(c) the Borrower consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into any Wireline Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Borrower or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (i) the Voting Stock of the Borrower outstanding immediately prior to such transaction continues as, or is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance) and (ii) immediately after such transaction, no person or group (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes, directly or indirectly, the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee Person; or
(d) the occurrence of any Change in Control (or similar event, however denominated) under any indenture or other agreement in respect of Material Indebtedness, except for (i) a Change of Control under the Valor Indenture resulting from the Merger or (ii) a Change of Control under the Peach 2007 Indenture, the Peach 2009 Indenture or the Peach 2010 Indenture resulting from the Peach Merger so long as no Wireline Company (other than a Peach Group Member or the Borrower) is an obligor in respect of any Indebtedness outstanding under any of the indentures described in this clause (ii); provided , that without limiting the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the occurrence of any Change in Control (or similar event, however denominated) under any indenture or
16
other agreement in respect of Material Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(a)(viii) or 6.01(a)(ix) the effect of which is limited to providing the holders of such Indebtedness the right to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance of such Indebtedness (any such right with respect to any Indebtedness, a Repurchase Right ) shall not constitute a Change of Control so long as, within 60 days following the date on which such Change in Control (or similar event, however denominated) first occurs, the holders of such Indebtedness no longer have a Repurchase Right with respect to such Indebtedness (including as a result of the repayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance of such Indebtedness or the satisfaction by the obligor in respect of such Indebtedness of its obligation to offer to prepay, repurchase, redeem or defease such Indebtedness (and, if applicable, to actually prepay, repurchase, redeem or defease such Indebtedness) in accordance with the terms thereof) with respect to such Change in Control (or similar event, however denominated)
Charges has the meaning specified in Section 9.14.
Class (a) when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are 2015 Revolving Loans, Tranche A-2 Term Loans, Tranche A-3 Term Loans, Tranche A-4 Term Loans, Tranche B-1 Term Loans, Tranche B-2 Term Loans, Tranche B-3 Term Loans, Tranche B-4 Term Loans, Incremental Loans, Other Revolving Loans or Other Term Loans, (b) when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a 2015 Revolving Commitment, Tranche A Commitment, Tranche A-2 Commitment, Tranche A-3 Commitment, Tranche A-4 Commitment, Tranche B-1 Commitment, Tranche B-2 Commitment, Tranche B-3 Commitment, Tranche B-4 Commitment, commitments in respect of any Incremental Facility, Other Revolving Commitments or Other Term Commitments and (c) when used in reference to any Lender, refers to whether such Lender is a 2015 Revolving Lender, Tranche A-2 Lender, Tranche A-3 Lender, Tranche A-4 Lender, Tranche B-1 Lender, Tranche B-2 Lender, Tranche B-3 Lender, Tranche B-4 Lender or Additional Lender.
Co-Documentation Agents means (x) (i) prior to the Third ARCA Effective Date, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Wachovia Bank, National Association, each in its capacity as a co-documentation agent, (ii) on and after the Third ARCA Effective Date but prior to the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., BNP Paribas, Bank of America, N.A., Citibank, N.A., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, SunTrust Bank, Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Cobank ACB and Union Bank, N.A. and (iii) on and after the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A., Cobank ACB, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, SunTrust Bank, Union Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., each in its capacity as a co-documentation agent and (y) solely with respect to the Tranche B-4 Term Loans, Barclays Bank PLC, BNP Paribas, Citibank, N.A., Cobank ACB, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, SunTrust Bank, Union Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
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Collateral means any and all Collateral, as defined in any applicable Security Document.
Collateral Agent means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, in its capacity as collateral agent for the Secured Parties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and its permitted successors in such capacity as provided in Article 8.
Collateral and Guarantee Requirement means at any time the requirement that:
(a) the Collateral Agent shall have received from each Loan Party either (i) counterparts of the Guarantee Agreement and the Security Agreement, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Loan Party, or (ii) in the case of any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the Effective Date, supplements to the Guarantee Agreement and the Security Agreement, in the form specified therein, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person (within the time frames required thereby);
(b) all outstanding Equity Interests in and all outstanding promissory notes issued by any Wireline Company owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party shall have been pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement (except that the Loan Parties shall not be required to pledge more than 66% of the outstanding voting Equity Interests in any Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and the Collateral Agent shall have received all certificates or other instruments representing such Equity Interests (except to the extent such Equity Interests are not represented by certificates or other instruments) and Indebtedness, together with undated stock powers or other instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank;
(c) except as otherwise provided in the Security Agreement, all documents and instruments, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, required by law or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to be filed, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents and perfect or record such Liens to the extent, and with the priority, required by this Agreement and the Security Agreement, shall have been (or shall have made arrangements to provide for) filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing, registration or recording;
(d) each Loan Party shall have obtained all consents and approvals required to be obtained by it in connection with the execution and delivery of all Security Documents to which it is a party, the performance of its obligations thereunder and the granting of the Liens granted by it thereunder, in each case to the extent required by this Agreement and the Security Documents; and
(e) each Loan Party shall have taken all other action required to perfect, register and/or record the Liens granted by it thereunder, in each case to the extent required by this Agreement and the Security Documents.
Collateral Support Parties means (a) the Loan Parties, (b) each other Subsidiary (i) that is not required to Guarantee the Facility Obligations pursuant to the Loan Documents (other than any Insignificant Subsidiary) and (ii) all Equity Interests in
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which, and all Indebtedness owing to any Loan Party of which, shall have been pledged and delivered to the Collateral Agent in accordance with the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and (c) so long as the Termination Date (as defined in the Directories Equity Exchange Agreement) has not occurred, Directories Holdings.
Commitment means a Revolving Commitment, Tranche A-2 Commitment, Tranche A-3 Commitment, Tranche A-4 Commitment, Tranche B-1 Commitment or Tranche B-2 Commitment, Tranche B-3 Commitment, Tranche B-4 Commitment, Other Revolving Commitment, Other Term Commitment or a commitment to make Incremental Loans (as the context may require).
Commitment Fee Rate means, with respect to 2015 Revolving Commitments, the 2015 Commitment Fee Rate.
Commitment Letter means the Commitment Letter dated as of December 8, 2005 among Alltel, the Lead Arrangers and JPMCB and MLCC, as amended by the letter agreement among such parties dated April 12, 2006.
Communications Act means, collectively, the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the rules and regulations of the FCC, and written orders, policies, and decisions of the FCC and the courts interpretation of the foregoing.
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA means, for any period, Consolidated Adjusted Net Income for such period plus , without duplication:
(a) provision for taxes based on income or profits of the Wireline Companies for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Adjusted Net Income; plus
(b) Interest Expense of the Wireline Companies for such period, to the extent that such Interest Expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Adjusted Net Income; plus
(c) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period), goodwill impairment charges and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of the Wireline Companies for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges or expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Adjusted Net Income; plus
(d) the amount of any minority interest expense deducted in computing such Consolidated Adjusted Net Income; plus
(e) any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity-based awards, to the extent deducted in computing such Consolidated Adjusted Net Income; plus
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(f) any non-cash Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 income (or loss) related to hedging activities, to the extent deducted in computing such Consolidated Adjusted Net Income; minus
(g) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Adjusted Net Income for such period, other than (i) the accrual of revenue consistent with past practice and (ii) the reversal in such period of an accrual of, or cash reserve for, cash expenses in a prior period, to the extent such accrual or reserve did not increase Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA in a prior period;
in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Notwithstanding the preceding, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, the Interest Expense of, and the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses of, a Subsidiary will be added to Consolidated Adjusted Net Income to compute Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (A) in the same proportion that the Net Income of such Subsidiary was added to compute such Consolidated Adjusted Net Income and (B) only to the extent that a corresponding amount would be permitted, as of such determination date, to be dividended or distributed to the Borrower by such Subsidiary (x) without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements and instruments applicable to such Subsidiary or its stockholders and (y) solely for purposes of any determination of Available Distributable Cash, without prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) (unless and to the extent that such amount constitutes a Distribution Advance) and without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of any judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and/or governmental regulations applicable to such Subsidiary and/or its any of stockholders.
Consolidated Adjusted Net Income means, for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of the Wireline Companies for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that:
(a) the Net Income of any Person that is not a Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to a Wireline Company during such period (and the net loss of any such Person will be included only to the extent that such loss is funded in cash by a Wireline Company during such period);
(b) the Net Income of any Subsidiary will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of such Net Income is not, as of such date of determination, permitted (x) directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement or instrument applicable to such Subsidiary or its equityholders or (y) solely for purposes of any determination of Available Distributable Cash, without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of any judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such Subsidiary or its equityholders, in each case except to the extent that such amount was advanced prior to such date in cash by such Subsidiary (directly or indirectly) to the Borrower in accordance with Section 6.01(a)(v) (any such advance, except to the extent it has been repaid, prepaid, redeemed, acquired or otherwise returned (directly or indirectly) to such Subsidiary, a Distribution Advance );
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(c) the Net Income of any Person acquired during the specified period for any period prior to the date of such acquisition will be excluded; and
(d) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded.
Consolidated Cash Interest Expense means, for any period, the excess of (a) the sum of (i) Interest Expense of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) any cash payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary during such period in respect of Interest Expense that were or will be amortized, accrued or otherwise recognized in a previous or future period, minus (b) the sum of (i) to the extent included in such consolidated Interest Expense for such period, any non-cash amounts amortized, accrued or otherwise recognized in such period, and (ii) cash interest income actually received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (determined on a consolidated basis) in such period.
Consolidated Debt means, as of any date, the principal amount of Indebtedness of the Wireline Companies outstanding as of such date, determined on a consolidated basis; provided that, for purposes of this definition, the term Indebtedness will not include (i) contingent obligations of any Wireline Company as an account party or applicant in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty, unless such letter of credit or letter of guaranty supports an obligation that constitutes Indebtedness of a Person other than a Wireline Company, (ii) any obligation constituting Indebtedness pursuant to clause (j) of the definition thereof, (iii) any Earn-out Obligation or obligation in respect of purchase price adjustment permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(xvi) and (iv) any bonds or similar instruments in the nature of surety, performance, appeal or similar bonds.
Consolidated Secured Debt means, as of any date, the principal amount of Indebtedness of the Wireline Companies outstanding as of such date, determined on a consolidated basis, that is secured by a Lien on the assets of any such Wireline Company; provided that, for purposes of this definition, the term Indebtedness will not include (i) contingent obligations of any Wireline Company as an account party or applicant in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty, unless such letter of credit or letter of guaranty supports an obligation that constitutes Indebtedness of a Person other than a Wireline Company, (ii) any obligation constituting Indebtedness pursuant to clause (j) of the definition thereof, (iii) any Earn-out Obligation or obligation in respect of purchase price adjustment permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(xvi) and (iv) any bonds or similar instruments in the nature of surety, performance, appeal or similar bonds.
Continuing Directors means, as of any date of determination, any member of the board of directors of the Borrower who:
(a) was a member of such board of directors on the Effective Date; or
(b) was nominated for election or elected to such board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board of directors at the time of such nomination or election.
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Contributed Subsidiaries means the subsidiaries of Alltel that, after giving effect to the Preliminary Restructuring, own any assets, liabilities or operations of Alltels wireline telecommunications business.
Contribution means the contribution by Alltel to the Borrower, directly or indirectly, of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock or other Equity Interests in the Contributed Subsidiaries in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Borrower, the 2016 Notes and the Special Dividend.
Control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. Controlling and Controlled have meanings correlative thereto.
Conversion Agreement means an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E.
Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall mean Indebtedness constituting Other Revolving Commitments or Other Term Commitments incurred pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) in exchange for, or to extend, refund, renew, replace or refinance, in whole or part, existing Term Loans, existing Revolving Loans or existing Revolving Commitments, (including any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness) ( Refinanced Debt ); provided that (i) such exchanging, extending, renewing, replacing or refinancing Indebtedness (including, if such Indebtedness includes any Other Revolving Commitments, the unused portion of such Other Revolving Commitments) is in an original aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) not greater than the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Refinanced Debt (and, in the case of Refinanced Debt consisting in whole or in part of unused Revolving Commitments (including unused Other Revolving Commitments), the amount thereof) except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premium) thereon and fees and expenses (including upfront fees and original issue discount ( OID )) in connection with such exchange, modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, extension or replacement, and (ii) such Refinanced Debt shall be repaid, defeased or satisfied and discharged, and all accrued interest, fees and premiums (if any) in connection therewith shall be paid, with 100% of the net proceeds of the applicable Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained; provided , that to the extent that such Refinanced Debt consists, in whole or in part, of Revolving Commitments (including Other Revolving Commitments) or Revolving Loans incurred pursuant to any Revolving Commitments (including Other Revolving Commitments), such Revolving Commitments being refinanced by the applicable Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall be terminated, and all accrued fees in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained.
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Debt Exchange means the exchange for its outstanding debt securities or other transfer to its creditors of the 2016 Notes by Alltel.
Debt Issuance means the issuance or other incurrence by any Wireline Company of any Indebtedness for borrowed money.
Default means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which, upon notice, lapse of time or both, would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default under Article 7.
Defaulting Lender has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(b).
Designated Noncash Consideration means the Fair Market Value of noncash consideration received by the Wireline Companies in connection with an Asset Disposition that is so designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Financial Officer, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Noncash Consideration.
Directories Holdings means Windstream Regatta Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Directories Debt Exchange means the exchange, if any, by Borrower of the Directories Notes for Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $220,000,000 pursuant to an exchange agreement among the Borrower and the Lenders exchanging such Term Loans in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
Directories Equity Exchange means the exchange by the Borrower of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Directories Holdings for all of the common stock of the Borrower held by affiliates of WCAS pursuant to the Directories Equity Exchange Agreement.
Directories Equity Exchange Agreement means the Share Exchange Agreement dated as of December 12, 2006 and amended as of February 12, 2007 among the Borrower and the affiliates of WCAS named therein and any further amendments to such agreement, to the extent permitted by Section 6.11.
Directories Notes means unsecured senior subordinated notes or other debt obligations issued by Directories Holdings in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $220,000,000 and otherwise constituting Permitted Additional Debt.
Directories Transaction Documents means the Directories Equity Exchange Agreement, each exhibit to the Directories Equity Exchange Agreement as executed by the parties thereto, the Directories Notes and each other agreement, indenture or other instrument governing the Directories Notes, the Directories Debt Exchange (if any) and/or the Directories Equity Exchange and any amendments to such agreements, to the extent permitted by Section 6.11.
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Directories Transactions means the split-off of the Borrowers directories publishing business to entities affiliated with WCAS pursuant to the Directories Equity Exchange and the Directories Debt Exchange and such other transactions contemplated by the Directories Transaction Documents.
Disclosed Matters means the actions, suits and proceedings and the environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06.
Disqualified Stock means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 123 days after the Latest Maturity Date applicable to Term Loans or, if such Equity Interests are issued after the Borrower has obtained any Incremental Loans constituting term loans or while any Commitments from Incremental Lenders to make Incremental Loans constituting term loans remain in effect, 123 days after the maturity date for such Incremental Loans, unless all such Incremental Loans have been repaid in full and all Commitments in respect thereof have been terminated; provided, however, that only the portion of such Equity Interests which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such dates shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require a Wireline Company to repurchase such Equity Interests upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Equity Interest provide that the Wireline Companies may not repurchase or redeem any such Equity Interest pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 6.08. The term Disqualified Stock will also include any options, warrants or other rights that are convertible into Disqualified Stock or that are redeemable at the option of the holder, or required to be redeemed, prior to the date that is 123 days after the Latest Maturity Date applicable to Term Loans or, if such Equity Interests are issued after the Borrower has obtained any Incremental Loans constituting term loans or while any Commitments from Incremental Lenders to make Incremental Loans constituting term loans remain in effect, 123 days after the maturity date for such Incremental Loans, unless all such Incremental Loans have been repaid in full and all Commitments in respect thereof have been terminated.
Distribution means the distribution by Alltel to its shareholders of all of the common stock of the Borrower.
Distribution Advance has the meaning set forth in clause (b) of the definition of Consolidated Adjusted Net Income.
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Distribution Agreement means the Distribution Agreement dated as of December 8, 2005 between Alltel and the Borrower, as filed with the SEC as Annex B to the Registration Statement.
Dividend Suspension Period means any period (a) commencing on any day on which consolidated financial statements are delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) (or, if applicable, the last day of the most recently completed Dividend Suspension Period) if the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the then most recently completed Fiscal Quarter covered thereby is greater than 4.50 to 1.0 and (b) ending on the first day thereafter on which a Financial Officer delivers consolidated financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) and a certificate pursuant to Section 5.01(c), all demonstrating that the Leverage Ratio was equal to or less than 4.50 to 1.0 as of the last day of the then most recently completed Fiscal Quarter covered thereby.
dollars or $ refers to lawful money of the United States.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary other than a Foreign Subsidiary.
Earn-out Obligation means any contingent consideration based on the future operating performance of an acquired entity or assets, or other purchase price adjustment or indemnification obligation, payable following the consummation of an acquisition (including pursuant to a merger or consolidation) based on criteria set forth in the documentation governing or relating to such acquisition.
Effective Date means July 17, 2006.
Environmental Laws means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, having the force or effect of law and relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of, or exposure to, any pollutant, toxic, radioactive, ignitable, corrosive, reactive or otherwise hazardous substance, waste or material or to occupational health and safety matters.
Environmental Liability means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Wireline Company directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
Equity Interests means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, any of the foregoing.
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Equity Issuance means any issuance by the Borrower of any of its Equity Interests to any Person (other than another Wireline Company) or receipt by any Wireline Company of a capital contribution from any Person (other than another Wireline Company), including the issuance of Equity Interests pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants and the conversion of any Indebtedness to equity.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
ERISA Affiliate means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
ERISA Event means (a) any reportable event, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30 day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of an accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
Eurodollar , when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
Event of Default has the meaning assigned to such term in Article 7.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules of the SEC thereunder.
Excluded RUS Grant Assets means any RUS Grant Funds, any RUS Pledged Deposit Account (as defined in the Security Agreement), any assets purchased with RUS Grant Funds and any proceeds of the foregoing.
Excluded Taxes means, with respect to any Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank, any Participant or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or with respect to any obligation of the Borrower hereunder (each, a Recipient ), (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by any jurisdiction, (b) any
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branch profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, (c) in the case of a Foreign Recipient (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.18(b)), any withholding tax that (i) is imposed by a Governmental Authority in the United States on amounts payable to such Foreign Recipient at the time such Foreign Recipient becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new Lending Affiliate or lending office) or, in the case of a Participant, at the time the Participant purchases the relevant participation, except to the extent that such Foreign Recipient (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.16(a), or (ii) is attributable to such Foreign Recipients failure to comply with Section 2.16(e) and (d) any United States withholding taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.
Existing Letters of Credit means the letters of credit previously issued pursuant to the Valor 2005 Credit Facility which were (i) outstanding on the Effective Date and (ii) listed on Schedule 1.01-B.
Existing Incremental Loan Maturity Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(i).
Existing Revolving Maturity Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(i).
Existing Term Loan Maturity Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(i).
Extended Incremental Loan Maturity Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(ii).
Extended Revolving Maturity Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(ii).
Extended Term Loan Maturity Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(ii).
Extending Revolving Lenders has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(ii).
Extending Term Lenders has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(ii).
Facilities means the credit facilities provided to the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents.
Facility Guarantee has the meaning specified in Section 1(b) of the Guarantee Agreement.
Facility Obligations means (i) all principal of all Loans and LC Reimbursement Obligations outstanding from time to time under this Agreement, all interest (including Post-Petition Interest) on such Loans and LC Reimbursement
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Obligations and all other amounts now or hereafter payable by the Borrower to the Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, (ii) all obligations of the Borrower under the Cash Management Agreements and Swap Agreements listed on Schedule 1.01-A and all interest (including Post-Petition Interest) thereon and (iii) all obligations (if any) designated by the Borrower as additional Facility Obligations pursuant to Section 20 of the Security Agreement.
Fair Market Value means a price that would be paid in an arms-length transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy, as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Borrower, whose determination, unless otherwise specified below, will be conclusive if evidenced by an officers certificate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Financial Officers determination of Fair Market Value must be evidenced by a certificate of a Financial Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent if the Fair Market Value exceeds $25,000,000.
FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.
FCC means the Federal Communications Commission or any successor Governmental Authority exercising similar functions.
Federal Funds Effective Rate means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
Fee Letters means (a) the Fee Letter dated as of December 8, 2005 among Alltel, the Lead Arrangers and JPMCB and MLCC and (b) the Fee Letter dated as of July 17, 2006 between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
Fifth ARCA Effective Date shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5 of the Fifth ARCA Refinancing Amendment.
Fifth ARCA Refinancing Amendment means the Refinancing Amendment dated as of January 23, 2013 among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Tranche B-4 Lenders.
Financial Officer means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.
First ARCA means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 27, 2007 among Windstream Corporation, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan
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Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and Bank of America, N.A., Citibank, N.A., and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as co-documentation agents.
Fiscal Quarter means a fiscal quarter of the Borrower.
Fiscal Year means a fiscal year of the Borrower.
Foreign Recipient has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(e)(i).
Foreign Recipient Complete Exemption Certificate has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(e)(i)(B).
Foreign Subsidiary means a Subsidiary (which may be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other legal entity) organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States, other than any such entity that is (whether as a matter of law, pursuant to an election by such entity or otherwise) treated as a partnership in which any Loan Party is a partner or as a branch of any Loan Party for United States income tax purposes.
Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement means the Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of August 8, 2012 among the Borrower and certain Agents and Lenders party thereto.
Fourth ARCA means the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 8, 2012 in the form attached as Exhibit A to the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement, as amended and as in effect from time to time before the Fifth ARCA Effective Date.
Fourth ARCA Effective Date shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5 of the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
Governmental Authority means the government of the United States, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body (including the FCC and any PUC, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government).
Governmental Authorization means any authorization, approval, consent, franchise, license, covenant, order, ruling, permit, certification, exemption, notice, declaration or similar right, undertaking or other action of, to or by, or any filing, qualification or registration with any Governmental Authority.
Granting Lender has the meaning specified in Section 9.04(e).
Guarantee of or by any Person (the guarantor ) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of
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guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the primary obligor ) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business; and provided , further , that the amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be the lower of (i) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee is made and (ii) the maximum amount for which such guarantor may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee or, if such Guarantee is not an unconditional guarantee of the entire amount of the primary obligation and such maximum amount is not stated or determinable, the amount of such guarantors maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith.
Guarantee Agreement means the Guarantee Agreement between the Subsidiaries party thereto and the Collateral Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
Guarantors means each Person listed on the signature pages of the Guarantee Agreement under the caption Guarantors and each Subsidiary that shall, at any time after the date hereof, become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 5.10, until such time as released from their obligations under the Guarantee Agreement.
Hazardous Materials means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law because of their harmful, dangerous or deleterious properties or characteristics.
Incremental Facility has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(i)(i).
Incremental Facility Amendment has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(i)(iii).
Incremental Facility Closing Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(i)(iii).
Incremental Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(i)(i).
Incremental Loan Extension Effective Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(ii).
Incremental Term Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(i)(ii).
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Indebtedness of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding accrued obligations or trade payables, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing unconditional right to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations and Attributable Debt of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers acceptances, (j) all net obligations of such Person under any Swap Agreements, and (k) all obligations of such Person to redeem, repay or otherwise repurchase any Disqualified Stock, valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed repurchase price plus accrued dividends. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Persons ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person pursuant to clause (e) of this definition shall (unless such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person) be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (A) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (B) the Fair Market Value of the property encumbered thereby at the date of determination of the amount of such Indebtedness. The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and, with respect to contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, and will be: (1) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and (2) the principal amount thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.
Indemnified Taxes means Taxes imposed by any Governmental Authority of or in the United States or any other jurisdiction from which or through which payments are made under the Loan Documents, other than Excluded Taxes.
Indemnitee has the meaning specified in Section 9.03(b).
Information Memorandum means, collectively, the Confidential Information Memorandum dated June 2006 relating to the Wireline Companies and the Transactions. and the Confidential Executive Summary for Public Investors dated February 2007 relating to the Borrower and the Directories Transactions.
Insignificant Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that has total assets of not more than $5,000,000 and that is designated by the Borrower as an Insignificant Subsidiary, provided that the total assets of all Subsidiaries that are so designated, as reflected on the Borrowers most recent consolidating balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, may not in the aggregate at any time exceed $25,000,000.
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Interest Coverage Ratio means, on any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to (b) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ended on such day (or, in the case of any calculation to be made on Pro Forma Basis, if such day is not the last day of a Fiscal Quarter, ended on the last day of the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended for which financial statements have been delivered or were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) before such day).
Interest Election Request means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.06.
Interest Expense means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(a) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Swap Agreements, but excluding the amortization or write-off of debt issuance costs; plus
(b) the consolidated interest of such Person and its subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus
(c) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus
(d) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Disqualified Stock of such Person, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of such Person or to such Person or to a subsidiary of such Person,
in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Interest Payment Date means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December and (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months duration after the first day of such Interest Period.
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Interest Period means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter (or nine or twelve months thereafter if, at the time of the relevant borrowing or conversion or continuation thereof, all Lenders participating therein agree to make an interest period of such duration available), as the Borrower may elect; provided , that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing only, such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period, (iii) the initial Interest Period with respect to the Tranche A-4 Term Loans made on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date shall end on such date as agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, (iv) the initial Interest Period with respect to the Tranche B-3 Term Loans made on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date shall end on such date as agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (v) the initial Interest Period with respect to the Tranche B-4 Term Loans made on the Fifth ARCA Effective Date shall end on such date as agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
Investment has the meaning set forth in Section 6.04.
Issuing Bank means, as the context may require, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., or, at any time and from time to time, up to three other Revolving Lenders that are designated in writing by the Borrower, are reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and that agree to issue one or more Letters of Credit hereunder and to report in writing to the Administrative Agent all activity with respect to such Letters of Credit in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in each case in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.04(i); provided that with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit, the Revolving Lender which issued the same shall be an Issuing Bank with respect thereto. Any Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term Issuing Bank shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.
JPMCB means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Joint Bookrunner and Arranger means, (i) on and after the Third ARCA Effective Date and prior to the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., BNP Paribas, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citibank, N.A., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc., RBC Capital Markets, RBS Securities Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Cobank ACB and Union Bank, N.A. and (ii) on and after the Fourth ARCA Effective
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Date, Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A., Cobank ACB, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc., RBC Capital Markets, RBS Securities Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., Union Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., each in its capacity as joint bookrunner and joint arranger.
Knowledge means the actual knowledge of a Responsible Officer.
Latest Maturity Date means, at any date of determination, the last to occur of (i) the latest stated final maturity date of any Term Loans, (ii) the stated final maturity date for any Other Term Loan or Other Revolving Commitment and (iii) the Revolving Maturity Date, in each case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), as extended for any Lender in accordance with this Amended Agreement from time to time.
LC Disbursement means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
LC Exposure means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Reimbursement Obligations at such time. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Revolving Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.
LC Reimbursement Obligations means, at any time, all obligations of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Bank for amounts paid by it in respect of drawings under Letters of Credit, including any portion of such obligations to which Lenders have become subrogated by making payments to the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.04(e).
Lead Arranger means (i) prior to the Third ARCA Effective Date, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC (now known as Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated), each in its capacity as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner and (ii) on and after the Third ARCA Effective Date, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., in its capacity as lead arranger and bookrunner.
Lender Group has the meaning specified in Section 9.16.
Lender Group Member has the meaning specified in Section 9.16.
Lender Parties means the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Agents.
Lenders means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption and the terms and provisions in Section 9.04, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption and the terms and provisions in Section 9.04.
Letter of Credit means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement (including each Existing Letter of Credit).
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Leverage Ratio means, on any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Debt as of such day to (b) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ended on such day (or, in the case of any calculation to be made on a Pro Forma Basis, if such day is not the last day of a Fiscal Quarter, ended on the last day of the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended for which financial statements have been delivered or were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) before such day).
LIBO Rate means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, the rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate ( BBA LIBOR ) from Telerate Successor Page 3750, as published by Reuters (or other commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the LIBO Rate with respect to such Eurodollar Borrowing for such Interest Period shall be the rate at which dollar deposits of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the LIBO Rate (a) with respect to the Tranche B-3 Term Loans shall not be less than 1.00% per annum and (b) with respect to the Tranche B-4 Term Loans shall not be less than 0.75% per annum.
Lien means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.
Loan Documents means this Agreement, any Incremental Facility Amendment, any Refinancing Amendment and the Security Documents.
Loan Parties means the Borrower and the Guarantors.
Loans means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.
Mandatory Prepayment Provision has the meaning specified in the definition of Permitted Additional Debt.
Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, properties or liabilities or financial condition of the Wireline Companies taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Loan Party to perform any of its payment obligations under any Loan Document or (c) the rights of or remedies available to any Lender Party under any Loan Document.
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Material Indebtedness means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit) of any one or more of the Wireline Companies in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $75,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the principal amount of the obligations of any Wireline Company in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that such Wireline Company would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.
Maturity Acceleration Condition has the meaning set forth in the definition of Tranche A-3 Maturity Date.
Maximum Rate has the meaning specified in Section 9.14.
Merged Person has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 6.01(a)(ix).
Merger means the merger on the Effective Date of ALLTEL Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation, with and into Valor, with Valor as the surviving entity, followed immediately by the merger of the Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation, with and into Valor, with Valor as the surviving entity (and subsequently renamed Windstream Corporation).
Merger Agreement means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 8, 2005 among Alltel, the Borrower and Valor, as filed with the SEC as Annex A to the Registration Statement, as amended on May 18, 2006.
Merger Sub means Peach Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
MLCC means Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
Multiemployer Plan means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
Net Income means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends, excluding, however:
(a) any gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such gain or loss, realized in connection with: (i) any sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business of such Person or any of its subsidiaries; or (ii) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its subsidiaries; and
(b) any extraordinary or non-recurring gain, loss, expense or charge (including any one-time expenses related to the Transactions), together with any related provision for taxes; provided that non-recurring cash charges other than related to the Transactions shall not exceed $100,000,000 in any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters.
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Net Proceeds means the aggregate cash proceeds (including (x) payments in respect of deferred payment obligations (to the extent corresponding to the principal, but not the interest component, thereof) and (y) any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Disposition or Casualty Event) received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Disposition or Casualty Event, net of (1) the direct costs relating to such Asset Disposition or Casualty Event and the sale or other disposition of any such non-cash consideration, including, without limitation, legal, accounting, investment banking and brokerage fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, (2) Taxes paid or payable as a result thereof, in each case, after taking into account any available Tax credits or deductions and any Tax sharing arrangements, (3) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness or other liabilities secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Disposition or Casualty Event or required to be paid as a result of such Asset Disposition or Casualty Event, (4) any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP, (5) in the case of any Asset Disposition by a Subsidiary of the Borrower, payments to holders of Equity Interests in such Subsidiary in such capacity (other than such Equity Interests held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary) to the extent that such payment is required to permit the distribution of such proceeds in respect of the Equity Interests in such Subsidiary held by the Borrower or such Subsidiary and (6) appropriate amounts to be provided by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries as a reserve against liabilities associated with such Asset Disposition or Casualty Event, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Disposition or Casualty Event, all as determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that (a) any excess amounts set aside for payment of Taxes pursuant to clause (2) above that are remaining after such Taxes have been paid in full or the statute of limitations therefor has expired and (b) any amounts held in reserve pursuant to clause (6), will, in each case when no longer so held, become Net Proceeds.
New Notes means the 2016 Notes and the 2013 Notes.
New Notes Documents means the indenture under which the New Notes are issued and all other instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing or governing the New Notes or providing for any Guarantee or other right in respect thereof.
Non-Consenting Lender has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(c).
Non-Extending Revolving Lenders has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(ii).
Non-Extending Term Lenders has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(ii).
Notes Escrow Account has the meaning set forth in the definition of Permitted Escrow Notes.
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Notes Escrow Arrangements has the meaning set forth in the definition of Permitted Escrow Notes.
Notes Escrowed Proceeds has the meaning set forth in the definition of Permitted Escrow Notes.
Notes SPV means a wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that is formed for the sole purpose of issuing Permitted Escrow Notes, has no material assets or liabilities other than Notes Escrowed Proceeds and Permitted Escrow Notes and engages in no business activities.
OID has the meaning specified in the definition of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness.
Optional Prepayment Premium means 1%.
Original Credit Agreement means the Credit Agreement dated as of July 17, 2006 among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as syndication agent, and Bank of America, N.A., Citibank, N.A., and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as co-documentation agents, as in effect from time to time before the 2007 Amendment Effective Date.
Original Tranche A-3 Maturity Date means December 30, 2016.
Other Taxes means any and all present or future recording, stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise, transfer, sales or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of this Agreement.
Other Revolving Commitments means each Class of revolving commitments hereunder that results from a Refinancing Amendment.
Other Revolving Loans means the Revolving Loans made pursuant to the Other Revolving Commitments.
Other Term Commitments means each Class of term loan commitments hereunder that results from a Refinancing Amendment.
Other Term Loans means one or more Classes of Term Loans made pursuant to Other Term Commitments.
Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement means the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D among the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness, with such modifications thereto as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree.
Participant has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(c).
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PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.
Peach means PAETEC Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation.
Peach 2007 Indenture means that certain Indenture, dated as of July 10, 2007, by and among Peach, the Subsidiaries of Peach party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly The Bank of New York), as trustee, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
Peach 2009 Indenture means that certain Indenture, dated as of June 29, 2009, by and among Peach, the Subsidiaries of Peach party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
Peach 2010 Indenture means that certain Indenture, dated as of December 2, 2010, by and among Peach, the Subsidiaries of Peach party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
Peach 2015 Notes has the meaning set forth in the definition of Peach Unsecured Notes.
Peach Group Members means Peach and each Subsidiary of Peach, and Peach Group Member means any of them.
Peach Merger means the merger of Merger Sub with and into Peach, with Peach as the surviving corporation, in accordance with the Peach Merger Agreement.
Peach Merger Agreement means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 31, 2011, among Windstream Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Merger Sub and Peach.
Peach Merger Date means the date on which the Peach Merger is consummated.
Peach Notes means the Peach Secured Notes and the Peach Unsecured Notes.
Peach Secured Notes means Peachs 8 7 / 8 % Senior Secured Notes due 2017 issued pursuant to the Peach 2009 Indenture in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $650,000,000 at any time outstanding.
Peach Unsecured Notes means (i) Peachs 9.5% Senior Notes due 2015 issued pursuant to the Peach 2007 Indenture in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $300,000,000 at any time outstanding (the Peach 2015 Notes ) and (ii) Peachs 9 7 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2018 issued pursuant to the Peach 2010 Indenture in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450,000,000 at any time outstanding.
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Perfection Certificate means a certificate in the form of Exhibit E to the Security Agreement or any other form approved by the Collateral Agent and the Borrower.
Permitted Acquisition means any Acquisition by a Collateral Support Party; provided that:
(a) the property acquired (or the property of the Person acquired) in such Acquisition shall be used or useful in a Permitted Business;
(b) the Borrower shall be in compliance with Sections 6.14 and 6.15, determined on a Pro Forma Basis;
(d) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such Acquisition; and
(e) if the aggregate consideration paid by the Wireline Companies for any Acquisition (including the principal amount of Indebtedness assumed by the Wireline Companies in connection therewith) exceeds $100,000,000, the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Financial Officer describing such Acquisition and certifying as to the foregoing matters and demonstrating such compliance in reasonable detail.
Permitted Additional Debt means (I) unsecured Indebtedness of any Loan Party that (a) does not require any scheduled payment of principal (including pursuant to a sinking fund obligation) or mandatory redemption or redemption at the option of the holders thereof (except for redemptions in respect of asset sales and changes in control on terms that are market terms on the date of issuance) prior to the date that is 123 days after the Latest Maturity Date applicable to any then-outstanding Term Loans or, if such Indebtedness is incurred after the Borrower has obtained any Incremental Loans constituting term loans or while any Commitments from Incremental Lenders to make Incremental Loans constituting term loans remain in effect, 123 days after the maturity date for such Incremental Loans, unless all such Incremental Loans have been repaid in full and all Commitments in respect thereof have been terminated, (b) contains other terms (including covenants, events of default, remedies, redemption provisions and change of control provisions) that are market terms on the date of issuance as determined by a Financial Officer in good faith, provided that such covenants and events of default are not materially more restrictive than the covenants and events of default contained in this Agreement as determined by a Financial Officer in good faith and do not require the maintenance or achievement of any financial performance standards other than as a condition to the taking of specified actions, and (c) bears interest at a market rate of interest on the date of issuance of such Indebtedness as determined by a Financial Officer in good faith; provided , that unsecured Indebtedness in the form of a bridge loan financing that would constitute Permitted Additional Debt but for the existence of a provision in the documentation governing such Indebtedness (i) requiring the mandatory prepayment thereof with the proceeds of the issuance or incurrence of equity or indebtedness or (ii) providing that the maturity date thereof shall be the one year anniversary of the date on which such Indebtedness is issued or incurred if on such date a bankruptcy event of default exists under the documentation governing such Indebtedness
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or any Loan Party has failed to pay fees owing to any provider of such Indebtedness (each of the provisions described in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), a Mandatory Prepayment Provision ) shall constitute Permitted Additional Debt so long as such Mandatory Prepayment Provision is a customary provision for bridge financings, as determined by a Financial Officer in good faith (it being agreed that any such Mandatory Prepayment Provision shall be deemed not to be materially more restrictive than the covenants contained in this Agreement) and (II) Permitted Escrow Notes. It is understood and agreed that upon the termination of the Notes Escrow Arrangements with respect to any series of Permitted Escrow Notes, such Indebtedness (to the extent not required to be repaid or redeemed upon such termination) shall continue to constitute Permitted Additional Debt if the conditions set forth in clause (I) of this definition are satisfied at the time of such termination.
Permitted Asset Exchange means a disposition of assets and property of any of the Wireline Companies in consideration for the Acquisition of assets and property of a Person engaged in the Permitted Business (other than an Affiliate of any Wireline Company); provided that:
(a) the aggregate assets and properties of the Wireline Companies which may be disposed of in all Permitted Asset Exchanges shall not relate to more than 35% of the access lines of the Wireline Companies determined at the time of any disposition;
(b) the assets and properties disposed of in any Permitted Asset Exchange, together with any cash consideration paid by the Wireline Companies, shall have a Fair Market Value substantially equivalent to the Fair Market Value of the assets and properties Acquired by the Wireline Companies in such Permitted Asset Exchange, together with any cash consideration received by the Wireline Companies;
(c) the Borrower shall comply with Section 2.10(c) with respect to any Net Proceeds received by the Wireline Companies in respect of any Permitted Asset Exchange;
(d) any cash consideration paid by the Wireline Companies in respect of any Permitted Asset Exchange (but not any other property or assets disposed of in any such transaction) shall be treated hereunder as consideration paid by the Wireline Companies for a Permitted Acquisition for purposes of determining whether a certificate is required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to clause (e) of the definition of such term; and
(e) if the Net Proceeds thereof exceed $100,000,000, (i) the Borrower shall be in compliance with Sections 6.14 and 6.15, determined on a Pro Forma Basis; and (ii) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom.
Permitted Business means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted (as described in the Information Memorandum) by the Wireline Companies on the Effective Date and other businesses reasonably related thereto, including any reasonable extension or expansion thereof.
Permitted Encumbrances means:
(a) Liens for Taxes, assessments and governmental charges not yet delinquent or which are being contested in compliance with Section 5.05;
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(b) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security obligations;
(c) Liens, deposits or pledges to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade contracts, leases, or other similar obligations, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(d) Liens, deposits or pledges to secure public or statutory obligations, surety, stay, appeal, indemnity, performance or other similar bonds or obligations; and deposits or pledges in lieu of such bonds or obligations, or to secure such bonds or obligations, or to secure letters of credit in lieu of or supporting the payment of such bonds or obligations;
(e) judgment and attachment liens that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (l) of Article 7 and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which reserves have been made in accordance with GAAP;
(f) survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of other for, rights of way, zoning or other restrictions as to the use of properties, and defects in title which, in the case of any of the foregoing, were not incurred or created to secure the payment of Indebtedness, and which in the aggregate do not materially adversely affect the value of such properties or materially impair the use for the purposes of which such properties are held by any Wireline Company;
(g) Liens in favor of collecting or payor banks having a right of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or instruments of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof on deposit with or in possession of such bank;
(h) Liens representing any interest or title of a licensor, lessor or sublicensor or sublessor, or a licensee, lessee or sublicensee or sublessee, in the property subject to any lease, license or sublicense permitted by this Agreement (other than any property that is the subject of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction); and
(i) Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding operating leases;
provided that the term Permitted Encumbrances shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.
Permitted Escrow Notes means Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Notes SPV in the form of senior or subordinated notes (a) 100% of the net proceeds of the issuance of which (together with the amounts described in subclauses (x) and (y) of the following clause (i), the Notes Escrowed Proceeds ) is and remains deposited to an account (a Notes Escrow Account ) of the issuer of such Indebtedness (i) into which no
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other funds (other than (x) such additional amounts as are necessary to satisfy the issuers obligations under any Permitted Mandatory Redemption Provision and (y) interest earned on the Notes Escrowed Proceeds) are deposited and (ii) that is subject to escrow arrangements (the Notes Escrow Arrangements ) reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent providing for the prepayment or redemption of such Indebtedness with the Notes Escrowed Proceeds in certain circumstances (a Permitted Mandatory Redemption Provision ) (and otherwise providing for the release of the Notes Escrowed Proceeds to the issuer of such Indebtedness or any Loan Party), (b) that is secured, if at all, solely by Liens on such Notes Escrow Account and the Notes Escrowed Proceeds held therein permitted under Section 6.02(q), (c) that does not require any scheduled payment of principal (including pursuant to a sinking fund obligation) or mandatory redemption or redemption at the option of the holders thereof (except for mandatory redemptions with the Notes Escrowed Proceeds on terms customary for Indebtedness of such type) prior to the date that is 123 days after the Latest Maturity Date applicable to any then-outstanding Term Loans or, if such Indebtedness is incurred after the Borrower has obtained any Incremental Loans constituting term loans or while any Commitments from Incremental Lenders to make Incremental Loans constituting term loans remain in effect, 123 days after the maturity date for such Incremental Loans, unless all such Incremental Loans have been repaid in full and all Commitments in respect thereof have been terminated, (d) that contains other terms (including covenants, events of default, remedies, redemption provisions and change of control provisions) that are market terms on the date of issuance as determined by a Financial Officer in good faith, provided that such covenants and events of default are not materially more restrictive than the covenants and events of default contained in this Agreement as determined by a Financial Officer in good faith and do not require the maintenance or achievement of any financial performance standards other than as a condition to the taking of specified actions, and (e) that bears interest at a market rate of interest on the date of issuance of such Indebtedness as determined by a Financial Officer in good faith.
Permitted Mandatory Redemption Provision has the meaning set forth in the definition of Permitted Escrow Notes.
Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness means secured Indebtedness in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes issued by the Borrower or any Guarantor; provided that, in each case:
(a) at the time of the incurrence of any such Indebtedness, (i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall result therefrom, (ii) the Borrower shall be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the covenants contained in Sections 6.14 and 6.15 recomputed as of the last day of the most-recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), and (iii) the Borrower shall have delivered a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above, together with reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with clause (ii) above;
(b) such Indebtedness contains terms (including covenants, events of default, remedies, redemption provisions and change of control provisions) that are market terms on the date of issuance as determined by a Financial Officer in good faith, provided that such covenants and events of default are not materially more restrictive than the
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covenants and events of default contained in this Agreement as determined by a Financial Officer in good faith and do not require the maintenance or achievement of any financial performance standards other than as a condition to the taking of specified actions;
(c) such Indebtedness does not require any scheduled payment of principal (including pursuant to a sinking fund obligation) or mandatory redemption or redemption at the option of the holders thereof (except for redemptions in respect of asset sales and changes in control on terms that are market terms on the date of issuance) prior to the date that is 123 days after the Latest Maturity Date applicable to any then-outstanding Term Loans or, if such Indebtedness is incurred after the Borrower has obtained any Incremental Loans constituting term loans or while any Commitments from Incremental Lenders to make Incremental Loans constituting term loans remain in effect, 123 days after the maturity date for such Incremental Loans, unless all such Incremental Loans have been repaid in full and all Commitments in respect thereof have been terminated;
(d) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Security Agreement (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent);
(e) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Guarantors and is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Collateral; and
(f) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Paris Passu Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Guarantor, then the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness means any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries incurred in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary or of any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary); provided that:
(a) the amount of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the amount of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and the amount of any reasonably determined premium necessary to accomplish such refinancing and such reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith);
(b) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the then Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;
(c) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations, such
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Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than 123 days after the Latest Maturity Date applicable to Term Loans or, if such Equity Interests are issued after the Borrower has obtained any Incremental Loans constituting term loans or while any Commitments from Incremental Lenders to make Incremental Loans constituting term loans remain in effect, 123 days after the maturity date for such Incremental Loans, unless all such Incremental Loans have been repaid in full and all Commitments in respect thereof have been terminated and is subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms at least as favorable, taken as a whole, to the Secured Parties as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;
(d) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is unsecured, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is unsecured;
(e) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, the Assumed Valor Bonds or the AC Holdings Bonds, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is unsecured; and
(f) such Indebtedness is incurred by either (i) by the Borrower or any Loan Party or (ii) by the Subsidiary that is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
Person means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
Plan means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
Post-Petition Interest has the meaning specified in Section 1(c) of the Security Agreement.
Preferred Stock means, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interests in such Person that have preferential rights to any other Equity Interests in such Person with respect to dividends or redemptions upon liquidation.
Preliminary Restructuring means the contribution by Alltel of all of the assets, liabilities and operations of its wireline telecommunications business to its subsidiaries.
Prepayment Fee has the meaning specified in Section 2.10(g).
primary obligor has the meaning specified in the definition of Guarantee.
Prime Rate means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.
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Pro Forma Basis means, with respect to the calculation of the Leverage Ratio or the Interest Coverage Ratio at any time, that such calculation shall give pro forma effect to all Permitted Acquisitions, all Permitted Asset Exchanges, all issuances, incurrences or assumptions or repayments of Indebtedness (and the application of proceeds thereof) and all sales, transfers or other dispositions of any Subsidiary, line of business or division (any of the foregoing, an Applicable Transaction ) and to the Transactions (with any such Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the applicable measurement period in accordance with its terms and, if any such Indebtedness bears interest at a floating rate, assuming that such Indebtedness bears interest during any portion of such measurement period prior to the consummation of the Applicable Transaction or the Transactions at the interest rate applicable to such Indebtedness at such time), in each case that have occurred during (or, if such calculation is being made for the purpose of determining whether any proposed transaction will constitute a Permitted Acquisition or Permitted Asset Exchange or an incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(viii), Section 6.01(a)(ix) or Section 6.01(a)(xx), Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness, Permitted Additional Debt or Incremental Loans, since the beginning of) the four consecutive Fiscal Quarter period of the Borrower most recently ended for which financial statements have been delivered or were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) on or prior to such date as if they had occurred on the first day of such four consecutive Fiscal Quarter period (including cost savings (i) to the extent such cost savings would be permitted to be reflected in pro forma financial information complying with the requirements of GAAP and Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, as interpreted by the Staff of the SEC, and as certified by a Financial Officer and (ii) which, in the case of the Transactions, may include additional cost savings which have otherwise been realized or for which steps necessary for realization have been taken or are reasonably expected to be taken following the Transactions as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer, provided that the net cost savings in connection with the Transactions pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above that may be given such effect shall not exceed $50,000,000 in the aggregate for purposes of any calculation during the first of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters after the Effective Date (or, in any case thereafter, such amount less $12,500,000 for each additional full Fiscal Quarter thereafter).
Proposed Change has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02(c).
PUC means any state public service or public utility commission or other state Governmental Authority that exercises jurisdiction over the rates or services or the acquisition, construction or operation of any telecommunications system of any Person who owns, constructs or operates any telecommunications system, in each case by reason of the nature or type of the business subject to regulation and not pursuant to laws and regulations of general applicability to Persons conducting business in such state.
Qualified Peach Group Member means each Peach Group Member other than any Peach Group Member that has Guaranteed any Indebtedness of any Wireline Company (other than a Peach Group Member) having an aggregate principal amount, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $1,000,000.
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Recipient has the meaning specified in the definition of Excluded Taxes.
Refinanced Debt has the meaning specified in the definition of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness.
Refinancing Amendment means an amendment to this Amended Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower executed by each of (a) the Borrower, (b) the Administrative Agent and (c) each Additional Lender and Lender that agrees to provide any portion of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness being incurred pursuant thereto, in accordance with Section 2.19.
Refinancings means the repayment of all principal of, all accrued interest on, and all premiums, fees and other amounts owing in respect of (a) the 9.44% Sinking Fund Debentures due 2009, the 9.55% Sinking Fund Debentures due 2009 and the 9.14% Sinking Fund Debentures due 2011, in each case issued by Alltel New York, Inc. (formerly Midstate Telephone Corporation), (b) the 8.05% Senior Notes (Series A) due 2009 and the 8.17% Senior Notes (Series B) due 2014, in each case issued by Georgia Alltel Telecom, Inc., (c) the 9.07% Sinking Fund Debentures due 2011 issued by Alltel Pennsylvania, Inc. (formerly Mid-Penn Telephone Corporation), (d) the 8.11% Senior Notes due 2018 issued by Texas Alltel, Inc., (e) the 8.05% Senior Notes (Series A) due 2009 and the 8.17% Senior Notes (Series B) due 2014, in each case issued by The Western Reserve Telephone Company, (f) the Valor 2005 Credit Facility and (g) the termination and release of all Guarantees of and all Liens securing any of the foregoing.
Register has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(b).
Registration Statement means Valors Registration Statement on Form S-4, as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2006, as amended to the Effective Date.
Regulatory Authorization means any Governmental Authorization of the FCC or any PUC.
Reinvestment Funds means any Net Proceeds of an asset disposition of, or casualty event with respect to, non-current assets that are not otherwise required to be applied to prepay Loans pursuant to Section 2.10(c) or (d).
Related Parties means, with respect to any specified Person, such Persons Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees and advisors of such Person and such Persons Affiliates.
Replacement Assets means (a) non-current assets (including any such assets acquired by capital expenditures) that will be used or useful in a Permitted Business or (b) substantially all the assets of a Permitted Business or the voting stock of any Person engaged in a Permitted Business that will become on the date of Acquisition thereof a Collateral Support Party.
Repurchase Right has the meaning set forth in the definition of Change of Control.
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Required Lenders means, at any time, Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) having Revolving Credit Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments at such time (excluding any Revolving Credit Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments of Defaulting Lenders).
Required Revolving Lenders means, at any time, Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) having Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Revolving Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Revolving Commitments at such time (excluding any Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Revolving Commitments of Defaulting Lenders).
Required Tranche A-3 Lenders means, at any time, Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) having outstanding Tranche A-3 Term Loans representing more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Tranche A-3 Term Loans at such time (excluding any outstanding Tranche A-3 Term Loans of Defaulting Lenders).
Required Tranche A-4 Lenders means, at any time, Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) having outstanding Tranche A-4 Term Loans representing more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Tranche A-4 Term Loans at such time (excluding any outstanding Tranche A-4 Term Loans of Defaulting Lenders).
Requirement of Law means, with respect to any Person, (a) the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person and (b) any statute, law, treaty, rule, regulation, order, decree, writ, injunction or determination of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
Responsible Officer means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer or any vice president of the Borrower or any other Financial Officer.
Restricted Indebtedness means the New Notes, the Assumed Bonds, any Permitted Additional Debt, any Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness and the Peach Notes.
Restricted Payment means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in any Wireline Company, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in any Wireline Company, or any other payment (including, without limitation, any payment under a Swap Agreement) that has a substantially similar effect to any of the foregoing.
Revolver Extension Effective Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(ii).
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Revolving Availability Period means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments.
Revolving Commitment means each 2015 Revolving Commitment with respect to 2015 Revolving Lenders.
Revolving Credit Exposure means, with respect to any 2015 Revolving Lender, the 2015 Revolving Credit Exposure.
Revolving Lender means any 2015 Revolving Lender.
Revolving Loan means any 2015 Revolving Loan.
Revolving Maturity Date means December 17, 2015.
Revolving Percentage means, with respect to any Revolving Lender, the percentage of the total Revolving Commitments represented by such Lenders Revolving Commitments. If the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Revolving Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments that occur after such termination or expiration.
RUS means the United States of America, acting through the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service, and its successors.
RUS Grant and Security Agreements means the Broadband Initiatives Program Grant and Security Agreements by and among the Borrower, certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower and the RUS, substantially in the form delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to the Second ARCA First Amendment Effective Date as modified by the RUS Approval Letter dated September 14, 2010, with such changes as (i) shall be consented to by the Required Lenders or (ii) taken as a whole, shall not be materially adverse to the Lenders or the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
RUS Grant Funds means any funds disbursed by the RUS to any RUS Grantee pursuant to a RUS Grant and Security Agreement.
RUS Grantee means the Borrower and any Subsidiary which is party to a RUS Grant and Security Agreement.
S&P means Standard & Poors Ratings Group, Inc.
Sale and Leaseback Transaction has the meaning set forth in Section 6.06.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
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Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement means the Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of October 8, 2009 among the Borrower and certain Agents and Lenders party thereto.
Second ARCA means the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 19, 2009 in the form attached as Exhibit A to the Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement, as amended and as in effect from time to time before the Third ARCA Effective Date.
Second ARCA Effective Date has the meaning assigned thereto in the Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
Second ARCA First Amendment Effective Date has the meaning assigned thereto in Amendment No. 1 dated as of September 16, 2010 to the Second ARCA and the Security Agreement (as defined in the Second ARCA).
Second ARCA Second Amendment Effective Date has the meaning assigned thereto in Amendment No. 2 dated as of April 27, 2011 to the Second ARCA.
Second ARCA Third Amendment Effective Date has the meaning assigned thereto in Amendment No. 3 dated as of August 11, 2011 to the Second ARCA.
Secured Leverage Ratio means, on any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Secured Debt as of such day to (b) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ended on such day (or, if such day is not the last day of a Fiscal Quarter, ended on the last day of the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended before such day).
Secured Obligations has the meaning specified in Section 1(c) of the Security Agreement.
Secured Parties has the meaning specified in Section 1(c) of the Security Agreement.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Security Agreement means the Security Agreement among the Loan Parties and the Collateral Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
Security Documents means the Guarantee Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (if any) and each other agreement, instrument or other document executed and delivered pursuant to Section 5.10 or 5.11 to guarantee or secure any of the Secured Obligations.
Senior Representative means, with respect to any series of Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under the indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.
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Special Dividend means a cash dividend paid by the Borrower to Alltel in an amount not exceeding $2,275,000,000.
Special Stub Dividend shall mean dividends declared by Valor prior to the Effective Date and paid by the Borrower thereafter in an aggregate amount not exceeding $6,000,000.
SPV has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(e).
Statutory Reserve Rate means a fraction (expressed as a decimal carried to the sixth decimal place), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve, liquid asset or similar requirement percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves or other requirements) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as Eurocurrency Liabilities in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve, liquid asset or similar requirement.
subsidiary means, with respect to any Person (the parent ) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parents consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held.
Subsidiary means any subsidiary of the Borrower. For purposes of the representations and warranties made herein on the Effective Date, the term Subsidiary includes the Contributed Subsidiaries and each of Valor and its subsidiaries.
Swap Agreement means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.
Taxes means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.
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Term Lender means a Tranche A-2 Lender, Tranche A-3 Lender, Tranche A-4 Lender, Tranche B-1 Lender, Tranche B-2 Lender, Tranche B-3 Lender or Tranche B-4 Lender.
Term Loans means a Tranche A-2 Term Loan, Tranche A-3 Term Loan, Tranche A-4 Term Loan, Tranche B-1 Term Loan, Tranche B-2 Term Loan, Tranche B-3 Term Loan or Tranche B-4 Term Loan, or any combination thereof (as the context may require).
Term Loan Extension Effective Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.07(d)(ii).
Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement means the Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of February 23, 2012 among the Borrower and certain Agents and Lenders party thereto.
Third ARCA means the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 23, 2012 in the form attached as Exhibit A to the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement, as amended and as in effect from time to time before the Fourth ARCA Effective Date.
Third ARCA Effective Date shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5 of the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
Total Assets means the total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Borrower prepared in conformity with GAAP but excluding the value of any outstanding Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(t).
Tranche A-2 Commitment has the meaning specified in the Second ARCA.
Tranche A-2 Lender means a Lender with an outstanding Tranche A-2 Term Loan.
Tranche A-2 Maturity Date means July 17, 2013.
Tranche A-2 Term Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(b) or Section 2.01(h) of the Second ARCA.
Tranche A-3 Commitment has the meaning specified in the Third ARCA.
Tranche A-3 Converted Term Lender means a Lender with an outstanding Tranche A-3 Converted Term Loan.
Tranche A-3 Converted Term Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(c)(i) of the Third ARCA.
Tranche A-3 Lender means any Tranche A-3 Converted Term Lender or any Tranche A-3 New Term Lender.
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Tranche A-3 Maturity Date means the Original Tranche A-3 Maturity Date or, solely if at the close of business on September 1, 2015 the aggregate amount of the Tranche B-2 Term Loans then outstanding with a maturity date of December 17, 2015 shall be greater than $300,000,000 (such condition, the Maturity Acceleration Condition ), the Accelerated Tranche A-3 Maturity Date.
Tranche A-3 New Term Lender means a Lender with an outstanding Tranche A-3 New Term Loan.
Tranche A-3 New Term Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(c)(ii) of the Third ARCA.
Tranche A-3 Term Loans means collectively, the Tranche A-3 Converted Term Loans and the Tranche A-3 New Term Loans.
Tranche A-4 Commitment means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make a Tranche A-4 Term Loan hereunder on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date pursuant to the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement as set forth on Schedule 2.01 , as the same may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lenders Tranche A-4 Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 under the caption Tranche A-4 Commitment. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders Tranche A-4 Commitments is $300,000,000.
Tranche A-4 Lender means a Lender with an outstanding Tranche A-4 Term Loan.
Tranche A-4 Maturity Date means August 8, 2017.
Tranche A-4 Term Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(d).
Tranche B-1 Commitment has the meaning specified in the First ARCA.
Tranche B-1 Lender means a Lender with an outstanding Tranche B-1 Term Loan.
Tranche B-1 Maturity Date means July 17, 2013.
Tranche B-1 Term Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(b) of the First ARCA.
Tranche B-2 Commitment has the meaning specified in the Second ARCA.
Tranche B-2 Lender means a Lender with an outstanding Tranche B-2 Term Loan.
Tranche B-2 Maturity Date means December 17, 2015.
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Tranche B-2 Term Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(f) of the Second ARCA.
Tranche B-3 Commitment means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make a Tranche B-3 Term Loan hereunder on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date pursuant to the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement as set forth on Schedule 2.01 , as the same may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lenders Tranche B-3 Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 under the caption Tranche B-3 Commitment. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders Tranche B-3 Commitments is $600,000,000.
Tranche B-3 Lender means a Lender with an outstanding Tranche B-3 Term Loan.
Tranche B-3 Maturity Date means August 8, 2019.
Tranche B-3 Repricing Transaction means (a) any prepayment or repayment of Tranche B-3 Term Loans with the proceeds of, or any conversion of Tranche B-3 Term Loans into, any new or replacement tranche of term loans or Indebtedness having an All-in Yield less than the All-in Yield applicable to such Tranche B-3 Term Loans (as such comparative yields are determined in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent consistent with generally accepted financial practices) and (b) any amendment to the Tranche B-3 Term Loans the effect of which is to reduce the All-in Yield applicable to such Tranche B-3 Term Loans (other than by virtue of any waiver of Default or Event of Default or an amendment to a financial definition in this Agreement), but excluding, in each case, any such transaction that occurs in connection with a Change of Control.
Tranche B-3 Term Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(g)(i).
Tranche B-4 Commitment means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make a Tranche B-4 Term Loan hereunder on the Fifth ARCA Effective Date pursuant to the Fifth ARCA Refinancing Amendment as set forth on Schedule 2.01 , as the same may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lenders Tranche B-4 Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 of the Fifth ARCA Refinancing Amendment under the caption Tranche B-4 Commitment. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders Tranche B-4 Commitments is $1,345,000,000.
Tranche B-4 Lender means a Lender with an outstanding Tranche B-4 Term Loan.
Tranche B-4 Maturity Date means January 23, 2020.
Tranche B-4 Repricing Transaction means (a) any prepayment or repayment of Tranche B-4 Term Loans with the proceeds of, or any conversion of Tranche B-4 Term Loans into, any new or replacement tranche of term loans or Indebtedness having
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an All-in Yield less than the All-in Yield applicable to such Tranche B-4 Term Loans (as such comparative yields are determined in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent consistent with generally accepted financial practices) and (b) any amendment to the Tranche B-4 Term Loans the effect of which is to reduce the All-in Yield applicable to such Tranche B-4 Term Loans (other than by virtue of any waiver of Default or Event of Default or an amendment to a financial definition in this Agreement), but excluding, in each case, any such transaction that occurs in connection with a Change of Control.
Tranche B-4 Term Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(g)(ii).
Tranche B Term Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(ii) of the Original Credit Agreement.
Transactions means (a) the Preliminary Restructuring, (b) the Contribution (including the payment of the Special Dividend and the issuance of the 2016 Notes), (c) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents and the funding of the Loans, the use of proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit thereunder, (d) the issuance and sale of the 2013 Notes, (e) the Distribution, (f) the Merger, (g) the Refinancings, (h) the Debt Exchange and the resale of the 2016 Notes, and (i) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with any of the foregoing.
Transaction Documents means (a) the Merger Agreement, the Distribution Agreement, and the other Transaction Agreements referred to in the Merger Agreement and the Distribution Agreement, (b) the New Notes Documents, (c) the Loan Documents, and (d) the indentures and agreements under which any of the Assumed Bonds were issued and all other instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing or governing any of the Assumed Bonds or providing for any Guarantee or other right in respect thereof.
Transaction Liens means the Liens on Collateral granted by the Loan Parties under the Security Documents.
Type , when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.
United States means the United States of America.
Valor means Valor Communications Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Valor 2005 Credit Facility means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 14, 2005 among Valor Telecommunications Enterprises, LLC, as borrower, Valor and certain of its domestic subsidiaries, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly known as JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association), and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as Syndication Agents, CIBC World Markets Corp. and Wachovia Bank, N.A., as Documentation Agents, Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan
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Securities Inc., as Sole and Exclusive Lead Arrangers, and Banc of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as Sole and Exclusive Book Managers, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of August 9, 2005 and as further amended prior to the Effective Date.
Valor Bonds means the 7-3/4% Senior Notes due 2015 issued by Valor Telecommunications Enterprises, LLC and Valor Telecommunications Enterprises Finance Corp. in an original aggregate principal amount of $400,000,000.
Valor Indenture means the Indenture dated as of February 14, 2005 under which the Valor Bonds were issued.
Voting Stock of any Person as of any date means the Equity Interests in such Person that are ordinarily entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors of such Person.
WCAS means Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by
(b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
wholly-owned means, with respect to any subsidiary of any Person (the parent ) at any date, that securities or other ownership interests representing 100% of the Equity Interests in such subsidiary (other than directors qualifying shares) are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held by the parent or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of the parent.
Wireline Companies means the Borrower and the Subsidiaries.
Wireline Licenses has the meaning specified in Section 3.16(a).
Withdrawal Liability means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
SECTION 1.02 . Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class ( e.g. , a Revolving Loan ) or by Type ( e.g. , a Eurodollar Loan ) or by Class and Type ( e.g. , a Eurodollar Revolving Loan ). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class ( e.g. , a Revolving Borrowing ) or by Type ( e.g. , a Eurodollar Borrowing ) or by Class and Type ( e.g. , a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing ).
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SECTION 1.03 . Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include , includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation . The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall . Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns, (c) the words herein , hereof and hereunder , and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (e) the words asset and property shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights and whether real, personal or mixed and (f) any reference to any Requirement of Law shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such Requirement of Law as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
SECTION 1.04 . Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision (including any definition) hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Upon any such request for an amendment, the Borrower, the Required Lenders and the Administrative Agent agree to consider in good faith any such amendment in order to amend the provisions of this Agreement so as to reflect equitably such accounting changes so that the criteria for evaluating Borrowers financial condition shall be the same after such accounting changes as if such accounting changes had not occurred.
SECTION 1.05 . Pro Forma Calculations. With respect to any period (i) during which any incurrence, redemption, retirement or extinguishment of any Indebtedness, any Permitted Acquisition, Permitted Asset Exchange or sale, transfer or other disposition of any Subsidiary, line of business or division occurs or (ii) as
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to which fewer than four full Fiscal Quarters have elapsed since the Effective Date, calculations of the Leverage Ratio and the Interest Coverage Ratio with respect to such period shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis.
ARTICLE 2
T HE C REDITS
SECTION 2.01 . Loans. (a) Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period applicable to such Revolving Lenders Revolving Commitment in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in such Lenders Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Revolving Lenders Revolving Commitment. All Revolving Loans will be made by all Revolving Lenders in accordance with their Revolving Percentages until the Revolving Maturity Date.
(b) Tranche A-2 Term Loans. All outstanding Tranche A-2 Term Loans outstanding under the Third ARCA on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date shall remain outstanding hereunder on the terms set forth herein.
(c) Tranche A-3 Term Loans. All outstanding Tranche A-3 Term Loans outstanding under the Third ARCA on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date shall remain outstanding hereunder on the terms set forth herein.
(d) Tranche A-4 Term Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement, each Tranche A-4 Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make a Tranche A-4 Term Loan to the Borrower on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date in a principal amount equal to its Tranche A-4 Commitment.
(e) Tranche B-1 Term Loans . All outstanding Tranche B-1 Term Loans outstanding under the Third ARCA on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date shall remain outstanding hereunder on the terms set forth herein.
(f) Tranche B-2 Term Loans. All outstanding Tranche B-2 Term Loans outstanding under the Third ARCA on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date shall remain outstanding hereunder on the terms set forth herein.
(g) (i) Tranche B-3 Term Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement, each Tranche B-3 Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make a Tranche B-3 Term Loan to the Borrower on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date in a principal amount equal to its Tranche B-3 Commitment.
(ii) Tranche B-4 Term Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Fifth ARCA Refinancing Amendment, each Tranche B-4 Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make a Tranche B-4 Term Loan to the Borrower on the Fifth ARCA Effective Date in a principal amount equal to its Tranche B-4 Commitment.
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(h) Outstanding Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit. All Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit outstanding under the Third ARCA on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date shall remain outstanding hereunder on the terms set forth herein (except to the extent repaid on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date with proceeds of Tranche A-4 Term Loans and Tranche B-3 Term Loans).
(i) Incremental Loan Facility . (i) At any time and from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may, by notice to the Administrative Agent (whereupon the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver a copy to each of the Lenders), request to add one or more additional tranches of loans ( Incremental Loans and each such tranche, an Incremental Facility ), provided that at the time of each such request and upon the effectiveness of each Incremental Facility Amendment, (A) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or shall result therefrom, (B) the Borrower shall be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the covenants contained in Sections 6.14 and 6.15 recomputed as of the last day of the most-recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), (C) the Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis computed as of the last day of the most recently-ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) shall not exceed 2.25 to 1.0, and (D) the Borrower shall have delivered a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect set forth in clauses (A), (B) and, if applicable, (C), above, together with reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with clauses (B) and, if applicable, (C), above. Each Incremental Facility shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $5,000,000 and not less than $50,000,000, provided that an Incremental Facility may be in any amount less than $50,000,000 if such amount represents all the remaining availability under the Incremental Facilities pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence.
(ii) The Incremental Loans shall rank pari passu (or at the Borrowers option, junior) in right of payment in respect of the Collateral and with the obligations in respect of the Revolving Commitments, the Tranche A-2 Term Loans, the Tranche A-3 Term Loans, the Tranche A-4 Term Loans, the Tranche B-1 Term Loans, the Tranche B-2 Term Loans, the Tranche B-3 Term Loans, the Tranche B-4 Term Loans, Incremental Loans, Other Term Loans and Other Revolving Loans. In addition, (A) any Incremental Facility providing for term loans ( Incremental Term Loans ) shall (1) not have a final maturity date earlier than the Tranche B-1 Maturity Date, the Tranche B-2 Maturity Date, the Tranche B-3 Maturity Date or the Tranche B-4 Maturity Date, or a Weighted Average Life to Maturity that is shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the then-remaining Tranche B-1 Term Loans, Tranche B-2 Term Loans, Tranche B-3 Term Loans or Tranche B-4 Term Loans, (2) for purposes of prepayments, be treated substantially the same as (and in any event no more favorably than) the Tranche B-1 Term Loans, the Tranche B-2 Term Loans, the Tranche B-3 Term Loans and the Tranche B-4 Term Loans and (3) otherwise have terms that are no more favorable to the lenders providing such Incremental Facility than the terms applicable to the Tranche B-1 Term Loans or the Tranche B-2 Term Loans, provided that (v) if the Applicable Rate relating to any Incremental Term Loans exceeds the Applicable Rate relating to the Tranche B-1
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Term Loans by more than 0.25%, the Applicable Rate relating to the Tranche B-1 Term Loans shall be adjusted to be equal to the Applicable Rate relating to such Incremental Term Loans, (w) if the Applicable Rate relating to any Incremental Term Loans exceeds the Applicable Rate relating to the Tranche B-2 Term Loans by more than 0.25%, the Applicable Rate relating to the Tranche B-2 Term Loans shall be adjusted to be equal to the Applicable Rate relating to such Incremental Term Loans, (x) if as a result of any adjustments made pursuant to the preceding clauses (v) and (w) the Applicable Rate relating to the Tranche B-1 Term Loans would exceed the Applicable Rate relating to the Tranche B-2 Term Loans, the Applicable Rate relating to the Tranche B-2 Term Loans shall be increased in the amount required to eliminate such excess, (y) any determination of the Applicable Rate relating to Incremental Loans, Tranche B-1 Term Loans or Tranche B-2 Term Loans under the foregoing clause (v), (w) or (x), as applicable, shall include all upfront or similar fees or original issue discount payable to the Lenders providing such Loans), (B) except with respect to pricing (subject to the following proviso) and scheduled amortization (subject to the preceding clause (A)(1)) or to the extent such term is effective only after the Tranche B-3 Maturity Date, any Incremental Term Loans shall have terms that are no more favorable to the lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans than the terms applicable to the Tranche B-3 Term Loans, provided , that if the All-in Yield of any Incremental Term Loans exceeds the All-in Yield of any Tranche B-3 Term Loans by more than 0.50%, the Applicable Rate relating to the Tranche B-3 Term Loans shall be adjusted so that the All-in Yield of such Incremental Term Loans shall not exceed the All-in Yield of the Tranche B-3 Term Loans by more than 0.50%, (C) except with respect to pricing (subject to the following proviso) and scheduled amortization (subject to the preceding clause (A)(1)) or to the extent such term is effective only after the Tranche B-4 Maturity Date, such Incremental Term Loans shall have terms that are no more favorable to the lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans than the terms applicable to the Tranche B-4 Term Loans, provided , that if the All-in Yield of any Incremental Term Loans made on or prior to the date that is 18 months following the Fifth ARCA Effective Date exceeds the All-in Yield of any Tranche B-4 Term Loans by more than 0.50%, the Applicable Rate relating to the Tranche B-4 Term Loans shall be adjusted so that the All-in Yield of such Incremental Term Loans shall not exceed the All-in Yield of the Tranche B-4 Loans by more than 0.50% and (D) any Incremental Facility providing for revolving loans (1) shall not have a final maturity date, or a commitment availability period that ends, earlier than the latest Revolving Maturity Date then applicable, (2) may be effected by increasing the Revolving Commitments then having a commitment availability period ending on the latest Revolving Maturity Date and (3) shall be subject to other terms that are similar to the terms then available in the bank financing market to companies having a credit quality similar to the Borrower as determined by a Financial Officer in good faith.
(iii) Each notice from the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.01(i) shall set forth the requested amount and proposed terms of the relevant Incremental Facility. Such Incremental Facility may be provided by any existing Lender or Additional Lender which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
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Borrower and (other than in the case of existing Lenders providing only term loans under such Incremental Facility) the Administrative Agent and the Syndication Agent; provided that no existing Lender shall be obligated to provide any Incremental Loans, unless it so agrees. Any Incremental Facility will be effected pursuant to an amendment (an Incremental Facility Amendment ) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Borrower, the Additional Lenders providing such Incremental Facility (and no other Lenders) and the Administrative Agent. Upon the effectiveness of any Incremental Facility Amendment, each Additional Lender shall become a Lender under this Agreement with respect to its obligations under such Incremental Facility, and the commitments of the Additional Lenders in respect of such Incremental Facility shall become Commitments hereunder; and any Incremental Loans under such Incremental Facility shall, when made, constitute Loans under this Agreement. In addition, any Incremental Facility Amendment may, without the consent of any Lenders other than the Additional Lenders, effect such amendments to any Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.01(i) (including to provide for voting provisions applicable to the Additional Lenders comparable to the provisions of clause (B) of the second proviso of Section 9.02(b)). The effectiveness of an Incremental Facility Amendment shall, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent and the Additional Lenders, be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof (an Incremental Facility Closing Date ) of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.03 (it being understood that all references to the date of such Borrowing in Section 4.03 shall be deemed to refer to the Incremental Facility Closing Date). The proceeds of Incremental Loans will be used only for working capital and other general corporate purposes (including to finance Permitted Acquisitions or Capital Expenditures, in each case to the extent otherwise permitted hereunder).
This Section 2.01(i) shall supercede any provisions in Section 2.17 or 9.02 to the contrary. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans. Amounts repaid or prepaid in respect of Term Loans may not be reborrowed.
(j) Reserved .
(k) Additional Conversions of Tranche B-1 Term Loans . (i) At any time after the Second ARCA First Amendment Effective Date, the Borrower may request that any Tranche B-1 Lender convert all or a portion of its Tranche B-1 Term Loans into Tranche B-2 Term Loans. Any Tranche B-1 Lender wishing to agree to such a conversion shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a duly completed Conversion Agreement. Upon the acceptance by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower of such Conversion Agreement, the Tranche B-1 Term Loans of such Tranche B-1 Lender specified therein shall be converted into an equal principal amount of Tranche B-2 Term Loans.
(ii) The initial Interest Period applicable to each Tranche B-2 Term Loan resulting from the conversion of a Tranche B-1 Term Loan pursuant to clause (i) above that is a Eurodollar Loan shall be the then-current Interest Period
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applicable to the Tranche B-1 Term Loan from which it is converted with no conversion into a different Interest Period, payment or prepayment of such Tranche B-1 Term Loan being deemed to have occurred solely due to such conversion.
(iii) On a quarterly basis, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of the aggregate amount of Tranche B-1 Term Loans that have been converted into Tranche B-2 Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.01(k) during the preceding quarter.
SECTION 2.02 . Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Revolving Loan and Term Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lenders failure to make Loans as required.
(b) Subject to Section 2.13, (i) each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000; provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Revolving Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.04(e). Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of 20 Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding (or, if any Incremental Loans are outstanding, 30).
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect to the applicable Loan would end after the Revolving Maturity Date, Tranche A-2 Maturity Date, Tranche A-3 Maturity Date, Tranche A-4 Maturity Date, Tranche B-1 Maturity Date, Tranche B-2 Maturity Date, Tranche B-3 Maturity Date or Tranche B-4 Maturity Date, as applicable.
SECTION 2.03 . Requests for Borrowings. To request a Revolving Borrowing, a Tranche A-4 Term Loan Borrowing or a Tranche B-3 Term Loan Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New
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York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.04(e) may be given not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, e-mail of a pdf copy or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;
(ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;
(iv) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term Interest Period;
(v) the location and number of the Borrowers account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.05; and
(vi) as of such date Sections 4.03(a) and (b) are satisfied.
If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one months duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the relevant Class of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lenders Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.
SECTION 2.04 . Letters of Credit. (a) General . (i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of Letters of Credit for its own account (or for the account of any Wireline Company so long as the Borrower and such Wireline Company are co-applicants), in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank requested to issue such Letter of Credit, at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, an Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.
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(ii) Existing Letters of Credit . Upon consummation of the Merger on the Effective Date and the satisfaction of the conditions in Section 4.03, in each case automatically and without further action on the part of any Person, (A) each Existing Letter of Credit will be deemed to be a Letter of Credit issued hereunder for all purposes of the Loan Documents, and (B) each Revolving Lender that has issued an Existing Letter of Credit shall be deemed to have granted to each other Revolving Lender, and each other Revolving Lender shall be deemed to have acquired from such issuer, a participation in each Existing Letter of Credit equal to such other Revolving Lenders Revolving Percentage of (I) the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Existing Letter of Credit and (II) the aggregate amount of any outstanding LC Reimbursement Obligations in respect thereof. With respect to each Existing Letter of Credit (x) if, prior to the Effective Date, the relevant issuer has heretofore sold a participation therein to a Revolving Lender, such issuer and Revolving Lender agree that such participation shall be automatically canceled upon consummation of the Merger on the Effective Date, and (y) if, prior to the Effective Date, the relevant issuer has heretofore sold a participation therein to any bank or financial institution that is not a Revolving Lender, such issuer shall procure the termination of such participation on or prior to the Effective Date.
(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions . To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver, e-mail or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing Bank requested to issue such Letter of Credit) to such Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the Issuing Bank requested to issue such Letter of Credit, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Banks standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $30,000,000 and (ii) the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures shall not exceed the total Revolving Commitments. Promptly upon the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or amendment, renewal, extension or termination of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Issuing Bank shall provide notice of such issuance, amendment, renewal, extension or termination to the Administrative Agent (if different from the Issuing Bank), who shall in turn promptly provide notice of same to the Revolving Lenders.
(c) Expiration Date . Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such
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Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date with respect to 2015 Revolving Loans; provided that (x) any Letter of Credit may provide for the automatic extension or renewal thereof and may be automatically renewed or extended upon notice delivered by the Borrower in accordance with the terms thereof for additional periods of a duration requested by the Borrower (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) above) and (y) with the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent, Letters of Credit with a term longer than one year shall be permitted (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) above).
(d) Participations . By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank thereof or any of the Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lenders Revolving Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, such Lenders Revolving Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.
(e) Reimbursement . If any Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided that, if such LC Disbursement is not less than $1,000,000, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrowers obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due (or if any such reimbursement payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason), the Administrative Agent shall notify
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each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lenders Revolving Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Revolving Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.05 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.05 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.
(f) Obligations Absolute . Except as provided below, the Borrowers obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the applicable Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrowers obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the applicable Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that (i) are caused by such Issuing Banks gross negligence or willful misconduct in determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit issued by it comply with the terms thereof, or (ii) result from such Issuing Banks willful or grossly negligent failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of such Letter of
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Credit. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of an Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank thereof may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit, and any such acceptance or refusal shall be deemed not to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct.
(g) Disbursement Procedures . Each Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit issued by it. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section.
(h) Interim Interest . If any Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans; provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.12(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.
(i) Replacement of an Issuing Bank . Any Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.11(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term Issuing Bank shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.
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(j) Cash Collateralization . If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in its Cash Collateral Account an amount in cash equal to the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (i) or (j) of Article 7. Such deposit shall be held by the Collateral Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations. Moneys in such account (including any earnings on amounts therein) shall be applied by the Collateral Agent to pay LC Reimbursement Obligations as they become due or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy the Secured Obligations as provided in Section 13 of the Security Agreement. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned (together with any earnings thereon) to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.
SECTION 2.05 . Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent in New York City and designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.04(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to Section 2.04(e) to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the applicable Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.
(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed time of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the
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Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lenders Loan included in such Borrowing.
SECTION 2.06 . Interest Elections. (a) Each Revolving Borrowing and Term Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request or designated by Section 2.03 and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request or designated by Section 2.03. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.
(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, e-mail of a pdf copy or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower.
(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);
(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and
(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term Interest Period.
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If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one months duration.
(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the relevant Class of the details thereof and of such Lenders portion of each resulting Borrowing.
(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower (or, in the case of an Event of Default of the type described in paragraph (i) or (j) of Article 7 with respect to the Borrower, automatically), then, so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing having an Interest Period longer than one month; provided that, if (x) an Event of Default of the type described in paragraph (a), (b), (i) or (j) of Article 7 has occurred and is continuing and (y) other than in the case of an Event of Default of the type described in paragraph (i) or (j) of Article 7 with respect to the Borrower, the Required Lenders have so requested, then (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid prior to or at the end of the Interest Period then applicable thereto, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of such Interest Period.
SECTION 2.07 . Termination, Reduction and Extension of Commitments and Term Loans. (a) Unless previously terminated, (i) the 2015 Revolving Commitment shall terminate on the Revolving Maturity Date applicable to 2015 Revolving Loans, (ii) the Tranche A-4 Term Loan Commitment shall terminate immediately after the Borrowing of the Tranche A-4 Term Loans on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, (iii) the Tranche B-3 Term Loan Commitment shall terminate immediately after the Borrowing of the Tranche B-3 Term Loans on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date and (iv) the Tranche B-4 Term Loan Commitment shall terminate immediately after the Borrowing of the Tranche B-4 Term Loans on the Fifth ARCA Effective Date. The Tranche A-2 Commitments, the Tranche A-3 Commitments, the Tranche B-1 Commitments and the Tranche B-2 Commitments terminated upon funding of the Tranche A-2 Term Loans, the Tranche A-3 Term Loans, the Tranche B-1 Term Loans and the Tranche B-2 Term Loans, respectively.
(b) The Borrower may at any time, without premium or penalty, terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments of any Class; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000 and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments to the extent, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.10, the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the total Revolving Commitments.
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(c) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event specified therein (including the consummation of an acquisition, sale or other similar transaction, or the receipt of proceeds from the incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness or Equity Interests or the effectiveness of other credit facilities), in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.
(d) Extension of Maturity Date. (i) The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the applicable Class of Lenders or Additional Lenders, as applicable), request one or more extensions of the maturity date applicable to the Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments, the maturity date applicable to any Class of Term Loans or Other Term Loans, or the maturity date applicable to any Incremental Loans, as applicable, then in effect (such existing maturity date applicable to any Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments being the Existing Revolving Maturity Date , such existing maturity date applicable to any Class of Term Loans or Other Term Loans being the Existing Term Loan Maturity Date and such existing maturity date applicable to any Incremental Loans being the Existing Incremental Loan Maturity Date ) to a date specified in such notice. Within 15 Business Days of delivery of such notice (or such other period as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall mutually agree upon), each applicable Revolving Lender, Term Lender or Additional Lender, as the case may be, shall notify the Administrative Agent whether it consents to such extension (which consent may be given or withheld in such Revolving Lenders, Term Lenders or Additional Lenders, as applicable, sole and absolute discretion). Any Revolving Lender, Term Lender or Additional Lender, as applicable, not responding within the above time period shall be deemed not to have consented to such extension. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the applicable Revolving Lenders, Term Lenders and/or the Additional Lenders of such Revolving Lenders, Term Lenders or the Additional Lenders responses, as applicable.
(ii) The maturity date applicable to any Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments, the maturity date applicable to any Class of Term Loans or Other Term Loans or the maturity date applicable to any Incremental Loans, as applicable, shall be extended only with respect to such Revolving Commitments, Other Revolving Commitments, such Class of Term Loans, Other Term Loans or Incremental Loans, as applicable, held by such Revolving Lenders, Term Lenders or Additional Lenders, as applicable, that have consented thereto (the Revolving Lenders or Additional Lenders providing
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revolving loans, as applicable, that so consent, the Extending Revolving Lenders and the Revolving Lenders or Additional Lenders providing revolving loans, as applicable, that decline, the Non-Extending Revolving Lenders and the Term Lenders or Additional Lenders providing term loans, as applicable, that so consent being the Extending Term Lenders and the Term Lenders or Additional Lenders providing term loans, as applicable, that declined being the Non-Extending Term Lenders ) (it being understood and agreed that, except for the consents of the Extending Revolving Lenders or Extending Term Lenders, as applicable, no other consents shall be required hereunder for such extensions). If so extended, (i) the scheduled maturity date with respect to the Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments held by the Extending Revolving Lenders shall be extended to the date specified in the notice referred to in Section 2.07(d)(i) above, which shall become the new maturity date of the Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments (such maturity date for the Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments, so affected, the Extended Revolving Maturity Date ), (ii) the the scheduled maturity date with respect to the Term Loans or Other Term Loans of the relevant Class held by the Extending Term Lenders shall be extended to the date specified in the notice referred to in Section 2.07(d)(i) above, which shall become the new maturity date of the applicable Class of Term Loans or Other Term Loans (such maturity date for the Term Loans or Other Term Loans, as applicable, so affected, the Extended Term Loan Maturity Date ), and (iii) the scheduled maturity date with respect to any Incremental Loans held by the Extending Term Lenders or Extending Revolving Lenders, as applicable, shall be extended to the date specified in the notice referred to in Section 2.07(d)(i) above, which shall become the new maturity date applicable to such Incremental Loans (such date, the Extended Incremental Loan Maturity Date ). The Administrative Agent shall promptly confirm to (x) the applicable Extending Revolving Lenders and Non-Extending Revolving Lenders such extension, specifying the effective date of such extension (the Revolver Extension Effective Date ), the Existing Revolving Loan Maturity Date applicable to the Non-Extending Revolving Lenders, and the Extended Revolving Maturity Date (after giving effect to such extension) applicable to the Extending Revolving Lenders, (y) the applicable Extending Term Lenders and Non-Extending Term Lenders such extension, specifying the effective date of such extension (the Term Loan Extension Effective Date ), the Existing Term Loan Maturity Date applicable to the Non-Extending Term Lenders, and the Extended Term Loan Maturity Date (after giving effect to such extension) applicable to the Extending Term Lenders and (z) the applicable Extending Term Lenders and/or the Extending Revolving Lenders and Non-Extending Term Lenders and/or the Non-Extending Revolving Lenders such extension, specifying the effective date of such extension (the Incremental Loan Extension Effective Date ), the Existing Incremental Loan Maturity Date applicable to such Non-Extending Revolving Lenders and/or Non-Extending Revolving Term Lenders, as applicable, and the Extended Incremental Loan Maturity Date (after giving effect to such extension) applicable to the Extending Term Lenders and/or the Extending Revolving Lenders, as applicable. The interest margins and/or floors with respect to any Revolving Commitments, Other Revolving Commitments, Term Loans, Other Term Loans or Incremental
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Loans, as applicable, extended pursuant to this Section 2.07 may be different than the interest margins and/or floors for the existing Revolving Commitments, Other Revolving Commitments, existing Class of Term Loans, Other Term Loans or Incremental Loans, as applicable, and upfront fees may be paid to the Extending Revolving Lenders or Extending Term Lenders, as applicable, in each case to the extent provided in the Borrowers notice or as otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Extending Revolving Lenders or Extending Term Lenders, as applicable. As a condition precedent to such extension, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of the Borrower dated as of the Revolver Extension Effective Date, the Term Loan Extension Effective Date or the Incremental Loan Extension Effective Date, as applicable, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that, before and after giving effect to such extension, the representations and warranties contained in Article 3 made by it that are qualified by materiality shall be true and correct, and the representations that are not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case on and as of the Revolver Extension Effective Date, the Term Loan Extension Effective Date or the Incremental Loan Extension Effective Date, as applicable, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and no Default or Event of Default exists or will exist as of the Revolver Extension Effective Date, Term Loan Extension Effective Date or the Incremental Loan Extension Effective Date, as applicable.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (A) the Borrowers, the Extending Revolving Lenders and/or the Extending Term Lenders shall have the right to appoint successor syndication agents or co-documentation agents, in each case, to replace any such person that does not consent to continue its respective obligations and duties under the Loan Documents in connection with an extension under this Section 2.07(d) and (B) the Borrower shall have the right, at any time prior to the Existing Revolver Maturity Date, the Existing Term Loan Maturity Date or the Existing Incremental Loan Maturity Date, as applicable, at the Borrowers sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Non-Extending Revolving Lender or Non-Extending Term Lender, as applicable and the Administrative Agent, to require each such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that (I) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if a Revolving Commitment or Other Revolving Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank), which consent(s) shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (II) each Non-Extending Revolving Lender or Non-Extending Term Lender, as applicable, shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (III)
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the Borrower or such assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b) and (IV) in no event shall the Borrower be entitled to exercise its replacement right under this subclause (iii) with respect to a Non-Extending Revolving Lender or Non-Extending Term Lender, in either case that is also acting as the Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank. Any such replacement Lender shall for all purposes constitute an Extending Revolving Lender or Extending Term Lender, as applicable.
(iv) Notwithstanding the terms of Section 9.02, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall be entitled (without the consent of any other Lenders except to the extent required under subsection (ii) above) to enter into any amendments to this Agreement that the Administrative Agent believes are necessary to appropriately reflect, or provide for the integration of, any extension of a maturity date applicable to the Revolving Commitments, Other Revolving Commitments, the maturity date applicable to any Class of Term Loans or Other Term Loans or maturity date applicable to any Incremental Loans, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 2.07(d). In addition, with the consent of each Issuing Bank, participations in Letters of Credit expiring on or after the Existing Revolving Maturity Date shall be reallocated from Non-Extending Revolving Lenders to Extending Revolving Lenders in accordance with the terms of such amendment; provided , however, that such participation interests shall, upon receipt thereof by the Extending Revolving Lenders, be deemed to be participation interests in respect of such extended revolving commitments and the terms of such participation interests (including, without limitation, the commission applicable thereto) shall be adjusted accordingly.
(v) In connection with any extension of the maturity date of the Tranche B-2 Loans on or prior to September 1, 2015, if the aggregate amount of Tranche B-2 Loans with a maturity date of December 17, 2015 outstanding after giving effect to such extension shall be equal to or less than $300,000,000, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent on the applicable Term Loan Extension Effective Date (which shall be on or prior to September 1, 2015), a certificate signed by a Financial Officer certifying as to (x) the aggregate amount of Tranche B-2 Loans outstanding with a maturity date of December 17, 2015 as of the applicable Term Loan Extension Effective Date and (y) the non-satisfaction of the Maturity Acceleration Condition, which delivery of such certificate shall satisfy the Borrowers obligations under Section 5.01(g).
SECTION 2.08 . Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent (i) for the account of each Revolving Lender the then unpaid principal amount of such Lenders Revolving Loans on the Revolving Maturity Date applicable to such Revolving Loans and (ii) for the account of each Term Lender the then unpaid principal amount of such Lenders Term Loans as provided in Section 2.09.
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(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lenders share thereof.
(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be, absent manifest error, prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(e) Any Lender may request that Loans of any Class made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that, in order for any such promissory note to be delivered on the Effective Date, the request therefor shall be delivered no later than two Business Days prior to the Effective Date. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns). Any such promissory note evidencing a Term Loan prior to the Third ARCA Effective Date may be exchanged, upon the request of the relevant Lender made through the Administrative Agent and the surrender of such promissory note to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, for promissory notes evidencing the Tranche B-2 Term Loans and/or the Tranche A-3 Term Loans as applicable, into which such Lenders Term Loans were converted on the Third ARCA Effective Date.
SECTION 2.09 . Scheduled Amortization of Term Loans. (a) Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.09(i), the Borrower shall repay Tranche B-1 Term Loans (i) on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter ending on or after December 31, 2009 and prior to the Tranche B-1 Maturity Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to $743,038.26 and (ii) on the Tranche B-1 Maturity Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Tranche B-1 Term Loans then outstanding.
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(b) Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.09(i), the Borrower shall repay Tranche A-2 Term Loans on each date set forth below in the aggregate principal amount equal to the amount set forth opposite such date:
Date |
Percentage | |||
Last day of each Fiscal Quarter ending during the period from and including September 30, 2011 to and including December 31, 2011 |
$ | 4,643,906.00 | ||
Last day of each Fiscal Quarter ending during the period from and including March 31, 2012 to but excluding June 30, 2013 |
$ | 603,884.53 | ||
Tranche A-2 Maturity Date |
|
Remaining
principal amount of Tranche A-2 Term Loans |
|
(c) Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.09(i), the Borrower shall repay Tranche B-2 Term Loans (i) on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter ending on or after December 31, 2009 and prior to the Tranche B-2 Maturity Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to 0.25% of the initial principal amount of Tranche B-2 Term Loans and (ii) on the Tranche B-2 Maturity Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Tranche B-2 Term Loans then outstanding.
(d) (i) Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.09(i), the Borrower shall repay the Tranche A-3 Term Loans on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below in an aggregate principal amount equal to such percentage of the initial principal amount of Tranche A-3 Term Loans set forth opposite such Fiscal Quarter
Fiscal Quarter |
Percentage of
Principal Amount |
|||
March 31, 2012 |
1.25 | % | ||
June 30, 2012 |
1.25 | % | ||
September 30, 2012 |
1.25 | % | ||
December 31, 2012 |
1.25 | % | ||
March 31, 2013 |
1.25 | % | ||
June 30, 2013 |
1.25 | % | ||
September 30, 2013 |
1.25 | % | ||
December 31, 2013 |
1.25 | % | ||
March 31, 2014 |
2.50 | % | ||
June 30, 2014 |
2.50 | % | ||
September 30, 2014 |
2.50 | % | ||
December 31, 2014 |
2.50 | % | ||
March 31, 2015 |
2.50 | % | ||
June 30, 2015 |
2.50 | % |
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(ii) Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.09(i), the Borrower shall repay the Tranche A-3 Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to (x) if the Maturity Acceleration Condition shall be satisfied, the balance of the outstanding Tranche A-3 Term Loans on the Accelerated Tranche A-3 Maturity Date or (y) if the Maturity Acceleration Condition shall not be satisfied, on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below, such percentage of the initial principal amount of Tranche A-3 Term Loans set forth opposite such Fiscal Quarter:
Fiscal Quarter |
Percentage of
Principal Amount |
|||
September 30, 2015 |
2.50 | % | ||
December 31, 2015 |
2.50 | % | ||
March 31, 2016 |
2.50 | % | ||
June 30, 2016 |
2.50 | % | ||
September 30, 2016 |
2.50 | % | ||
Original Tranche A-3 Maturity Date |
62.50 | % |
(e) Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.09(i), the Borrower shall repay the Tranche A-4 Term Loans on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below in an aggregate principal amount equal to such percentage of the initial principal amount of Tranche A-4 Term Loans set forth opposite such Fiscal Quarter:
Fiscal Quarter |
Percentage of
Principal Amount |
|||
September 30, 2012 |
1.25 | % | ||
December 31, 2012 |
1.25 | % | ||
March 31, 2013 |
1.25 | % | ||
June 30, 2013 |
1.25 | % | ||
September 30, 2013 |
1.25 | % | ||
December 31, 2013 |
1.25 | % | ||
March 31, 2014 |
1.25 | % | ||
June 30, 2014 |
1.25 | % | ||
September 30, 2014 |
2.50 | % | ||
December 31, 2014 |
2.50 | % | ||
March 31, 2015 |
2.50 | % | ||
June 30, 2015 |
2.50 | % | ||
September 30, 2015 |
2.50 | % | ||
December 31, 2015 |
2.50 | % | ||
March 31, 2016 |
2.50 | % | ||
June 30, 2016 |
2.50 | % | ||
September 30, 2016 |
2.50 | % | ||
December 31, 2016 |
2.50 | % | ||
March 31, 2017 |
2.50 | % | ||
June 30, 2017 |
2.50 | % | ||
Tranche A-4 Maturity Date |
60.00 | % |
(f) Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.09(i), the Borrower shall repay Tranche B-3 Term Loans (i) on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter ending on or after September 30, 2012 and prior to the Tranche B-3 Maturity Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to 0.25% of the initial principal amount of Tranche B-3 Term Loans and (ii) on the Tranche B-3 Maturity Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Tranche B-3 Term Loans then outstanding.
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(f) Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.09(i), the Borrower shall repay Tranche B-4 Term Loans (i) on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter ending on or after March 31, 2013 and prior to the Tranche B-4 Maturity Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to 0.25% of the initial principal amount of Tranche B-4 Term Loans and (ii) on the Tranche B-4 Maturity Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Tranche B-4 Term Loans then outstanding.
(h) To the extent not previously paid, (i) all Tranche B-1 Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Tranche B-1 Maturity Date, (ii) all Tranche A-2 Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Tranche A-2 Maturity Date, (iii) all Tranche B-2 Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Tranche B-2 Maturity Date, (iv) all Tranche A-3 Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Tranche A-3 Maturity Date, (v) all Tranche A-4 Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Tranche A-4 Maturity Date, (vi) all Tranche B-3 Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Tranche B-3 Maturity Date and (vii) all Tranche B-4 Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Tranche B-4 Maturity Date.
(i) Any prepayment of Term Loans of any Class will be applied to reduce the subsequent scheduled repayments of the Term Loans of such Class to be made pursuant to this Section, in the case of mandatory prepayments, in direct order of maturity, and in the case of voluntary prepayments, ratably.
(j) Before repaying any Term Loans of any Class pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings of the applicable Class to be repaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such selection not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the scheduled date of such repayment. Each such repayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in such Borrowing and shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount repaid.
SECTION 2.10 . Optional and Mandatory Prepayment of Loans. (a) Optional Prepayments . The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part without premium or penalty but subject to Section 2.15 and the requirements of this Section.
(b) [Reserved].
(c) Asset Dispositions . Within five Business Days after any Net Proceeds are received by or on behalf of any Wireline Company in respect of any Asset Disposition, the Borrower shall (subject to Section 2.10(j)) prepay Term Borrowings in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Proceeds; provided that, if the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that (i) the Wireline Companies intend to apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Disposition (or a portion thereof specified in such certificate), within 365 days after receipt of such Net Proceeds, to acquire Replacement Assets, (ii) the property acquired in connection therewith will be included in the Collateral at least to the extent that the property disposed of was included therein or shall be property of a Collateral Support Party and (iii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, then no prepayment will be required pursuant to this subsection in respect of such Net Proceeds (or the portion of such Net Proceeds specified in such certificate, if applicable) except that, if any such Net Proceeds have not been so
78
applied (or committed to be applied, except to the extent such Net Proceeds are not so applied within 365 days after such commitment) by the end of such 365-day period, a prepayment will be required at that time in an amount equal to the amount of such Net Proceeds that have not been so applied or committed to be so applied.
(d) Casualty Events . Within five Business Days after any Net Proceeds are received by or on behalf of any Wireline Company in respect of any Casualty Event, the Borrower shall (subject to Section 2.10(j)) prepay Term Borrowings in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Proceeds; provided that, if the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that (i) the Wireline Companies intend to apply the Net Proceeds from such event (or a portion thereof specified in such certificate), within 365 days after receipt of such Net Proceeds, to repair, restore or replace the property with respect to which such Net Proceeds were received or to acquire Replacement Assets, and (ii) any property acquired in connection with such application (whether as replacement property or Replacement Assets) will be included in the Collateral at least to the extent that the property to be replaced was included therein or shall be property of a Collateral Support Party, then no prepayment will be required pursuant to this subsection in respect of such Net Proceeds (or the portion of such Net Proceeds specified in such certificate, if applicable) except that, if any such Net Proceeds have not been so applied (or committed to be applied, except to the extent such Net Proceeds are not so applied within 365 days after such commitment) by the end of such 365-day period, a prepayment will be required at that time in an amount equal to the amount of such Net Proceeds that have not been so applied or committed to be so applied.
(e) Allocation of Prepayments, Right to Decline Tranche B-1, Tranche B-2, Tranche B-3 and Tranche B-4 Mandatory Prepayments . Before any optional or mandatory prepayment of Borrowings hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be prepaid and shall specify such selection in the notice of such prepayment pursuant to paragraph (h) of this Section. Optional prepayments shall be applied to such Classes of Term Loans as directed by the Borrower in the notice of prepayment, provided that such prepayments of any Class of Term Loan shall be applied in accordance with the second sentence of Section 2.10(i). In the event of any mandatory prepayment of Term Borrowings made at a time when Term Borrowings of more than one Class remain outstanding, the aggregate amount of such prepayment shall be allocated among the Term Borrowings of each Class pro rata based on the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Borrowings of each such Class, provided however that any Tranche B-1 Lender, Tranche B-2 Lender, Tranche B-3 Lender and any Tranche B-4 Lender may elect, by notice to the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) at least one Business Day prior to the prepayment date, to decline all or any portion of any prepayment of its Tranche B-1 Term Loans, Tranche B-2 Term Loans, Tranche B-3 Term Loans or Tranche B-4 Term Loans, as applicable, pursuant to this Section (other than an optional prepayment pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section which may not be declined), in which case the aggregate amount of the prepayment that would have been applied to prepay Tranche B-1 Term Loans, Tranche B-2 Term Loans, Tranche B-3 Term Loans or Tranche B-4 Term Loans of any such Class but was so declined shall be applied to prepay Term Borrowings of the other Classes on a ratable basis (subject to the rights of the Tranche B-1 Lenders, Tranche B-2 Lenders, Tranche B-3 Lenders and Tranche B-4 Lenders to decline such payments as set forth in this proviso)
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until no Term Borrowings of any other Class remain outstanding. Any excess Net Proceeds after application to such other Classes shall be applied to prepay any outstanding Tranche B-2 Term Loans. All optional or mandatory prepayments of Revolving Borrowings made at a time when Revolving Borrowings of more than one Class remain outstanding shall be allocated among the Revolving Borrowings of each Class pro rata based on the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Borrowings of each such Class. All optional or mandatory prepayments of a Revolving Borrowing shall be applied in accordance with the second sentence of Section 2.10(i).
(f) Accrued Interest . Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.12.
(g) Optional Prepayment of Tranche B-3 Term Loans or Tranche B-4 Term Loans . Upon any prepayment or repricing of (i) the Tranche B-3 Term Loans as part of a Tranche B-3 Repricing Transaction prior to the first anniversary of the Fourth ARCA Effective Date or (ii) the Tranche B-4 Term Loans as part of a Tranche B-4 Repricing Transaction prior to the first anniversary of the Fifth ARCA Effective Date, the Borrower shall pay a prepayment premium equal to 1.0% of the principal amount of the Tranche B-3 Term Loans or the Tranche B-4 Term Loans, as applicable, prepaid or 1.0% of the principal repriced pursuant to such Tranche B-3 Repricing Transaction or Tranche B-4 Repricing Transaction, as applicable (the Prepayment Fee ). Any such Prepayment Fee shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the affected Lenders; provided that any Lender agreeing to such a Tranche B-3 Repricing Transaction or Tranche B-4 Repricing Transaction, as applicable, may agree to waive any Prepayment Fee payable to it.
(h) Notice of Prepayments . The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.07, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.07; provided further that, the Borrower may deliver a conditional prepayment notice subject to the proviso in Section 2.07(c). Promptly following receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.
(i) Partial Prepayments . Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02, except as needed to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment or to allocate an optional prepayment of Term Loans or Revolving Loans as required by paragraph (e) of this Section. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.12.
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(j) Deferral of Prepayments. The Borrower may defer any mandatory prepayment otherwise required under paragraph (c) or (d) above until the aggregate amount of Net Proceeds otherwise required to be applied to prepay Borrowings pursuant to paragraphs (c) and (d) above (whether resulting from one or more Asset Dispositions or Casualty Events, but after giving effect to any applications of proceeds permitted under such paragraphs) equals or exceeds $30,000,000, at which time the entire unutilized amount of such Net Proceeds (not only the amount in excess of $30,000,000) will be applied as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) above, as applicable.
(k) Prepayments of Tranche B-2 Loans . In connection with the prepayment of any Tranche B-2 Loans on or prior to September 1, 2015 which results in the aggregate amount of outstanding Tranche B-2 Loans with a maturity date of December 17, 2015 being equal to or less than $300,000,000 (after giving effect to such prepayment), the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent on such prepayment date (which date shall be on or prior to September 1, 2015), a certificate signed by a Financial Officer certifying as to (x) the aggregate amount of Tranche B-2 Loans outstanding with a maturity date of December 17, 2015 as of such date (after giving effect to such prepayment) and (y) the non-satisfaction of the Maturity Acceleration Condition, which delivery of such certificate shall satisfy the Borrowers obligations under Section 5.01(g).
SECTION 2.11 . Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the applicable Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily unused amount of the applicable Revolving Commitment of such Revolving Lender and the during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which such Commitment terminates. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Commitments of the relevant Class terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
(b) The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurodollar Revolving Loans of such Revolving Lender on the average daily amount of such Lenders LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lenders Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.25% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank during the period from and including the
81
Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, as well as such Issuing Banks standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the third Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable to the applicable Revolving Lenders on the date on which the Revolving Commitments of such Revolving Lenders terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments of such Revolving Lenders terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to any Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
(c) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account and the account of the Collateral Agent, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower such Agents.
(c) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to each Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
SECTION 2.12 . Interest. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing of each Class shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for such Class.
(b) The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing of each Class shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate for such Class.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of any principal of any Loan or any LC Disbursements, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan or LC Disbursement as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other overdue amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.
(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Revolving Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or
82
prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.
(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
SECTION 2.13 . Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:
(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or
(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.
SECTION 2.14 . Increased Costs. (a) Except with respect to Taxes, which shall be governed by Section 2.16, if any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or any Issuing Bank; or
(ii) impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in,
83
issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered; provided that such amounts shall be proportionate to the amounts that such Lender or Issuing Bank charges other borrowers or account parties for such additional costs incurred or reductions suffered on loans or letters of credit, as the case may be, similarly situated to the Borrower in connection with substantially similar facilities.
(b) If any Lender or any Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders or Issuing Banks capital or on the capital of such Lenders or Issuing Banks holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lenders or Issuing Banks holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders or Issuing Banks policies and the policies of such Lenders or Issuing Banks holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lenders or Issuing Banks holding company for any such reduction suffered; provided that such amounts shall be proportionate to the amounts that such Lender or Issuing Bank charges other borrowers or account parties for such reductions suffered on loans or letters of credit, as the case may be, similarly situated to the Borrower in connection with substantially similar facilities.
(c) A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 Business Days after receipt thereof.
(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lenders or Issuing Banks right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lenders or Issuing Banks intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
SECTION 2.15 . Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment by or on behalf of the Borrower of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last
84
day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (c) the failure by the Borrower to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.10(h) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.18 or Section 9.02(c), then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
SECTION 2.16 . Taxes. (a) Except as required by applicable law, any and all payments by or with respect to any obligation of the Borrower hereunder shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if the Borrower shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) any Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) To the extent not paid by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.16(a), the Borrower shall indemnify each Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Bank, within 10 Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by such Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or with respect to any obligation of the Borrower hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the
85
relevant Governmental Authority. A copy of a receipt or any other document evidencing payment that is reasonably acceptable to Borrower as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by, an Agent, a Lender or an Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of an Agent, a Lender or an Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) (i) Each Recipient that is a U.S. person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and if applicable, the assigning Lender (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased) on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of (i) a Participant, on or before the date on which such Participant purchases the related participation and (ii) an assignee, on or before the effective date of such assignment), two duly completed and signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. Each Recipient that is not a U.S. person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a Foreign Recipient ) shall, to the extent it is legally able to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and if applicable, the assigning Lender (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased) on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of (x) a Participant, on or before the date on which such Participant purchases the related participation and (y) an assignee, on or before the effective date of such assignment) either:
(A) two copies of a duly completed and signed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI, Form W-8BEN (with respect to eligibility for benefits under any income tax treaty) or Form W-8IMY or successor and related applicable forms, as the case may be, certifying to such Foreign Recipients entitlement as of such date to an exemption from or reduction of United States withholding tax with respect to payments to be made under this Agreement, or
(B) in the case of a Foreign Recipient that is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and that does not comply with the requirements of clause (A) hereof, (x) a statement in form and content reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to the effect that such Foreign Recipient is eligible for a complete exemption from withholding of U.S. Taxes under Code section 871(h) or 881(c) (a Foreign Recipient Complete Exemption Certificate ), and (y) two duly completed and signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or any successor and related applicable form.
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Further, each Foreign Recipient agrees, (i) to the extent it is not precluded from doing so by a Change in Law and otherwise legally able to do so, to deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and if applicable, the assigning Lender (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased), from time to time, two copies of a duly completed and signed applicable Form W-8 or successor and related applicable forms or certificates, on or before the date that any such form or certificate, as the case may be, expires or becomes obsolete or invalid in accordance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations, (ii) in the case of a Foreign Recipient that delivers a Foreign Recipient Complete Exemption Certificate, to deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and if applicable, the assigning Lender (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased), such statement on an annual basis reasonably promptly after the anniversary of the date on which such Foreign Recipient became a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of a Participant, the date on which the Participant purchased the related participation), and (iii) to notify promptly the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased) if it is no longer able to deliver, or if it is required to withdraw or cancel, any form or certificate previously delivered by it pursuant to this Section 2.16(e).
(ii) In addition, but without duplication of the covenant as to United States withholding tax contained in Section 2.16(e)(i), any Recipient that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction(s) in which the Borrower is organized, or any treaty to which any such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate.
(f) If a payment made to any Agent, Lender, or Issuing Bank hereunder would be subject to United States federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Agent, Lender, or Issuing Bank were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Agent, Lender, or Issuing Bank shall deliver to the Borrower at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower as may be necessary for the Borrower to comply with its obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank has complied with such Agents, Lenders or Issuing Banks obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.
(g) If any Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank determines, in its discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.16, it shall pay over such refund to the Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid,
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by the Borrower under this Section 2.16 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of such Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that the Borrower, upon the request of such Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to such Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank in the event such Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This Section shall not be construed to require the any Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.
SECTION 2.17 . Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs. (a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16, or otherwise) no later than 2:00 pm, New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent to the applicable account designated to the Borrower, except payments to be made directly to an Issuing Bank as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Section 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16 and Section 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto and payments made pursuant to other Loan Documents shall be made to the Persons specified therein. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in dollars.
(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder (after giving effect to all applicable grace periods and/or cure periods, if any), such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.
(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face
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value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in LC Disbursements; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to any Wireline Company or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply except as provided in clause (ii) of this Section 2.17(c)). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of any of the Lenders or any Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to such Lenders or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(d) or (e), 2.05(a) or (b), 2.17(d) or 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lenders obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.
SECTION 2.18 . Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant
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to Section 2.14 or 2.16, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, or (ii) any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder (any Lender described in this clause (ii), a Defaulting Lender ), then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Banks), which consents shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and funded participations in LC Disbursements, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) the Borrower, the Defaulting Lender (if any) or such assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b) and (iv) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.14 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.16, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
SECTION 2.19 . Refinancing Amendments. (a) The Borrower may obtain, from any Lender or any Additional Lender, Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (x) in the form of Other Term Loans or Other Term Commitments or (y) Other Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Commitments, in each case, to refinance all or any portion of the Loans and Commitments hereunder (which for this purpose will be deemed to include any then outstanding Other Revolving Commitments, Other Revolving Loans and/or Other Term Loans), pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided that such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (i) will rank pari passu in right of payment and of security with the other Loans and Commitments hereunder, (ii) will have such pricing, fees (including upfront fees and OID), optional prepayment terms, redemption premiums and subordination terms as may be agreed by the Borrower and the Lenders thereof, (iii) (x) with respect to any Other Term Loans or Other Term Commitments, will have a maturity date that is not prior to the maturity date of the Class of Term Loans or Revolving Commitments being refinanced, and will have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity that is not shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Class of Term Loans being refinanced (if applicable) and (y) with
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respect to any Other Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Commitments, will have a maturity date that is not prior to the maturity date with respect to the Class of Revolving Commitments or Class of Term Loans being refinanced and (iv) except as otherwise permitted herein, will have terms and conditions taken as a whole that are substantially identical to, or no more favorable to the Lenders providing such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness than, the Refinanced Debt; provided further that (x) the terms and conditions applicable to such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness may provide for any additional or different financial or other covenants or other provisions that are agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders thereof and applicable only during periods after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred or obtained and (y) the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, together with the effectiveness of any increase in Revolving Commitments, shall not result in there being more than four separate Maturity Dates in effect for all Revolving Commitments. The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.03(a) and (b) (it being understood that all references to the date of such Credit Event or similar language in Section 4.03(a) and (b) shall be deemed to refer to the effective date of such Refinancing Amendment). Each Class of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred under this Section 2.19 shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $50,000,000 and an integral multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof. Any Refinancing Amendment may provide for the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower, pursuant to any Other Revolving Commitments established thereby, on terms substantially equivalent to the terms applicable to Letters of Credit under the Revolving Commitments hereunder. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto (including any amendments necessary to treat the Loans and Commitments subject thereto as Other Term Loans, Other Revolving Loans, Other Revolving Commitments and/or Other Term Commitments). Any Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.19. In addition, if so provided in the relevant Refinancing Amendment and with the consent of each Issuing Bank, participations in Letters of Credit expiring on or after the Revolving Maturity Date shall be reallocated from Lenders holding Revolving Commitments hereunder to Lenders holding extended revolving commitments in accordance with the terms of such Refinancing Amendment; provided , however, that such participation interests shall, upon receipt thereof by the relevant Lenders holding such extended revolving commitments, be deemed to be participation interests in respect of such extended revolving commitments and the terms of such participation interests (including, without limitation, the commission applicable thereto) shall be adjusted accordingly.
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(b) This Section 2.19 shall supercede any provisions in Section 2.17 or 9.02 to the contrary.
ARTICLE 3
R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lender Parties that:
SECTION 3.01 . Organization; Powers. Each of the Wireline Companies is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required by applicable law.
SECTION 3.02 . Authorization; Enforceability. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents by each Wireline Company are within its corporate (or other organizational) powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate (or other organizational) action with respect to such Wireline Company. This Amended Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is to be a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower or such Loan Party, as the case may be, in each case enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
SECTION 3.03 . Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions and the Directories Transactions (a) do not require any material Governmental Authorization, except (i) such as have been or prior to or concurrently with the consummation of the Transactions or the Directories Transactions, as the case may be, will be obtained or made and are or prior to or concurrently with the consummation of the Transactions or the Directories Transactions, as the case may be, will be in full force and effect, (ii) notices required to be filed with the FCC or any applicable PUC after the consummation of the Transactions or the Directories Transactions, as the case may be, and (iii) filings necessary to perfect the Transaction Liens, (b) will not violate (1) any applicable law or regulation applicable to any Wireline Company, (2) the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of any Wireline Company or (3) any material Governmental Authorization in any material respect, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Wireline Company or any of its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Wireline Company or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation thereunder, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than the Transaction Liens) on any asset of any Wireline Company, except, with respect to clauses (b)(1), (c) and (d), to the extent any of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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SECTION 3.04 . Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change. (a) The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows (A) as of and for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2011, reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, and (B) as of and for the Fiscal Quarter and the portion of the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2012, certified by its chief financial officer. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (B) above.
(b) Since December 31, 2011, there has been no state of facts, change, development, event, effect, condition or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, has had a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.05 . Properties. (a) Each of the Wireline Companies has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except for Liens permitted under Section 6.02, and minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted and except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Each of the Wireline Companies owns, or has the right to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Wireline Companies does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such failure to own or have license or such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Schedule 3.05 sets forth the correct address of each material real property having a Fair Market Value (as reasonably determined by a Financial Officer in good faith) exceeding $10,000,000 that is owned by any Wireline Company as of the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions.
SECTION 3.06 . Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting any Wireline Company that (i) could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) involve any of the Loan Documents, the Transactions or the Directories Transactions.
(b) Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any other Wireline Company (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with
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any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.
(c) Since the date of this Amended Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.07 . Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Each of the Wireline Companies is in compliance with (a) all laws, regulations and Governmental Authorizations, in each case applicable to it or its property, (b) each of the Transaction Documents and the Directories Transaction Documents and (c) all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except, in each case, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing.
SECTION 3.08 . Investment and Holding Company Status. No Wireline Company is required to be regulated as an investment company as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.
SECTION 3.09 . Taxes. Each of the Wireline Companies has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the applicable Wireline Company has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, the Tax Sharing Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement) is the only agreement among the Loan Parties regarding tax sharing, tax reimbursement or tax indemnification.
SECTION 3.10 . ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.11 . Disclosure. As of the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, the Borrower has disclosed to the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which any Wireline Company is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Information Memorandum nor any of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information concerning any of the Wireline Companies (other than the projections, budgets or other estimates, or information of a general economic or industry nature concerning the Wireline Companies) furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to any Lender Party in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other
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information so furnished), when taken as a whole, contains as of the date furnished any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by it to be reasonable at the time they were made; it being understood that projections by their nature are uncertain and no assurance is being given that the results reflected in such projected financial information will be achieved.
SECTION 3.12 . Subsidiaries. Schedule 3.12 sets forth the name of, and the ownership interest of the Borrower in, each of its Subsidiaries and identifies each Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, in each case as of the Fourth ARCA Effective Date. All the Subsidiaries are, and will at all times be, fully consolidated in the Borrowers consolidated financial statements to the extent required by GAAP.
SECTION 3.13 . Insurance. Schedule 3.13 sets forth a description of all material insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Wireline Companies as of the Effective Date. As of the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, all premiums in respect of such insurance have been paid to the extent then due.
SECTION 3.14 . Labor Matters. As of the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against any Wireline Company pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened. The hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Wireline Companies have not violated the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters, except where it would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, there is no organizing activity involving the Borrower or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, threatened by any labor union or group of employees, except those that, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, there are no representation proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, threatened with the National Mediation Board, and no labor organization or group of employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary has made a pending demand for recognition, except those that, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no material complaints or charges against the Borrower or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, threatened to be filed with any Governmental Authority or arbitrator based on, arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise relating to the employment or termination of employment by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any individual, except those that, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The consummation of the Transactions and the Directories Transactions will not give rise to any right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement by which any Wireline Company is bound.
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SECTION 3.15 . Solvency. On the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, (a) the fair value of the assets of each Loan Party, at a fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of each Loan Party will exceed the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) each Loan Party will be able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) no Loan Party will have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and proposed to be conducted after the Effective Date.
SECTION 3.16 . Licenses; Franchises. (a) Each of the Wireline Companies holds all Regulatory Authorizations and all other material Governmental Authorizations (including but not limited to franchises, ordinances and other agreements granting access to public rights of way, issued or granted to any Wireline Company by a state or federal agency or commission or other federal, state or local or foreign regulatory bodies regulating competition and telecommunications businesses) (collectively, the Wireline Licenses ) that are required for the conduct of its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted, except to the extent the failure to hold any Wireline Licenses would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Each Wireline License is valid and in full force and effect and has not been, or will not have been, suspended, revoked, cancelled or adversely modified, except to the extent any failure to be in full force and effect or any suspension, revocation, cancellation or modification has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. No Wireline License is subject to (i) any conditions or requirements that have not been imposed generally upon licenses in the same service, unless such conditions or requirements would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) any pending regulatory proceeding (other than those affecting the wireline industry generally) or judicial review before a Governmental Authority, unless such pending regulatory proceedings or judicial review would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower does not have knowledge of any event, condition or circumstance that would preclude any Wireline License from being renewed in the ordinary course (to the extent that such Wireline License is renewable by its terms), except where the failure to be renewed has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The licensee of each Wireline License is in compliance with each Wireline License and has fulfilled and performed, or will fulfill or perform, all of its material obligations with respect thereto, including with respect to the filing of all reports, notifications and applications required by the Communications Act or the rules, regulations, policies, instructions and orders of the FCC or any PUC, and the payment of all regulatory fees and contributions, except (i) for exemptions, waivers or similar concessions or allowances and (ii) where such failure to be in compliance or to fulfill or
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perform its obligations or pay such fees or contributions has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) A Wireline Company owns all of the Equity Interests in, and Controls, all of the voting power and decision-making authority of, each licensee of the Wireline Licenses, except where the failure to own such Equity Interests or Control such voting power and decision-making authority of such licensees would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.17 . OFAC. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is (a) named on the list of Specially Designated Nationals or Blocked Persons maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control or (b)(i) an agency of the government of a country, (ii) an organization controlled by a country or (iii) a Person resident in a country, in each case that is subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control, as such program may be applicable to such agency, organization or Person, and the proceeds from the Loans will not be used to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or make any payments to, any such country or Person.
ARTICLE 4
C ONDITIONS
SECTION 4.01 . [Reserved].
SECTION 4.02 . [Reserved].
SECTION 4.03 . Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Banks to issue, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents that are qualified by materiality shall be true and correct, and the representations that are not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case, on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable (other than with respect to any representation and warranty that expressly relates to an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).
(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
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Each Borrowing and each issuance, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.
ARTICLE 5
A FFIRMATIVE C OVENANTS
Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
SECTION 5.01 . Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent on behalf of each Lender (and the Administrative Agent will make available to each Lender):
(a) as soon as available and in no event later than 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a going concern or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;
(b) as soon as available and in no event later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such Fiscal Quarter and the then elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous Fiscal Year, all certified by a Financial Officer as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
(c) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Sections 6.14 and 6.15, (iii) to the extent that any such change in GAAP has an impact on such financial statements, stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04, and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate and (iv) certifying as to the amounts of Available Cash, Available Distributable Cash, Available Equity Proceeds of the date of such certificate and setting forth reasonably detailed calculations thereof;
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(d) within 60 days after the beginning of each Fiscal Year, a detailed consolidated budget for such Fiscal Year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet and related statements of projected operations and cash flows as of the end of and for such Fiscal Year and setting forth the assumptions used in preparing such budget) and, promptly when available, any significant revisions of such budget approved by the board of directors of the Borrower;
(e) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by any Wireline Company with the SEC or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Borrower to its shareholders generally, as the case may be.
(f) promptly following any reasonable written request by Administrative Agent therefor, (i) copies of all material reports and written information to and from (A) the FCC or any PUC with jurisdiction over the property or business of any Wireline Company or (B) the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or any state or local agency responsible for environmental matters, the United States Occupational Health and Safety Administration, or any state or local agency responsible for health and safety matters, or any successor or other agencies or authorities concerning environmental, health or safety matters, (ii) copies of any statement or report furnished to RUS in connection with the RUS Grant and Security Agreement or (iii) such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of any Wireline Company, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably request;
(g) no later than one Business Day following September 1, 2015, a certificate of a Financial Officer certifying as to (i) the aggregate amount of Tranche B-2 Term Loans outstanding on September 1, 2015 with a maturity date of December 17, 2015 and (ii) the non-satisfaction (or the satisfaction, as applicable) of the Maturity Acceleration Condition, it being understood that the delivery of such certificates referred to in Section 2.07(d)(v) or Section 2.10(k) shall be deemed to be a satisfaction of this requirement; and
(h) Any financial statement or other materials required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 5.01 shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which such information is posted on the Borrowers website on the Internet or by the Administrative Agent on an IntraLinks or similar site to which Lenders have been granted access or shall be available on the SECs website on the Internet at www.sec.gov; provided that (i) the Borrower shall give notice of any such posting to the Administrative Agent (who shall then give notice of any such posting to the Lenders), and (ii) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of any such documents to the Administrative Agent if the Administrative Agent requests the Borrower to deliver such paper copies. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance the Borrower shall be required to provide paper copies of any certificate required by Section 5.01(c) to the Administrative Agent. Except for such certificates, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the
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Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents. Furthermore, if any financial statement or other materials required to be delivered under this Agreement shall be required to be delivered on any date that is not a Business Day, such information may be delivered to the Administrative Agent on the next succeeding Business Day after such date.
SECTION 5.02 . Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent will make available to each Lender) prompt written notice of a Responsible Officer obtaining Knowledge of any of the following:
(a) the occurrence of any Default;
(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting any Wireline Company or any Affiliate thereof that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) (i) the occurrence of, or receipt of a written notice of any claim with respect to, any Environmental Liability that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) receipt of a written notice of non-compliance with any Environmental Law or permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law to the extent such non-compliance could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and
(e) (i) non-compliance with any Regulatory Authorization, to the extent such non-compliance could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) receipt of any written notice from any Governmental Authority in relation to the continuation, validity, renewal or conditions attaching to any Regulatory Authorization which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
SECTION 5.03 . Information Regarding Collateral. (a) The Borrower will furnish to the Collateral Agent prompt written notice of any change in (i) any Loan Partys legal name, jurisdiction of organization, chief executive office or principal place of business, (ii) any Loan Partys identity or form of organization or (iii) any Loan Partys federal Taxpayer Identification Number. No later than 10 Business Days after any change referred to in the preceding sentence, the Borrower shall confirm to the Collateral Agent (and, as and when available, provide any information reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent) that all filings have been
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made under the Uniform Commercial Code (or that the Borrower has provided to the Collateral Agent all information required or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent in order for it to make such filings), and all other actions have been taken, that are required so that such change will not at any time adversely affect the validity, perfection or priority of any Transaction Lien on any of the Collateral.
(a) Each year, at the time annual financial statements with respect to the preceding Fiscal Year are delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), the Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer and its chief legal officer (i) setting forth, with respect to each Loan Party, the information required pursuant to Parts A-1 and A-2 of the Perfection Certificate or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate delivered on the Effective Date (or the effective date of such Loan Partys Security Agreement Supplement) or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this subsection and (ii) certifying that all Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations, including all refilings, rerecordings and reregistrations, containing a description of the Collateral have been filed of record in each appropriate office in each jurisdiction identified pursuant to clause (i) above to the extent necessary to protect and perfect the Transaction Liens for a period of at least 18 months after the date of such certificate (except as noted therein with respect to any continuation statements to be filed within such period).
SECTION 5.04 . Existence; Conduct of Business. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things reasonably necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect (i) its legal existence and (ii) the rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business, except, in the case of clause (ii), where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03 or any disposition of assets permitted under Section 6.05.
SECTION 5.05 . Payment of Obligations. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations other than Indebtedness, including Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the applicable Wireline Company has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP, and (c) such contest effectively suspends collection of the contested obligation and the enforcement of any Lien securing such obligation.
SECTION 5.06 . Maintenance of Properties; Insurance; Casualty and Condemnation. (a) Except as otherwise permitted in Section 6.05, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep and maintain all property used in the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear (and damage caused by casualty) excepted, except where the failure to take such actions could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance in such amounts and against such risks as may be required by law or as the Borrower reasonably and in its good faith business judgment believes are customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. Fire and extended coverage policies maintained with respect to any Collateral shall be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a lenders loss payable clause in favor of the Collateral Agent and providing for losses thereunder to be payable to the Collateral Agent or its designee as additional loss payee as its interests may appear. Commercial general liability policies shall be endorsed to name the Collateral Agent as an additional insured. Each such policy referred to in this paragraph (b) also shall provide that it shall not be canceled, modified with respect to endorsements or loss payable provisions or not renewed (x) by reason of nonpayment of premium except upon at least 10 days prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Collateral Agent (giving the Collateral Agent the right to cure defaults in the payment of premiums) or (y) for any other reason except upon at least 30 days prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Collateral Agent. The Borrower shall deliver to the Collateral Agent, prior to the cancellation or nonrenewal, or modification of any endorsement or loss payable provisions of any such policy of insurance, a copy of a renewal or replacement policy (or other evidence of renewal of a policy previously delivered to the Collateral Agent) together with evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent of payment of the premium therefor to the extent then due.
(c) The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders prompt written notice of any Casualty Event.
SECTION 5.07 . Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all material dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities in accordance with GAAP. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and, with the opportunity for the Borrower to be present, its independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested; provided that (x), unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower shall not be required by this Agreement to pay for more than one visit per year by the Administrative Agent and (y) the Lenders shall coordinate any visits through the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 5.08 . Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 5.09 . Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans will be used only for Permitted Acquisitions and for working
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capital and other general corporate purposes of the Wireline Companies. The proceeds of the Tranche A-4 Term Loans and the Tranche B-3 Term Loans will be used to repay Revolving Loans outstanding on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date (without any reduction in the Revolving Commitments), to pay fees and expenses arising in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement and, to the extent the Revolving Loans have been repaid in full on the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, for working capital and general corporate purposes. The proceeds of the Tranche B-4 Term Loans will be used on the Fifth ARCA Effective Date solely to (x) repay in whole the Tranche A-2 Term Loans, the Tranche B-1 Term Loans and the Tranche B-2 Term Loans (including unpaid accrued interest thereon) and (y) pay fees and expenses in connection with such refinancings. The proceeds of any Incremental Loan Facility will be used only as provided in Section 2.01(i)(iii) and in the Incremental Facility Amendment. No part of the proceeds of any Loan or Letters of Credit will be used, whether directly or indirectly, to purchase or carry margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or for any other purpose, in each case that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X. Letters of Credit will be issued only to support general corporate obligations of the Wireline Companies.
SECTION 5.10 . Additional Subsidiaries. If any additional Subsidiary, other than an Insignificant Subsidiary, a Notes SPV and, so long as the Termination Date (as defined in the Directories Equity Exchange Agreement) has not occurred, Directories Holdings, is formed or acquired after the Effective Date, the Borrower will, within ten Business Days after such Subsidiary is formed or acquired, notify the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent thereof and cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to any Equity Interest in such Subsidiary held by a Loan Party and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owed to a Loan Party. If at any time any Subsidiary that is not then a Loan Party, other than an Insignificant Subsidiary, a Qualified Peach Group Member, a Notes SPV or any Subsidiary listed on Schedule 5.10, (x) is a wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary and is permitted by applicable law or regulation (without the need to obtain any Governmental Authorization) to Guarantee the Facility Obligations or (y) Guarantees any Loan Partys obligations in respect of any New Notes, any Assumed Bonds or any other Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents), the Borrower shall promptly cause (A) such Subsidiary to Guarantee the Facility Obligations pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement (in the case of any Subsidiary described in clause (y), on terms no less favorable to the Lenders than those applicable under such Guarantee of other Indebtedness) and (B) the other provisions of the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary, whereupon such Subsidiary will become a Guarantor and Lien Grantor for purposes of the Loan Documents. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, form or acquire any Subsidiary (other than Insignificant Subsidiaries and other than (i) any Notes SPV and (ii)Subsidiaries of Peach that are Qualified Peach Group Members) after the Effective Date unless either (x) all of the Equity Interests in such Subsidiary shall be directly held by a Loan Party or (y) such Subsidiary shall have Guaranteed the Facility Obligations pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement and shall have satisfied the other provisions
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of the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement with respect to such Subsidiary. From and after the Peach Merger Date, the Borrower will not permit any Peach Group Member to form or acquire any Subsidiary except for the purpose of reorganizing the organizational structure or form of organization of any of the Peach Group Members.
SECTION 5.11 . Further Assurances. (a) Each Loan Party will execute and deliver any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings and other documents), that may be required under any applicable law, or that the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be and remain satisfied, all at the Borrowers expense. The Borrower will provide to the Collateral Agent, from time to time upon any reasonable request from the Collateral Agent, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent as to the perfection and priority of the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents.
(b) If any material assets (other than (i) any real property or improvements thereto or any interest therein, (ii) any RUS Grant Funds, (iii) any asset purchased with RUS Grant Funds and any proceeds thereof or (iv) Notes Escrowed Proceeds) are acquired by any Loan Party after the Effective Date (other than assets constituting Collateral that become subject to Transaction Liens upon acquisition thereof), the Borrower will notify the Collateral Agent and the Lenders thereof, and, if requested by the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders, will cause such assets to be subjected to a Transaction Lien securing the Secured Obligations and will take, or cause the relevant Guarantor to take, such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to grant and perfect or record such Transaction Lien, in each case to the extent contemplated by the Security Documents, including actions described in Section 5.11(a), all at the Borrowers expense.
SECTION 5.12 . Rated Credit Facilities. The Borrower will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Facilities to be continuously rated by S&P and Moodys.
SECTION 5.13 . Windstream Communications. The Borrower will cause, and will cause its Subsidiaries to cause, Windstream Communications, Inc. not to (a) engage to any material extent in any business or activity, other than (i) the ownership of Wireline Licenses and other assets owned (or similar to those owned), and the business or other activities engaged in, by it on the Effective Date, (ii) the maintenance of its corporate existence, (iii) the making of Restricted Payments to the extent permitted by Section 6.08, and (iv) activities incidental to (including with respect to legal, tax and accounting matters), or otherwise required to comply with applicable law in connection with, any of the foregoing activities; and (b) create, incur, assume or permit to exist (i) any Indebtedness of the type described in clause (a) of the definition thereof, unless owed to a Loan Party, (ii) other Indebtedness unless consistent with past practice, in each case regardless of whether such Indebtedness would otherwise be permitted under Section 6.01, or (iii) any other liabilities, other than liabilities (but not any Indebtedness) (A) existing (or similar to those existing) on the Effective Date or (B) associated with the activities permitted under subclauses (i) through (iv) of clause (a) above.
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ARTICLE 6
N EGATIVE C OVENANTS
Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
SECTION 6.01 . Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities. (a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(i) Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents or any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (including pursuant to any Refinancing Amendment);
(ii) Indebtedness of the Loan Parties in respect of the New Notes and the Assumed Valor Bonds;
(iii) Indebtedness of AC Holdings and any of its subsidiaries that are Loan Parties in respect of the AC Holdings Bonds; and Indebtedness of Alltel Georgia in respect of the Alltel Georgia Bonds;
(iv) Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness permitted under clause (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (a)) existing on the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 6.01;
(v) Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (A) any such Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Collateral Support Party to any Collateral Support Party shall be subject to Section 6.04, (B) except to the extent any Regulatory Authorization would be required therefor and has not been obtained, any such Indebtedness of any Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor shall be subordinated to the Facility Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (C) any such Indebtedness owed to any Loan Party and evidenced by a promissory note shall be pledged pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of Collateral and Guarantee Requirement;
(vi) Guarantees by the Borrower of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness permitted solely pursuant to clauses (a)(iii) (except for Guarantees of the AC Holdings Bonds by any of its subsidiaries that is a Loan Party to the extent required under the AC Holdings Indenture as in effect on the date hereof), (a)(iv), (a)(viii) (except for unsecured Guarantees of the Peach Notes by the Borrower) or (a)(xx) or any combination thereof); provided that (A)
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Guarantees by any Collateral Support Party of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Collateral Support Party shall be subject to Section 6.04, (B) Guarantees permitted under this clause (vi) shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations of the applicable Subsidiary if and to the same extent and on the same terms as the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is subordinated to the Secured Obligations and (C) no Indebtedness shall be Guaranteed by any Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary is a Loan Party that has Guaranteed the Secured Obligations pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement;
(vii) Indebtedness of any Wireline Company incurred to finance the acquisition, construction, restoration or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations (whether through the direct acquisition of such assets or the acquisition of Equity Interests in a Person holding only such fixed or capital assets) and any Indebtedness assumed by any Wireline Company in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof; provided that (A) such Indebtedness is incurred (or if assumed, was incurred) prior to or within 150 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction, restoration or improvement and (B) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (vii) shall not exceed $250,000,000 at any time outstanding;
(viii) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the Effective Date; provided that (A) such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary and (B) the Borrower is in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Indebtedness with the covenants contained in Sections 6.14 and 6.15 recomputed as of the last day of the most-recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered or were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) prior to the time at which such Person becomes a Subsidiary;
(ix) Indebtedness of the Borrower assumed by operation of law or otherwise as a direct result of the merger of any Person (a Merged Person ) with and into the Borrower (with the Borrower being the surviving entity) in a transaction otherwise permitted under this Amended Agreement; provided that (A) such Indebtedness was Indebtedness of the Merged Person as of the effectiveness of such merger and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such merger and (B) the Borrower is in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Indebtedness with the covenants contained in Sections 6.14 and 6.15 recomputed as of the last day of the most-recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered or were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) prior to the time of such merger;
(x) Indebtedness of any Wireline Company constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit in respect of workers compensation claims or self-insurance obligations;
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(xi) Indebtedness of any Wireline Company constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business; provided that, upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;
(xii) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations (other than in respect of Indebtedness for borrowed money);
(xiii) Indebtedness in respect of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;
(xiv) Indebtedness of any Wireline Company arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided, however, that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence;
(xv) Indebtedness of any Wireline Company arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or Guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing any obligations of any Wireline Company pursuant to any such agreements, in any case incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or any Subsidiary (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition), so long as the principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Wireline Companies in connection with such disposition;
(xvi) any Earn-out Obligation or obligation in respect of any purchase price adjustment, except to the extent that the contingent consideration relating thereto is not paid within 15 Business Days after the contingency relating thereto is resolved;
(xvii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of any Wireline Company incurred in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary or of any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary) that was permitted to be incurred under clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (vii), (viii) or (ix) or this clause (xvii) of this paragraph;
(xviii) Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness; provided that at the time of incurrence of any Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness, (1) the Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis computed as of the last day of the most recently-ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) shall not exceed 2.25 to 1.0 and (2) the Borrower shall have delivered a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect set forth in the preceding clause (1), together with reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with the preceding clause (1);
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(xix) Indebtedness incurred in connection with the financing of insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business;
(xx) other Indebtedness of any Wireline Company in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $150,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that (A) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (B) the Borrower is in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness with the covenants contained in Sections 6.14 and 6.15 recomputed as of the last day of the most-recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered or were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) prior to the issuance of such Indebtedness; and
(xxi) Permitted Additional Debt; provided that (A) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (B) the Borrower is in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness with the covenants contained in Sections 6.14 and 6.15 recomputed as of the last day of the most-recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered or were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) prior to the issuance of such Indebtedness.
(b) If any Indebtedness is incurred pursuant to clause (viii), (ix), (xx), or (xxi) of paragraph (a) of this Section in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $250,000,000, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to such effect, together with all relevant financial information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, including reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with such covenants (which calculations shall, if made as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter for which the Borrower has not delivered to the Administrative Agent the financial statements and certificate of a Financial Officer required to be delivered by Section 5.01(a) or (b) and Section 5.01(c), respectively, be accompanied by a reasonably detailed calculation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for the relevant period).
(c) No Subsidiary will issue any Preferred Stock.
SECTION 6.02 . Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:
(a) Transaction Liens;
(b) Permitted Encumbrances;
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(c) any Lien on any property or asset of any Wireline Company existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of any Wireline Company and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (plus the amount of any capitalized interest thereon and any premiums and fees and expenses);
(d) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by any Wireline Company or existing on any property or asset of any Person that (i) becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (ii) is a Merged Person prior to the applicable merger (the Applicable Merger ); provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, such Person becoming a Subsidiary or the Applicable Merger, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of any Wireline Company and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition, the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary or the date of the Applicable Merger, as the case may be, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (plus the amount of any capitalized interest thereon and any premiums and fees and expenses);
(e) Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed, restored or improved by any Wireline Company (including any such assets made the subject of a Capital Lease Obligation); provided that (i) such Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (vii) of Section 6.01(a), (ii) such Liens and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 150 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction, restoration or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such Liens shall not apply to any other property or assets of any Wireline Company;
(f) Liens in favor of collecting or payor banks having a right of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or instruments of any Wireline Company on deposit with or in possession of such bank arising in the ordinary course of business;
(g) Liens in favor of the Borrower or any Guarantor;
(h) Liens on cash or Cash Equivalents securing (a) obligations of any Wireline Company under Swap Agreements permitted under Section 6.07, or (b) letters of credit that support such obligations under such Swap Agreements; provided that the aggregate principal amount secured by all such Liens shall not at any time exceed $35,000,000;
(i) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(j) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness (except as provided in clause (e) of the definition thereof); provided that such Liens do not extend to any property or assets other than the property or assets that secure the Indebtedness being refinanced;
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(k) Liens (i) attaching to advances to a seller of any property to be acquired, (ii) consisting of an agreement to dispose of property and (iii) on cash earnest money deposits in connection with Investments permitted under Section 6.04;
(l) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof granted in the ordinary course to secure the financing of insurance premiums with respect thereto;
(m) Liens by virtue of statute in favor of any Lender in respect of the Investment of the Loan Parties in non-voting participation certificates of such Lender permitted pursuant to clause (s) of Section 6.04;
(n) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section to the extent that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby (determined as of the date such Lien is incurred) does not exceed $100,000,000 at any time outstanding;
(o) Liens on the Collateral securing Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(a)(xviii);
(p) Liens on Excluded RUS Grant Assets in favor of RUS granted pursuant to a RUS Grant and Security Agreement; provided that aggregate amount of RUS Grant Funds shall not exceed $275,000,000; and
(q) Liens on any Notes Escrow Account (and the Notes Escrowed Proceeds held therein) securing the related Permitted Escrow Notes, but only so long as the related Notes Escrow Arrangements are in effect.
SECTION 6.03 . Fundamental Changes. (a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except that if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (A) any Person may merge into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving corporation, (B) any Person may merge into any Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Subsidiary and (if any party to such merger is a Guarantor) is (or upon consummation of such merger becomes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) a Guarantor and (C) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; provided that any such merger involving a Person that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 6.04.
(b) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business other than Permitted Businesses.
SECTION 6.04 . Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a wholly-owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any Equity Interest in or
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evidences of Indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or substantially all of the assets of, or assets constituting a division, unit or line of business of, any other Person (each of the foregoing, an Investment ), except:
(a) Investments in connection with the Transactions;
(b) Cash Equivalents;
(c) Investments existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 6.04;
(d) Investments by the Borrower and its subsidiaries in Equity Interests in their respective subsidiaries; provided that (i) any such Equity Interest held by a Loan Party shall be pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement as required to satisfy clause (b) of the definition of Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, and (ii) the aggregate amount of such Investments by Collateral Support Parties in Equity Interests in Subsidiaries that are not Collateral Support Parties made after the Effective Date in reliance on this clause (d) shall not exceed (together with (x) any loans and advances by Collateral Support Parties to Subsidiaries that are not Collateral Support Parties made in reliance on clause (e) below and (y) any Guarantees by Collateral Support Parties of Indebtedness or other obligations of Subsidiaries that are not Collateral Support Parties made in reliance on clause (f) below) $75,000,000 (in each case determined at the time made and without regard to any subsequent write-downs or write-offs);
(e) loans or advances made by the Borrower to any Subsidiary and made by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that the amount of such loans and advances made in reliance on this clause (e) after the Effective Date by Collateral Support Parties to Subsidiaries that are not Collateral Support Parties shall be subject to the limitation set forth in clause (ii) of the proviso in clause (d) above;
(f) (x) Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01 and (y) guarantees provided in the ordinary course of business of obligations of any Wireline Company (other than Indebtedness); provided that (i) any Person providing any such Guarantee of Indebtedness shall have complied with Section 5.10 with respect thereto, and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness and other obligations of Subsidiaries that are not Collateral Support Parties that is Guaranteed by Collateral Support Parties shall be subject to the limitation set forth in clause (ii) of the proviso in clause (d) above;
(g) any Investment acquired by any Wireline Company (i) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by such Wireline Company in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (ii) as a result of a foreclosure by any Wireline Company with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;
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(h) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(i) Investments that constitute Permitted Asset Exchanges and Permitted Acquisitions (including any cash earnest money deposits required in connection with any Permitted Acquisition);
(j) loans or advances to employees of any Wireline Company not exceeding $5,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time;
(k) commission, payroll, travel and similar advances to officers and employees to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses of the Wireline Companies in accordance with GAAP;
(l) Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;
(m) Investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;
(n) Investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or consolidates or merges with the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including in connection with a Permitted Acquisition) so long as such Investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or of such consolidation or merger;
(o) Investments resulting from pledges or deposits described in clause (b) or (c) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrance;
(p) Investments received in connection with the disposition of any asset permitted by Section 6.05;
(q) advances to customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business that are, in conformity with GAAP, recorded as accounts receivable, prepaid expenses or deposits on the balance sheet of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and endorsements for collection or deposit arising in the ordinary course of business;
(r) Investments arising from any transaction permitted by Section 6.08;
(s) Investments existing on the date hereof in non-voting participation certificates of any Lender and additional Investments made after the Closing Date in any such non-voting participation certificates (including accruals on such certificates made by such Lender in accordance with its bylaws and capital plan); and
(t) so long as no Event of Default of the type described in paragraph (a), (b), (i) or (j) of Article 7 has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, additional Investments in any Person ( provided that any such Person is either (i) not an Affiliate of the Borrower or (ii) is an Affiliate of the Borrower (A) solely because the Borrower, directly or indirectly, owns Equity Interests in, or controls, such Person or (B) engaged in bona fide business operations and is an Affiliate solely because it is under common
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control with the Borrower) having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (t) since the Effective Date and then outstanding not to exceed the sum (calculated as of the date of such Investment was made after giving effect to all other applications of Available Distributable Cash or Available Equity Proceeds on such date) of (i) Available Distributable Cash plus (ii) Available Equity Proceeds plus (iii) the greater of (x) $150,000,000 and (y) 2% of Total Assets plus (iv) the aggregate amount of cash equal to the net reduction in Investments made pursuant to this clause (t) in any Person since the Effective Date resulting from repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each case to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or from the net proceeds received in cash, from the sale of any such Investment (except, in each case, to the extent any such payment or proceeds are included in the calculation of Consolidated Adjusted Net Income); provided that any Investment made pursuant to this clause (t) in any Person that is not a Wireline Company at the time such Investment is made may, if such Person thereafter becomes a Wireline Company, from and after such date be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (d), (e) or (f)(ii), as applicable, and not pursuant to this clause (t).
SECTION 6.05 . Asset Sales. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) any property, including any Equity Interest owned by it (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), nor will any Subsidiary issue any additional Equity Interest in such Subsidiary (other than issuing directors qualifying shares and other than issuing Equity Interests to the Borrower or another Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04(d)), except:
(a) the transfer to Alltel or any of its subsidiaries of any AT Co. Assets (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) in connection with the Preliminary Restructuring;
(b) sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions of (i) inventory, (ii) obsolete, worn-out, used, no longer useful or surplus property or equipment and (iii) Cash Equivalents, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), in the ordinary course of business;
(c) sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions (including issuance of Equity Interests) to a Wireline Company; provided that any such sales, transfers or dispositions involving a Subsidiary that is not a Collateral Support Party shall comply with Section 6.09;
(d) leases or subleases of property, and licenses or sublicenses of intellectual property, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business and to the extent that any of the foregoing does not materially interfere with the business of any Wireline Company;
(e) dispositions or write-downs of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or bankruptcy or similar proceedings;
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(f) any Restricted Payment permitted under Section 6.08;
(g) Permitted Asset Exchanges;
(h) sales of assets in connection with any Sale and Leaseback Transaction permitted under Section 6.06;
(i) dispositions of property constituting Investments permitted under Section 6.04(g);
(j) dispositions of assets consisting of transactions permitted under Section 6.03;
(k) sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions of property to the extent that such property consists of an Investment permitted by Section 6.04(p);
(l) dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;
(m) the exchange of Directories Notes for Term Loans pursuant to the Directories Debt Exchange, if any, and the sale for cash of any such Term Loans by the Borrower to a Person other than an affiliate of the Borrower; provided that
(i) the final terms and conditions of each aspect of the Directories Transactions, including, without limitation, all tax aspects thereof, shall be 1) substantially as described in the Information Memorandum and otherwise consistent in all material respects with the description thereof received by the Lenders in writing prior to the date hereof and 2) otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received copies of the Directories Transaction Documents, certified by a Financial Officer as complete and correct, and shall be reasonably satisfied with the terms and conditions thereof;
(iii) the Directories Debt Exchange shall have been consummated in accordance with the terms of the applicable Directories Transaction Documents; and
(iv) immediately after giving effect (on a Pro Forma Basis in the case of clause (B)) to the Directories Debt Exchange, (A) the representation and warranty set forth in Section 3.03 shall be true and correct in all respects and (B) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(n) sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions of assets (except Equity Interests in a Subsidiary unless all Equity Interests in such Subsidiary are sold) that are not permitted by any other clause of this Section; provided that the aggregate Fair Market Value of all assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in reliance on this clause (n)
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shall not at any time exceed the greater of $750,000,000 and 10% of Total Assets (with the Fair Market Value of each item of non-cash consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value);
provided that any sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions permitted by clauses (g), (h), (k) or (n) of this Section shall be (x) made for Fair Market Value and (y) in the case of sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions permitted by clauses (h) or (n) of this Section shall be made for at least 75% Cash Consideration.
SECTION 6.06 . Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Except for the transactions identified on Schedule 6.06, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred (any such transaction, a Sale and Leaseback Transaction ), unless:
(a) the applicable Wireline Company could have (a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Section 6.01 and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 6.02 in which case such Indebtedness and Liens shall be deemed to have been so incurred;
(b) the gross cash proceeds of that Sale and Leaseback Transaction are at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the property that is the subject of that Sale and Leaseback Transaction; and
(c) the transfer of assets in that Sale and Leaseback Transaction is permitted by, and the Borrower applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, Section 2.10.
SECTION 6.07 . Swap Agreements. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which any Wireline Company has actual exposure in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities (other than those in respect of Equity Interests or Restricted Indebtedness of a Wireline Company), and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or Investment of any Wireline Company.
SECTION 6.08 . Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Debt. (a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except:
(i) the Borrower may declare and pay the Special Dividend;
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(ii) the Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its common stock;
(iii) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests;
(iv) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of any Wireline Company held by any current or former employee, consultant or director of any Wireline Company pursuant to the terms of any employee equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests in any fiscal year will not exceed the sum of:
(A) $20,000,000, with unused amounts pursuant to this subclause (A) being carried over to succeeding fiscal years; plus
(B) the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Borrower since the Effective Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower to any current or former employee, consultant or director of any Wireline Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are used to permit a repurchase, redemption or other acquisition under this subclause (B) will be excluded from clause (a) of the definition of Available Equity Proceeds;
(v) the making of any payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of a contribution to the common equity of the Borrower or a substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Borrower) of, Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such payment will be excluded for the purposes of calculating Available Equity Proceeds;
(vi) so long as no Dividend Suspension Period or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Borrower issued or incurred in accordance with this Agreement;
(vii) the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of options or warrants the issuance of which is not prohibited by this Agreement to the extent that such Equity Interests represent all or a portion of the exercise price thereof;
(viii) so long as no Dividend Suspension Period, or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, the repurchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower constituting fractional shares in an aggregate amount since the Effective Date not to exceed $100,000;
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(ix) the payment of dividends by the Borrower on its common stock in an amount not to exceed $237,500,000 in the aggregate for the first two quarterly dividend payments made after the Effective Date;
(x) the payment of the Special Stub Dividend;
(xi) so long as no Dividend Suspension Period or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, the Borrower may repurchase, acquire or redeem, and may declare and pay dividends on, its common stock in an aggregate amount which does not exceed the sum (calculated as of the date of such dividend payment after giving effect to all other applications of Available Distributable Cash or Available Equity Proceeds on such date) of (A) Available Distributable Cash plus (B) Available Equity Proceeds;
(xii) the redemption of the Borrowers common stock in connection with the Directories Equity Exchange; provided that
(A) the final terms and conditions of each aspect of the Directories Transactions, including, without limitation, all tax aspects thereof, shall be 1) substantially as described in the Information Memorandum and otherwise consistent in all material respects with the description thereof received by the Lenders in writing prior to the date hereof and 2) otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(B) the Administrative Agent shall have received copies of the Directories Transaction Documents, certified by a Financial Officer as complete and correct, and shall be reasonably satisfied with the terms and conditions thereof;
(C) the Directories Equity Exchange shall have been consummated in accordance with the terms of the applicable Directories Transaction Documents; and
(D) immediately after giving effect (on a Pro Forma Basis in the case of clause (B)) to the Directories Equity Exchange, (A) the representation and warranty set forth in Section 3.03 shall be true and correct in all respects and (B) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(xiii) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not exceeding $50,000,000; and
(xiv) the Borrower may pay any dividend within 90 days after the date of declaration thereof, if the Borrower would have been permitted to make such payment under this Section 6.08(a) on the date of such declaration.
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(b) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on any Restricted Indebtedness, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, defeasance or termination of any such Indebtedness, or any payment (including, without limitation, any payment under a Swap Agreement) that has a substantially similar effect to any of the foregoing, except:
(i) the payment of regularly scheduled payments of principal (including payments at maturity and any mandatory sinking fund or similar deposit), interest and fees and the payment of expenses, in each case as and when due in respect of any Restricted Indebtedness;
(ii) payments in respect of Restricted Indebtedness with Available Equity Proceeds or in the form of Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock);
(iii) refinancings of Restricted Indebtedness (including by way of an exchange therefor of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness or Permitted Additional Debt) to the extent not prohibited by Section 6.01;
(iv) [ Reserved ];
(v) payments or distributions in respect of Restricted Indebtedness; provided that (A) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or shall result therefrom, (B) the Borrower shall be in compliance with Sections 6.14 and 6.15, determined on a Pro Forma Basis and (C) the Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis computed as of the last day of the most recently-ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) shall not exceed 2.0 to 1.0; and
(vi) the prepayment or redemption of Permitted Escrow Notes with the related Notes Escrowed Proceeds pursuant to a Permitted Mandatory Redemption Provision.
SECTION 6.09 . Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.09, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to such Wireline Company than could reasonably be expected to be obtained in an arms-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Wireline Companies, (b) transactions between or among (i) the Collateral Support Parties or any Person that will become a Collateral Support Party in connection therewith or (ii) Qualified Peach Group Members, except in each case to the extent that any payments thereunder made by any Wireline Company to such Person are substantially concurrently paid by such Person to any other Affiliate of any Wireline Company and are not otherwise
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permitted under this Section 6.09, (c) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.08, (d) mergers or consolidations between Subsidiaries or between the Borrower and any Subsidiary permitted under Section 6.03, (e) intercompany Investments, loans, advances and Guarantees permitted under Section 6.04, (f) the provision by Loan Parties of administrative, legal, accounting and similar services in the ordinary course of business to Subsidiaries that are not Collateral Support Parties and (g) the entry into customary tax sharing agreements between or among the Wireline Companies.
SECTION 6.10 . Restrictive Agreements. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any consensual agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of any Wireline Company to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets in favor of the Secured Parties (or an agent or trustee on their behalf) or to transfer any of its properties or assets to any other Wireline Company, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to any other Wireline Company or to Guarantee Indebtedness of any other Wireline Company; provided that:
(i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law or regulation or by any Loan Document or other Transaction Document,
(ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 6.10 (but shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such restriction or condition),
(iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary or any assets pending such sale, provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary or assets that is or are to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder,
(iv) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness,
(v) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions imposed by customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof,
(vi) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions applicable to any Person or the property or assets of a Person acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time of such acquisition and not incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition, which restriction or condition is not applicable to any Person or the properties or assets
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of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, extensions, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided that the restrictions and conditions in any such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, extensions, supplements, refundings, replacement or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those in effect on the date of the acquisition;
(vii) the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to restrictions or conditions (A) on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers or required by insurance, surety or bonding companies, in each case, under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (B) existing under, by reason of or with respect to provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property, in each case contained in joint venture agreements, limited liability company agreements and other similar agreements and which the Borrowers board of directors determines will not adversely affect the Borrowers ability to make payments of principal or interest payments on the Loans, or (C) existing under, by reason of or with respect to Indebtedness incurred to refinance any Indebtedness, in each case as permitted under Section 6.01; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness incurred to refinance Indebtedness are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
(viii) the foregoing shall not apply to any Directories Note; and
(ix) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by the RUS Grant and Security Agreements if such restrictions or conditions apply only to Excluded RUS Grant Assets.
SECTION 6.11 . Amendment of Material Documents. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under (a) any Transaction Document (other than the Loan Documents) or Directories Transaction Document, (b) its certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents or (c) any instruments, agreements or other documents in respect of Permitted Additional Debt, in each case in a manner materially adverse to the Lenders.
SECTION 6.12 . Change in Fiscal Year. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change its fiscal year or change its method of determining fiscal quarters.
SECTION 6.13 . [ Reserved ] .
SECTION 6.14 . Interest Coverage Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the Interest Coverage Ratio to be less than 2.75 to 1.0 on the last day of any Fiscal Quarter.
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SECTION 6.15 . Leverage Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the Leverage Ratio to exceed 4.50 to 1.0 on the last day of any Fiscal Quarter.
ARTICLE 7
E VENTS OF D EFAULT
If any of the following events ( Events of Default ) shall occur:
(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any LC Reimbursement Obligation when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;
(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;
(c) the Borrower shall fail to pay when and as required to be paid herein, any amount required to be prepaid and/or cash collateralized pursuant to Section 2.10(b);
(d) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Wireline Company in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;
(e) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02(a), 5.04 (with respect to the Borrowers existence) or 5.09 or in Article 6;
(f) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (e) of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after receipt of notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender);
(g) any Wireline Company shall fail to make any payment of principal, interest or premium in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable (with all applicable grace periods having expired);
(h) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired and all applicable notices having been given) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity (except to the extent (i) the holders of the Valor Bonds may require the repurchase thereof as a
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result of the Change of Control of Valor resulting from the Merger, (ii) the holders of any of the Peach Notes may require the repurchase thereof as a result of the Change of Control of Peach resulting from the Peach Merger or (iii) the holders of any Permitted Escrow Notes may require the prepayment or redemption thereof pursuant to a Permitted Mandatory Redemption Provision (but only so long as the related Notes Escrowed Proceeds (and no other amounts) are applied to satisfy such Permitted Mandatory Redemption Provision within the time specified in the documentation governing such Permitted Escrow Notes); provided that without limiting the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), this clause (h) shall not apply (x) to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer or other disposition of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness or (y) to the occurrence any Change of Control (or similar event, however denominated) under any indenture or other agreement in respect of Material Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(a)(viii) or 6.01(a)(ix) the effect of which is limited to providing the holders of such Indebtedness a Repurchase Right with respect to such Indebtedness so long as, within 60 days following the date on which such Change of Control (or similar event, however denominated) first occurs, the holders of such Indebtedness no longer have a Repurchase Right with respect to such Indebtedness (including as a result of the repayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance of such Indebtedness or the satisfaction by the obligor in respect of such Indebtedness of its obligation to offer to prepay, repurchase, redeem or defease such Indebtedness (and, if applicable, to actually prepay, repurchase, redeem or defease such Indebtedness) in accordance with the terms thereof) with respect to such Change of Control (or similar event, however denominated);
(i) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than an Insignificant Subsidiary) or their respective debts, or of a substantial part of their respective assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than an Insignificant Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of their respective assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(j) the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than an Insignificant Subsidiary) shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (i) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than an Insignificant Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of their respective assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;
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(k) the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than an Insignificant Subsidiary) shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(l) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $75,000,000 (except to the extent any applicable third party insurer has acknowledged liability therefor) shall be rendered against any Wireline Company or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of any Wireline Company to enforce any such judgment;
(m) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(n) a Change in Control shall occur;
(o) any Regulatory Authorization shall expire or terminate or be revoked or otherwise lost, or the Borrower shall fail to be in compliance with Section 10.2 of the Merger Agreement, which in any case could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(p) any Lien purported to be created under any Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by any Loan Party not to be, a valid and, except to the extent otherwise permitted by the Security Agreement, perfected Lien on any Collateral, with the priority required by the applicable Security Document, except (i) Collateral having a Fair Market Value not exceeding $10,000,000 in the aggregate, (ii) as a result of a sale or other disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents, (iii) as a result of such Loan Partys being released from its obligations under and pursuant to the Security Agreement or (iv) as a result of the Collateral Agents failure to maintain possession of any stock certificates, promissory notes or other documents delivered to it under the Security Agreement; or
(q) (i) any Guarantors Facility Guarantee shall at any time fail to constitute a valid and binding agreement of such Guarantor (other than in accordance with its terms) or any Wireline Company shall so assert in writing or (ii) at any time during which Permitted Pari Passu Indebtedness is outstanding, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall fail to constitute a valid and binding agreement of any Loan Party (other than in accordance with its terms) or any Wireline Company shall so assert in writing; or
(r) the Guarantees of the Facility Obligations by any Loan Party, other than an Insignificant Subsidiary, pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement shall cease to be in full force and effect (in each case, other than in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents);
then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (i) or (j) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders
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shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (i) or (j) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
ARTICLE 8
T HE A GENTS
Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent as its agent and authorizes (i) the Collateral Agent to sign and deliver the Security Documents and (ii) each such Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to such Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Any bank serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with any Wireline Company or Affiliate thereof as if it were not an Agent.
No Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) no Agent shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) no Agent shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that such Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, no Agent shall have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Wireline Company that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as an Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to such Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and no Agent shall be
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responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article 4 or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for any Wireline Company), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
Any Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent. Any Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of any Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the Facilities as well as activities as an Agent.
Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, as provided in this paragraph, each of the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower (which may not be unreasonably withheld), to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Borrower and such successor. After any Agents resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as an Agent.
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Each Lender and Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any provision in any other Loan Document, each of the Co-Documentation Agents, the Lead Arranger and the Joint Bookrunners and Arrangers are named as such for recognition purposes only, and in their respective capacities as such shall have no duties, responsibilities or liabilities with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
ARTICLE 9
M ISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.01 . Notices. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower, to it at 4001 Rodney Parham Road, Mail Stop 1170-B1-F3-24A, Little Rock, Arkansas 72212-2442, Attention of Treasurer (Telecopy No. 501-748-6392);
(ii) if to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Floor 3, 500 Stanton Christiana Road, Ops 2, Newark DE 19713, Attention of Nicole F. Mangiaracina (Telecopy No. 302-634-3301) (email: nicole.f.mangiaracina@jpmorgan.com), with copies to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 383 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, New York 10179, Attention of Timothy D. Lee (Telecopy No. 212-270-5100) (email: timothy.d.lee@jpmorgan.com ) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 383 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, New York 10179, Attention of Alex Muñoz (Telecopy No. 212-270-5127) (email: alex.munoz@jpmorgan.com );
(iii) if to an Issuing Bank, to it at the address provided to the Borrower for notices to such Issuing Bank in such capacity; and
(iv) if to any Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.
(b) Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereunder may also be delivered or furnished by electronic communications (including e-mail and Internet or intranet website) pursuant to procedures approved by the
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Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to Article 2 if such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(c) Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.
SECTION 9.02 . Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by any Lender Party in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Lender Parties under the Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether any Lender Party may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. No notice or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
(b) Except as provided in Section 2.01(i) with respect to any Incremental Facility Amendment, no Loan Document or any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of any Security Document, the Collateral Agent) with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon (other than any waiver of default interest payable pursuant to Section 2.12(c)), or reduce or forgive any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender Party directly affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of repayment of the principal amount of any Loan pursuant to Section 2.08 or 2.09 or the applicable Incremental Facility Amendment or the required date of reimbursement of any LC Disbursement, or any interest (other than any waiver of default interest) or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce (other than any waiver of default interest) the amount of, waive or excuse any such repayment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iv)
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change the rights of the Tranche B-1 Lenders to decline mandatory prepayments as provided in Section 2.10, without the written consent of Lenders holding a majority of the outstanding Tranche B-1 Term Loans, (v) change Section 2.17(b) or (c), the penultimate sentence of Section 2.10(i), or the last sentence of Section 2.07(c), in each case in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments or reduction of Commitments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby (it being understood that an amendment shall not be deemed to change such provisions in such manner to the extent it effects an increase in the commitment of any Lender(s) or in the aggregate amount of the commitments of any class), (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or reduce the percentage set forth in the definition of Required Lenders (or the definition of Required Revolving Lenders or Required Tranche A-3 Lenders) or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender, or each Lender of such Class, as the case may be (it being understood that an amendment shall not be deemed to change such provisions to the extent it effects an increase in the commitment of any Lender(s) or in the aggregate amount of the commitments of any class), (vii) release any material Guarantor from its Facility Guarantee (except as expressly provided in the Guarantee Agreement), or limit its liability in respect of its Facility Guarantee, without the written consent of each Lender, (viii) release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Transaction Liens, without the written consent of each Lender, (ix) waive any condition set forth in Section 4.03 (including by amending or waiving any provision of Article 3, 5, 6 or 7 if the effect of such amendment or waiver would be to waive any such condition) for purposes of any Revolving Borrowing without the written consent of the Required Revolving Lenders, (x) change any provision of any Loan Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments due to Lenders holding Loans of any Class differently than those holding Loans of any other Class, without the written consent of Lenders holding a majority in interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of each adversely affected Class, (xi) modify the protections afforded to an SPV pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.04(e) without the prior written consent of such SPV, (xii) amend the definition of Interest Period so as to permit any Interest Period of greater than 6 months without the consent of all Lenders participating in the applicable Borrowing, without the written consent of each such Lender or (xiii) change the rights of the Tranche B-2 Lenders to decline mandatory prepayments as provided in Section 2.10, without the written consent of Lenders holding a majority of the outstanding Tranche B-2 Term Loans; provided further that (A) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Issuing Bank under the Loan Documents without the prior written consent of such Agent or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, (B) any waiver, amendment or modification of this Agreement that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement of one Class of Lenders (but not of any other Class of Lenders) may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the requisite percentage in interest of the affected Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under this Section if such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders hereunder at the time and (C) any waiver, amendment or modification of the Commitment Letter or either Fee Letter may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into only by the parties thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the
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contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (as provided in the definitions of Required Lenders, Required Revolving Lenders and Required Tranche A-3 Lenders), except that the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without its consent.
(c) In connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination (a Proposed Change ) requiring the consent of all Lenders or all affected Lenders, if the consent of the Required Lenders (and/or, to the extent so required, the consent of the Required Revolving Lenders, the Required Tranche A-3 Lenders or the Required Tranche A-4 Lenders, as applicable) to such Proposed Change is obtained, but the consent to such Proposed Change of other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is not obtained as described in paragraph (b) of this Section being referred to as a Non-Consenting Lender ), then, so long as the Lender that is acting as Administrative Agent is not a Non-Consenting Lender, the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Non-Consenting Lender and the Administrative Agent, require each of the Non-Consenting Lenders to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank), which consent(s) shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (ii) each Non-Consenting Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) the Borrower or such assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b), (iv) if the Proposed Change is a decrease in the Applicable Rate with respect to Tranche B-1 Term Loans, each Tranche B-1 Lender shall have received the Optional Prepayment Premium on such Tranche B-1 Lenders Tranche B-1 Term Loans, without regard to whether such Tranche B-1 Lenders Tranche B-1 Term Loans are being assigned pursuant to this Section 9.02(c) and (v) if the consent, amendment or waiver in question contemplates a Tranche B-3 Repricing Transaction in respect of any Tranche B-3 Term Loans or a Tranche B-4 Repricing Transaction in respect of any Tranche B-4 Term Loans held by such Non-Consenting Lender, the Borrower shall pay the Prepayment Fee (if any) required pursuant to Section 2.10(g) as if the outstanding Tranche B-3 Term Loans or Tranche B-4 Term Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender were prepaid or repriced in their entirety in connection with a Tranche B-3 Repricing Transaction or a Tranche B-4 Repricing Transaction, as applicable, on the date of the consummation of such assignment. For the avoidance of doubt, any replacement of Lenders in connection with the extension of the maturity date of any Class of Loans shall be governed by Section 2.07(d).
(d) Further, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section, if following the Fifth ARCA Effective Date, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any error or omission of a technical or
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immaterial nature, in each case, in any provision of the Loan Documents then the Administrative Agent (acting in its sole discretion) and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend such provision and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders within five Business Days following receipt of notice thereof.
SECTION 9.03 . Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lead Arrangers and their Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Davis Polk & Wardwell and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, special New York and regulatory counsel, respectively, for the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lead Arrangers, in connection with the syndication of the Facilities and the preparation of the Loan Documents (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lead Arrangers and their Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lead Arrangers in connection with the administration of the Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (iii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Banks in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit by it or any demand for payment thereunder and (iv) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Lender Party, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Lender Party, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(b) The Borrower shall indemnify each of the Lender Parties, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an Indemnitee ), against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, but excluding Taxes, which are governed by Section 2.16, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties to the Loan Documents of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by an Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Wireline Company, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to any of the Wireline Companies, or
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(iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from (A) the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, (B) any claims of such Indemnitee against any other Indemnitee and/or (C) the breach by such Indemnitee of its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document.
(c) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to any Agent or any Issuing Bank under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to such Agent or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such Lenders pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on the aggregate amount of (x) in the case of a payment owed to an Agent, the Revolving Commitments and outstanding Term Loans and (y) in the case of a payment owed to an Issuing Bank, the Revolving Commitments) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the applicable Agent or Issuing Bank in its capacity as such.
(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.
(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after written demand therefor.
SECTION 9.04 . Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the other Agents and the Related Parties of each of the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
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(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent of:
(A) the Borrower, provided that (x) no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee and (y) such consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;
(B) the Administrative Agent, provided that, in the case of an assignment of any Term Loan or Term Commitment, (x) no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for such assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund and (y) such consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; and
(C) the Issuing Bank, provided that no consent of the Issuing Bank shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan or Term Commitment.
(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 or, in the case of a Term Loan, $1,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans;
(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided that assignments made pursuant to Section 2.18(b) shall not require the signature of the assigning Lender to become effective;
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(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more Credit Contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective subsidiaries) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignees compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws; and
(E) in the case of an assignment of Loans to the Borrower, the Borrower shall be deemed to be excluded from the definition of Lender for the purposes of Section 9.02.
For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the term Approved Fund and CLO has the following meaning:
Approved Fund means (a) a CLO and (b) with respect to any Lender that is a fund that invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit, any other fund that invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit and is managed by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.
CLO means an entity (whether a corporation, partnership, trust or otherwise) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and is administered or managed by a Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender.
(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 and to any fees payable hereunder that have accrued for such Lenders account but have not yet been paid). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof
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from time to time (the Register ). Absent manifest error, the entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Banks and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignees completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(d) or (e), 2.05(b), 2.17(d) or 9.03(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
(vi) The words execution, signed, signature and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a Participant ) in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lenders obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower and the other Lenders Parties shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of
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this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.17(c) as though it were a Lender.
(i) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.14 or 2.16 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrowers prior written consent. A Participant that is a Foreign Recipient shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.16 unless the Participant complies with Section 2.16(e).
(d) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a Granting Lender ) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle organized and administered by such Granting Lender (an SPV ), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to make any Loan, (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof and (iii) the SPV shall provide the documentation described in Section 2.16(e) and shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.14 or 2.16 than the Granting Lender would be entitled to receive thereunder. The making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender). In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPV, such party will not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof; provided that each Lender designating any SPV hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each other party hereto for any loss, cost, damage or expense arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding against such SPV during such period of forbearance. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
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contained in this Section 9.04, any SPV may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by the Borrower and Administrative Agent) providing liquidity or credit support to or for the account of such SPV to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPV.
SECTION 9.05 . Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that any Lender Party may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 and Article 8 shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
SECTION 9.06 . Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall become effective on the Fifth ARCA Effective Date.
SECTION 9.07 . Severability. Any provision of any Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 9.08 . Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, any Issuing Bank and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized (but only with the consent of the Required Lenders, unless an Event of Default of the type described in paragraph (a), (b), (i) or (j) of Article 7 shall have occurred and be continuing or the maturity of the Loans shall
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have been accelerated pursuant to Article 7) at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, but excluding (i) trust accounts for the benefit of third parties that have been certified as such by a Financial Officer to the Administrative Agent and the Lender or Issuing Bank that is the depositary bank and (ii) unless the maturity of the Loans shall have been accelerated pursuant to Article 7, up to an aggregate amount of $60,000,000 held in payroll accounts of the Loan Parties that have been certified as such by a Financial Officer to the Administrative Agent and the Lender or Issuing Bank that is the depositary bank) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender or Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or Issuing Bank different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such obligation. The rights of each Lender and Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender or Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates may have.
SECTION 9.09 . Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service Of Process. (a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
(b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in any Loan Document shall affect any right that any Lender Party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to any Loan Document against any Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
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(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in any Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
SECTION 9.10 . WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
SECTION 9.11 . Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
SECTION 9.12 . Confidentiality. (a) Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its and its Affiliates directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority or self-regulatory authority, (iii) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iv) to any other party to this Agreement, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (A) any assignee or pledgee under Section 9.04(d) of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee or pledgee under Section 9.04(d) of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (B) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (vii) with the consent of the Borrower (viii) to any rating agency when required by it, provided that, prior to such disclosure, such rating agency shall undertake to preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information relating to the Loan Parties received by it from the Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender, as applicable, (ix) to the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP
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numbers with respect to the Loans or (x) to the extent such Information (A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (B) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower (other than a source actually known by such disclosing Person to be bound by confidentiality provisions comparable to those set forth in this Section 9.12). For the purposes of this Section, Information means all information received from the Borrower relating to the Borrower or its business, other than any such information that is available to any Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower (other than from a source actually known by such party to be bound by confidentiality obligations). Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
(b) EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 9.12(a) FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
(c) ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWER, THE OTHER LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWER AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
SECTION 9.13 . USA PATRIOT ACT. Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the Act ) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.
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SECTION 9.14 . Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan or participation in any LC Disbursement, together with all fees, charges and other amounts that are treated as interest on such Loan or LC Disbursement or participation therein under applicable law (collectively the Charges ), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the Maximum Rate ) that may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan or LC Disbursement or participation therein in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan or LC Disbursement or participation therein but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or LC Disbursement or participation therein or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.
SECTION 9.15 . Amendments to Security Documents. By their signature to the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement, the Required Lenders irrevocably authorize and instruct the Collateral Agent, at any time after the Fourth ARCA Effective Date, to enter into (x) such amendments to Sections 3(d) and 7(c) of the Security Agreement and (y) such other amendments to the Security Documents (or any other agreements delivered in connection therewith (including, without limitation, any Deposit Account Control Agreements (as defined in the Security Agreement))), in each case as are required to create and/or permit the existence of Liens on the Collateral permitted under Section 6.02(o) and the establishment of the collateral agency arrangements with respect thereto, as contemplated by (and to the extent not inconsistent with) the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.
SECTION 9.16 . No Fiduciary Duty. Each Agent, each Lender and their Affiliates (collectively, the Lender Group and each, a Lender Group Member ), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Loan Parties, their stockholders and/or their affiliates. Each Loan Party agrees that nothing in the Loan Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between any Lender Group Member, on the one hand, and such Loan Party, its stockholders or its affiliates, on the other. The Loan Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including the exercise of rights and remedies hereunder and thereunder) are arms-length commercial transactions between the Lender Group, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other, and (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading thereto, (x) no Lender Group Member has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of any Loan Party, its stockholders or its affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (or the exercise of rights or remedies with respect thereto) or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender Group Member has advised, is currently advising or will advise any Loan Party, its stockholders
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or its Affiliates on other matters) or any other obligation to any Loan Party except the obligations expressly set forth in the Loan Documents and (y) each Lender Group Member is acting solely as principal and not as the agent or fiduciary of any Loan Party, its management, stockholders, creditors or any other Person. Each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that it has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate and that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto. Each Loan Party agrees that it will not claim that any Lender Group Member has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to such Loan Party, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.
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Schedule 2.01
Tranche B-4 Commitment
TRANCHE B-4 LENDER |
AMOUNT | |||
Bank of America, N.A. |
$ | 1,345,000,000.00 |
Exhibit 99.1
Windstream completes private offering of $700 million 6.375% Senior Notes due 2023
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., January 23, 2013 Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq: WIN) (Windstream) announced today that it has successfully completed its previously announced private offering of $700 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2023.
Windstream intends to use the net proceeds of the offering, together with available cash, if required, to pay the consideration for the tender offer and consent solicitation announced by Windstream on January 8, 2013 to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding $650 million aggregate principal amount of 8.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the PAETEC Notes) issued by PAETEC Holding Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Windstream, together with related fees and expenses. To the extent that holders of less than $650 million in aggregate principal amount of the PAETEC Notes tender their notes, Windstream intends to use the remaining net proceeds of the notes offering, together with available cash, to redeem all of the remaining outstanding PAETEC Notes.
This news release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of Windstream. The senior unsecured notes were sold only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A, and outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The issuance of the senior unsecured notes has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the senior unsecured notes may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.
About Windstream
Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq:WIN) is a leading provider of advanced network communications, including cloud computing and managed services, to businesses nationwide. The company also offers broadband, phone and digital TV services to consumers primarily in rural areas. Windstream has more than $6 billion in annual revenues and is listed on the S&P 500 index.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties that could cause actual future events and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, including with respect to Windstreams ability to complete the tender offer and consent solicitation described in this press release, are based on estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions that Windstream believes are reasonable but are not guarantees of future events and results. Actual future events and results of Windstream may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors, including those described in filings by Windstream with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be found at www.sec.gov.
Investor Relations Contact:
Mary Michaels, 501-748-7578
mary.michaels@windstream.com
Media Relations Contact:
David Avery, 501-748-5876
david.avery@windstream.com
Exhibit 99.2
Windstream refinancing actions lower interest costs and improve debt maturity profile
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Jan. 23, 2013 Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq: WIN) announced today that it had incurred $1.345 billion in term loans under its existing senior secured credit facilities, the proceeds of which were used to repay approximately $300 million of outstanding term loans due in July 2013 and approximately $1.045 billion of outstanding term loans due in December 2015.
Todays debt refinancing lowers our interest costs and significantly reduces our near-term maturities, strengthening our balance sheet and providing further support for our dividend, said Tony Thomas, chief financial officer and treasurer of Windstream.
This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of Windstream.
About Windstream
Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq:WIN) is a leading provider of advanced network communications, including cloud computing and managed services, to businesses nationwide. The company also offers broadband, phone and digital TV services to consumers primarily in rural areas. Windstream has more than $6 billion in annual revenues and is listed on the S&P 500 index.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties that could cause actual future events and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions that Windstream believes are reasonable but are not guarantees of future events and results. Actual future events and results of Windstream may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors, including those described in filings by Windstream with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be found at www.sec.gov.
Media Relations Contact:
David Avery, 501-748-5876
david.avery@windstream.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Mary Michaels, 501-748-7578
mary.michaels@windstream.com
Exhibit 99.3
Windstream announces pricing of its tender offer and consent solicitation for 8.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 issued by PAETEC Holding Corp.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., January 22, 2013 Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq:WIN) (the Company) announced today the pricing of its previously announced tender offer and solicitation of consents for any and all of the outstanding $650 million aggregate principal amount of 8.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 issued by PAETEC Holding Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the Notes).
The Companys Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement (the Offer to Purchase), dated January 8, 2013, more fully describes the terms of the Companys tender offer to purchase any and all of the Notes and the Companys consent solicitation to eliminate or modify certain restrictive covenants and other provisions contained in the indenture governing the Notes and to release all of the collateral securing obligations under the Notes.
As previously announced, holders of Notes who properly tender and do not withdraw their Notes and deliver their consents to the proposed amendments on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 22, 2013, unless extended or earlier terminated (the Early Tender Deadline), will be eligible to receive the total consideration, which includes a consent payment equal to $30.00 per $1,000 principal amount of the tendered Notes.
As set forth in the table below, the total consideration for the Notes was determined utilizing a fixed spread of 50 basis points over the bid-side yield on the 0.375% U.S. Treasury Note due June 30, 2013. The total consideration was determined today at 2:00 p.m., New York City time, based on a yield determined by the Treasury bid-side price reported on the Bloomberg Government Pricing Monitor Page BBT3. The detailed methodology for calculating the total consideration for validly tendered Notes is outlined in the Offer to Purchase, which is available from the Information Agent named below.
CUSIP No. |
Principal
Amount Outstanding |
Security Description |
Fixed
Spread |
Reference Security |
Reference
Security Yield |
Tender
Offer
Consideration (1) |
Consent
Payment (1) |
Total
Consideration (1) |
||||||||||||||||||
695459AD9 |
$ | 650,000,000 |
8.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 |
50 bps |
0.375% U.S. Treasury Note due June 30, 2013 |
0.115 | % | $ | 1,050.17 | $ | 30.00 | $ | 1,080.17 |
(1) | Per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes |
Holders of Notes who properly tender after the Early Tender Deadline but on or prior to the Expiration Date specified below will be eligible to receive the tender offer consideration, which equals the total consideration less the consent payment per $1,000 principal amount of the tendered Notes.
In addition, all Notes accepted for payment will be entitled to receive accrued and unpaid interest in respect of such Notes from the last interest payment date prior to the applicable settlement date to, but not including, the applicable settlement date.
The tender offer will expire at midnight, New York City time, on February 5, 2013, unless extended or earlier terminated (the Expiration Date). Settlement for all Notes tendered on or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and accepted for payment is expected to occur on January 23, 2013, the first business day following the Early Tender Deadline on which all conditions to the tender offer have been satisfied or waived. Settlement for all Notes tendered after the Early Tender Deadline, but on or prior to the Expiration Date, is expected to occur promptly following the Expiration Date.
Consummation of the tender offer, and payment for the tendered notes, is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions described in the Offer to Purchase, including the condition that the Company shall have completed a new debt offering and the Company shall have received sufficient net proceeds therefrom, together with available cash, if required, to fund the tender offer and consent solicitation and any related fees and expenses, the condition that the Company shall have received sufficient consents to effect the proposed amendments to the indenture governing the Notes, and other customary conditions. If any of the conditions are not satisfied, the Company is not obligated to accept for payment, purchase or pay for, and may delay the acceptance for payment of, any tendered Notes and may even terminate the tender offer and consent solicitation. Subject to applicable law, the Company has reserved the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to at any time (i) waive any condition to the tender offer and (ii) amend any of the terms of the tender offer.
Holders may withdraw their tenders and revoke their consents at any time today before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, unless extended.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is acting as sole dealer manager and solicitation agent for the tender offer and the consent solicitation. The Tender Agent and Information Agent is D.F. King & Co., Inc.
Questions regarding the tender offer and consent solicitation should be directed to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC at (866) 309-6316 (toll-free) or (704) 410-4760 (collect). Requests for documentation should be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (800) 290-6426 (toll-free) or (212) 269-5550 (banks and brokers).
This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption under the optional redemption provisions of the indenture governing the Notes, nor does it constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security. The tender offer and consent solicitation is made only by means of the Offer to Purchase and the related letter of transmittal. No offer, solicitation, or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.
About Windstream
Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq:WIN) is a leading provider of advanced network communications, including cloud computing and managed services, to businesses nationwide. The company also offers broadband, phone and digital TV services to consumers primarily in rural areas. Windstream has more than $6 billion in annual revenues and is listed on the S&P 500 index.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties that could cause actual future events and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, including with respect to Windstreams ability to complete the tender offer and consent solicitation described in this press release, are based on estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions that Windstream believes are reasonable but are not guarantees of future events and results. Actual future events and results of Windstream may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors, including those described in filings by Windstream with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be found at www.sec.gov.
Investor Relations Contact:
Mary Michaels, 501-748-7578
mary.michaels@windstream.com
Media Relations Contact:
David Avery, 501-748-5876
david.avery@windstream.com
Exhibit 99.4
Windstream announces early settlement of tender offer and consent solicitation for 8.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 issued by PAETEC Holding Corp.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., January 23, 2013 Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq:WIN) (the Company) announced today the early settlement of its previously announced tender offer and solicitation of consents for any and all of the outstanding $650 million aggregate principal amount of 8.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 issued by PAETEC Holding Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the Notes).
As part of its previously announced tender offer, the Company solicited consents from the holders of the Notes for certain proposed amendments (the Proposed Amendments) that would eliminate or modify certain restrictive covenants and other provisions contained in the indenture governing the Notes (the Indenture) and to release all of the collateral securing obligations under the Notes. Adoption of the Proposed Amendments required consents from holders of a majority (and in certain cases, at least 66 2 / 3 %) in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes. The Company has received the requisite consents in the consent solicitation to execute a supplemental indenture to effect the Proposed Amendments, including the release of the collateral, pursuant to its Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated January 8, 2013 (the Offer to Purchase).
As a result of receiving the requisite consents, the Company entered into a supplemental indenture, dated as of January 23, 2013, to the Indenture to effect the Proposed Amendments, including the release of the collateral. The Proposed Amendments, including the release of the collateral, became effective upon entry into the supplemental indenture.
As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 22, 2013 (the Early Tender Deadline), approximately $583.3 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (representing approximately 89.7% of the outstanding Notes) had been tendered. The Company has exercised its option to accept for payment those Notes that were validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline (the Early Settlement). Such Early Settlement occurred today concurrently with the closing of the Companys private offering of $700 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2023.
Holders of Notes who properly tendered, did not withdraw their Notes and delivered their consents to the Proposed Amendments on or prior to the Consent Expiration Date received the total consideration of $1,080.17 per $1,000 in principal amount of Notes, which included a consent payment equal to $30.00 per $1,000 principal amount of tendered Notes.
The tender offer will expire at midnight, New York City time, on February 5, 2013, unless the tender offer is extended or earlier terminated (the Expiration Date). Under the terms of the tender offer, holders of Notes who properly tender after the Early Tender Deadline but on or prior to the Expiration Date, and whose Notes are accepted for purchase, will be eligible to receive the tender offer consideration of $1,050.17, which equals the total consideration less the consent payment equal to $30.00 per $1,000 principal amount of the tendered Notes. Other than in the limited circumstances set forth in the Offer to Purchase, tenders of Notes may not be withdrawn and consents may not be revoked following the Early Tender Deadline.
In addition, all Notes accepted for payment will be entitled to receive accrued and unpaid interest in respect of such Notes from the last interest payment date prior to the applicable settlement date to, but not including, the applicable settlement date.
The Company intends to call for redemption all of the Notes that remain outstanding following consummation of the tender offer and consent solicitation at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus an applicable premium in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is acting as sole dealer manager and solicitation agent for the tender offer and the consent solicitation. The Tender Agent and Information Agent is D.F. King & Co., Inc.
Questions regarding the tender offer and consent solicitation should be directed to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC at (866) 309-6316 (toll-free) or (704) 410-4760 (collect). Requests for documentation should be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (800) 290-6426 (toll-free) or (212) 269-5550 (banks and brokers).
This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption under the optional redemption provisions of the Indenture, nor does it constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security. The tender offer and consent solicitation is made only by means of the Offer to Purchase and the related letter of transmittal. No offer, solicitation, or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.
About Windstream
Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq:WIN) is a leading provider of advanced network communications, including cloud computing and managed services, to businesses nationwide. The company also offers broadband, phone and digital TV services to consumers primarily in rural areas. Windstream has more than $6 billion in annual revenues and is listed on the S&P 500 index.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties that could cause actual future events and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, including with respect to Windstreams ability to complete the tender offer, consent solicitation and redemption described in this press release, are based on estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions that Windstream believes are reasonable but are not guarantees of future events and results. Actual future events and results of Windstream may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors, including those described in filings by Windstream with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be found at www.sec.gov.
Investor Relations Contact:
Mary Michaels, 501-748-7578
mary.michaels@windstream.com
Media Relations Contact:
David Avery, 501-748-5876
david.avery@windstream.com