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): May 1, 2015

 

 

Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-36690   26-1398293

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1805 29th Street, Suite 2050,

Boulder, CO 80301

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(303) 381-4683

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

Zayo Group, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   333-169979   26-201259

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1805 29th Street, Suite 2050,

Boulder, CO 80301

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(303) 381-4683

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K 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 Material Definitive Agreement.

Amended Credit Agreement

On May 6, 2015, Zayo Group, LLC (the “Company”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”), and Zayo Capital Inc. entered into an Amendment and Restatement Agreement (the “Restatement Agreement”) whereby that certain Credit Agreement dated as of July 2, 2012 and that certain Security Agreement dated July 2, 2012 (together, as amended prior to May 6, 2015, the “Existing Credit Agreement”) were amended and restated in their entirety (together and as amended, the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) in the forms attached to the Restatement Agreement as Annex A and Annex C thereto.

Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the maturity date of all of the Company’s outstanding term loans under its term loan credit facility was extended to May 6, 2021. The interest rate margins applicable to such term loans was decreased by 25 basis points to LIBOR plus 2.75 percent with a minimum LIBOR of 1.0 percent. In addition, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement modified certain terms and provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement, including removing the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio covenant and replacing such covenant with a springing Senior Secured Leverage Ratio maintenance requirement applicable only to the revolving facility, increasing certain lien and debt baskets and removing certain covenants related to collateral.

Other than as described above, the terms of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are not materially different from those in the Existing Credit Agreement.

The foregoing description of the Restatement Agreement and the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full and complete terms contained in the Restatement Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Indenture

On May 6, 2015, the Company and Zayo Capital, Inc., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Zayo Capital” and together with the Company, the “Issuers”), closed a private offering (the “Notes Offering”) exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due 2025 (the “Notes”). The net proceeds from the Notes Offering will be used to repay approximately $344.5 million of the Company’s borrowings under its term loan facility. Any excess net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of other indebtedness, acquisitions, working capital and capital expenditures.

The Issuers issued the Notes under an indenture dated May 6, 2015 (the “Indenture”) among the Issuers, the guarantors party thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”). The terms of the Notes include those set forth in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Notes will bear interest at the rate of 6.375% per year. Interest on the Notes is payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2015. The Notes will mature on May 15, 2025. Before May 15, 2020, the Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest and a “make-whole” premium. At any time on or after May 15, 2020, the Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at the applicable redemption prices set forth in the Indenture, plus accrued interest. In addition, before May 15, 2018, the Issuers may redeem up to 40% of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 106.375% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest, using the proceeds of certain equity offerings.


The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Issuers and their restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and issue preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions with respect to any equity interests, make certain investments or other restricted payments, create liens, sell assets, incur restrictions on the ability of the Issuers’ restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments to the Issuers, consolidate or merge with or into other companies or transfer all or substantially all of their assets, engage in transactions with affiliates, and enter into sale and leaseback transactions. The terms of the Indentures include customary events of default.

The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by all of the Company’s current and future domestic restricted subsidiaries and any other restricted subsidiaries of the Company that guarantee any indebtedness of the Issuers or any guarantor (the “Guarantors”). The Notes and the guarantees thereof (the “Guarantees”) will be the general unsecured obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors and will rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of the Issuers and the Guarantors, rank senior in right of payment to all future indebtedness of the Issuers and the Guarantors that is by its terms expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the applicable Guarantee (if any), be effectively subordinated to the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness, and be structurally subordinated in right of payment to all future indebtedness and other liabilities of future subsidiaries of the Issuers and the Guarantors that do not guarantee the Notes, which will consist only of unrestricted subsidiaries and foreign subsidiaries that do not guarantee any of the Company’s other indebtedness.

The foregoing description of the Notes and the Indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Registration Rights Agreement

On May 6, 2015, the Issuers, the Guarantors and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representative of the initial purchasers of the Notes, entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors agreed to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act with respect to an offer to exchange the Notes (the “Exchange Offer Registration Statement”). Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors will offer to the beneficial owners of Notes who are able to make certain representations the opportunity to exchange their Notes for notes registered under the Securities Act (the “Exchange Notes”) that are substantially identical to the terms of the Notes, except that the transfer restrictions, registration rights and additional interest provisions relating to the Notes will not apply to the Exchange Notes (the “Exchange Offer”). The Issuers and the Guarantors may be required to file a shelf registration statement to cover resales of the Notes under certain circumstances. If the Issuers do not consummate the exchange offer by May 6, 2016 or certain other conditions occur, the Registration Rights Agreement provides that additional interest will be payable on the Notes.

The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and 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 Current Report is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On May 1, 2105, the Company issued press releases announcing the commencement of and the pricing of the Notes Offering. Copies of these press releases are filed as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

On May 6, 2015 the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the Notes Offering. A copy of this press release is filed as Exhibit 99.3 and is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  4.1    Indenture, dated as of May 6, 2015, among Zayo Group, LLC, Zayo Capital, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as trustee.
10.1    Amendment and Restatement Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2015, by and among Zayo Group, LLC, Zayo Capital, Inc., the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent for the term loan facility, and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent for the revolving loan facility.
10.2    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2015, among Zayo Group, LLC, Zayo Capital, Inc., the guarantors party thereto, and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers.
99.1    Press Release dated May 1, 2015.
99.2    Press Release dated May 1, 2015.
99.3    Press Release dated May 6, 2015.

The information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the Securities Act of 1933, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filings.

Portions of this report may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined by federal law. Although the registrants believe any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in the registrants’ performance is contained in their respective filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The registrants undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Investors should take into consideration those risks and uncertainties discussed in Holdings’ final prospectus filed with the SEC on March 13, 2015, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2014, and each registrant’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, including but not limited to those under the heading “Risk Factors” to the extent each heading is included therein.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.
By: /s/ Ken desGarennes
Name: Ken desGarennes
Title: Chief Financial Officer

DATED: May 7, 2015

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Zayo Group, LLC
By: /s/ Ken desGarennes
Name: Ken desGarennes
Title: Chief Financial Officer

DATED: May 7, 2015


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  4.1    Indenture, dated as of May 6, 2015, among Zayo Group, LLC, Zayo Capital, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as trustee.
10.1    Amendment and Restatement Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2015, by and among Zayo Group, LLC, Zayo Capital, Inc., the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent for the term loan facility, and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent for the revolving loan facility.
10.2    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2015, among Zayo Group, LLC, Zayo Capital, Inc., the guarantors party thereto, and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers.
99.1    Press Release dated May 1, 2015.
99.2    Press Release dated May 1, 2015.
99.3    Press Release dated May 6, 2015.

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of May 6, 2015

between

ZAYO GROUP, LLC

ZAYO CAPITAL, INC.

The GUARANTORS party hereto

and

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

as Trustee

6.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2025

 

 

 


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)

   2.05

(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)

   12.02; 12.05

(c)(1)

   12.04

(c)(2)

   12.04

(c)(3)

   N.A.

(e)

   12.05

(f)

   N.A.

  315(a)

   7.01

(b)

   7.05; 12.02

(c)

   7.01

(d)

   7.01

(e)

   6.14

  316(a)(last sentence)

   2.09

(a)(1)(A)

   6.05

(a)(1)(B)

   6.04

(a)(2)

   N.A.

(b)

   6.07

(c)

   2.12; 9.04

  317(a)(1)

   6.08

(a)(2)

   6.12

(b)

   2.04

  318(a)

   12.01

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   12.01

 

N.A. means not applicable.
* This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.


Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01

Definitions   1   

Section 1.02

Other Definitions   25   

Section 1.03

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act   26   

Section 1.04

Rules of Construction   26   

Section 1.05

Acts of Holders   27   
ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES

Section 2.01

Form and Dating; Terms   28   

Section 2.02

Execution and Authentication   29   

Section 2.03

Registrar and Paying Agent   30   

Section 2.04

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust   30   

Section 2.05

Holder Lists   30   

Section 2.06

Transfer and Exchange   31   

Section 2.07

Replacement Notes   43   

Section 2.08

Outstanding Notes   43   

Section 2.09

Treasury Notes   43   

Section 2.10

Temporary Notes   44   

Section 2.11

Cancellation   44   

Section 2.12

Defaulted Interest   44   

Section 2.13

CUSIP and ISIN Numbers   45   
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION

Section 3.01

Notices to Trustee   45   

Section 3.02

Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased   45   

Section 3.03

Notice of Redemption   45   

Section 3.04

Effect of Notice of Redemption   46   

Section 3.05

Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price   47   

Section 3.06

Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part   47   

Section 3.07

Optional Redemption   47   

Section 3.08

Mandatory Redemption   48   
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS

Section 4.01

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest   48   

Section 4.02

Corporate Existence   48   

Section 4.03

Limitation on Indebtedness   48   

Section 4.04

Limitation on Restricted Payments   51   


Section 4.05 Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates   55   

Section 4.06

Limitation on Liens   56   

Section 4.07

Limitation on Sale of Assets   56   

Section 4.08

Future Subsidiary Note Guarantees   57   

Section 4.09

Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control   58   

Section 4.10

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions   58   

Section 4.11

Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries   59   

Section 4.12

Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries   60   

Section 4.13

Business Activities   62   

Section 4.14

Payments for Consent   62   

Section 4.15

Provision of Financial Information   62   

Section 4.16

Statement by Officers as to Default   63   

Section 4.17

Suspension of Certain Covenants   63   
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01

Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets   64   

Section 5.02

Successor Substituted   66   
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01

Events of Default   66   

Section 6.02

Acceleration   68   

Section 6.03

Other Remedies   68   

Section 6.04

Waiver of Past Defaults   68   

Section 6.05

Control by Majority   69   

Section 6.06

Limitation on Suits   69   

Section 6.07

Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment   69   

Section 6.08

Collection Suit by Trustee   69   

Section 6.09

Restoration of Rights and Remedies   69   

Section 6.10

Rights and Remedies Cumulative   70   

Section 6.11

Delay or Omission Not Waiver   70   

Section 6.12

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim   70   

Section 6.13

Priorities   70   

Section 6.14

Undertaking for Costs   71   
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE

Section 7.01

Duties of Trustee   71   

Section 7.02

Rights of Trustee   72   

Section 7.03

Individual Rights of Trustee   74   

Section 7.04

Trustee’s Disclaimer   74   

Section 7.05

Notice of Defaults   74   

Section 7.06

Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes   74   


Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity   74   

Section 7.08

Replacement of Trustee   75   

Section 7.09

Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc   76   

Section 7.10

Eligibility; Disqualification   76   

Section 7.11

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company   76   
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance   77   

Section 8.02

Legal Defeasance and Discharge   77   

Section 8.03

Covenant Defeasance   77   

Section 8.04

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance   78   

Section 8.05

Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions   79   

Section 8.06

Repayment to the Issuers   80   

Section 8.07

Reinstatement   80   
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01

Without Consent of Holders of Notes   80   

Section 9.02

With Consent of Holders of Notes   81   

Section 9.03

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act   82   

Section 9.04

Effect of Consents   82   

Section 9.05

Notation on or Exchange of Notes   82   

Section 9.06

Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc   83   
ARTICLE 10
GUARANTEES

Section 10.01

Guarantee   83   

Section 10.02

Limitation on Guarantor Liability   85   

Section 10.03

[Reserved]   85   

Section 10.04

Subrogation   85   

Section 10.05

Benefits Acknowledged   85   

Section 10.06

Release of Guarantees   85   
ARTICLE 11
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01

Satisfaction and Discharge   86   

Section 11.02

Application of Trust Money   87   


ARTICLE 12

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01

Trust Indenture Act Controls   87   

Section 12.02

Notices   88   

Section 12.03

Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes   88   

Section 12.04

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent   89   

Section 12.05

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion   89   

Section 12.06

Rules by Trustee and Agents   89   

Section 12.07

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders   89   

Section 12.08

Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial   89   

Section 12.09

Force Majeure   90   

Section 12.10

Successors   90   

Section 12.11

Severability   90   

Section 12.12

Counterpart Originals   90   

Section 12.13

Table of Contents, Headings, Etc   90   

Section 12.14

Qualification of Indenture   91   

Section 12.15

USA Patriot Act   91   

Section 12.16

Tax Withholding   91   

Exhibits

Exhibit A Form of Notes

Exhibit B Form of Certificate of Transfer

Exhibit C Form of Certificate of Exchange

Exhibit D Form of Supplemental Indenture to be Delivered by Subsequent Guarantors


INDENTURE, dated as of May 6, 2015, among Zayo Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), Zayo Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Co-Issuer,” and together with the Company, the “Issuers”), the guarantors party hereto (the “ Guarantors ”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as Trustee.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers have duly authorized the creation of an issue of $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “ Initial Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Notes will be guaranteed by all of the current Domestic Subsidiaries of the Company, any future Domestic Subsidiary that is not designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, and any other Restricted Subsidiaries that guarantee any indebtedness of the Issuers or any Guarantor;

WHEREAS, the Issuers have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture;

WHEREAS, all things necessary (i) to make the Initial Notes, when executed by the Issuers and authenticated and delivered hereunder and duly issued by the Issuers, the valid obligations of the Issuers, and (ii) to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuers in accordance with its respective terms, have been done; and

NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuers and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions .

144A Global Note ” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, 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 will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount 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 registration additional interest owing on the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Additional Notes ” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes and other than Exchange Notes issued in exchange for such Initial Notes) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.01, 4.03 and 4.06, it being understood that any Notes issued in exchange for or replacement of any Initial Notes shall not be Additional Notes.

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means (1) any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person or (2) any


executive officer or director of such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means 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; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. The terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” will have correlative meanings.

Agent ” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

Applicable Premium ” means, with respect to a Note 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 redemption price of such Note at May 15, 2020 (as described in Section 3.07), plus (2) all remaining required interest payments due on such Note through May 15, 2020 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the date of redemption), discounted to present value 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/or Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

Asset Sale ” means:

(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition (each, a “ Transfer ”) of any assets; and

(2) the issuance of Equity Interests by any Restricted Subsidiary or the Transfer by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary 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 will 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 $30 million;

(2) a Transfer of assets that is governed by Section 4.09 or Section 5.01;

(3) a Transfer of assets or Equity Interests between or among the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(4) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary;

(5) a Transfer of any assets in the ordinary course of business, including the transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition of optical fiber owned by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their business; provided that no such fiber asset sale shall, individually or in the aggregate with all other fiber asset sales, impede the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from conducting their businesses as conducted as of the date hereof and as described in the Offering Memorandum (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution);

(6) a Transfer of Cash Equivalents;

 

-2-


(7) a Transfer of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings;

(8) a Transfer that constitutes a Restricted Payment that is permitted under Section 4.04 or a Permitted Investment;

(9) a Transfer of any property or equipment that has become damaged, worn out or obsolete or any property, equipment or other asset that, in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is not used or useful in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be;

(10) the creation of a Lien not prohibited by this Indenture (but not the sale of property subject to a Lien);

(11) a grant of a license to use the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s patents, trade secrets, know-how or other intellectual property to the extent that such license does not limit the licensor’s use of the patent, trade secret, know-how or other intellectual property; and

(12) any disposition of Designated Noncash Consideration; provided that such disposition increases the amount of Net Available Cash received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the Asset Sale that resulted in such Designated Noncash Consideration.

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.

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978 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” 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 correlative meanings.

Board of Directors ” means:

(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or, except in the context of the definition of “Change of Control,” 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.

 

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Board Resolution ” means a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuers to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Issuers and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day ” means any day other than 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.

Capital Lease Obligation ” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; and the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby at any time shall be the amount of the liability in respect thereof that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

Capital Stock ” of any Person means any and all shares, interests (including general or limited partnership interests, limited liability company or membership interests or limited liability partnership interests), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock.

Cash Equivalents ” means:

(1) United States dollars and such local currencies held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

(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 six months from the date of acquisition;

(3) certificates of deposit and time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months, and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state, commonwealth or territory thereof 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 Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or A-1 or better from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services;

(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days 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 having the highest rating obtainable from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and in each case maturing within six months 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 Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and having maturities of not more than six months 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.

 

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Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Permitted Holders or an entity of which the Permitted Holders are the Beneficial Owners, directly or indirectly, of a majority in the aggregate of the voting power of the Voting Stock, on a fully diluted basis;

(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(3) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than the Permitted Holders, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company.

Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme.

Co-Issuer ” means Zayo Capital, Inc.

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.

Communications Act ” means, collectively, the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and as further amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, CFR Title 47 and the rules, regulations and decisions of the FCC, in each case, as from time to time in effect.

Company ” means Zayo Group, LLC.

Consolidated Cash Flow ” means, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period plus:

(1) provision for taxes based on income or profits of the Company and the 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 the Company and the 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) 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 Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

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(4) restructuring charges and severance costs and charges or expenses attributed to any actual or proposed acquisitions or joint ventures, equity offerings, issuance and retirement of debt and divestitures of assets; minus

(5) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business;

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 a Restricted Subsidiary, and the Fixed Charges of and the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses of a Restricted Subsidiary, will 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 prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained), and without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter or any agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that Subsidiary or its stockholders.

Consolidated Leverage Ratio ” as of any date of determination means the ratio of (x) the aggregate amount of consolidated Indebtedness (or, in the case of Indebtedness issued at less than its principal amount at maturity, the accreted value thereof) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination to (y) Consolidated Cash Flow for the most recent quarter for which internal financial statements are available preceding such date of determination (the “Reference Period”), multiplied by four; provided that:

(1) if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness, the amount of such Indebtedness shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness;

(2) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness that was outstanding as of the end of the Reference Period, or if any Indebtedness is to be repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged on the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Leverage Ratio (other than, in each case, Indebtedness Incurred under any revolving credit agreement), the aggregate amount of Indebtedness shall be calculated on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to such repayment, repurchase, defeasement or discharge;

(3) if since the beginning of the Reference Period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Sale, the Consolidated Cash Flow for the Reference Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Cash Flow (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Asset Sale for the Reference Period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated Cash Flow (if negative) directly attributable thereto for the Reference Period;

(4) if since the beginning of the Reference Period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or other acquisition of assets which constitutes all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business, Consolidated Cash Flow for the Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of the Reference Period; and

 

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(5) if since the beginning of the Reference Period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such Reference Period) shall have made any Asset Sale, any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (3) or (4) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during the Reference Period, Consolidated Cash Flow for the Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Asset Sale, Investment or acquisition had occurred on the first day of the Reference Period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an acquisition or disposition of assets, such pro forma calculation shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable determination of the Company, as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, to reflect (i) cost savings initiatives or cost savings synergies reasonably expected to result from any acquisition or disposition and additional costs associated with such combination or divestiture not to exceed in the aggregate 20.0% of Consolidated Cash Flow for the Reference Period multiplied by four and (ii) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote 2 to the “Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Information” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to the relevant four quarter period; provided that (x) such cost savings initiatives or cost savings synergies and additional costs associated with such combination or divestiture are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and (y) such actions are reasonably expected to be taken no later than twelve months after the relevant transaction.

For purposes of this definition, in calculating the Consolidated Cash Flow and the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, the Consolidated Cash Flow and Indebtedness attributable to discontinued operations will be excluded.

If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement with respect to exposure to interest rates applicable to such Indebtedness if such interest rate agreement has a remaining term in excess of twelve months).

If any Indebtedness is Incurred under a revolving credit facility and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated based on the average daily balance of such Indebtedness for the four quarters subject to the pro forma calculation to the extent such Indebtedness was Incurred solely for working capital purposes.

Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the aggregate of the net income (loss) of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that:

(1) the net income (loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted 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 the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(2) the net income (but not the net loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary will 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 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 Restricted Subsidiary or its equityholders;

 

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(3) the net income (loss) of any Person acquired during the specified period for any period prior to the date of such acquisition will be excluded;

(4) 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 the Company; or (b) the disposition of any securities by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, will be excluded;

(5) any extraordinary gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain or loss, will be excluded;

(6) any non-cash compensation expense realized for grants of performance shares, stock options or other rights to officers, directors and employees of the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded; provided that such shares, options or other rights can be redeemed at the option of the holder only for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock of the Company); and

(7) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded.

Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the aggregate amount of consolidated Indebtedness (or in the case of Indebtedness issued at less than its principal amount at maturity, the accreted value thereof) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by Liens, as of the date of such determination, to (b) Consolidated Cash Flow for the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are available preceding such date of determination, multiplied by four, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to such total consolidated Indebtedness and Consolidated Cash Flow as are consistent with the adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Consolidated Leverage Ratio.

Consolidated Total Assets ” as of any date of determination, means the total amount of assets which would appear on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, and after giving effect to the acquisition or disposal of any property or assets consummated on or prior to such date.

Credit Facilities ” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, made by and among the Issuers, as borrowers, the Guarantors party thereto, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as authorized representative for the Credit Facility Lenders and as administrative agent for the Term Loan Facility, SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent for the Revolving Credit Facility, and issuing bank and SunTrust Bank as collateral agent, and the other Lenders party thereto, including any related notes, Guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced, increased or refinanced from time to time, regardless of whether such amendment, restatement, modification, renewal, refunding, replacement or refinancing is with the same financial institutions or otherwise, whether pursuant to the same agreement or one or more replacement or additional agreements, including in the form of notes.

Credit Facility Lenders ” means the financial institutions and other Persons from time to time parties to the Credit Facilities as lenders.

 

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Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 400 South Hope Street, Suite 400, Los Angeles, California 90071 Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

Covenant Suspension ” means, during any period of time following the issuance of the Notes, that (i) the Notes have achieved an Investment Grade Rating, and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture.

Custodian ” means the Paying Agent and Registrar, 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 Section 2.06(c), (e) or (f), substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, 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 2.03 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.

Disinterested Member ” means, with respect to any transaction or series of related transactions, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors who does not have any material direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such transaction or series of related transactions and is not an Affiliate, or an officer, director, member of a supervisory, executive, or management board, or employee of any Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) who has any direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such transaction or series of related transactions.

Disqualified Stock ” means any Capital Stock that (i) by its terms, (ii) by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable, or (iii) by contract or otherwise, is, or upon the happening of any event or passage of time would be, required to be redeemed on or prior to the date that is 180 days after the date on which the Notes mature, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in any such case on or prior to such date. 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 will not constitute Disqualified Stock if (i) the “asset sale” or “change of control” provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are no more favorable to the holders of such Capital Stock than the covenants set forth under Section 4.07 and Section 4.09 and (ii) such Capital Stock specifically provides that such Person will not repurchase or redeem any such stock pursuant to such provision prior to the Company’s

 

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repurchase of such Notes as are required to be repurchased pursuant to covenants set forth under Section 4.07 and Section 4.09. 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 are required to be redeemed, prior to the date that is one year after the date on which the Notes mature.

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary 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).

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 sale or private placement of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or a direct or indirect parent of the Company to the extent the proceeds thereof are contributed to the Company (other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any employee benefit plan of the Company) to any Person other than any Subsidiary thereof.

Euroclear ” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.

Exchange Notes ” means any notes issued in exchange for the Notes pursuant to Section 2.06(f).

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 amount of Indebtedness of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities or under the Notes and the related Note Guarantees) in existence on the Issue Date after giving effect to the issuance of the Notes and the application of the proceeds of the Notes therefrom.

Fair Market Value ” means the price that would be paid in an arm’s-length transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination will be conclusive if evidenced by a Board Resolution.

FCC ” means the Federal Communications Commission or successor agency.

Fixed Charges ” means, for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) the consolidated interest expense of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any

 

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deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, 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; plus

(2) to the extent not included within (1) of this definition of Fixed Charges, the consolidated interest of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

(3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by the Company or one of the Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(4) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, 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 the issuer of such Disqualified or Preferred Stock, expressed as a decimal;

in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary other than a Domestic Subsidiary.

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, in 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 are in effect on the Issue Date.

Global Note Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(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 hereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b), 2.06(d), 2.06(f) or 2.06(j).

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, but excluding endorsements for collection or deposit in the normal course of business.

Guarantors ” means:

(1) the Initial Guarantors; and

 

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(2) any other subsidiary 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) any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement;

(2) any commodity forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement; or

(3) any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.

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 (the terms “ Incurrence ” and “ Incurred ” have correlative meanings); provided that (1) any Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary 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 or 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) will be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any specified Person, whether or not contingent:

(1) all indebtedness of such Person in respect of borrowed money;

(2) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments;

(3) all obligations of such Person in respect of banker’s acceptances, letters of credit or similar instruments (or reimbursement obligations in respect thereof);

(4) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;

(5) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred and unpaid balance of the purchase price of any property or services, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable;

(6) all Hedging Obligations of such Person;

 

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(7) all Disqualified Stock issued by such Person, valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and its maximum fixed repurchase price plus accrued dividends;

(8) all Preferred Stock issued by a Subsidiary of such Person, valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and its maximum fixed repurchase price plus accrued dividends;

(9) 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); provided that the amount of such Indebtedness will 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

(10) to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

For purposes hereof, the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase price will 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 will be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture. 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. The amount of any Indebtedness described in clauses (1) and (2) above 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.

For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness, (x) Guarantees, Liens or obligations with respect to letters of credit supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included, and (y) any Liens granted pursuant to the equal and ratable provisions in Section 4.06 shall not be treated as 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 Guarantors ” means all of the Domestic Subsidiaries of the Company as of the Issue Date.

Initial Notes ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Initial Purchasers ” means Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.

Interest Payment Date ” means May 15 and November 15 of each year to Maturity.

 

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Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P or an equivalent rating by another Rating Agency.

Investments ” in any Person means all direct or indirect investments in such Person 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 issued by such Person, 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 Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will 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 Restricted Subsidiary of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will 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 unless such Investment in such third party was not made in anticipation or contemplation of the Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and such third party Investment is incidental to the primary business of such Person in whom the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is making such Investment.

Issue Date ” means the first date Notes are issued under this Indenture.

Issuers ” means collectively, the Company and the Co-Issuer.

Letter of Transmittal ” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Issuers 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 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.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Net Available Cash ” means the aggregate proceeds, including payments in respect of deferred payment obligations (to the extent corresponding to the principal, but not the interest component, thereof), received in Cash Equivalents by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any Cash Equivalents 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, including, without limitation, legal, accounting, investment banking, and brokerage fees, 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 relating to such Asset Sale, (3) in the case of any Asset Sale by a Restricted Subsidiary, 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) to the extent that such payment is required to permit the distribution of such proceeds in respect of the Equity Interests in such Restricted

 

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Subsidiary held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and (4) appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or the 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 (4) no longer so held, will, in the case of each of subclause (a) and (b), at that time become Net Available Cash.

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 any Note authenticated and delivered under this Indenture including Initial Notes, Exchange Notes and any Additional Notes.

Obligations ” with respect to any Indebtedness means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing such Indebtedness.

Offer to Purchase ” means an offer by the Issuers to purchase Notes from the Holders commenced by delivering a notice to the Trustee and each Holder stating:

(1) the provision of this Indenture pursuant to which the offer is being made and that all Notes validly tendered will be accepted for payment on a pro rata basis;

(2) the purchase price and the date of purchase, which shall be a Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “ Payment Date ”);

(3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest pursuant to its terms;

(4) that, unless the Issuers default in the payment of the purchase price, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to Purchase shall cease to accrue interest on and after the Payment Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender the Note, together with the completed form entitled “Option of the Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse side of the Note completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Payment Date;

(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the third Business Day immediately preceding the Payment Date, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Notes purchased; and

(7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered; provided that each Note purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

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On the Payment Date, the Company shall (a) accept for payment on a pro rata basis Notes or portions thereof (and, in the case of an Offer to Purchase made pursuant to Section 4.07, any other Pari Passu Debt included in such Offer to Purchase) tendered pursuant to an Offer to Purchase; (b) deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Notes or portions thereof so accepted; and (c) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee all Notes or portions thereof so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate specifying the Notes or portions thereof accepted for payment by the Company. The Paying Agent shall promptly deliver to the Holders of Notes so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to such Holders a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered; provided that each Note purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of an Offer to Purchase as soon as practicable after the Payment Date. The Trustee shall act as the “Paying Agent” for an Offer to Purchase. The Company will comply with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder, to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable, in the event that the Company is required to repurchase Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture relating to an Offer to Purchase, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under such provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such conflict.

Offering Memorandum ” means the offering memorandum, dated May 1, 2015, relating to the sale of the Initial Notes.

Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice President of such Person.

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuers by at least two Officers of each Issuer, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of each Issuer, that meets the requirements of this Indenture.

Opinion of Counsel ” means an opinion from legal counsel that is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee (who may be counsel to or an employee of the Issuers) and that meets the requirements of this Indenture.

Parent ” means Zayo Group Holdings Inc., and any other direct or indirect parent company of the Company.

Pari Passu Debt ” means (a) any Indebtedness of the Issuers that ranks equally in right of payment with the Notes or (b) any Indebtedness of a Guarantor that ranks equally in right of payment with such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee.

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).

 

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Permitted Additional Secured Obligations ” means any obligation under any Indebtedness secured by Liens; as of the date of Incurrence of such Permitted Additional Secured, after giving effect thereto and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be no greater than 4.50 to 1.00.

Permitted Business ” means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted (as described in the Offering Memorandum) by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, and other businesses reasonably related or ancillary thereto.

Permitted Holders ” means any of Battery Venture, Bear Equity LLC, Bear Investments LLP, Centennial Ventures, Charlesbank Capital Partners, Chestnut Venture Partners, Columbia Capital, GTCR LLC, M/C Venture Partners, Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners, Oak Investment Partners ESU Investments LLC, Tablerock Investments, VP Holdings and any Affiliate thereof.

Permitted Investments ” means:

(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary provided that any investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary shall be reasonably related to the operations of such Restricted Subsidiary;

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(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 4.07;

(5) Hedging Obligations that are designed solely to protect the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates, commodity prices or foreign currency exchange rates (or to reverse or amend any such agreements previously made for such purposes), and not for speculative purposes, and that do not increase the Indebtedness of the obligor outstanding at any time other than as a result of fluctuations in interest rates, commodity prices or foreign currency exchange rates or by reason of fees, indemnifies and compensation payable thereunder;

(6) (i) stock, obligations or securities received in satisfaction of judgments, foreclosure of Liens or settlement of Indebtedness and (ii) any Investments received in compromise of obligations of any trade creditor or customer that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any such Person;

(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 the Restricted Subsidiaries and endorsements for collection or deposit arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(8) commission, payroll, travel and similar advances to officers and employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that are expected at the time of such advance ultimately to be recorded as an expense in conformity with GAAP;

(9) Investments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate amount at the time of such Investment not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, the greater of (x) $250 million or (y) 5% of Consolidated Total Assets;

(10) lease, utility and other similar deposits in the ordinary course of business;

(11) Investments existing on the Issue Date; and

(12) other Investments in any Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture 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 the Issue Date, not to exceed the greater of (x) $250 million or (y) 5% of Consolidated Total Assets.

Permitted Liens ” means:

(1) Liens on the assets of any Issuer and any Guarantor securing Indebtedness Incurred under Section 4.03(b)(1) (including Liens securing Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities); provided that any such Lien securing Indebtedness in the form of notes shall not be subordinated to any other Liens permitted by this clause (1);

(2) Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a 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; 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 of a Person existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; 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) [Reserved]

(6) Liens existing on the Issue Date (other than any Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred under Section 4.03(b)(1));

(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) Liens on property or assets securing Indebtedness used to defease or to satisfy and discharge the Notes; provided that (a) the Incurrence of such Indebtedness was not prohibited by this Indenture and (b) such defeasance or satisfaction and discharge is not prohibited by this Indenture;

 

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(9) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.03(b)(4); provided that any such Lien (i) covers only the assets acquired, constructed or improved with such Indebtedness and (ii) is created within 180 days of such acquisition, construction or improvement;

(10) Liens on Cash Equivalents securing Hedging Obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (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;

(11) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security obligations;

(12) Lien, 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;

(13) 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 the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(14) 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;

(15) 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;

(16) 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;

(17) 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 and Leaseback Transaction);

(18) 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;

(19) Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding operating leases or consignments;

(20) Liens of franchisors in the ordinary course of business not securing Indebtedness;

 

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(21) Liens on assets of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors securing Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred under Section 4.03;

(22) Liens securing Permitted Additional Secured Obligations;

(23) Liens incidental to the conduct of the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s business or the ownership of its property and assets not securing any Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s (as the case may be) assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its business; and

(24) Other liens in an amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $100 million and (ii) 2.0% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company.

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issued in exchange for, or the net cash proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or to any Subsidiary of the Company); 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 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 Debt, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ranks equally in right of payment with, or is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes or such Note Guarantees; and

(5) such Indebtedness is Incurred by either (a) the Restricted Subsidiary that is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded or (b) the Company or a Guarantor.

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, or government or other entity.

 

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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 2.06(g)(i) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

QIB ” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

Rating Agencies ” means Moody’s and S&P or if Moody’s or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Board of Directors) which shall be substituted for Moody’s or S&P or both, as the case may be.

Receivables Facility ” means one or more receivables financing facilities or arrangements, as amended or modified from time to time, pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary sells (including a sale in exchange for a promissory note or Capital Stock of a Receivables Subsidiary) its accounts receivable to a Receivables Subsidiary or a Receivables Subsidiary sells accounts receivables to any other Person; provided such transaction is on market terms at the time the Company or such Subsidiary enters into such transaction.

Receivables Subsidiary ” means a Subsidiary of the Company which engages in no activities other than those reasonably related to or in connection with the entering into of receivables securitization transactions and which is designated by the Board of Directors (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary and;

(1) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which:

(A) is guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (excluding Guarantees (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings);

(B) is recourse to or obligates the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings; or

(C) subjects any property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;

(2) with which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Company, other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing accounts receivable of such entity; and

(3) to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings. Any designation of a Subsidiary as a Receivable Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors giving effect to the designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by the Notes Indenture.

 

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Record Date ” for the interest or Additional Interest, if any, payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means the May 1 or November 1 (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Redemption Date ” when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed pursuant to any provision in this Indenture means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to this Indenture.

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 Issuers the Guarantors, and the Initial Purchasers and (2) with respect to any Additional Notes, any registration rights agreement among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto relating to the registration by the Issuers and the Guarantors of such Additional Notes under the Securities Act.

Regulation S ” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Global Note ” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note or a Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as appropriate.

Regulation S Permanent Global Note ” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, 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 of the Notes sold in reliance on Regulation S.

Regulation S Temporary Global Note ” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A-2 , bearing the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Temporary Global Note 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 of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(iii) to be placed on the Regulation S Temporary Global Note.

Replacement Assets ” means (1) non-current assets that will be used or useful in a Permitted Business, (2) substantially all the assets of a Permitted Business, or (3) a majority of the Voting Stock of any Person engaged in a Permitted Business that will become on the date of acquisition thereof a Restricted Subsidiary.

Responsible Officer ” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s 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.

 

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Restricted Global Note ” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Period ” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

Restricted Subsidiary ” of a Person means any Subsidiary of such Person (or if no such Person is specified, the Company) that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Reversion Date ” means, during any period of time during which the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, 4.11 and 5.01(a)(3) (collectively, the “ Suspended Covenants ”) as a result of a Covenant Suspension, the date on which the Notes cease to have an Investment Grade rating or a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing, and after which date the Suspended Covenants will thereafter be reinstated as if such covenants had never been suspended and such Suspended Covenants will be applicable pursuant to the terms of this Indenture (including in connection with performing any calculation or assessment to determine compliance with the terms of this Indenture).

Revolving Credit Facility ” means the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facilities.

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 & Poor’s Rating Services.

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, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.

Shelf Registration Statement ” means the Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Significant Subsidiary ” means (a) with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary that would constitute a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Article 1 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, and (b) in addition, with respect to the Company, Zayo Capital, Inc.

Standard Securitization Undertakings ” means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that are reasonably customary in receivables financing facilities, including, without limitation, servicing of the obligations thereunder.

 

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State PUC ” means any state regulatory agency or body that exercises jurisdiction over the rates or services or the ownership, construction or operation of any intrastate network facility or telecommunications systems or over Persons who own, construct or operate an intrastate network facility or telecommunications systems, 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 a Person conducting business in such state.

Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such installment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and will 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.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) a corporation a majority of whose Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person, one or more Subsidiaries thereof, or such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof; and

(2) any other Person (other than a corporation), including, without limitation, a partnership, limited liability company, business trust or joint venture, in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries thereof, or such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof, has at least majority ownership interest entitled to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof (or other Person performing similar functions).

Term Loan Facility ” means the term loan facility under the Credit Facilities.

Transfer Agent ” means the Person specified in Section 2.03 as the Transfer Agent, and any and all successors thereto, to receive on behalf of the Registrar any Notes or Exchange Notes for transfer or exchange pursuant to this Indenture.

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 May 15, 2020; provided that if the then-remaining term of the Notes from the redemption date to May 15, 2020, is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate will 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 May 15, 2020, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or any successor statute.

Trustee ” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as trustee, until a successor replaces it in accordance with Section 7.08 and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

Unrestricted Definitive Note ” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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Unrestricted Global Note ” means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

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 4.12, and any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary.

U.S. Dollar Equivalent ” means with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars, at any time for determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as published in The Wall Street Journal in the “Exchange Rates” column under the heading “Currency Trading” on the date two Business Days prior to such determination.

U.S. Person ” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.

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 will 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

“Affiliate Transaction”

   4.05

“Authentication Order”

   2.02

“Change of Control Offer”

   4.09

“Covenant Defeasance”

   8.03

“DTC”

   2.03

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Excess Proceeds”

   4.07

“Legal Defeasance”

   8.02

“Note Register”

   2.03

“offshore transaction”

   2.06

“Paying Agent”

   2.03

“Payment Default”

   6.01

“Permitted Indebtedness”

   4.03

“Registrar”

   2.03

“Restricted Payment”

   4.04

“Suspension Period”

   4.19

 

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Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

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 Trust Indenture Act , defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule under the Trust Indenture Act 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;

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(e) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(f) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(g) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time;

(h) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or “clause” refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

(i) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause or other subdivision; and

(j) “including” means “including without limitation.”

 

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Section 1.05 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 Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuers. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuers, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.

(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 the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. 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 that the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Issuers in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

(e) The Issuers may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Issuers prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation.

(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so 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. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

(g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including DTC, that is the Holder of a Global Note may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and DTC, as the Holder of a Global Note, may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.

 

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(h) The Issuers may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by DTC entitled under the procedures of such depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating; Terms .

(a) General . The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued in fully registered form without interest coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

(b) Global Notes . Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (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 in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of 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 applicable, 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 the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06.

Following the termination of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note will be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the authentication of the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, the Trustee will, at the written direction of the Company, cancel the Regulation S Temporary Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Note 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.

(c) Terms . The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuers, 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.

 

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The Notes shall be subject to repurchase by the Issuers pursuant to an offer as provided in Section 4.07 or a Change of Control Offer as provided in Section 4.09. The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3.

Additional Notes ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Issuers without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise (other than with respect to the purchase price thereof and the date from which the interest accrues) as the Initial Notes; provided that the Issuers’ ability to issue Additional Notes shall be subject to the Issuers’ compliance with Section 4.03. The Notes and any Additional Notes shall be substantially identical other than the issuance dates, offering price, transfer restrictions and, if applicable, the date from which interest shall accrue. Except as described under Article 9, the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under this Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase, and shall vote together with any Exchange Notes. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Notes” for all purposes of this Indenture include any Additional Notes that are actually issued.

(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 Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication .

At least one Officer shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Issuers 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 entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form provided for in Exhibit A attached hereto, by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of the Issuers’ order (an “ Authentication Order ”), authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall upon receipt of an Authentication Order authenticate and deliver any (i) Additional Notes and (ii) Exchange Notes or private exchange notes for issue only in an Exchange Offer or a private exchange, respectively, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, for a like principal amount of Initial Notes. Such Authentication Order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated and, in the case of any issuance of Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.03.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuers 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 Issuers.

 

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Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent .

The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“ Registrar ”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”), including an office or agency for such purposes, which shall initially be the corporate trust office of the Trustee. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“ Note Register ”) and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers 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 Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuers fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and any presentation may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. Either Issuer or any of their Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Issuers initially appoint The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee to act as the Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Notes and the Registrar to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

The Issuers 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, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee, in writing, of any default by the Issuers 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 Issuers 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 an Issuer or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If an Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuers, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05 Holder Lists .

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee at least two 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 Issuers shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a).

 

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Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange .

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note unless (i) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in each case, the Issuers fail to appoint a successor Depositary, (ii) the Issuers at their option, notify the Trustee in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes or (iii) there will 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 delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in (i), (ii) or (iii) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(c), (e) or (f). A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided , however , beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Sections 2.06(b), (c), (f) and (j).

(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 Regulation S Temporary 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 2.06(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 2.06(b)(i), 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 ex-

 

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change 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 Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903; provided , further , that in no event shall a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note be credited, or an Unrestricted Definitive Note be issued, to a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers. Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.06(f), the requirements of this Section 2.06(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 of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h).

(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 2.06(b)(ii) and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee will 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 hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; or

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note or the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, 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 2.06(b)(ii) 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 that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(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 broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(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 substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

 

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(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 hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar 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; or

(E) such transfer is effected pursuant to an automatic exchange in accordance with Section 2.06(j) of this Indenture.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B), (D) or (E) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, 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), (D) or (E) 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 the occurrence of any of the events in paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.06(a) and 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 substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

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(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof;

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h), and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(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 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend, as applicable, and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes . Notwithstanding Sections 2.06(c)(i)(A) and (C), a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary 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 (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act, 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 upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.06(a) and 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 it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(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 broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

 

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(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, 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 an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar 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; or

(E) such transfer is effected pursuant to an automatic exchange in accordance with Section 2.06(j) of this Indenture.

(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 the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.06(a) and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii), the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h), and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(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 or through 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 pursuant to this Section 2.06(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 Note 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 substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, 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 substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

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(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 substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

(G) 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, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3)(d) thereof, if applicable; or

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note and, in the case of clause (C) above, the applicable 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 that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(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 broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

 

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(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes 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 substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar 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; or

(E) such transfer is effected pursuant to an automatic exchange in accordance with Section 2.06(j) of this Indenture.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the 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 Definitive Notes 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 subparagraph (ii)(B), (ii)(D) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes . Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(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 2.06(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 will be made to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or

 

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(C) if the transfer will 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 hereto, including the certifications 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 it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar 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; or

(E) such transfer is effected pursuant to an automatic exchange in accordance with Section 2.06(j) of this Indenture.

(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.

 

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(f) Exchange Offer . Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 and an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel in accordance with Section 12.04, the Trustee shall authenticate 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 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 Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of an Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes issued in connection with an Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.

(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 .

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution therefor other than any Exchange Note) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS NOTE AND THE GUARANTEES THEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (C) IT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE NOTES UNDER RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION), OFFER, RESELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO AN ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE

 

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SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE SECURITIES UNDER RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION), THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE TRUSTEE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER SECURITIES ACT. THE INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTION.”

(B) 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), (f) or (j) of this Section 2.06 (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 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

 

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(iii) Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend . Each temporary Note that is a Global Note issued pursuant to Regulation S shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS A TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE FOR PURPOSES OF REGULATION S UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. NEITHER THIS TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR DELIVERED, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO BELOW.

NO BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THIS TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL OR INTEREST HEREON UNLESS THE REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE INDENTURE.”

(h) 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 2.11. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will 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. If the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will 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.

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges .

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 or at the Registrar’s 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 Issuers and Trustee 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 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 4.07, 4.09 and 9.05).

(iii) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuers shall 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 obligations of the Issuers, 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.

 

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(v) The Issuers 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 notice of redemption of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 and ending at the close of business on the day of such 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, or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuers 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 premium, if any) and interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuers shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(vii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Issuers designated pursuant to Section 2.03, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.

(viii) At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and mail, the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.06.

(ix) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

(x) 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 transfers between or among Depository participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof. Neither the Trustee nor any of its agents shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depository.

(j) Automatic Exchange from Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Global Note . At the option of the Issuers and upon compliance with the following procedures, beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. In order to effect such exchange, the Issuers shall provide written notice to the Trustee instructing the Trustee to (i) direct the Depositary to transfer the specified amount of the outstanding beneficial interests in a particular Restricted Global Note to an Unrestricted Global Note and provide the Depositary with all such information as is necessary for the Depositary to appropriately credit and debit the relevant Holder accounts and (ii) provide prior written notice to all Holders of such exchange, which notice must include the date such exchange is proposed to occur, the CUSIP number of the relevant Restricted Global Note and the CUSIP number of the Unrestricted Global Note into which such Holders’ beneficial interests will be exchanged. As a condition to any such exchange pursuant to this Section 2.06(j), the Trustee shall be

 

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entitled to receive from the Issuers and rely upon conclusively without any liability, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in form and in substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that such transfer of beneficial interests to the Unrestricted Global Note shall be effected in compliance with the Securities Act and the terms and conditions of this Indenture. The Issuers may request from Holders such information it reasonably determines is required in order to be able to deliver such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel. Upon such exchange of beneficial interests pursuant to this Section 2.06(j), the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date of such transfer and a decrease and increase, respectively, in the principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Note and the Unrestricted Global Note, respectively, equal to the principal amount of beneficial interests transferred. Following any such transfer pursuant to this Section 2.06(j) of all of the beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note, such Restricted Global Note shall be cancelled.

Section 2.07 Replacement Notes .

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Issuers and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. An indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers and/or the Trustee may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Issuers and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes .

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 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuers or an Affiliate of the Issuers holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

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.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuers or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) 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.

Section 2.09 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 Issuers, or by any Affiliate of the Issuers, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a

 

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Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuers or any obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Issuers or of such other obligor.

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes .

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto but may have variations that the Issuers consider appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes under this Indenture.

Section 2.11 Cancellation .

The Issuers 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 or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall, at the written direction of the Issuers, cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest .

If the Issuers default in a payment of interest or principal on the Notes, to the extent lawful, interest shall accrue on such overdue principal and interest at a rate that is 2% higher than the then applicable interest rate. Such default interest shall be payable to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes. The Issuers 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, and at the same time the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Trustee 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. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers of such special record date. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Issuers (or, upon the written request of the Issuers, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers) shall deliver electronically or mail, or cause to be delivered electronically or mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder a notice (which shall be prepared by the Issuers) at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

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Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

Section 2.13 CUSIP and ISIN Numbers .

The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP and/or ISIN numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP and/or ISIN 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 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 Issuers will as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP or ISIN numbers.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee .

If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 15 Business Days (or such shorter period as is agreed to by the Trustee) before notice of redemption is required to be transmitted or caused to be transmitted to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased .

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select Notes for redemption or purchase on a pro rata basis, by lot or such other method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate; provided however that so long as the Notes are held through DTC, the Notes selected for redemption shall be selected in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC. In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Registrar and Paying Agent from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

Notes redeemed in part shall be redeemed only in integral multiples of $1,000, and no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part, 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 $2,000 or a multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, 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 .

The Issuers shall deliver electronically or mail, or cause to be delivered electronically or mailed, by first-class mail notices of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, except that redemption notices may be mailed

 

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more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11. Notices of redemption may not be conditional, provided that any notice delivered pursuant to Section 3.07(c) may, at an Issuer’s discretion, be subject to completion of an Equity Offering.

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP and/or ISIN numbers) and shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the redemption price (or manner of calculation if not then known);

(c) if any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is 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 representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed will be issued in the name of the Holder of the Notes upon cancellation of the original Note;

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

(e) 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;

(f) that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

(g) the paragraph or subparagraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

(h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP and/or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

At the Issuers’ request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the name of each Issuer and at their expense; provided that the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 5 Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be delivered or caused to be delivered to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and a copy of the notice containing the information required in the preceding paragraph.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption .

Once notice of redemption is delivered in accordance with Section 3.03, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date at the redemption price. The notice, if delivered in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05, on and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

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Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price .

Prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption or purchase date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption or purchase date 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 or purchase shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the redemption or purchase date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes.

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part .

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed or purchased; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption .

(a) At any time prior to May 15, 2020, the Issuers may redeem all or part of the Notes 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, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(b) On or after May 15, 2020, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes, 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, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on May 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Redemption
Price
 

2020

     103.188

2021

     102.125

2022

     101.063

2023 and thereafter

     100.000

 

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(c) At any time prior to May 15, 2018, the Issuers may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this 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, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that: (1) at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture (including any Additional Notes) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Issuers or their Affiliates); and (2) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(d) In addition to the Issuers’ rights to redeem the Notes as set forth above, the Issuers may purchase Notes in open-market transactions, tender offers or otherwise.

Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption .

The Issuers are not required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Issuers may be required to offer to purchase the Notes as described in Section 4.09 and Section 5.01.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest .

The Issuers shall duly and punctually pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Notes and this Indenture.

Section 4.02 Corporate Existence .

Subject to Section 5.01, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect the existence (corporate or otherwise) and related rights and franchises (charter and statutory) of the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise or the existence (corporate or otherwise) of any such Restricted Subsidiary if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer necessary or desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole and that the loss thereof could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Issuers to perform their obligations hereunder; and provided , further , however , that the foregoing shall not prohibit a sale, transfer or conveyance of a Restricted Subsidiary or any of its assets in compliance with the terms of this Indenture.

Section 4.03 Limitation on Indebtedness .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur any Indebtedness; provided that the Company or any Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness if, after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness and the receipt and application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would be positive and less than 6.00 to 1.00.

 

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(b) Section 4.03(a) will not prohibit the Incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “ Permitted Indebtedness ”):

(1) the Incurrence by the Company or any Guarantor of Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities (including, without limitation, the Incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Guarantees thereof) in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding pursuant to this clause (1) not to exceed (x) $3.0 billion, plus (y) an additional amount that does not cause the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to exceed 4.50 to 1.00;

(2) the Incurrence of Existing Indebtedness;

(3) the Incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (other than Additional Notes) and the Exchange Notes (as defined below) in respect thereof and the related Note Guarantees;

(4) the Incurrence by the Company or any Guarantor 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, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Guarantor, whether through the direct acquisition of such assets or the acquisition of Equity Interest of any person owning such assets (including any reasonably related fees or expenses Incurred in connection with such acquisition, construction or improvement), in an aggregate amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed, at any time outstanding, the greater of (i) $200 million and (ii) 4.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets;

(5) the Incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net cash proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace Indebtedness that was permitted by this Indenture to be Incurred under Section 4.03(a) or clauses (2), (3), (5), (14) or (15) of this Section 4.03(b);

(6) the Incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness owing to and held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that:

(A) if the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and such Indebtedness is owed to a non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary, such Indebtedness must be unsecured and expressly subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and

(B) any event that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (except for any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien until the pledgee commences actions to foreclose on such Indebtedness) will 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 clause (6);

(7) the Guarantee by the Company or any Guarantor of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be Incurred by another provision of this Section 4.03;

 

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(8) the Incurrence by the Company or any Guarantor 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;

(9) the Incurrence by the Company or any Guarantor 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 Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to such agreements, in any case Incurred in connection with the disposition or acquisition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Guarantor (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Capital Stock of a Guarantor for the purpose of financing such acquisition), so long as the amount does not exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company or any Guarantor in connection with such disposition;

(10) the Incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary 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 that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its Incurrence;

(11) the Incurrence by the Company or any Guarantor of Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance or surety bonds or letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit supporting lease obligations or supporting such bid, performance or surety bonds or in respect of workers’ compensation claims, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims; provided that, upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the Incurrence of such repayment or reimbursement obligations under any such bid, performance or surety bonds, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or Incurrence;

(12) the Incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are promptly deposited to defease or to satisfy and discharge the Notes as described under Sections 8.02, 8.03 or 11.01;

(13) customer deposits and advance payments received from customers for goods and services sold in the ordinary course of business;

(14) the Incurrence of Acquired Debt, provided that after giving effect to the Incurrence thereof, the Company could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a);

(15) the Incurrence by the Company or any Guarantor of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (15), not to exceed the greater of (i) $250 million and (ii) 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets; or

 

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(16) the Indebtedness of a Receivables Subsidiary in respect of a Receivables Facility, which is non-recourse to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary in any way other than Standard Securitization Undertakings.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.03, in the event that any proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories described in clauses (1) through (16) of Section 4.03(b), or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a), the Company will be permitted to classify, and may later reclassify, such item of Indebtedness or a part thereof in any manner that complies with this covenant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities outstanding on the Issue Date, if any, will be deemed to have been Incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by Section 4.03(b)(1) and shall not be reclassified.

(d) For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred (or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt); provided that if such Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced.

(e) The principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if Incurred in a different currency from this Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

(f) The accretion of original issue discount shall be deemed not to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness.

(g) The Company will 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 at least to the same extent. The Company will not permit any co-issuer or any Guarantor to Incur any Indebtedness that is contractually subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of any co-issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless it is contractually subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee, as the case may be, at least to the same extent. For purposes of this Indenture, no Indebtedness will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Guarantor, as applicable, solely by reason of any Liens or Guarantees arising or created in respect thereof.

Section 4.04 Limitation on Restricted Payments .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, take any of the following actions (each, a “ Restricted Payment ”):

 

  (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution with respect to any of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s 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);

 

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  (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 Restricted Subsidiary) any Equity Interests of the Company held by any Person (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary) or any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary held by any Person (other than by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary);

 

  (iii) call for redemption or make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to the Stated Maturity thereof, any Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Note Guarantee except (a) 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 payment, purchase, repurchase or other acquisition or (b) intercompany Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(6); or

 

  (iv) make any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person; unless, at the time of and after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment:

(1) no Default or Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(2) the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a); and

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries after July 1, 2012 (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (10) and (11) of Section 4.04(b)) and provided that Restricted Payments under clauses (1), (9) and (12) of Section 4.04(b) shall not cause availability under this clause (3) to be less than zero), is less than the sum, without duplication, of

(A) the aggregate Consolidated Cash Flow accrued in the period beginning on the first day of the quarter beginning on July 1, 2012, and ending on the last day of the most recent quarter for which internal financial statements are available prior to the date of such proposed Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Cash Flow for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), less (y) 1.5 times consolidated interest expense during such period; plus

(B) the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of securities or other property received by the Company after July 2, 2012 as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue, sale or exchange of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and the amount of reduction of Indebtedness of the Company or 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); plus

(C) with respect to Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries after July 2, 2012, an amount equal to the net reduction in such Investments in any Person (except, in

 

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each case, to the extent any such amount is included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income), resulting from repayment to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of loans or advances or from the receipt of net cash proceeds from the sale of any such Investment, from the release of any Guarantee (except to the extent any amounts are paid under such Guarantee) or from redesignations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries, not to exceed, in each case, the amount of such Investments previously made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person; plus

(D) $250 million.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit the following; provided that, in the case of clauses (7) and (8) below only, no default in payment of interest, principal, premium or Additional Interest on the Notes has occurred and is continuing:

(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, and the redemption of any Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees within 60 days after the date on which notice of such redemption was given, if at said date of the giving of such notice, such redemption would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2) the payment of any dividend or other distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary to all the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

(3) 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 such Restricted Payment will be excluded from Section 4.04(a)(iii)(b);

(4) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees in exchange for or with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent Incurrence (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(5) the repurchase of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of options or warrants to the extent that such Capital Stock represents all or a portion of the exercise price thereof and applicable withholding taxes, if any;

(6) the payment of cash in lieu of fractional Equity Interests pursuant to the exchange or conversion of any exchangeable or convertible securities; provided, that such payment shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitations of this covenant (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith);

(7) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case issued in accordance with Section 4.03;

 

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(8) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company, or the dividend or other distribution, directly or indirectly to Parent, to fund the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of Parent, in each case held by any current or former employee or director of the Company (or any Subsidiaries) pursuant to the terms of any employee equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement or similar agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided that the aggregate price paid, or distributed or paid out as a dividend under this clause (8) in any calendar year will not exceed $30 million (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding years) or, in the event any unused amounts of any previous year are being carried over, $60 million;

(9) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Company’s Equity Interests (or a Restricted Payment to Parent to fund a payment of dividends on Parent’s Equity Interests) of up to 6% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by (or, in the case of a Restricted Payment to Parent, contributed to the capital of) the Company in or from any public equity offering of common stock after July 2, 2012;

(10) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $150 million and (ii) 3.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets; and

(11) the declaration and payment by the Company to, or the making of the loans to, Parent in amounts required for Parent to pay, in each case without duplication, (a) franchise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain their corporate existence; (b) foreign, federal, state and local income taxes, to the extent such income taxes are (i) attributable to the income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) required to be paid by Parent, and only for so long as the Company is treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of its foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay such taxes separately from any such parent entity; (c) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of the Parent to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; (d) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses of the Parent to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (e) amounts required for the Parent to pay fees and expenses incurred by the Parent related to the maintenance of the Parent of its corporate or other entity existence; and

(12) other Restricted Payments so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the payment of such Restricted Payment, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would be positive and less than 3.75 to 1.00.

(c) The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will 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.

 

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Section 4.05 Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly 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 of their Affiliates (each, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $10 million, unless:

 

  (1) such Affiliate Transaction is on fair and reasonable terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

  (2) the Company delivers to the Trustee:

 

  (a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25 million, a Board Resolution attached to an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions complies with this covenant and that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions has been approved by a majority of the Disinterested Members; and

 

  (b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $150 million or 3% of Consolidated Total Assets, an opinion issued by an independent accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing stating that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view.

(b) The following items will be deemed not to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.05(a):

 

  (1) transactions between or among the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (2) Restricted Payments that are permitted under Section 4.04 and Permitted Investments;

 

  (3) any issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

 

  (4) transactions pursuant to agreements or arrangements in effect on the Issue Date and described in the Offering Memorandum, or any amendment, modification, or supplement thereto or renewal or replacement thereof, as long as such agreement or arrangement, as so amended, modified, supplemented, renewed or replaced, taken as a whole, is not materially more disadvantageous to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries than the agreement or arrangement in existence on the Issue Date as determined by the Disinterested Members of the Board of Directors of the Company evidenced by a Board Resolution;

 

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  (5) payments by the Company (and any direct or indirect parent thereof) and its Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing agreements among the Company (and any such parent) and its Subsidiaries on customary terms to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent of amounts received from Unrestricted Subsidiaries) would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Company and its Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such parent entity;

 

  (6) payment of reasonable and customary fees to, and reasonable and customary indemnification arrangements and similar payments on behalf of, directors of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof; and

 

  (7) any employment, consulting, service or termination agreement, or reasonable and customary indemnification arrangements, entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with officers and employees of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof and the payment of compensation to officers and employees of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof (including amounts paid pursuant to employee benefit plans, employee stock option or similar plans), so long as such agreement or payment have been approved by a majority of the Disinterested Members.

Section 4.06 Limitation on Liens .

The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind (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 until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

Section 4.07 Limitation on Sale of Assets .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

 

  (1) 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

 

  (2) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of:

 

  (i) Cash Equivalents (including any Cash Equivalents received from the conversion within 180 days of such Asset Sale of any securities, notes or other obligations received in consideration of such Asset Sale);

 

  (ii) Replacement Assets;

 

  (iii) 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) 3.0% of Consolidated Total Assets and (y) $150 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); or

 

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  (iv) any combination of the consideration specified in clauses (a) and (b).

(b) Any Net Available Cash received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Asset Sale may be applied within 365 days of receipt of such Net Available Cash, to permanently reduce any Indebtedness constituting Indebtedness of a non-Guarantor Subsidiary or to permanently reduce any senior Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Guarantor (in each case owing to a Person other than the Company or any Affiliate of the Company) (and, if the obligation repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce loan commitments with respect thereto).

(c) The amount of such Net Available Cash required to be applied (or to be committed to be applied) during such 365 day period as set forth in Section 4.07(b) and not applied (or committed to be applied) as so required by the end of such period or used to consummate an Offer to Purchase pursuant any indenture or similar document governing Permitted Additional Secured Obligations, shall constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” If, as of the first day of any calendar month, the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds totals at least $50 million, the Company must commence, not later than the 15th Business Day of such month, and consummate an Offer to Purchase, from the Holders and all holders of other Pari Passu Debt containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase with the proceeds of sales of assets, the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other Pari Passu Debt that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds; provided that the amount of Excess Proceeds required to be used to make an Offer to Purchase pursuant to this paragraph shall be reduced by any mandatory prepayments made under any series of Pari Passu Debt in respect of such Excess Proceeds (and which prepayments shall not be in excess of such Series pro rata share of such Excess Proceeds). The offer price in any such Offer to Purchase will be equal to 100% of the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Notes and such other Pari Passu Debt plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date, and will be payable in cash. To the extent that any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Offer to Purchase pursuant to this Section 4.07, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture, and those Excess Proceeds shall no longer constitute “Excess Proceeds.”

(d) For the purposes of this Section 4.07, the following are deemed to be Cash Equivalents: the assumption of (i) Indebtedness of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock or Indebtedness that is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes); (ii) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness of a Guarantor that is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or Disqualified Stock of any Guarantor) or (iii) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s 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) and, in each case, the full and unconditional release of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Sale.

Section 4.08 Future Subsidiary Note Guarantees .

(a) If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary acquires or creates another Domestic Subsidiary on or after the Issue Date, then that newly acquired or created Domestic Subsidiary must become a Guarantor and (i) execute a supplemental indenture and (ii) deliver an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee, provided that the obligation of such Domestic Subsidiary shall be subject to its obtaining prior approval of any by State PUC if so required by applicable law.

 

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(b) The Company will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to Guarantee any Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Guarantor unless such Restricted Subsidiary (a) is a Guarantor or (b) within ten days executes and delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and a supplemental indenture providing for the Guarantee of the payment of the Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary, which Guarantee will rank senior in right of payment to or equally in right of payment with such Subsidiary’s Guarantee of such other Indebtedness.

Section 4.09 Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control .

(a) Unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently delivered a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described in Section 3.03, the Issuers must commence, within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, and consummate an Offer to Purchase for all Notes then outstanding, at a purchase price in cash equal to 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, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(b) The Issuers will not be required to make an Offer to Purchase upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Offer to Purchase in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to an Offer to Purchase made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Offer to Purchase.

(c) If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such notes in connection with an Offer to Purchase upon a Change of Control and the Company, or any third party making a Change of Control offer in lieu of the

Company as described above, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company or such third party will have the right, upon not less than 15 days nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, provided that such notice is given not more than 30 days following such purchase date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such tender offer plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the applicable Redemption Date.

Section 4.10 Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions .

The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction with respect to assets or properties if:

 

  (1) 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 and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.06;

 

  (2) 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

 

  (3) 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 4.07.

 

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Section 4.11 Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary 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:

 

  (1) 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 Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on Common Stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock);

 

  (2) pay any liabilities owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

  (3) make loans or advances to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that the subordination of loans or advances made to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances); or

 

  (4) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

  (b) Section 4.11(a) will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions:

 

  (1) existing under, by reason of or with respect to the Credit Facilities as in effect on the Issue Date or 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, replacements or refinancings, taken as a whole, are not, as determined by the Company in good faith, materially more restrictive than those contained in, as the case may be, the Credit Facilities as in effect on the Issue Date or Existing Indebtedness or such other agreements, as the case may be, as in effect on the Issue Date;

 

  (2) set forth in this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

 

  (3) existing under or by reason of applicable law, rule, regulation or order;

 

  (4) with respect to any Person or the property or assets of a Person acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary 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, replacements or refinancings, taken as a whole, are not, as determined by the Company in good faith, materially more restrictive than those in effect on the date of the acquisition;

 

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  (5) 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;

 

  (6) existing by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture;

 

  (7) arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as determined by the Company in good faith;

 

  (8) that restrict distributions or transfer by a Restricted Subsidiary if such restrictions exist 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, that Restricted Subsidiary and are pending such sale or other disposition;

 

  (9) on cash or other deposits or net worth, which encumbrances or restrictions are imposed by customers or suppliers or required by insurance, surety or bonding companies, in each case, under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (10) arising from customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business and which the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith will not adversely affect the Issuers’ ability to make payments of principal or interest on the Notes;

 

  (11) arising from purchase money obligations Incurred in compliance with Section 4.03(b)(4) that impose restrictions of the nature described in Section 4.11(a)(4) above on the assets acquired; and

 

  (12) existing under, by reason of, or with respect to Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary; provided that the Company’s Board of Directors determines in good faith at the time such encumbrances or restrictions are created that they do not adversely affect the Issuers’ ability to make prepayments of principal or interest on the Notes.

Section 4.12 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that:

 

  (1) any Guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary being so designated will be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, at the time of such designation, and such Incurrence of Indebtedness would be permitted under Section 4.03;

 

  (2) the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary being so designated (including any Guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary) will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of such designation and that such Investment would be permitted under Section 4.04;

 

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  (3) such Subsidiary does not hold any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or own or hold any Lien on any property or assets of, or have any Investment in, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

  (4) the Subsidiary being so designated:

 

  (i) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless 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;

 

  (ii) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any direct or indirect obligation (i) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (ii) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

 

  (iii) has not Guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, except to the extent such Guarantee or credit support would be released upon such designation; and

 

  (5) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

Any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by this Indenture. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary (x) would fail to meet any of the preceding requirements described in clause (4) above, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture, and any Indebtedness, Investments, or Liens on the property, of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be Incurred or made by a Restricted Subsidiary 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 Issuers will be in default under this Indenture.

(b) The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that:

 

  (1) such designation will be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.03;

 

  (2) all outstanding Investments owned by such Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be made as of the time of such designation and such designation will only be permitted if such Investments would be permitted under Section 4.04;

 

  (3) all Liens upon property or assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary existing at the time of such designation would be permitted under Section 4.06; and

 

  (4) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

 

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Section 4.13 Business Activities .

The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Section 4.14 Payments for Consent .

The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary 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 terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid to all Holders that may legally participate in the transaction, in the structure proposed by the Company, and is paid to all such Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame and in the manner set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Section 4.15 Provision of Financial Information .

(a) The Issuers will (i) furnish to the Trustee, (ii) upon request, furnish to beneficial owners and prospective investors and (iii) prior to the consummation of the Exchange Offer, make publicly available on its website, a copy of all of the information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations:

(1) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuers were required to file such Forms, including a “Management’s 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 Company’s certified independent accountants; and

(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Issuers were required to file such reports.

(b) After consummation of the Exchange Offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, whether or not required by the Commission, the Issuers will comply with the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and will file the reports specified in Section 4.15(a) with the Commission within the time periods specified in Section 4.15(a) unless the Commission will not accept such a filing. The Issuers will not take any action for the purpose of causing the Commission not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission will not accept any Issuers’ filings for any reason, such Issuer will deliver a copy of such reports to the Trustee and post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraph on its website within the time periods that would apply if such Issuer were required to file those reports with the Commission. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

(c) If the Company has designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or that, when taken together with all other Unrestricted Subsidiaries, would be a Significant Subsidiary, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by this Section 4.15 will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any parent of the Company becomes a Guarantor, the reports, information and other documents required to be filed and provided as described above may be those of the parent, rather than those of the Company, so long as such filings would satisfy the Commission’s requirements.

(e) So long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Issuers and Guarantor will 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.

Section 4.16 Statement by Officers as to Default .

(a) The Issuers will deliver to the Trustee, on or before a date not more than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuers, an Officers’ Certificate, as to compliance herewith, including whether or not, after a review of the activities of the Issuers during such year and of the Issuers’ and each Guarantor’s performance under this Indenture, to the best knowledge, based on such review, of the signers thereof, the Issuers and each Guarantor have fulfilled all of their respective obligations and are in compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture throughout such year, as the case may be, and, if there has been a Default specifying each Default and the nature and status thereof and any actions being taken by the Issuers and the Guarantors with respect thereto.

(b) When any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or facsimile transmission of an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default, within five Business Days after becoming aware of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default.

Section 4.17 Suspension of Certain Covenants .

(a) Following the first day of a Covenant Suspension and ending on a Reversion Date (such period a “ Suspension Period ”), the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to the provisions of the Suspended Covenants.

(b) If at any time the Notes cease to have such Investment Grade Rating by either Rating Agency or if a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing, then the Suspended Covenants will, from such date and thereafter be reinstated as if such covenants had never been suspended (the “ Reversion Date ”) and be applicable pursuant to the terms of this Indenture (including in connection with performing any calculation or assessment to determine compliance with the terms of this Indenture), unless and until the Notes subsequently attain an Investment Grade Rating from both Ratings Agencies and no Default or Event of Default is in existence (in which event the Suspended Covenants shall no longer be in effect for such time that the Notes maintain an Investment Grade Rating from both Ratings Agencies and no Default or Event of Default is in existence); provided, however, that no Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees with respect to the Suspended Covenants based on, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for, any actions taken or events occurring during the Suspension Period (as defined below), or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation arising prior to the Reversion Date, regardless of whether such actions or events would have been permitted if the applicable Suspended Covenants remained in effect during such period.

 

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(c) On the Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred during the Suspension Period will be classified to have been Incurred pursuant to one of the clauses (other than pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(2) (to the extent such Indebtedness would be permitted to be Incurred thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to the Indebtedness Incurred prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness would not be so permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b) such Indebtedness will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under Section 4.03(b)(2). Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04 will be made as though the covenants described under Section 4.04 had been in effect since the Issue Date and throughout the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04(a) to the extent set forth in such covenant.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets .

(a) The Issuers will not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Issuer 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 Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

(1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists;

(2) either:

(A) such Issuer is the surviving corporation; or

(B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition will have been made (i) is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; provided that in the case where such Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation organized or existing under such laws and (ii) assumes all the obligations of such Issuer under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, (i) such Issuer or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition will have been made, will be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a); or (ii) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is positive and less than the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio immediately prior to such transaction;

(4) each Guarantor, unless such Guarantor is the Person with which such Issuer has entered into a transaction under this covenant, will have confirmed to the Trustee in writing that its Note Guarantee will apply to the obligations of such Issuer or the surviving Person in accordance with the Notes and this Indenture; and

 

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(5) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate (attaching the arithmetic computation to demonstrate compliance with clause (3) above) and Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that such transaction and such agreement comply with this covenant and that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with;

provided that clause (3) above will not apply (i) if, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution a copy of which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the principal purpose of such transaction is to change the state of incorporation of the Company, and such transaction does not have as one of its purposes the evasion of the foregoing limitations; or (ii) to any consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among such Issuers and any Guarantor.

Upon any consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition in accordance with this Section 5.01, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which such Issuer is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition is made will 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 “Issuers” will refer instead to the successor Person and not to such Issuer), and may exercise every right and power of, such Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as an Issuer in this Indenture. In the event of any such transfer, the predecessor will be released and discharged from all liabilities and obligations in respect of the Notes and this Indenture and the predecessor may be dissolved, wound up or liquidated at any time thereafter.

In addition, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries may not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person.

(b) A Guarantor will not, directly or indirectly: (i) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), or (ii) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Guarantor, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:

(1) immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(2) either:

(A) the Guarantor is the surviving corporation, or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition which has been made (i) is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (ii) assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture, including its Note Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee; or

(B) such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition or consolidation or merger complies with the covenant described above under Section 4.07.

 

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Section 5.02 Successor Substituted .

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of any Issuer or any Guarantor, if any, in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, is merged, or the successor Person to which such sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture, the Notes and/or the related Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and the Registration Rights Agreement, with the same effect as if such successor had been named as such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, herein, in the Notes and/or in the Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and the Registration Rights Agreement, and the applicable Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes or its Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and the Registration Rights Agreement; provided that in the case of a transfer by lease, the predecessor shall not be released from the payment of principal and interest on the Notes or its Note Guarantee, as the case may be.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default .

Each of the following is an “ Event of Default ”:

(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Additional Interest with respect to, the Notes;

(2) default in payment when due (whether at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(3) failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to make or consummate an Offer to Purchase in accordance with Section 4.07 or Section 4.09 or to comply with the provisions under Section 5.01;

(4) failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for 60 days after written notice by the Trustee or Holders representing 25% or more of the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture;

(5) 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 Restricted Subsidiary (or the payment of which is Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) 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 payment when due at the final maturity of such Indebtedness (a “ Payment Default ”); or

(b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity;

 

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and, in each case, the amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the amount of any other such Indebtedness that is then subject to a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50 million or more;

(6) failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay final judgments (to the extent such judgments are not paid or covered by insurance provided by a reputable and solvent carrier) aggregating in excess of $50 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 90 days;

(7) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Note Guarantee;

(8) there shall have been the entry of a decree or order that remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days by a court of competent jurisdiction under any applicable Bankruptcy Code (a) for relief in an involuntary case or proceeding in respect of such Issuer, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries which collectively (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or (b) adjudging the Issuers, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries which collectively (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary bankrupt or insolvent or (c) seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition under any applicable federal or state law of or in respect of the Issuers, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries which collectively (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or (d) appointing a custodian of such Issuer, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries which collectively (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or of substantially all of the assets of such Issuer or such Significant Subsidiary, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of their affairs; and

(9) such Issuer, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries which collectively (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding in respect of such Issuer, such Significant Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries under any applicable Bankruptcy Code or any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, (b) consents to the entry of a decree or order for debt relief in respect of such Issuer, such Significant Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Bankruptcy Code or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, (c) files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or debt relief in respect of such Issuer, such Significant Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries under any Bankruptcy Code or applicable federal or state insolvency law, (d) consents to the filing of such petition for the appointment of, or taking possession by, a custodian of such Issuer, such Significant Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries or of substantially all of the assets of such Issuer or such Significant Subsidiary, (e) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (f) admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or (g) takes any corporate action to authorize any such actions in this Section 6.01(9).

 

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Section 6.02 Acceleration .

If an Event of Default (other than as specified in Section 6.01(8) or (9) shall occur and be continuing with respect to this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may, and the Trustee at the request of such Holders shall, declare all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on all Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Issuers (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders of the Notes) and upon any such declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(8) or (9) occurs and is continuing, then all the Notes shall automatically become and be due and payable immediately in an amount equal to the principal amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date the Notes become due and payable, without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

After a declaration of acceleration, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding by written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(a) the Issuers have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (1) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee under this Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, (2) all overdue interest and Additional Interest on all Notes then outstanding, (3) the principal of, and premium, if any, on any Notes then outstanding which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate borne by the Notes and (4) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate borne by the Notes; and

(b) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.03 Other Remedies .

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. 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 .

The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all outstanding Notes waive any past Default under this Indenture and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note (which may only be waived with the consent of each Holder of Notes affected).

 

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Section 6.05 Control by Majority .

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that may involve the Trustee’s personal liability, or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders of Notes not joining in the giving of such direction and may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from Holders of Notes.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits .

A Holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless: (1) the Holder gives the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default; (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy; (3) such Holder or Holders offer the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liability or expense; (4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and (5) 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.

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 principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer pursuant to Section 4.07 or a Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee .

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies .

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings or any other proceedings, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies hereunder of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

 

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Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative .

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver .

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 6.12 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 allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), their creditors or their property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 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 6.13 Priorities .

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

(i) to the Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar, Transfer Agent, their agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07, including payment of all compensation, expenses, fees, costs and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar or Transfer Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

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(ii) to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, respectively; and

(iii) to the Issuers or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct, including a Guarantor, if applicable.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.13.

Section 6.14 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 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee .

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

(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 such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, 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).

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

 

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(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 in a court of competent jurisdiction 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) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of the Notes unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

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

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee .

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely 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, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuers and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(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 misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney 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 Issuers shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuers.

(f) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

 

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

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive, 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) In the event the Issuers are required to pay Additional Interest, the Issuers will provide written notice to the Trustee of the Issuers’ obligation to pay Additional Interest no later than 15 days prior to the next Interest Payment Date, which notice shall set forth the amount of the Additional Interest to be paid by the Issuers. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holders to determine whether the Additional Interest is payable and the amount thereof.

(k) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

(l) The Trustee may request that the Issuers 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.

(m) 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 pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(n) The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons. Such incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Issuers elect to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or inconsistency with a subsequent written instruction. The Issuers agree to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

 

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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 otherwise deal with the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Section 7.10 and 7.11.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer .

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuers or upon the Issuers’ direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in 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.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults .

If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default 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. The Trustee shall not be deemed to know of any Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes .

Within 60 days after each November 15th, beginning with the November 15th following the date of this Indenture, 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 Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to the Issuers and filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d). The Issuers shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when, if applicable, the Notes are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity .

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

 

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The Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold the Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability, expense (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) or taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuers or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, the Issuers or any Guarantor, or liability in connection with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder). The Trustee shall notify the Issuers promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers shall not relieve the Issuers of its obligations hereunder. The Issuers and the Guarantors need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or gross negligence.

The obligations of the Issuers under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.

Notwithstanding anything contrary in Section 4.06 hereto, to secure the payment obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(8) or Section 6.01(9) 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 Code.

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable. As used in this Section 7.07, the term “Trustee” shall also include each of the Paying Agent, Registrar, and Transfer Agent, as applicable.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee .

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and the Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent may resign with 60 days’ prior written notice and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing and may remove the Registrar, Paying Agent or Transfer Agent by so notifying such Registrar, Paying Agent or Transfer Agent, as applicable, with 90 days’ prior written notice. The Issuers may remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

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

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

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

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If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers 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 to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Issuers’ expense), the Issuers or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, and upon payment of the retiring Trustee’s fees and expenses (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel), 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 Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

As used in this Section 7.08, the term “Trustee” shall also include each of the Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent, as applicable.

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 corporation, the successor corporation 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 or national banking association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company .

The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge .

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, 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 its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture including that of the Guarantors (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, 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 payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Additional Interest, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.05;

(b) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, indemnities and immunities of the Trustee and the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Section 8.02.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuers may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03.

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance .

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Section 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, Section 4.13, Section 4.14, 4.15 and 4.16, clauses (1), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) of Section 5.01(a), and Section 5.01(b) with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (“ Covenant Defeasance ”), the Note Guarantees will be released pursuant to Section 10.06 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

 

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of any default 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, the Issuers may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ 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, Section 6.01(3), 6.01(4)(as it relates to the covenants specified above), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(7), 6.01(8), 6.01(8)(solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries that are Significant Subsidiaries), 6.01(9) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries) shall not constitute an Event of Default.

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance .

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 to the outstanding Notes:

(1) 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, and 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 Issuers must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (a) the Issuers have 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;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers 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;

(4) 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 91st day after the date of deposit;

 

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

(6) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, assuming no intervening bankruptcy of any Issuers or any Guarantor between the date of deposit and the 91st day following the deposit and assuming that no Holder is an “insider” of any Issuer under applicable bankruptcy law, after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, including Section 547 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law;

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

(8) if the Notes are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee irrevocable instructions to redeem all of the Notes on the specified redemption date under arrangement satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of such redemption by the Trustee in the Issuers’ names and at the Issuers’ expense; and

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

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

Subject to Section 8.06, all money and Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, 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 Issuers or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent), 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.

The Issuers shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or 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.

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the written request of the Issuers any money or 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(2)), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

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Section 8.06 Repayment to the Issuers .

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, 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 and Additional Interest, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on their request or (if then held by the Issuers) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement .

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.04 or 8.05, 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 Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.04 or 8.05 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.04 or 8.05, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuers make any payment of principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of their obligations, the Issuers 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 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes .

Notwithstanding Section 9.02, the Issuers, any Guarantor, any other obligor under the Notes and the Trustee, as applicable, may amend or supplement this Indenture, any Note Guarantee or any Notes without the consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any provision determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith, evidenced by a Board Resolution, to be an ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(3) to provide for the assumption of any Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of Notes in accordance with this Indenture in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of such Issuer’s or such Guarantor’s assets;

(4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or that does not materially, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company, evidenced by a Board Resolution, adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

 

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

(6) to comply with the provisions under Section 4.08;

(7) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee;

(8) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with this Indenture;

(9) to conform this Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such provision is intended to be a verbatim recitation thereof.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding may waive compliance with certain restrictive covenants and provisions of this Indenture.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes .

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Issuers, each Guarantor party thereto, if any, and the Trustee, as applicable, may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Section 6.04 and 6.07, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes 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) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 and Section 2.09 shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

Without the consent of each affected Holder of Notes, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Note;

(3) reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Note;

(4) change the optional redemption dates or optional redemption prices of the Notes from those stated under Section 3.07;

 

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(5) 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, upon a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or in respect of any other covenant or provision that cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all Holders;

(6) make any Note payable in money other than U.S. dollars;

(7) make any change in the amendment and waiver provisions of this Indenture;

(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(9) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Notes or the Note Guarantees;

(10) amend, change or modify the obligation of the Issuers to make and consummate an Offer to Purchase with respect to any Asset Sale in accordance with the covenant described above under Section 4.07 after the obligation to make such Offer to Purchase has arisen, or the obligation of the Issuers to make and consummate an Offer to Purchase in the event of a Change of Control in accordance with the covenant described above under Section 4.09 after such Change of Control has occurred, including, in each case, amending, changing or modifying any definition relating thereto;

(11) except as otherwise permitted under the Section 5.01 and Section 4.08 consent to the assignment or transfer by any Issuers or any Guarantor of any of their rights or obligations under this Indenture.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.04 Effect of Consents .

An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder; provided that any amendment or waiver that requires the consent of each affected Holder shall not become effective with respect to any non-consenting Holder.

The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date.

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuers 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.

 

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

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc .

The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Issuers may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until the Board of Directors approves it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall receive and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuers and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel will be required for the Trustee to execute any amendment or supplement adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Article 9 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.06 becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuers to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

ARTICLE 10

GUARANTEES

Section 10.01 Guarantee .

Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, 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 Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of, interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed 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 or any performance 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.

 

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The Guarantors hereby agree that 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 Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, 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.

Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Indenture.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

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 6 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 6, 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 Guarantees.

Each Note Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuers for liquidation or reorganization, should the Issuers become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuers’ assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or Note Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

In case any provision of any Note Guarantee 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.

Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Note Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

As used in this Indenture, the term “Trustee” shall also include each of the Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent, as applicable.

 

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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 the Bankruptcy Code, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and 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 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Note Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

Section 10.03 [Reserved] .

Section 10.04 Subrogation .

Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

Section 10.05 Benefits Acknowledged .

Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Note Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

Section 10.06 Release of Guarantees .

A Note Guarantee of a Guarantor will be automatically and unconditionally released (and thereupon shall terminate and be discharged and be of no further force and effect):

(1) in connection with any sale or other disposition (including by merger or otherwise) of Capital Stock of the Guarantor after which such Guarantor is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale of all such Capital Stock of that Guarantor complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(2) if the Company properly designates the Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary under this Indenture;

(3) solely in the case of a Note Guarantee created pursuant to Section 4.08(b). upon the release or discharge of the Guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Note Guarantee pursuant to that covenant, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such Note Guarantee;

 

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(4) upon a Legal Defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture that complies with the provisions under Section 8.02, 8.03 or Section 11.01, respectively; or

(5) upon payment in full of the aggregate principal amount of all Notes then outstanding and all other obligations under this Indenture and the Notes then due and owing.

Upon any occurrence giving rise to a release of a Note Guarantee as specified above, the Trustee will, at the written direction of the Company, execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence or effect such release, termination and discharge in respect of such Note Guarantee. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor will be required to make a notation on the Notes to reflect any Note Guarantee or any such release, termination or discharge.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge .

This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes as is herein expressly provided) as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

(1) 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 Issuers) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable (by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise), (y) will become due and payable at Stated Maturity within one year, or (z) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the Issuers’ names and at the Issuer’s expense, and in each such case the Issuers have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely 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, 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 Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

(2) no Default or Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or will occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which any Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which any Issuer or any Guarantor is bound;

 

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(3) any Issuer or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(4) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at Stated Maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

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

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (1)(b) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 shall survive.

Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money .

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06, all money or Government Securities deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuers acting as their own Paying Agent), to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium and Additional Interest, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01; provided that if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls .

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

 

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Section 12.02 Notices .

Any notice or communication by the Issuers, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), fax or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Issuers and/or any Guarantor:

c/o Zayo Group, LLC

1805 29 th Street

Boulder, Colorado 80301

Attention: General Counsel

If to the Trustee:

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

400 South Hope Street, Suite 400

Los Angeles, California 90071

Facsimile: (213) 630-6298

Attention: Corporate Unit

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

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof.

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 Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. So long as the Notes are registered in the name of DTC, any notices to be provided to the Holders may be provided by electronic means in accordance with DTC’s operational procedures.

If the Issuers mail 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 Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

 

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Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

Upon any request or application by the Issuers or any of the Guarantors to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuers or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

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

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

Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

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

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

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

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he 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, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officers’ Certificate as to matters of fact); and

(d) 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 of the Issuers, member, manager or partner of any Issuer or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture or 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.

Section 12.08 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial .

THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY NOTE GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

-89-


EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, CITY OF NEW YORK, OVER ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY WAIVE AND AGREE NOT TO ASSERT, BY WAY OF MOTION, AS A DEFENSE OR OTHERWISE, ANY CLAIM THAT IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

Section 12.09 Force Majeure .

In no event shall the Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar or Transfer Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

Section 12.10 Successors .

All agreements of the Issuers in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee and the Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.06.

Section 12.11 Severability .

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 12.12 Counterpart Originals .

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Indenture by facsimile, email or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Indenture.

Section 12.13 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc .

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

-90-


Section 12.14 Qualification of Indenture .

The Issuers and the Guarantors shall qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with and to the extent required by the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee) incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of qualification of this Indenture and the Notes and printing this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive from the Issuers and the Guarantors any such Officers’ Certificates, Opinions of Counsel or other documentation as it may reasonably request in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 12.15 USA Patriot Act .

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act the Trustee and Agents, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, are required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account. The parties to this agreement agree that they will provide the Trustee and the Agents with such information as they may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

Section 12.16 Tax Withholding .

In order to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (inclusive of directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“Applicable Law”) a foreign financial institution, issuer, trustee, paying agent, holder or other institution which has agreed to be subject to or related to this Agreement agrees to provide to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. upon request reasonably available information about holders or other applicable parties and/or transactions (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) so that The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. can determine whether it has tax related obligations under Applicable Law.

[Signatures on following pages]

 

-91-


ZAYO GROUP, LLC
By:

/s/ Ken desGarennes

Name: Ken desGarennes
Title: Chief Financial Officer
ZAYO CAPITAL, INC.
By:

/s/ Ken desGarennes

Name: Ken desGarennes
Title:

Vice President & Chief

Financial Officer

Signature Page to Indenture


ABOVENET COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
ACCESS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
COLO FACILITIES ATLANTA, LLC
FIBERLINK, LLC
FIBERNET TELECOM, INC.
IDEATEK SYSTEMS, INC.
LATISYS SPV, INC.
LATISYS-ASHBURN, LLC
LATISYS-ASHBURN HOLDINGS CORP.
LATISYS-CHICAGO, LLC
LATISYS-CHICAGO HOLDINGS CORP.
LATISYS CORP.
LATISYS-DENVER, LLC
LATISYS HOLDINGS CORP.
LATISYS-IRVINE, LLC
LATISYS-IRVINE PROPERTIES, LLC
LOCAL FIBER, LLC
USCARRIER, LLC
ZAYO COLOCATION, LLC
ZAYO CORELINK ACQUISITION SUB, LLC
ZAYO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC
By:

/s/ Ken desGarennes

Name: Ken desGarennes
Title: Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Indenture


THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:

/s/ Valere Boyd

Name: Valere Boyd
Title: Vice President

Signature Page to Indenture


EXHIBIT A-1

[Face of Note]

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1-1


CUSIP [989194 AK1] [U98832 AF2]

ISIN [US989194AK14] [USU98832AF20]

[RULE 144A] [REGULATION S] GLOBAL NOTE

6.375% Senior Notes due 2025

 

No. [A/S]-1 $[•]

ZAYO GROUP, LLC

ZAYO CAPITAL, INC.

promise to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto in United States Dollars on May 15, 2025.

Interest Payment Dates: May 15 and November 15

Record Dates: May 1 and November 1

 

A-1-2


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuers have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

ZAYO GROUP, LLC
By:

 

Name:
Title:
ZAYO CAPITAL, INC.
By:

 

Name:
Title:

 

A-1-3


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

Dated:

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:

 

Authorized Signatory

 

A-1-4


[Reverse of Note]

6.375% Senior Notes due 2025

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. INTEREST. Zayo Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”) and Zayo Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Co-Issuer ,” and together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”) promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 6.375% per annum from May 6, 2015 until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuers will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 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 will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be November 15, 2015. The Issuers will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Code) on overdue principal and premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, at a rate that is 2% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the May 1 or November 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, 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 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. 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 Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of May 6, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Issuers and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuers designated as its 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025. The Issuers shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Indenture. 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 “ Trust Indenture Act ”). 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.

 

A-1-5


5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) At any time prior to May 15, 2020, the Issuers may redeem all or part of the Notes 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, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(b) On or after May 15, 2020, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes, 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, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on May 15, of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Redemption
Price
 

2020

     103.188

2021

     102.125

2022

     101.063

2023 and thereafter

     100.000

(c) At any time prior to May 15, 2018, the Issuers may redeem up to 40% 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, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that (i) at least 60% 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 Issuers or their Affiliates) and (ii) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(d) If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by any other method the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided however that so long as the Notes are held through DTC, the Notes selected for redemption shall be selected in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC. Notes redeemed in part must be redeemed only in integral multiples of $1,000 and no Note with a principal amount of less than $2,000 will be redeemed in part.

(e) In addition to the Issuers’ rights to redeem the Notes as set forth above, the Issuers may purchase Notes in open-market transactions, tender offers or otherwise.

6. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, notice of redemption will be delivered electronically or mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date (except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture) to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the Redemption Date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

A-1-6


7. OFFERS TO REPURCHASE.

(a) If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of Notes will have the right to require the Issuers to purchase all or any part (in integral multiples of $1,000 except that no purchase will be permitted that would result in a Note having a remaining principal amount of less than $2,000) of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to a Change of Control offer. In the Change of Control offer, the Issuers will offer to purchase all of the Notes, at a purchase price in cash in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the date of purchase (subject to the rights of Holders of record on relevant Record Dates to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date). The Change of Control offer shall be made in accordance with Section 4.09 of the Indenture.

(b) Under certain circumstances described in the Indenture, the Issuers will be required to apply the proceeds of Asset Sales to the repayment of the Notes and Pari Passu Debt. The offer shall be made in accordance with Section 4.07 of the Indenture

8. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. 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 Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes or portion of Notes selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Notes being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed.

9. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

10. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

11. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default (other than as specified in Section 6.01(8) or 6.01(9) of the Indenture with respect to the Issuers) shall occur and be continuing with respect to the Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may, and the Trustee at the request of such Holders shall, declare all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on all Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Issuers (and to the Trustee if given by the holders of the Notes) and upon any such declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default as specified in Section 6.01(8) or 6.01(9), with respect to the Issuers occurs and is continuing, then all the Notes shall automatically become and be due and payable immediately in an amount equal to the principal amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date the Notes become due and payable, without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holder. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate 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 continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of

 

A-1-7


the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a non-consenting Holder. The Issuers and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the Trust Indenture Act) are required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuers are required within five (5) Business Days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuers propose to take with respect thereto.

12. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

13. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, including the right to receive Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).

14. GOVERNING LAW. THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY NOTE GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

15. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THE INDENTURE IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

16. CUSIP/ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP/ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP/ISIN 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.

The Issuers will 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 the Issuers at the following address:

c/o Zayo Group, LLC

1805 29th Street, Suite 200

Boulder, Colorado 80301

Attention: General Counsel

 

A-1-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:

 

(Insert assignee’ legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint

 

to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date: _____________________

 

Your Signature:

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*: __________________________________

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-1-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.07 or 4.09 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨   Section 4.07              ¨   Section 4.09

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.07 or Section 4.09 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$_______________

Date: _____________________

 

Your Signature:

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Tax Identification No.:

 

Signature Guarantee*: __________________________________

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-1-10


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $[•]. 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 or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of
Exchange

   Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount
of this Global Note
   Amount of increase
in Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
   Principal Amount of
this Global Note
following such
decrease or increase
   Signature of
authorized signatory
of Trustee or
Notes Registrar

 

* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-1-11


EXHIBIT A-2

[Face of Regulation S Temporary Note]

[Insert the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend]

[Insert the Global Note Legend]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend]

 

A-2-1


CUSIP  U98832 AF2

ISIN  USU98832AF20

TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

6.375% Senior Notes due 2025

 

No. R-001

$[•]

ZAYO GROUP, LLC

ZAYO CAPITAL, INC.

promise to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum of [•] United States Dollars on May 15, 2025.

Interest Payment Dates: May 15 and November 15

Record Dates: May 1 and November 1

 

A-2-2


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuers have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

ZAYO GROUP, LLC
By:  
Name:
Title:

 

ZAYO CAPITAL, INC.
By:  
Name:
Title:

 

A-2-3


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

Dated:                    

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST
COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:  
Authorized Signatory

 

A-2-4


[Reverse of Note]

6.375% Senior Notes due 2025

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. INTEREST. Zayo Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”) and Zayo Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Co-Issuer ,” and together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”) promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 6.375% per annum from May 6, 2015 until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuers will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 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 will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be November 15, 2015. The Issuers will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Code) on overdue principal and premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, at a rate that is 2% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Until this Regulation S Temporary Global Note is exchanged for one or more Regulation S Permanent Global Notes, the Holder hereof shall not be entitled to receive payments of interest hereon; until so exchanged in full, this Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall in all other respects be entitled to the same benefits as the other Notes under the Indenture.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the May 1 or November 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, 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 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. 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 Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of May 6, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Issuers and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuers designated as its 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025. The Issuers shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Indenture. 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 “ Trust Indenture Act ”). 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.

 

A-2-5


5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) At any time prior to May 15, 2020, the Issuers may redeem all or part of the Notes 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, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(b) On or after May 15, 2020, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes, 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, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on May 15, of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Redemption
Price
 

2020

     103.188

2021

     102.125

2022

     101.063

2023 and thereafter

     100.000

(c) At any time prior to May 15, 2018, the Issuers may redeem up to 40% 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, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that (i) at least 60% 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 Issuers or their Affiliates) and (ii) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(d) If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by any other method the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided however that so long as the Notes are held through DTC, the Notes selected for redemption shall be selected in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC. Notes redeemed in part must be redeemed only in integral multiples of $1,000 and no Note with a principal amount of less than $2,000 will be redeemed in part.

(e) In addition to the Issuers’ rights to redeem the Notes as set forth above, the Issuers may purchase Notes in open-market transactions, tender offers or otherwise.

6. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, notice of redemption will be delivered electronically or mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date (except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture) to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the Redemption Date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

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7. OFFERS TO REPURCHASE.

(a) If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of Notes will have the right to require the Issuers to purchase all or any part (in integral multiples of $1,000 except that no purchase will be permitted that would result in a Note having a remaining principal amount of less than $2,000) of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to a Change of Control offer. In the Change of Control offer, the Issuers will offer to purchase all of the Notes, at a purchase price in cash in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the date of purchase (subject to the rights of Holders of record on relevant Record Dates to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date). The Change of Control offer shall be made in accordance with Section 4.09 of the Indenture.

(b) Under certain circumstances described in the Indenture, the Issuers will be required to apply the proceeds of Asset Sales to the repayment of the Notes and Pari Passu Debt. The offer shall be made in accordance with Section 4.07 of the Indenture

8. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. 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 Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes or portion of Notes selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Notes being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed.

9. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

10. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

11. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default (other than as specified in Section 6.01(8) or 6.01(9) of the Indenture with respect to the Issuers) shall occur and be continuing with respect to the Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may, and the Trustee at the request of such Holders shall, declare all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on all Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Issuers (and to the Trustee if given by the holders of the Notes) and upon any such declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default as specified in Section 6.01(8) or 6.01(9), with respect to the Issuers occurs and is continuing, then all the Notes shall automatically become and be due and payable immediately in an amount equal to the principal amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date the Notes become due and payable, without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holder. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate 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

 

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continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The 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 and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a non-consenting Holder. The Issuers and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the Trust Indenture Act) are required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuers are required within five (5) Business Days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuers propose to take with respect thereto.

12. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

13. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, including the right to receive Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).

14. GOVERNING LAW. THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY NOTE GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

15. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THE INDENTURE IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

16. CUSIP/ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP/ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP/ISIN 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.

The Issuers will 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 the Issuers at the following address:

c/o Zayo Group, LLC

1805 29th Street, Suite 200

Boulder, Colorado 80301

Attention: General Counsel

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:   
(Insert assignee’ legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint   

to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                                         

 

Your Signature:   
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                                              

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.07 or 4.09 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨   Section 4.07              ¨   Section 4.09

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.07 or Section 4.09 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                     

Date:                                         

 

Your Signature:   
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Tax Identification No.:   

Signature Guarantee*:                                                                  

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL

NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note is $[•]. The following exchanges of a part of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note for an interest in another Regulation S Temporary Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Regulation S Temporary Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Regulation S Temporary Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of
Exchange

 

Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount
of this Regulation
S Temporary
Global Note

 

Amount of increase
in Principal
Amount of this
Regulation S Temporary
Global Note

 

Principal Amount of
this Regulation
S Temporary Global
Note
following such
decrease or increase

 

Signature of
authorized signatory
of Trustee or
Notes Registrar

 

 

* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Zayo Group, LLC

Zayo Capital, Inc.

1805 29th Street, Suite 2050

Boulder, Colorado 80301

Attention: General Counsel

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

400 South Hope Street, Suite 400

Los Angeles, California 90071

Facsimile: (213) 630-6298

Attention: Corporate Unit

Re: 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 6, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), among Zayo Group, LLC, Zayo Capital, Inc. and the 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 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 United States 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 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.

2.   ¨   CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, THE REGULATION S PERMANENT 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

 

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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) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, 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 Regulation S Temporary Global Note, the Regulation S Permanent Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note Indenture and the Securities Act.

3.   ¨   CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A GLOBAL NOTE OR A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN 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 pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b)   ¨   such Transfer is being effected to the Issuers or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c)   ¨   such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

(d)   ¨   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 applicable transfer restrictions and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by 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.

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 to a Person who is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers 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

 

B-2


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 to a Person who is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers 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.

(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 to a Person who is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers 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.

5.   ¨   CHECK IF TRANSFEROR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS.

6.   ¨   CHECK IF TRANSFEREE IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS.

 

B-3


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  
Name:
Title:

Dated:                     

 

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.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Zayo Group, LLC

Zayo Capital, Inc.

1805 29th Street, Suite 2050

Boulder, Colorado 80301

Attention: General Counsel

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

400 South Hope Street, Suite 400

Los Angeles, California 90071

Facsimile: (213) 630-6298

Attention: Corporate Unit

 

  Re: 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 6, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), among Zayo Group, LLC, Zayo Capital, Inc. and the 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 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 Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s 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, (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 and (v) the Owner is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers.

b) ¨ CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted

 

C-1


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, (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (v) the Owner is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers.

c) ¨ CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s 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 Owner’s 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, (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (v) the Owner is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers.

d) ¨ CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s 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 Owner’s 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, (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (v) the Owner is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers.

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 Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s 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 Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] [ ] 144A Global Note [ ] Regulation S Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being

 

C-2


acquired for the Owner’s 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.

3) ¨ CHECK IF OWNER IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS.

4) ¨ CHECK IF OWNER IS EXCHANGING THIS NOTE IN CONNECTION WITH AN EXPECTED TRANSFER TO AN AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers and are dated                     .

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:

 

Name:
Title:

Dated: _______________________

 

C-3


EXHIBIT D

[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 Zayo Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and/or Zayo Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Co-Issuer ” and, together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the bank of the United States of America, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (as supplemented, the “ Indenture ”), dated as of May 6, 2015, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025 (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 unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture; 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 parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to be Bound . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby becomes a party to the Indenture as a Guarantor and as such will have all of the rights and be subject to all of the obligations and agreements of a Guarantor under the Indenture.

(3) Guarantee . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees, on a joint and several basis with all the existing Guarantors, to Guarantee to each Holder of the Notes and the Trustee the Indenture Obligations pursuant to Article 10 of the Indenture.

(4) No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Note Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.

(5) Governing Law . THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

D-1


(6) 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.

(7) Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(8) The 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.

(9) Benefits Acknowledged . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Note Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(10) Successors . All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in the Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

D-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:

 

Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:

 

Name:
Title:

 

D-3

Exhibit 10.1

AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT AGREEMENT

AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of May 6, 2015 (this “ Agreement ”), is entered into by and among Zayo Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Zayo Group ”), Zayo Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Zayo Capital ”; and together with Zayo Group, the “ Borrowers ”), the undersigned Grantors party hereto (the “ Grantors ”), Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as term facility administrative agent (the “ Term Facility Administrative Agent ”), SunTrust Bank, as revolving facility administrative agent (the “ Revolving Facility Administrative Agent ” and “ Collateral Agent ” and, together with the Term Facility Administrative Agent, the “ Administrative Agents ”) and the undersigned lenders (the “ Lenders ”).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

WHEREAS, the Borrowers, certain subsidiaries thereof, the Administrative Agents and the Lenders entered into that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 17, 2012, that certain Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2012, that certain Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2013, that certain Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2013, that certain Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2013, that certain Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2014 and that certain Amendment No. 7 to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 17, 2015 the “ Credit Agreement ”; capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the same meanings as specified in the Credit Agreement);

WHEREAS, the Borrowers, the Grantors and the Collateral Agent entered into that certain Security Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (the “ Security Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, the Borrowers desire (a) to extend the maturity date of all or a portion of the outstanding Term Loans from July 2, 2019 to May 6, 2021 (the “ Term Loan Extension ”), (b) to make certain repricing amendments (the “ Repricing ”) and (c) to make other such amendments to the Credit Agreement and Security Agreement, in each case, as further described below; and

WHEREAS, the Borrowers, the undersigned Lenders and the Administrative Agents have each agreed, subject to the terms and conditions stated below, that the Credit Agreement is amended and restated and the and Security Agreement is amended as hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises 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. Amendments to Credit Agreement

(a) To effect the Term Loan Extension, the Repricing and the other requested changes to the Credit Agreement, the Borrowers have requested that “Lenders” (as defined in the Credit Agreement) constituting the “Majority Lenders” (as defined in the Credit Agreement, determined after giving effect to the amendments described herein) approve, and, each of the undersigned Lenders, constituting the “Majority Lenders” (as defined in the Credit Agreement, determined after giving effect to the amendments


described herein) do hereby approve, an amendment and restatement of the Credit Agreement by effecting the amendments set forth in the form of the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “ First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ”) attached as Annex A hereto.

(b) Effective on and as of the First Restatement Effective Date (as defined below) and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4 , the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated to delete the struck text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: struck text ) and to add the double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text ) as set forth in the selected pages of the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement attached as Annex A hereto.

(c) The Credit Agreement is, effective as of the First Restatement Effective Date, hereby further amended by (i) restating the table below the heading “Term Loan Facility” on Schedule 1.1(a) in its entirety as set forth on Annex B hereto and (ii) replacing each of Schedules 5.1(c)-1, 5.1(d), 5.1(j), 5.1(m), 5.1(p) and 5.1(w)-2 thereto with Schedules 5.1(c)-1, 5.1(d), 5.1(j), 5.1(m), 5.1(p) and 5.1(w)-2 hereto.

SECTION 2. Amendments to the Security Agreement

(a) To effect the requested changes to the Security Agreement, the Borrowers and Grantors have requested that “Lenders” (as defined in the Credit Agreement) constituting the “Majority Lenders” (as defined in the Credit Agreement, determined after giving effect to the amendments described herein) approve, and, each of the undersigned Lenders, constituting the “Majority Lenders” (as defined in the Credit Agreement, determined after giving effect to the amendments described herein) do hereby approve the amendments set forth in the form of the Amended Security Agreement (the “ Amended Security Agreement ” and together with the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the “ Amended Agreements ”) attached as Annex C hereto.

(b) Effective on and as of the First Restatement Effective Date (as defined below) and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4 the Security Agreement is hereby amended to delete the struck text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: struck text ) and to add the double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text ) as set forth in the selected pages of the Amended Security Agreement attached as Annex C hereto.

(c) Effective on as of the date First Restatement Effective Date, as to the assets and property excluded from the requirements with respect to Collateral by the amendments under this Agreement only (the “ Exempt Collateral ”), the Borrowers and Grantors have requested that “Lenders” (as defined in the Credit Agreement) constituting the “Majority Lenders” (as defined in the Credit Agreement, determined after giving effect to the amendments described herein) as Secured Parties under the Security Agreement, instruct the Collateral Agent to release, and, each of the undersigned Lenders, constituting the “Majority Lenders” (as defined in the Credit Agreement, determined after giving effect to the amendments described herein) as Secured Parties under the Security Agreement, do hereby instruct the Collateral Agent to release and discharge, and the Collateral Agent hereby releases and discharges each Borrower and Grantor from each and all of its obligations and any claims and demands of every kind and nature, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, related to the Exempt Collateral and only arising out of or in connection with the Security Agreement and this Agreement.

SECTION 3. Reference to and Effect on the Loan Documents.

(a) On and after the First Restatement Effective Date, (i) each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “the

 

2


Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the “Credit Agreement”, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended, restated and modified by this Agreement and (ii) each reference in the Security Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Security Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “the Security Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the “Security Agreement”, shall mean and be a reference to the Security Agreement, as amended, restated and modified by this Agreement.

(b) Each Amended Agreement, as specifically amended by this Agreement, and the other Loan Documents are, and shall continue to be, in full force and effect, and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.

(c) Except as expressly provided herein, the execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender or the Administrative Agents under the Credit Agreement, the Security Agreement or any other Loan Document, nor shall it constitute a waiver of any provision of the Credit Agreement, the Security Agreement or any Loan Document.

(d) Each Borrower Party and each Grantor hereby (i) ratifies and reaffirms all of its payment and performance obligations, contingent or otherwise, under each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (ii) ratifies and reaffirms each grant of a lien on, or security interest in, its property made pursuant to the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the grant of security made by such Borrower Party or Grantor pursuant to the Collateral Agreement) and confirms that such liens and security interests continue to secure the Secured Obligations, including under the Loan Documents, in each case subject to the terms thereof, and (iii) in the case of each Guarantor, ratifies and reaffirms its guaranty of the Obligations pursuant to its respective Guaranty.

(e) This Agreement shall be deemed a Loan Document for all purposes under the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 4. Conditions of Effectiveness . This Agreement shall become effective as of the date (the “ First Restatement Effective Date ”) on which the following conditions shall have been satisfied (or waived):

(a) The Administrative Agents shall have received counterparts of this Agreement executed by the Borrowers and the Lenders prior to, 5:00 p.m., New York City time on April 30, 2015 (the “ Consent Deadline ”);

(b) After giving effect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, the representations and warranties set forth in Article 5 of the Credit Agreement (as amended, restated and modified by this Agreement) are true and correct in all material respects as of the First Restatement Effective Date, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and immediately prior to and after giving effect to the First Restatement Effective Date, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

3


(c) The Administrative Agents shall have received a legal opinion of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, counsel to the Borrower Parties, addressed to the Lender Group and reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agents;

(d) The Administrative Agents shall have received, with respect to each Borrower Party, a loan certificate signed by the secretary or assistant secretary of such Person, certifying a true, complete and correct copy of the resolutions of such Person (or its general partner, members or manager, as applicable) authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by such Person of this Agreement;

(e) The Administrative Agents shall have received a certificate of the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Administrative Borrower confirming compliance with the conditions precedent set forth in clause (b) of this Section 4; and

(f) The Borrowers shall have paid all reasonable and documented costs and expenses of the Administrative Agents in connection with this Agreement (including the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of Shearman & Sterling LLP, as counsel to the Administrative Agents).

(g) The Administrative Agents shall have received, for the ratable account of each 2021 Term Loan Lender (as defined in the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) that consents to this Agreement, a non-refundable upfront fee equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2021 Term Loans (as defined in the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) as of the First Restatement Effective Date (the “ Upfront Fee ”). At the option of the Administrative Agents, the Upfront Fee may be structured as original issue discount.

SECTION 5. Representations and Warranties . Each of the Borrowers hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agents that:

(a) on and as of the date hereof (i) it has all requisite corporate or other power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Security Agreement and the Credit Agreement each as amended, restated and modified hereby and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (ii) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it; and

(b) this Agreement, the Security Agreement and the Credit Agreement each as amended, restated and modified hereby, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of such party, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, subject only to any limitation under Laws relating to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or creditors’ rights generally; and (ii) general equitable principles including the discretion that a court may exercise in the granting of equitable remedies.

SECTION 6. Increasing Lenders . If any Lender declines or fails to consent to this Agreement by returning an executed counterpart of this Agreement to the applicable Administrative Agent prior to the Consent Deadline, then pursuant to and in compliance with the terms of Section 11.16 of the Credit Agreement, such Lender may be replaced and its commitments and/or obligations purchased and assumed by either a new lender (a “ New Lender ”) or an existing Lender which is willing to extend its Term Loans as set forth on such Lender’s

 

4


signature page hereto (an “ Existing Lender ” and, together with any New Lender, the “ Increasing Lenders ”) upon execution of this Agreement (which will also be deemed to be the execution of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto).

SECTION 7. Costs and Expenses . The Borrowers agree that all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agents in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery and administration, modification and amendment of this Agreement and the other instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder or in connection herewith (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agents), are expenses that the Borrowers are required to pay or reimburse pursuant to Section 11.2 of the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 8. Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery by telecopier or other electronic transmission of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement, including by email with a pdf copy hereof attached, shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 9. GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 10. WAIVER OF RIGHT OF TRIAL BY JURY . EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AS AMENDED, RESTATED AND MODIFIED HEREBY, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 10 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

ZAYO GROUP, LLC,
as a Borrower
By:

/s/ Ken desGarennes

Name: Ken desGarennes
Title: Chief Financial Officer
ZAYO CAPITAL, INC.,
as a Borrower
By:

/s/ Ken desGarennes

Name: Ken desGarennes
Title: Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to

Amendment and Restatement Agreement


ZAYO COLOCATION INC.
FIBERNET TELECOM, INC.
LOCAL FIBER, LLC
ABOVENET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
ACCESS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
COLO FACILITIES ATLANTA, LLC
FIBERLINK, LLC
IDEATEK SYSTEMS, INC.
LOCAL FIBER, LLC
USCARRIER, LLC
ZAYO COLOCATION, LLC
ZAYO CORELINK ACQUISITION SUB, LLC
ZAYO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC
LATISYS-SPV, INC.
LATISYS-ASHBURN, LLC
LATISYS-ASHBURN HOLDINGS CORP.
LATISYS-CHICAGO, LLC
LATISYS-CHICAGO HOLDINGS CORP.
LATISYS CORP.
LATISYS-DENVER, LLC
LATISYS HOLDINGS CORP.
LATISYS-IRVINE, LLC
LATISYS-IRVINE PROPERTIES, LLC,
as Grantors

 

By:

/s/ Ken desGarennes

Name: Ken desGarennes
Title: Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to

Amendment and Restatement Agreement


MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as Term Facility Administrative Agent
By:

/s/ Stephen B. King

Name: Stephen B. King
Title: Vice President

Signature Page to

Amendment and Restatement Agreement


SUNTRUST BANK,
as Revolving Facility Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
By:

/s/ Shannon Offen

Name: Shannon Offen
Title: Director

Signature Page to

Amendment and Restatement Agreement


Lender Signature Pages on File with the Term Facility Administrative Agent

Signature Page to

Amendment and Restatement Agreement


Schedule 5.1(c)-1

Subsidiaries

 

Name

  

Jurisdiction of

Incorporation

or Formation

  

Qualified Business

States

  

Other

Business

Names

  

Equity Holders

upstreamNet Communications GmbH    Austria    N/A    None    Neo Telecom Group SAS – 5%
Latisys SPV, Inc.    California    California    None    Latisys Corp. – 100%
360networks Vancouver Ltd.    Canada    British Columbia    N/A    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
AboveNet Canada, Inc.    Canada    N/A    f/k/a Metromedia Fiber Network Canada, Inc.    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
AboveNet Communications, LLC    Delaware    Delaware    None    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
FiberNet Telecom, Inc.    Delaware    Delaware, California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York    None    Zayo Colocation, LLC – 100%
Latisys-Ashburn, LLC    Delaware    Delaware    None    Latisys-Ashburn Holdings Corp. – 100%
Latisys-Ashburn Holdings Corp.    Delaware    Delaware    None    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
Latisys-Chicago, LLC    Delaware    Delaware    None    Latisys-Chicago Holdings Corp. – 100%
Latisys-Chicago Holdings Corp.    Delaware    Delaware    None    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
Latisys Corp.    Delaware    Delaware    None    Latisys Holdings Corp. – 100%


Name

  

Jurisdiction of

Incorporation

or Formation

  

Qualified Business

States

  

Other

Business

Names

  

Equity Holders

Latisys-Denver, LLC    Delaware    Delaware    None    Latisys Corp. – 100%
Latisys Holdings Corp.    Delaware    Delaware    None    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
Latisys-Irvine, LLC    Delaware    Delaware    None    Latisys Corp. – 100%
Latisys-Irvine Properties, LLC    Delaware    Delaware    None    Latisys Corp. – 100%
Neo Telecoms LLC    Delaware    Delaware    None    Zayo France SAS – 100%
USCarrier, LLC    Delaware    Delaware    None    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
Zayo Capital, Inc.    Delaware    Delaware    None    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
Zayo Colocation, LLC    Delaware    Delaware, California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania    Formerly Fibernet Telecom Group, Inc.    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
Zayo Corelink Acquisition Sub, LLC    Delaware    Delaware    None    Zayo Colocation, LLC – 100%
Zayo Group, LLC    Delaware    Delaware, Colorado    None    Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. – 100%
Zayo Professional Services, LLC    Delaware    Delaware    None    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
Intexan SARL    France    N/A    N/A    Zayo France SAS – 95%
Iziva SARL    France    N/A    N/A    Zayo France SAS – 6%
Neocenter Est SARL    France    N/A    N/A    Zayo France SAS – 32.86%


Name

  

Jurisdiction of

Incorporation

or Formation

  

Qualified Business

States

  

Other

Business

Names

  

Equity Holders

Neocenter Ouest SAS    France    N/A    N/A    Zayo France SAS – 36.58%
NeoClyde SAS    France    N/A    N/A    Zayo France SAS – 50%
Neo Telecom Group SAS    France    N/A    N/A    Zayo Group International, Ltd. – 100%
Resoptic SAS    France    N/A    N/A    Iziva SARL – 20%
Serenisys SARL    France    N/A    N/A    Neo Telecom Group SAS – 55%
Zayo France SAS    France    N/A    N/A    Neo Telecom Group SAS – 100%
Zayo Group UK Limited    France    N/A    N/A    Zayo Group International, Ltd. – 100%
Colo Facilities Atlanta, LLC    Georgia    Georgia    None    Zayo Colocation, LLC – 100%
FiberLink, LLC    Illinois    Illinois, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Tennessee    None    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
Emerald Bridge Fibre Limited    Ireland    N/A    N/A    Geo Networks Limited – 50%
MFN Japan KK    Japan    N/A    N/A    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
IdeaTek Systems, Inc.    Kansas    Kansas    IdeaTek    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
BDS Techno SARL    Luxembourg    N/A    N/A    Neo Telecom Group SAS – 33.33%


Name

  

Jurisdiction of

Incorporation

or Formation

  

Qualified Business

States

  

Other

Business

Names

  

Equity Holders

Access Communications, Inc.    Minnesota    Minnesota    None    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
Local Fiber, LLC    New York    New York, California, Illinois, New Jersey    None    FiberNet Telecom, Inc. – 100%
Ego Acquisitions Limited    United Kingdom    N/A    N/A    Ego Holdings Limited – 100%
Ego Holdings Limited    United Kingdom    N/A    N/A    Zayo Group International, Ltd. – 100%
Ego Midco Limited    United Kingdom    N/A    N/A    Ego Holdings Limited – 100%
FibreSpeed Limited    United Kingdom    N/A    N/A    Geo Networks Limited – 100%
Geo Metro Limited    United Kingdom    N/A    N/A    Geo Networks Limited – 100%
Geo Networks Limited    United Kingdom    N/A    N/A    Ego Holdings Limited – 100%
Zayo Group EU Limited    United Kingdom    N/A    N/A    Zayo Group International, Ltd. – 100%
Zayo Group International, Ltd.    United Kingdom    N/A    N/A    Zayo Group, LLC – 100%
Zayo Group UK Limited    United Kingdom    N/A    N/A    Zayo Group International, Ltd. – 100%


5.1(d)

Outstanding Capital Stock Ownership

 

Issuer

  

Owner(s)

  

Amount Issued

and Outstanding

  

Authorized

Equity

upstreamNet Communications GmbH    Neo Telecom Group SAS    N/A    N/A
Latisys SPV, Inc.    Latisys Corp.    100 shares of common stock    100 shares of common stock
360networks Vancouver Ltd.    Zayo Group, LLC   

100 shares of A voting non-participating common stock

 

100 shares of B non-voting participating common stock

  

Unlimited number of Class A voting non-participating shares of common stock

 

Unlimited number of Class B non-voting participating shares of common stock

AboveNet Canada, Inc.    Zayo Group, LLC    9,140,227 shares    Unlimited number of common shares
AboveNet Communications, LLC    Zayo Group, LLC    membership interests    N/A
FiberNet Telecom, Inc.    Zayo Colocation LLC    1,000 shares of common stock    1,000 shares common stock
Latisys-Ashburn, LLC    Latisys-Ashburn Holdings Corp.    membership interests    N/A
Latisys-Ashburn Holdings Corp.    Zayo Group, LLC    100 shares of common stock    100 shares of common stock
Latisys-Chicago, LLC    Latisys-Chicago Holdings Corp.    membership interests    N/A
Latisys-Chicago Holdings Corp.    Zayo Group, LLC    100 shares of common stock    100 shares of common stock
Latisys Corp.    Latisys Holdings Corp.    100 shares of common stock    100 shares of common stock


Issuer

  

Owner(s)

  

Amount Issued

and Outstanding

  

Authorized

Equity

Latisys-Denver, LLC    Latisys Corp.    membership interests    N/A
Latisys Holdings Corp.    Zayo Group, LLC    100 shares of common stock    100 shares of common stock
Latisys-Irvine, LLC    Latisys Corp.    membership interests    N/A
Latisys-Irvine Properties, LLC    Latisys Corp.    membership interests    N/A
Neo Telecoms LLC    Zayo France SAS    N/A    N/A
USCarrier, LLC    Zayo Group, LLC    membership interests    N/A
Zayo Capital, Inc.    Zayo Group, LLC    100 shares of common stock    100 shares of common stock
Zayo Colocation, LLC    Zayo Group, LLC    1,000 shares of common stock    1,000 shares of common stock
Zayo Corelink Acquisition Sub, LLC    Zayo Colocation, LLC    Membership interests    N/A
Zayo Group, LLC    Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.    1,000 membership interest units    1,000 membership interest units
Zayo Professional Services, LLC    Zayo Group, LLC    membership interests    N/A
Intexan SARL    Zayo France SAS    N/A    N/A
Iziva SARL    Zayo France SAS    N/A    N/A
Neocenter Est SARL    Zayo France SAS    N/A    N/A
Neocenter Ouest SAS    Zayo France SAS    N/A    N/A
NeoClyde SAS    Zayo France SAS    N/A    N/A
Neo Telecom Group SAS    Zayo Group International, Ltd.    N/A    N/A
Resoptic SAS    Iziva SARL    N/A    N/


Issuer

  

Owner(s)

  

Amount Issued

and Outstanding

  

Authorized

Equity

Serenisys SARL    Neo Telecom Group SAS    N/A    N/A
Zayo France SAS    Neo Telecom Group SAS    N/A    N/A
Zayo Group UK Limited    Zayo Group International, Ltd.    N/A    N/A
Colo Facilities Atlanta, LLC    Zayo Colocation, LLC    membership interests    N/A
FiberLink, LLC    Zayo Group, LLC    membership interests    N/A
Emerald Bridge Fibre Limited    Geo Networks Limited    N/A    N/A
MFN Japan KK    AboveNet Communications, Inc.    100 ownership interest / shares    100 ownership interests / shares
IdeaTek Systems, Inc.    Zayo Group, LLC    105,000 shares of common stock    105,000 shares of common stock
BDS Techno SARL    Neo Telecom Group SAS    N/A    N/A
Access Communications, Inc.    Zayo Group, LLC    500,000 shares of common stock    500,000 shares of common stock
Local Fiber, LLC    FiberNet Telecom, Inc.    1,000 membership interest units    1,000 membership interest units
Ego Acquisitions Limited    Ego Holdings Limited    N/A    N/A
Ego Holdings Limited    Zayo Group International, Ltd.    N/A    N/A
Ego Midco Limited    Ego Holdings Limited    N/A    N/A
FibreSpeed Limited    Geo Networks Limited    N/A    N/A
Geo Metro Limited    Geo Networks Limited    N/A    N/A


Issuer

  

Owner(s)

  

Amount Issued

and Outstanding

  

Authorized

Equity

Geo Networks Limited    Ego Holdings Limited    N/A    N/A
Zayo Group EU Limited    Zayo Group International, Ltd.    N/A    N/A
Zayo Group International, Ltd.    Zayo Group, LLC    N/A    N/A
Zayo Group UK Limited    Zayo Group International, Ltd.    N/A    N/A


Schedule 5.1(j)

Taxes

Examinations or Audits

AboveNet Communications, Inc.- New York City utility tax audit in process (extension of time to assess/collect tax granted). Proposed liability is currently being contested.

Local Fiber, LLC- New York City utility tax audit in process (extension of time to assess/collect tax granted). Proposed liability is currently being contested.

Zayo Colocation, Inc.- New York State 186-e excise tax audit in process (extension of time to assess/collect tax granted).

Zayo Colocation, Inc.- New York City utility tax audit in process (extension of time to assess/collect tax granted). Proposed liability is currently being contested.

Zayo Group, LLC- New York State 186-e excise tax audit in process (extension of time to assess/collect tax granted).

Zayo Group, LLC- New York City sales tax audit in process (extension of time to assess/collect tax granted).

Zayo Group, LLC- Texas sales/use tax audit in process.

Ego Midco, Ltd.- 2012 UK income tax return currently under review.

Zayo Group International, Ltd.- ATCA agreement currently under review.

Filing of Taxes

Zayo Group UK, Ltd.- income tax filings for periods ended 6/30/13 and 6/30/14 are currently outstanding. Filings were delayed due to awaiting UK statutory accounts filing completion.

Zayo Group Europe, Ltd.- income tax filings for periods ended 6/30/13 and 6/30/14 are currently outstanding. Filings were delayed due to awaiting UK statutory accounts filings.

Zayo Group International, Ltd.- income tax filings for periods ended 6/30/13 and 6/30/14 are currently outstanding. Filings were delayed due to awaiting UK statutory accounts filings.


Schedule 5.1(m)

Investments/Guarantees

The CoBank, ACB investment listed on Schedule 5.1(c)-2.

Colorado Communications Transport, LLC (“CCT”) Initial Subscription Agreement dated April 30, 2010 between CCT and Zayo Bandwidth, LLC (the “CCT Subscription Agreement”).

AboveNet Communications, Inc. owns approximately 1.4% of Japan Internet Exchange Co., Ltd. (JPIX), a company organized in Japan.


Schedule 5.1(p)

Intellectual Property; Licenses and Certifications

 

U.S. Trademarks :         

Registered Owner

  

Trademark Description

  

Application Serial

Number/Filing Date

  

Registration Number/

Registration Date

Zayo Group, LLC    LOGO   

77763334

June 18, 2009

  

3847072

September 14, 2010

Zayo Group, LLC    LOGO   

77763239

June 18, 2009

  

3742184

January 26, 2010

Zayo Group, LLC    LOGO   

77550441

August 19, 2008

  

3665937

August 11, 2009

Zayo Group, LLC    LOGO   

77550300

August 19, 2008

  

3665936

August 11, 2009

Zayo Group, LLC    LOGO   

77382232

January 28, 2008

  

3501281

September 16, 2008

Zayo Group, LLC    LOGO   

77099554

February 5, 2007

  

3399181

March 18, 2008

Zayo Group, LLC    THE BACKBONE TO COMMUNICATIONS   

78966155

September 1, 2006

  

3490666

August 19, 2008

Zayo Group, LLC    THE BACKBONE TO COMMUNICATIONS   

78966157

September 1, 2006

  

3464595

July 8, 2008

Zayo Group, LLC    360NETWORKS   

76171118

November 26, 2000

  

2821982

March 16, 2004

Zayo Group, LLC    360   

76171119

November 26, 2000

  

2950775

May 17, 2005

Zayo Group, LLC    360NETWORKS   

76122960

September 6, 2000

  

2911912

December 21, 2004

Zayo Group, LLC    ZAYO FIBER SOLUTIONS   

85308155

April 29, 2011

  

4073692

December 20, 2011

Zayo Group, LLC    ZAYO ENTERPRISE NETWORKS   

85308157

April 29, 2011

  

4073693

December 20, 2011

Zayo Group, LLC    ZAYO BANDWIDTH   

77245166

August 2, 2007

  

3500859

September 16, 2008

Zayo Group, LLC    ZAYO   

77244680

August 1, 2007

  

3500857

September 16, 2008


Zayo Group, LLC    ZCOLO   

77825058

September 11, 2009

  

3971264

May 31, 2011

Zayo Colocation Inc.    LOGO   

78693888

August 16, 2005

  

3395986

March 11, 2008

Zayo Colocation Inc.    LOGO   

77044317

November 15, 2006

  

3361370

January 1, 2008

Zayo Colocation Inc.    LOGO   

77037993

November 6, 2006

  

3350844

December 11, 2007

Zayo Colocation Inc.    LOGO   

78750871

November 9, 2005

  

3198383

January 16, 2007

Latisys-Irvine, LLC    IN TELE NET (stylized)   

77132508

March 15, 2007

  

3597065

March 31, 2009

Latisys Corp.    LATISYS   

77683094

March 4, 2009

  

3887063

December 7, 2010

Latisys Corp.    LATISYS (stylized)   

77684178

March 5, 2009

  

3887065

December 7, 2010

Latisys Corp.    LATISPHERE   

85195570

December 10, 2010

  

4230536

October 23, 2012

Foreign Trademarks :         

Registered Owner

  

Trademark Description

  

Application

Number/Filing Date

  

Registration Number/

Registration Date

Zayo Group, LLC    ABOVENET   

7339823

October 24, 2008

  

7339823 EC

June 10, 2009

AboveNet Communications, Inc.    ABOVENET   

98741428

July 10, 1998

  

98741428 French

July 10, 1998

Zayo Group, LLC    ABOVENET   

2170781

June 29, 1998

  

2170781 UK

February 26, 1999

AboveNet Communications, Inc.    DIZOOM   

2448950

March 9, 2007

  

2448950 UK

October 12, 2007


AboveNet Communications, Inc.    JABNET   

2448951

March 9, 2007

  

2448951 UK

February 22, 2008

Zayo Group, LLC    360   

1060809

May 26, 2000

  

TMA583,538 Canada

June 11, 2003

Zayo Group, LLC    360NETWORKS   

1060810

May 26, 2000

  

TMA583,519 Canada

June 11, 2003

Zayo Group, LLC    360NETWORKS   

1049887

March 8, 2000

  

TMA576,857 Canada

March 4, 2003

Latisys Corp.    LATISYS   

1450630

September 3, 2009

  

TMA871,873 Canada

February 21, 2014

Latisys Corp.    LATISYS   

8525503

September 3, 2009

  

8525503 EC

June 8, 2010

Latisys Corp.    LATISYS (stylized)   

1450522

September 3, 2009

  

TMA871,861 Canada

February 21, 2014

Latisys Corp.    LATISYS (stylized)   

8525628

September 3, 2009

  

8525628 EC

June 8, 2010

Latisys Corp.    LATISPHERE   

1531198

June 10, 2011

   N/A Canada
Latisys Corp.    LATISPHERE   

10038727

June 10, 2011

  

10038727 EC

November 10, 2011

Trade Names

 

Colorado Trade Names :         

Registered Trade Name

  

Status

  

Filing Date

  

ID Number

Zayo Bandwidth    Effective    March 14, 2008    20081142720
Zayo Group    Effective    November 21, 2007    20071532600
Zayo Managed Services    Effective    December 21, 2007    20071587885

Common Law Trademarks

LiteCast/Balticore

All Systems Grow

U.S. Patents :

None issued or pending.


Foreign Patents :

None issued or pending.

US Copyright Registrations :

None issued or pending.

Foreign Copyright Registrations:

None issued or pending.

License Agreements:

None.


Schedule 5.1(w)-2

Owned Real Property

California:

17222 Von Karman Avenue

Irvine, CA 92614

Owner: Latisys SPV, Inc.

Colorado:

391 and 393 Inverness Parkway

Englewood, CO 80112

Owner: Latisys-Denver, LLC

Virginia:

Parcel 35A-4

Ashburn Center

Loudon County, Virginia

PIN: 088-48-1748-000

Owner: Latisys-Ashburn, LLC


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; capitalized terms used herein without definitions shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement), by and among ZAYO GROUP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Administrative Borrower ”), ZAYO CAPITAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (“ Zayo Capital ”; and together with Administrative Borrower, each, individually a “ Borrower ” and, collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), the Persons party thereto from time to time as Guarantors, the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lender (the “ Lenders ”), SUNTRUST BANK, as the Issuing Bank, SUNTRUST BANK, as the Collateral Agent, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as administrative agent for the Term Loan Facility (in such capacity, the “ Term Facility Administrative Agent ”), and SUNTRUST BANK, as the administrative agent for the Revolving Loan Facility (in such capacity, the “ Revolving Facility Administrative Agent ” and, together with the Term Facility Administrative Agent, each, individually an “ Administrative Agent ” and, collectively, the “ Administrative Agents ”).

The “Assignor” and the “Assignee” referred to on Schedule 1 agree as follows:

The Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee without recourse, and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, an interest in and to the Assignor’s rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement as of the date hereof equal to the percentage interest specified on Schedule 1 of all outstanding rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement. After giving effect to such sale and assignment, the Assignee’s Commitment and the amount of the Loans owing to the Assignee will be as set forth on Schedule 1 .

The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim, (b) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Loan Documents or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto, and (c) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the Borrowers or the performance or observance by the Borrowers of any of their obligations under the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto.

The Assignee (a) confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered thereunder and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance, (b) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the applicable Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement, (c) confirms that it is an Eligible Assignee, (d) appoints and authorizes the applicable Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and


discretion under the Credit Agreement as are delegated to such Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto, (e) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations that by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender, and (f) attaches any U.S. Internal Revenue Service forms required under Section 2.8(b)(v) of the Credit Agreement.

Following the execution hereof, the Assignor and the Assignee shall deliver this Assignment and Acceptance, along with (a) a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 payable by the Assignee to the applicable Administrative Agent and (b) if the Assignee is not a Lender, a completed Administrative Questionnaire, for acceptance and recording by the applicable Administrative Agent. Unless otherwise indicated on Schedule 1 , the effective date for this Assignment and Acceptance (the “ First Restatement Effective Date ”) shall be the date of acceptance hereof by the applicable Administrative Agent.

Upon such acceptance and recording by the applicable Administrative Agent, as of the First Restatement Effective Date, (a) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance and the Credit Agreement, shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder, and (b) the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance and the Credit Agreement, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement.

Upon such acceptance and recording by the applicable Administrative Agent, from and after the First Restatement Effective Date, such Administrative Agent shall make all payments under the Credit Agreement in respect of the interest assigned hereby (including, without limitation, all payments of principal, interest and commitment fees with respect thereto) to the Assignee. The Assignor and Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments under the Credit Agreement for periods prior to the First Restatement Effective Date directly between themselves.

This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such separate counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same agreement. In proving this Assignment and Acceptance in any judicial proceedings, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by the party against whom such enforcement is sought. Any signatures delivered by a party by facsimile transmission or by other electronic transmission shall be deemed an original signature hereto.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused this Assignment and Acceptance to be executed by their authorized signatory as of the date specified thereon.

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR], as the Assignor

By:

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Date:                   , 20         

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE], as the Assignee

By:

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Date:                   , 20         

ACCEPTED [AND APPROVED] 1 THIS              DAY

OF                  , 20          :

[ SUNTRUST BANK , as the Administrative Agent for the Revolving Loan Facility

 

By:

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

] 2

[ MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC. , as the Administrative Agent for the Term Loan Facility

 

By:

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

] 3

 

[ ZAYO GROUP, LLC , as Administrative Borrower, on behalf of the Borrowers
By:

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

] 4

 

 

1   If required under the definition of Eligible Assignee or Section 11.5(b) of the Credit Agreement.
2   If applicable.
3   If applicable.
4   If required under the definition of Eligible Assignee or Section 11.5(b) of the Credit Agreement


SCHEDULE 1

ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

 

Type of Commitment/Loan Assigned: [Revolving Loan]

[Term Loan]

 

Commitment/Loans of Assignor prior to assignment:

$                             

Commitment/Loans assigned to Assignee:

$                             

Commitment/Loans of Assignor after assignment:

$                             
Commitment/Loans Ratio of Assignee after assignment:                              %

The Assignee’s Domestic Lending Office:

 

 

 

The Assignee’s Eurodollar Lending Office:

 

 

 

First Restatement Effective Date (if other than date of acceptance by the applicable Administrative Agent):                  , 20         


ANNEX A

First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

See attached.


CONFORMED COPY REFLECTING AMENDMENTS NO. 1 - 7

Execution Version ANNEX A

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

by and among

ZAYO GROUP, LLC and ZAYO CAPITAL, INC.,

as Borrowers,

THE PERSONS PARTY HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME AS GUARANTORS,

THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO

FROM TIME TO TIME AS LENDERS,

SUNTRUST BANK,

as Issuing Bank,

SUNTRUST BANK,

as Collateral Agent,

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,

as Administrative Agent for the Term Loan Facility,

SUNTRUST BANK,

as Administrative Agent for the Revolving Loan Facility,

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC. , AND BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Co-Syndication Agents for the Term Loan Facility,

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC. AND BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers for the Term Loan Facility,MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC. AND BARCLAYS BANK PLC AND GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS 1 ,  and SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners for the Term Loan Facility, Restatement Agreement,

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., BARCLAYS BANK PLC, GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS,

as Documentation Agent for the Term Loan Facility SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC. and

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC,

as Managers for the Restatement Agreement ,

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.,

as Lead Arranger for the Revolving Loan Facility, and

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., BARCLAYS BANK PLC, SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC., UBS SECURITIES LLC, RBC CAPITAL MARKETS AND GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,

as Arrangers

July 2, 2012

Originally dated as of July 2, 2012,

and amended and restated as of May 6, 2015

 

1   RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets activities businesses of Royal Bank of Canada and its affiliates.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
  ARTICLE 1.   
  DEFINITIONS, ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND   
  OTHER INTERPRETIVE MATTERS   
Section 1.1  

Definitions

     2   
Section 1.2  

Accounting Principles

     53 57   
Section 1.3  

Other Interpretive Matters

     53 58   
Section 1.4  

Term Facility Administrative Agent and Revolving Facility Administrative Agent

     53 58   
Section 1.5  

Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents

     54 59   
  ARTICLE 2.   
  THE LOANS AND THE LETTERS OF CREDIT   
Section 2.1  

Extension of Credit

     54 59   
Section 2.2  

Manner of Borrowing and Disbursement of Loans

     57 62   
Section 2.3  

Interest

     63 68   
Section 2.4  

Fees

     64 69   
Section 2.5  

Prepayments/Reduction of Commitments

     66 71   
Section 2.6  

Repayment

     69 74   
Section 2.7  

Notes; Loan Accounts

     69 74   
Section 2.8  

Manner of Payment

     70 75   
Section 2.9  

Reimbursement

     73 78   
Section 2.10  

Pro Rata Treatment

     73 79   
Section 2.11  

Application of Payments

     74 80   
Section 2.12  

Use of Proceeds

     75 81   
Section 2.13  

All Obligations to Constitute One Obligation

     76 81   
Section 2.14  

Maximum Rate of Interest

     76 81   
Section 2.15  

Letters of Credit

     76 82   
Section 2.16  

Bank Products

     81 87   
Section 2.17  

Additional Increase of Commitments; Additional Lenders

     82 87   
Section 2.18  

Defaulting Lenders

     85 91   
  ARTICLE 3.   
  GUARANTY   
Section 3.1  

Guaranty

     87 93   
Section 3.2  

Special Provisions Applicable to Subsidiary Guarantors

     91 97   

 

i


ARTICLE 4.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section 4.1

Conditions Precedent to Initial Loan

92 [Reserved]97
Section 4.2

Conditions Precedent to Each Loan

95 100
Section 4.3

Conditions Precedent to Each Letter of Credit

95 101
ARTICLE 5.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 5.1

General Representations and Warranties

96 9101
Section 5.2

Survival of Representations and Warranties, etc.

105 111
ARTICLE 6.
GENERAL COVENANTS
Section 6.1

Preservation of Existence and Similar Matters

106 111
Section 6.2

Compliance with Applicable Law

106 112
Section 6.3

Maintenance of Properties

106 112
Section 6.4

Accounting Methods and Financial Records

106 112
Section 6.5

Insurance

106 112
Section 6.6

Payment of Taxes and Claims

107 113
Section 6.7

Visits and Inspections

107 113
Section 6.8

Intentionally Omitted

108 [Reserved]113
Section 6.9

ERISA

108 113
Section 6.10

Lien Perfection

108 114
Section 6.11

Blocked Account Agreements

108 [Reserved]114
Section 6.12

Further Assurances

109 114
Section 6.13

Broker’s Claims

109 115
Section 6.14

Indemnity

109 115
Section 6.15

Environmental Matters

110 116
Section 6.16

Formation of Subsidiaries

110 116
Section 6.17

Designation of Subsidiaries

111 117
Section 6.18

Post-Closing Matters

111
ARTICLE 7.
INFORMATION COVENANTS
Section 7.1

Quarterly Financial Statements and Information

112 118
Section 7.2

Annual Financial Statements and Information; Certificate of No Default

112 118
Section 7.3

Compliance Certificates

113 119
Section 7.4

Access to Accountants

113 119
Section 7.5

Additional Reports

113 119
Section 7.6 Notice of Litigation and Other Matters 114 120

 

ii


ARTICLE 8.
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Section 8.1

Funded Debt

115 121
Section 8.2

Guaranties

118 124
Section 8.3

Liens

118 124
Section 8.4

Restricted Payments and Purchases

118 124
Section 8.5

Investments

119 126
Section 8.6

Affiliate Transactions

120 127
Section 8.7

Liquidation; Change in Ownership, Name, or Year; Disposition or Acquisition of Assets; Etc.

121 127
Section 8.8

Financial Covenants

122 Covenant129
Section 8.9

Additional Fiber Optic

123 130
Section 8.10

Conduct of Business

123 130
Section 8.11

Sales and Leasebacks

123 130
Section 8.12

Amendment and Waiver

124 131
Section 8.13

ERISA Liability

124 131
Section 8.14

Prepayments

124 131
Section 8.15

Negative Pledge

124 131
Section 8.16

Inconsistent Agreements

125 132
Section 8.17

Senior Note Documents

125
ARTICLE 9.
DEFAULT
Section 9.1

Events of Default

125 132
Section 9.2

Remedies

128 136
Section 9.3

Right to Cure

129 137
ARTICLE 10.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENTS
Section 10.1

Appointment and Authorization

130 138
Section 10.2

Interest Holders

131 138
Section 10.3

Consultation with Counsel

131 138
Section 10.4

Documents

131 138
Section 10.5

Administrative Agents and Affiliates

131 138
Section 10.6

Responsibility of the Administrative Agents

131 139
Section 10.7

Action by Administrative Agents

132 139
Section 10.8

Notice of Default

132 139
Section 10.9

Responsibility Disclaimed

132 140
Section 10.10

Indemnification

133 140

 

iii


Section 10.11

Credit Decision

  133 141   
Section 10.12

Successor Administrative Agents

  134 141   
Section 10.13

Administrative Agents May File Proofs of Claim

  134 142   
Section 10.14

Collateral

  135 142   
Section 10.15

Release of Collateral

  135 143   
Section 10.16

Additional Agents

  136 144   
Section 10.17

Intercreditor Agreement

  136 144   
ARTICLE 11.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.1

Notices

  137 144   
Section 11.2

Expenses

  138 146   
Section 11.3

Waivers

  139 146   
Section 11.4

Set-Off

  139 147   
Section 11.5

Assignment

  140 147   
Section 11.6

Counterparts

  150 157   
Section 11.7

Under Seal; Governing Law

  150 158   
Section 11.8

Severability

  150 158   
Section 11.9

Headings

  150 158   
Section 11.10

Source of Funds

  150 158   
Section 11.11

Entire Agreement

  150 158   
Section 11.12

Amendments and Waivers

  151 158   
Section 11.13

Other Relationships; No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

  152 160   
Section 11.14

Pronouns

  152 160   
Section 11.15

Disclosure

  153 160   
Section 11.16

Replacement of Lender

  153 160   
Section 11.17

Confidentiality

  153 161   
Section 11.18

Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations

  154 162   
Section 11.19

Electronic Transmissions

  154 162   
Section 11.20

USA Patriot Act Compliance

  155 163   
Section 11.21

Judgment

  155 163   
ARTICLE 12.
YIELD PROTECTION
Section 12.1

Eurodollar Rate Basis Determination

  156 163   
Section 12.2

Illegality

  156 164   
Section 12.3

Increased Costs

  157 164   
Section 12.4

Effect On Other Loans

  158 166   
Section 12.5

Capital Adequacy

  158 166   

 

iv


ARTICLE 13.
JURISDICTION, VENUE AND WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
Section 13.1

Jurisdiction and Service of Process

  159 167   
Section 13.2

Consent to Venue

  160 168   
Section 13.3

Waiver of Jury Trial

  160 168   
Section 13.4

All Obligations to Constitute Joint and Several Obligations

  161 168   
Section 13.5

The Administrative Borrower

  162 170   

 

EXHIBITS
Exhibit A - Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit C - Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D - Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit E - Form of Request for Loan
Exhibit F - Form of Request for Issuance of Letter of Credit
Exhibit G-1 - Form of Revolving Loan Note
Exhibit G-2 - Form of Term Loan Note
Exhibit H - Form of Guaranty Supplement
Exhibit I - Form of Notice of Requested Commitment Increase
Exhibit J - Form of Notice of Prepayment
Exhibit K - Form of Security Agreement
Exhibit L - Form of Acceptance and Purchase Notice
Exhibit M - Form of Discount Range Sale Offer
Exhibit N - Form of Discount Range Solicitation Notice
Exhibit O - Form of Solicited Discounted Sale Offer
Exhibit P - Form of Solicited Discounted Solicitation Notice
Exhibit Q - Form of Specified Discount Purchase Notice
Exhibit R - Form of Specified Discount Purchase Response

 

v


SCHEDULES
Schedule 1.1(a) - Commitment Ratios
Schedule 1.1(b) - Equity Group
Schedule 1.1(c) - Liens
Schedule 1.1(d) - Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 5.1(c)-1 - Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.1(c)-2 - Partnerships/Joint Ventures
Schedule 5.1(d) - Outstanding Capital Stock Ownership
Schedule 5.1(i) - Labor Matters
Schedule 5.1(j) - Taxes
Schedule 5.1(m) - Investments/Guaranties as of the Agreement Date
Schedule 5.1(n) - Litigation
Schedule 5.1(o) ERISA
Schedule 5.1(p) - Intellectual Property; Licenses and Certifications
Schedule 5.1(u) - Insurance
Schedule 5.1(w)-1 - Leased Real Property
Schedule 5.1(w)-2 - Owned Real Property
Schedule 5.1(x) - Environmental Matters
Schedule 6.11 - Bank and Investment Accounts
Schedule 6.18 - Post Closing Matters
Schedule 8.1 - Outstanding Indebtedness as of the Agreement Date
Schedule 8.5 - Existing Investments
Schedule 8.6 - Affiliate Transactions

 

vi


CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, originally dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 17, 2012, that certain Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2012, that certain Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2013, that certain Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2013, that certain Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2013, that certain Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2014, that certain Amendment No. 7 to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 17, 2015, and as amended and restated as of May 6, 2015 and as may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is by and among ZAYO GROUP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Zayo ”), ZAYO CAPITAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (“ Zayo Capital ”; and together with Zayo, each, individually as a “ Borrower ” and, collectively, as the “ Borrowers ”), the Persons party hereto from time to time as Guarantors, the financial institutions party hereto from time to time as Lenders, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as the Term Facility Administrative Agent, SUNTRUST BANK, as the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent and as the Collateral Agent and SUNTRUST BANK, as the Issuing Bank.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Zayo intends to acquire (the “ AboveNet Acquisition ”) 100% of the outstanding capital stock of AboveNet, Inc. (the “ AboveNet ”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 18, 2012 (such Agreement and Plan of Merger together with all exhibits and schedules thereto the “ Acquisition Agreement ”) among Zayo, Voila Sub, Inc., a newly formed Delaware corporation that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zayo (the “ Merger Sub ”), and AboveNet for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2.3 billion; the Borrowers previously entered into the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (the “Agreement Date”) with the financial institutions party there to from time to time as lenders, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Term Facility Administrative Agent, SunTrust Bank, as Revolving Facility Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and the other parties thereto (the “Original Credit Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, on the Agreement Date pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, the Merger Sub will be merged with and into AboveNet with AboveNet as the surviving entity and after giving effect to the Acquisition, AboveNet will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zayo; WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested that the Original Credit Agreement (i) Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Facility Lenders, make made available to them the Borrowers the Revolving Loan Commitments, the Revolving Loans, and commitments to issue Letters of Credit from time to time issue Letters of Credit and (ii) Term Facility Administrative Agent and the Term Facility Lenders make made available to them the 2019 Term Loan Commitments and the 2019 Term Loans , in each case, on the terms and conditions set forth herein ;

 


WHEREAS, the proceeds of the Term Loans shall be used to (i) finance the AboveNet Acquisition, (ii) repay and redeem existing indebtedness of AboveNet (the “ Existing AboveNet Debt Repayment ”) and its subsidiaries, (iii) to repay, redeem or tender for the Existing Secured Notes (the “ Existing Senior Notes Repayment ”), (iv) to repay all of the indebtedness outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement (the “ Existing Credit Agreement Repayment ”, together with the Existing Senior Notes Repayment, the “ Existing Borrower Debt Repayment ”) (the Existing Borrower Debt Repayment, together with the Existing AboveNet Debt Repayment, the “ Refinancing ”) and (v) pay the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the AboveNet Acquisition, the Refinancing and the incurrence of the Revolving Loan Facility and the Term Loan Facility;

WHEREAS, in connection with the AboveNet Acquisition, the Company or an escrow issuer subsidiary thereof (which shall be merged with and into the Company on the Agreement Date) intends to issue and sell (i) senior secured notes on or before the consummation of the AboveNet Acquisition in an amount up to $750,000,000 (the “ Senior Secured Notes ”) and (ii) senior unsecured notes on or before the consummation of the AboveNet Acquisition in an amount up to $500,000,000, (the “ Senior Unsecured Notes ” and, together with the Senior Secured Notes, the “ Senior Notes ”; together with the issuance of the Senior Notes, the AboveNet Acquisition, the Refinancing and the initial borrowing hereunder, the “ Transactions ”);

WHEREAS, the Administrative Agents, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, as applicable, are willing to make the Commitments, the Loans and issue Letters of Credit, in each case, on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the Borrowers and the Guarantors have agreed to provide granted Liens on substantially all of their assets under the Security Documents, to secure both the Obligations and the Senior Note Indebtedness and the Collateral Agent has agreed to serve is serving as the collateral agent and secured party pursuant to the Security Documents for the benefit of the Bank Secured Parties; and

WHEREAS, as of May 6, 2015, the Borrowers, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agents entered into the Restatement Agreement (as hereinafter defined), which amended and restated the terms of this Agreement as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date (as hereinafter defined).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1.

DEFINITIONS, ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND

OTHER INTERPRETIVE MATTERS

Section 1.1 Definitions . For the purposes of this Agreement:

2013 Incremental Term Facility Lenders ” shall mean each Lender with a 2013 Incremental Term Loan Commitment.

 

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2013 Incremental Term Loan Commitment ” shall mean the several obligations of the 2013 Incremental Term Facility Lenders to advance the aggregate amount of up to $150,000,000 to the Borrowers on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

2013 Incremental Term Loan Facility ” shall mean the 2013 Incremental Term Loan Commitments and the provisions relating to the 2013 Incremental Term Loans herein.

2013 Incremental Term Loans ” shall mean, collectively, the amounts advanced by the 2013 Incremental Term Facility Lenders to the Borrowers under the 2013 Incremental Term Loan Commitment on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date.

AboveNet ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto. 2019 Term Loan Commitment” shall mean the several obligations of the applicable Term Facility Lenders to advance the Term Loans (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement) to the Borrowers on the Agreement Date or any date thereafter but prior to the Restatement Agreement Effective Date and any Incremental Term Loans made on any date prior to the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, including the 2013 Incremental Term Loan Commitment and the Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Loan Commitment, in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratio.

AboveNet Acquisition ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

AboveNet Disclosure Schedule ” shall mean that certain disclosure schedule delivered by the Borrowers to the Lead Arrangers on March 18, 2012.

AboveNet Material Adverse Change ” means any event, change, circumstance, occurrence, effect or state of facts that is materially adverse to the business, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the AboveNet and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided , however , that the determination of a AboveNet Material Adverse Change shall exclude the following events, changes, circumstances, occurrences, effects and states of fact: (a) the announcement, pendency or anticipated consummation of the AboveNet Acquisition or any of the other

“2019 Term Loan Facility” shall mean the 2019 Term Loan Commitments, the 2013 Incremental Term Loan Facility and the Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Loan Facility and the provisions relating to the 2019 Term Loans, the 2013 Incremental Term Loans and the Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Loan Facility, respectively, contained herein.

“2019 Term Loan Lender” shall mean, at any time after the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, any Lender that has a 2019 Term Loan Commitment at such time.

“2019 Term Loans” shall mean, collectively, the amounts advanced from time to time by the applicable Term Facility Lenders to the Borrowers under the 2019 Term Loan Commitment. The aggregate amount of 2019 Term Loans as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement including the impact thereof on relationships (contractual or otherwise) with customers, suppliers, distributors, partners, employees or regulators, or any litigation arising from

 

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allegations of breach of fiduciary duty or violation of law relating to the Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement; (b) changes in general economic conditions or the credit, financial or capital markets, including changes in interest or exchange rates; (c) general conditions in the telecommunications industry or in any industry sector in which the AboveNet or any of its subsidiaries operates or participates; (d) a change in the AboveNet’s stock price or trading volume, in and of itself (provided that the underlying factors contributing to such change shall not be excluded unless such underlying factors would otherwise be excepted from this definition); (e) any natural or man-made disaster, pandemic, act of terrorism, sabotage, military action or war, or any escalation or worsening thereof; (f) any failure, in and of itself, by the AboveNet to meet any analyst projections or any internal or published projections, forecasts, estimates or predictions of revenue, earnings or other financial or operating metrics before, on or after the date of the Acquisition Agreement (provided that the underlying factors contributing to such failure shall not be excluded unless such underlying factors would otherwise be excepted from this definition); (g) changes in general legal, regulatory or political conditions after the date of the Acquisition Agreement; (h) changes in United States generally accepted accounting principles or applicable law, statute, rule, ordinance or regulation adopted or promulgated by any federal, state, local or foreign governmental authority or the interpretation thereof after the date of the Acquisition Agreement; (i) any event, occurrence, development or circumstance disclosed in that certain AboveNet Disclosure Schedule referred to in the Acquisition Agreement; (j) the taking of any action, or any failure to act, as expressly permitted by the Acquisition Agreement or consented to by the Borrower in writing; or (k) the failure to obtain the consent or waiver from any Person (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement) that could be required under any Material Contract (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement) in connection with or relating to the Acquisition or the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement to the extent such contract has been disclosed in Exhibit B of the AboveNet Disclosure Schedule referred to in the Acquisition Agreement, except with respect to clauses (b), (c), (e), (g) and (h), to the extent, and only to the extent such event, change, circumstances, occurrence, effect or state of facts is disproportionately adverse to the AboveNet and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, when compared to other persons operating in the geographies and industry in which the AboveNet and its subsidiaries operate. Restatement Agreement and prior to giving effect to any payments or prepayments on the Restatement Agreement Effective Date pursuant to pursuant to Section 2.10(b), is $344,500,000.00.

“2020 Senior Unsecured Notes” shall mean the unsecured 10.125% senior notes due 2020 issued by the Borrowers pursuant to the 2020 Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture in an aggregate principal amount as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date of $325,600,000.

“2020 Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture” shall mean the Indenture, dated as of June 28, 2012, by and among Zayo Escrow Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., together with all instruments and other agreements in connection therewith.

“2021 Term Loan Commitment” shall mean the several obligations of the applicable Term Facility Lenders to advance the aggregate amount of up to $1,650,904,031.96 to the Borrower, in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratio, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Restatement Agreement, as such amount may be increased pursuant to Section 2.17.

 

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“2021 Term Loans” shall mean, collectively, the amounts advanced from time to time by the applicable Term Facility Lenders to the Borrowers under the 2021 Term Loan Commitment. The aggregate amount of 2021 Term Loans and the 2021 Term Loan Lenders as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date are set forth on the amended Schedule 1.1(a) attached to the Restatement Agreement.

“2021 Term Loan Lenders” shall mean, at any time after the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, any Lender that has a 2021 Term Loan Commitment at such time. The aggregate amount of 2021 Term Loans and the 2021 Term Loan Lenders as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date are set forth on the amended Schedule 1.1(a) attached to the Restatement Agreement.

“2023 Senior Unsecured Notes” shall mean the unsecured 6.00% senior notes due 2023 issued by the Borrowers pursuant to the 2023 Senior Notes Indenture in an aggregate principal amount as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date of $1,430,000,000.

“2023 Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture” shall mean the Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2015, by and among the Borrowers, the guarantors thereunder and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

Acceptable Discount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Acceptable Purchase Amount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Acceptance and Purchase Notice ” means a notice of the Borrower’s acceptance of the Acceptable Discount in substantially the form of Exhibit L .

Acceptance Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Account Debtor ” shall mean any Person who is obligated to make payments in respect of an Account.

Acquired EBITDA ” shall mean, with respect to any Converted Restricted Subsidiary for any period, the amount of EBITDA for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to the date such Subsidiary was designated as a Restricted Subsidiary) of such Converted Restricted Subsidiary.

Acquisition Agreement ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Activation Notice ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.11 .

additional amount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.8(b)(i) .

Additional Lender ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b)(ii) .

 

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Administrative Agent Indemnified Person ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.10 .

Administrative Agents ” shall mean the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent and the Term Facility Administrative Agent and “ Administrative Agent ” shall mean the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent or the Term Facility Administrative Agent, as the context may require.

Administrative Agents’ Office ” shall mean the office designated by each Administrative Agent pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.1 .

Administrative Borrower ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.5 .

Administrative Questionnaire ” shall mean a questionnaire in form and substance satisfactory to the applicable Administrative Agent.

Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, or that is a director, officer, manager or partner of such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control”, when used with respect to any Person, includes the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding Equity Interests of such Person.

Agent Advances ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1(f) .

Agents ” shall mean the Term Loan Facility Co-Syndication Agents, Term Loan Facility Documentation Agent, Term Loan Facility Joint Bookrunners, Term Loan Facility Joint Lead Arrangers, the Arrangers and the Revolving Loan Facility Lead Arranger.

Aggregate Revolving Credit Obligations ” shall mean, as of any particular time, the sum of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans then outstanding, plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of all Swing Line Loans then outstanding, plus (c) the aggregate principal amount of all Agent Advances then outstanding, plus (d) the aggregate principal amount of all Letter of Credit Obligations then outstanding.

Agreement ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble, together with all Exhibits and Schedules hereto.

Agreement Date ” shall mean the date as of which this Agreement is dated have the meaning specified in the preamble .

All-in Yield ” shall mean, as to any Funded Debt, the yield thereon, whether in the form of interest rate, margin, OID, up-front fees or any “floor” for Eurodollar Rate, EURIBOR Rate, GBP LIBOR Rate or Base Rate applicable thereto greater than that, if any, applicable to the existing Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, as applicable; provided that OID and up-front fees shall be equated to interest rate assuming the shorter of (i) the weighted average life to maturity of such Funded Debt and (ii) an assumed 4-year life to maturity; and provided further that “All-in Yield” shall not include arrangement, commitment, underwriting, structuring or similar fees paid to arrangers or any other fees that are not paid ratably to the market for such Funded Debt.

 

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Annualized EBITDA ” shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, EBITDA for the most recent fiscal quarter then ended, multiplied by 4.

Applicable Discount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Applicable Law ” shall mean, in respect of any Person, all provisions of constitutions, statutes, rules, regulations, and orders of governmental bodies or regulatory agencies applicable, whether by law or by virtue of contract, to such Person, and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators in proceedings or actions to which the Person in question is a party or by which it is bound.

Applicable Margin ” shall mean a per annum rate of interest determined as follows:

(a) (x)  in respect of the 2019 Term Loan Facility (i) 2.00% per annum for Base Rate Loans and (ii) 3.00% per annum for Eurodollar Loans and (y) in respect of the 2021 Term Loan Facility (i) 1.75% per annum for Base Rate Loans and (ii) 2.75% per annum for Eurodollar Loans ; and

(b) in respect of the Revolving Loan Facility, the applicable margin determined by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent based upon the Total Leverage Ratio for the fiscal quarter most recently ended, effective as of the fifth Business Day after the day the Compliance Certificate is delivered to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent for such fiscal quarter most recently ended, expressed as a per annum rate of interest as set forth in the table below:

 

Level

  

Total Leverage Ratio

   Applicable Margin
for Eurodollar
Loans
    Applicable Margin
for Base Rate
Loans
 

I

  

Greater than 3.50:1.00

     2.75     1.75

II

  

Less than or equal to 3.50:1.00 but greater than 3.00:1.00

     2.50     1.50

III

  

Less than or equal to 3.00:1.00 but greater than 2.50:1.00

     2.25     1.25

IV

  

Less than or equal to 2.50:1.00

     2.00     1.00

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time the Borrowers shall fail to deliver financial statements to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 7.1 or 7.2 , as applicable, then the Applicable Margin shall thereafter be determined by reference to the highest pricing level on the table above until such time as the Borrowers shall again be in compliance with Sections 7.1 or 7.2 .

 

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In the event that the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent and the Borrowers determine that any financial statements previously delivered were incorrect or inaccurate (regardless of whether this Agreement or the Commitments are in effect when such inaccuracy is discovered), and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin for any period (an “ Applicable Period ”) than the Applicable Margin applied for such Applicable Period, then (a) the Borrowers shall as soon as practicable deliver to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent the correct financial statements for such Applicable Period, (b) the Applicable Margin shall be determined as if the pricing level for such higher Applicable Margin were applicable for such Applicable Period, and (c) the Borrowers shall within 10 Business Days of demand thereof by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent pay to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent the accrued additional interest owing as a result of such increased Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period, which payment shall be promptly applied by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent in accordance with this Agreement. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent and Lenders with respect to Section 2.3 and Article 11 .

Applicable Period ” shall have the meaning specified in the definition of Applicable Margin.

Approved Fund ” shall mean any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Arrangers ” shall mean Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., UBS Securities LLC, RBC Capital Markets and Goldman Sachs Bank USA.

Asset Fraction ” shall mean, at any time, a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans and the denominator of which is the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all Pari Passu Debt (other than Funded Debt in respect of the Revolving Loan Facility, any other revolving credit facility or any other Pari Passu Debt that does not include a mandatory prepayment or offer to redeem with respect to asset sale proceeds) which is secured by Liens on the Collateral or any material portion thereof that are not subordinated to the Liens on such portion of the Collateral securing the Obligations.

Asset Sale ” shall mean (a) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition (each, a “ Transfer ”) including, without limitation, by way of condemnation or casualty event, of any assets and (b) the issuance of Equity Interests by any Restricted Subsidiary or the Transfer by either Borrower or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests in any of their respective Subsidiaries (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable law); provided , however , that none of the following shall constitute Asset Sales: (i) any single transaction or series of related transactions that

 

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involves assets or Equity Interests having a fair market value of less than $ 20,000,000 30,000,000 ; (ii) a transaction with respect to a Borrower that is governed by Section 8.7(d)(iii) ; (iii) a Transfer of assets or Equity Interests between or among the Administrative Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; (iv) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Administrative Borrower or to a Restricted Subsidiary; (v) a Transfer of any assets in the ordinary course of business, including the transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition of optical fiber owned by the Administrative Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their business, provided that no such fiber asset sale shall, individually or in the aggregate with all other fiber asset sales, impede the Administrative Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from conducting their businesses as conducted as of the Agreement Date and (as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Administrative Borrower, whose determination shall be evidenced by a board resolution certified to each Administrative Agent by an Authorized Signatory of the Administrative Borrower); (vi) a Transfer of Cash Equivalents; (vii) a Transfer of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings; (viii) a Transfer that constitutes a Restricted Payment or Restricted Purchase that is permitted by Section 8.4 or an Investment permitted by Section 8.5 ; (ix) a Transfer of any property or equipment that has become damaged, worn out or obsolete or any property, equipment or other asset that, in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Administrative Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is not used or useful in the business of the Administrative Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be; (x) the creation of a Lien not prohibited by this Agreement (but not the sale of property subject to a Lien); (xi) a grant of a license to use the Administrative Borrower’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s patents, trade secrets, know-how or other intellectual property to the extent that such license does not limit the licensor’s use of the patent, trade secret, know-how or other intellectual property; and (xii) any disposition of Designated Noncash Consideration; provided that such disposition increases the amount of Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sale received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from the Asset Sale that resulted in such Designated Noncash Consideration.

Assignment and Acceptance ” shall mean that certain form of Assignment and Acceptance attached hereto as Exhibit A , pursuant to which each Lender may, as further provided in Section 11.5 , sell a portion of its Loans or a portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment.

“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.

Auction Agent ” means (a) any applicable Administrative Agent or (b) any other financial institution or advisor employed by the Borrowers (whether or not an Affiliate of such Administrative Agent) to act as an arranger in connection with any Discounted Loan Purchase pursuant to Section 11.5(h) ; provided that the Borrowers shall not designate such Administrative Agent as the Auction Agent without the written consent of such Administrative Agent (it being

 

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understood that such Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to agree to act as the Auction Agent); provided , further , that neither of the Borrowers nor any of their Affiliates may act as the Auction Agent.

Audited Financial Statements ” shall mean the audited consolidated balance sheets of each of Zayo and AboveNet as of, and the related statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows for, the three fiscal years ended at least 90 days prior to the Restatement Agreement Effective Date.

Authorized Signatory ” shall mean, with respect to any Borrower Party, such senior personnel of such Borrower Party as may be duly authorized and designated in writing to the applicable Administrative Agent by such Borrower Party to execute documents, agreements, and instruments on behalf of such Borrower Party.

Availability ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the amount (if any) by which (a) the Revolving Loan Commitment, exceeds (b) the Aggregate Revolving Credit Obligations on such date of determination.

Available Amount ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the sum of (i) the lesser of (x) Borrowers’ share of Excess Cash Flow and (y) 50% of Excess Cash Flow (in each case for the fiscal year ended prior to such date of determination in respect of which the Administrative Borrower has made the prepayment required pursuant to Section 2.5(b) ) plus (ii) $180,000,000 plus (iii) Equity Contributions to Zayo made after the Agreement Date and on or prior to such date of determination, except for Specified Equity Contributions, plus (iv) returns on Investments (including from Unrestricted Subsidiaries and re-designations thereof as restricted subsidiaries received on or prior to such date of determination) less (v) Available Amount Utilization. aggregate Consolidated Cash Flow accrued in the period beginning on the first day of the quarter beginning on July 1, 2012, and ending on the last day of the most recent quarter for which internal financial statements are available prior to the date of determination (or, if such Consolidated Cash Flow for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), less (y) 1.5 times consolidated interest expense during such period; plus (ii) the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of securities or other property received by the Borrowers after July 2, 2012 as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue, sale or exchange of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of Zayo and the amount of reduction of Funded Debt of the Borrowers or their Restricted Subsidiaries that has been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests sold to, or Funded Debt held by, a Subsidiary of Zayo); plus (iii) with respect to Investments (other than Investments made pursuant to Section 8.5(n)) made by the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries after July 2, 2012, an amount equal to the net reduction in such Investments in any Person (except, in each case, to the extent any such amount is included in the calculation of Net Income), resulting from repayment to the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary of loans or advances or from the receipt of net cash proceeds from the sale of any such Investment, from the release of any guarantee (except to the extent any amounts are paid under such Guarantee) or from redesignations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries, not to exceed, in each case, the amount of such Investments previously made by the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person; plus (iv) $250,000,000; less (v) Available Amount Utilization.

 

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Available Amount Utilization ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the sum, without duplication, of (a) the amount of Funded Debt prepaid or repurchased after January 23, 2015 in compliance with Section 8.14(b) , in each case, on or prior to such date of determination, (b) the amount of Investments made after January 23, 2015 pursuant to Section 8.5(n) , in each case, on or prior to such date of determination , (c) an amount equal to the fair market value of any acquisition pursuant to sub-clause (y) of the second proviso of Section 8.7(c) , in each case, on or prior to such date of determination and (d and (c ) the amount of Restricted Payments and Restricted Purchases made after January 23, 2015 pursuant to Section 8.4(e) , in each case, on or prior to such date of determination.

Available Letter of Credit Amount ” shall mean, as of any particular time, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Letter of Credit Commitment at such time less the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Obligations then outstanding and (b) Availability at such time.

Bank Products ” shall mean any of the following services provided to any Borrower Party by any Person who at the time such services are extended (or entered into, in the case of Lender Hedge Agreements) is a Lender (or any Affiliate of a Lender): (a) any treasury or other cash management services, including deposit accounts, automated clearing house (ACH) origination and other funds transfer, depository (including cash vault and check deposit), zero balance accounts and sweeps, return items processing, controlled disbursement accounts, positive pay, lockboxes and lockbox accounts, account reconciliation and information reporting, payables outsourcing, payroll processing, trade finance services, investment accounts and securities accounts, (b) card services, including credit cards (including purchasing cards and commercial cards), prepaid cards, including payroll, stored value and gift cards, merchant services processing, and debit card services and (c) Lender Hedge Agreements.

Bank Products Documents ” shall mean all agreements entered into from time to time by the Borrower Parties in connection with any of the Bank Products and shall include the Lender Hedge Agreements.

Bank Secured Parties ” shall mean the Term Loan Facility Administrative Agent, the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Term Facility Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Facility Lenders.

Bankruptcy Code ” shall mean the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.), as now or hereafter amended, and any successor statute.

Base Rate ” shall mean the highest of (i) the U.S. Prime Rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate, as in effect from time to time, plus one-half of one percent (1/2%) per annum, (iii) the Eurodollar Rate determined on a daily basis for a period of one (1) month (any changes in such rates to be effective as of the date of any change in such rate) plus one percent (1.00%) per annum, and (iv) solely in the case of any Term Loan, 2.00%.

Base Rate Loan ” shall mean a Loan denominated in Dollars which the Administrative Borrower requests to be made as a Base Rate Loan or which is converted to a Base Rate Loan, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2 .

 

11


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 correlative meanings.

Blocked Account ” shall mean a deposit account or securities account with the Collateral Agent and any other account subject to a Blocked Account Agreement.

Blocked Account Agreement ” shall mean any agreement executed by a depository bank and the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and acknowledged and agreed to by the applicable Borrower Party, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

Borrower ” and “ Borrowers ” shall have the meanings specified in the preamble.

Borrower Parties ” shall mean, collectively, the Borrowers and the Guarantors; and “ Borrower Party ” shall mean any one of the foregoing Borrower Parties.

Borrower Payments ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.8(b)(i) .

Business Day ” shall mean any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in such state are closed; provided , however , that (i) when used with reference to a Eurodollar Loan denominated in Dollars or Sterling (including the making, continuing, prepaying or repaying of any such Eurodollar Loan), the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day in which banks are not open for dealings in deposits of Dollars or Sterling, respectively, on the London interbank market, and (ii) when used with reference to a Eurodollar Loan denominated in Euros (including the making, continuing, prepaying or repaying of any such Eurodollar Loan), the term “ Business Day ” shall also exclude any day which is not a TARGET Day.

Capital Expenditures ” shall mean, for any period, on a consolidated basis for the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries, the aggregate of all expenditures made by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that, in conformity with GAAP, are required to be included in or reflected on the consolidated balance sheet as a capital asset of any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, including, without limitation, Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries.

Capitalized Lease Obligation ” shall mean that portion of any obligation of a Person as lessee under a lease which at the time would be required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such lessee in accordance with GAAP.

Cash Equivalents ” shall mean, collectively, (a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the US and its agencies and instrumentalities ( provided that the full faith and credit of the US is pledged in support thereof) maturing within three hundred

 

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sixty-five (365) days of the date of purchase, (b) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued or guaranteed by banks of the type described in the succeeding clause (c) (or by the parent company thereof), or by domestic corporations, each of which domestic corporations shall have a consolidated net worth of at least $500,000,000 and conduct substantially all of its business in the United States, which commercial paper will mature within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of the original issue thereof and is rated “P-1” or better by Moody’s or “A-1” or better by S&P, (c) certificates of deposit and time deposits maturing within three hundred sixty-five (365) days of the date of purchase and issued by (i) any Revolving Facility Lender, (ii) any US national or state bank having capital and surplus totaling more than $500,000,000, or (iii) any bank whose short-term commercial paper is rated “P-1” or better by Moody’s or “A-1” or better by S&P, (d) up to $100,000 per institution and up to $1,000,000 in the aggregate in (i) short-term obligations issued by any local commercial bank or trust company located in those areas where the Borrowers conduct their business, whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or (ii) commercial bank-insured money market funds, or any combination of the types of investments described in this clause (d), (e) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or recognized securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the US in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations and (f) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which are administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of at least $500,000,000 and the portfolios of which are limited to Investments of the character described in the foregoing subdivisions (a) through (e).

Cash Management Bank ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.11 .

Change in Control ” shall mean (a) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Borrower Parties, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Equity Group or an entity of which the Equity Group are the Beneficial Owners, directly or indirectly, of a majority in the aggregate of the voting power of the Equity Interests, on a fully diluted basis, (b) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of any Borrower, (c)  prior to the first public offering of common stock of any Borrower the Equity Group cease to be the Beneficial Owners, directly or indirectly, of a majority in the aggregate of the total voting power of the Equity Interests of each Borrower, on a fully diluted basis, whether as a result of issuance of securities of such Borrower, any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of such Borrower, or any direct or indirect transfer of securities by such Borrower, (d) on and following the first public offering of common stock of any Borrower, (i) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than the Equity Group, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 30% or more of the voting power of the Equity Interests of such Borrower and (ii) the Equity Group are not the Beneficial Owners of a larger percentage of the voting power of such Equity Interests than such person or group, or ( e d ) any Borrower consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into any Borrower, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of

 

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the outstanding Equity Interests of such Borrower is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (i) the Equity Interests of such Borrower outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such Equity Interests of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance) and (ii)  (A) prior to the first public offering of common stock of such Borrower, immediately after such transaction, the Equity Group are the Beneficial Owners, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the aggregate of the total voting power of the Equity Interests of such surviving or transferee Person and (B) on and following the first public offering of common stock of such Borrower, immediately after such transaction, no “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than the Equity Group, becomes, directly or indirectly, the Beneficial Owner of 30% or more of the voting power of the Equity Interests of the surviving or transferee Person.

CII ” shall mean Communications Infrastructure Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

Collateral ” shall mean all property pledged as collateral security for the Obligations pursuant to the Security Documents or otherwise, and all other property of any Borrower Party that is now or hereafter in the possession or control of any member of the Lender Group, or on which any member of the Lender Group has been granted a Lien.

Collateral Access Agreement ” shall mean any agreement of any lessor, warehouseman, processor, consignee or other Person in possession of, having a Lien upon or having rights or interests in, any of the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion, waiving or subordinating Liens or certain other rights or interests such Person may hold in regard to the property of any of the Borrower Parties and providing the Collateral Agent access to its Collateral.

Collateral Agent ” shall mean SunTrust Bank, acting as collateral agent for the Bank Secured Parties.

Commercial Letter of Credit ” shall mean a documentary Letter of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank in respect of the purchase of goods or services by a Borrower in the ordinary course of its business.

Commitments ” shall mean the Term Loan Commitments and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments, as the context may require.

Commitment Increase ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a) .

Commitment Ratio ” shall mean, the sum of, (a) with respect to any Revolving Facility Lender, the ratio, expressed as a percentage, as of any date (i) the unutilized portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender on such date plus the

 

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aggregate principal amount of then outstanding Revolving Loans (other than Swing Line Loans and Agent Advances) owing to such Revolving Facility Lender plus the participation interests of such Revolving Facility Lender in Letter of Credit Obligations, Swing Line Loans and Agent Advances then outstanding, divided by (ii) the sum of the aggregate unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment of all Revolving Facility Lenders on such date plus the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans then outstanding (other than Swing Line Loans and Agent Advances) owing to all Revolving Facility Lenders plus the aggregate participation interests of all Revolving Facility Lenders in Letter of Credit Obligations, Swing Line Loans and Agent Advances then outstanding, which, as of the Agreement Date, are set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) and (b) with respect to any Term Facility Lender, the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (i) the outstanding Term Loans of such Term Facility Lender on such date, divided by (ii) the sum of the aggregate outstanding Term Loans of all Term Facility Lenders on such date.

Communications Act ” shall mean, collectively, the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and as further amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, CFR Title 47 and the rules, regulations and decisions of the FCC, in each case, as from time to time in effect.

Compliance Certificate ” shall mean a certificate executed by an Authorized Signatory of the Administrative Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit C .

Confidential Information ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.17 .

“Consolidated Cash Flow” shall mean, for any period, the Net Income of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus:

(a) provision for taxes based on income or profits of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Net Income; plus

(b) Fixed Charges of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that any such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Net Income; plus

(c) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) 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 Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Net Income; plus

(d) restructuring charges and severance costs and charges or expenses attributed to any actual or proposed acquisitions or joint ventures, equity offerings, issuance and retirement of debt and divestitures of assets; minus

(e) non-cash items increasing such Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business; in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of a Restricted Subsidiary, and the Fixed Charges of and the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses of a Restricted Subsidiary, will be added to Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow of the Borrowers (A) in the same proportion that the Net Income of such Restricted Subsidiary was added to compute such Net Income of the Borrowers 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 Borrowers by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained), and without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter or any agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that Subsidiary or its stockholders.

Consolidated Working Capital ” means, at any date, the excess of (a) the sum of (i) all amounts (other than cash and Cash Equivalents) that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries at such date and (ii) long-term accounts receivable of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries less (b) the sum of (i) all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries on such date and (ii) long-term deferred revenue of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries, but excluding, without duplication, (a) the current portion of any Funded Debt of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries, (b) all Indebtedness of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of revolving loans, swing line loans and letter of credit obligations to the extent otherwise included therein, (c) the current portion of interest owed by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries, (d) the current portion of current and deferred income taxes owed by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries, (e) the current portion of any Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries, (f) deferred revenue of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries arising from cash receipts that are earmarked for specific projects and (g) the current portion of deferred acquisition costs of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries.

Contract Consideration ” shall have the meaning specified in the definition of “Excess Cash Flow.”

Contributing Borrower Party ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.4(b) .

Converted Restricted Subsidiary ” shall mean, for any period, any Unrestricted Subsidiary which is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary during such period in accordance with Section 6.17.

 

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Converted Unrestricted Subsidiaries ” shall mean, for any period, any Restricted Subsidiary which is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary during such period in accordance with Section 6.17 and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiaries”.

Copyright Security Agreements ” shall mean, collectively, the Copyright Security Agreements made in favor of the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Bank Secured Parties, from time to time.

Cure Right ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 9.3(a) .

Date of Issue ” shall mean, with respect to a Letter of Credit, the date on which the Issuing Bank issues such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.15 .

Default ” shall mean any Event of Default, and any of the events specified in Section 9.1 regardless of whether there shall have occurred any passage of time or giving of notice (or both) that would be necessary in order to constitute such event an Event of Default.

Default Rate ” shall mean a simple per annum interest rate equal to, (a) with respect to all outstanding principal, the sum of (i) the applicable Interest Rate Basis, plus (ii) the highest Applicable Margin, plus (iii) two percent (2.00%), and (b) with respect to all other Obligations (other than Obligations from Bank Products), the sum of (i) the Base Rate, plus (ii) the highest Applicable Margin with respect to Base Rate Loans, plus (iii) two percent (2.00%); provided , however , that (y) as to any Eurodollar Loan outstanding on the date that the Default Rate becomes applicable, the Default Rate shall be based on the then applicable Eurodollar Basis until the end of the current Eurodollar Loan Period and thereafter the Default Rate shall be based on the Base Rate as in effect from time to time and (z) as to any Base Rate Loan outstanding on the date that the Default Rate becomes applicable, the Default Rate shall be based on the Base Rate as in effect from time to time.

Defaulting Lender ” shall mean any Lender, as determined by the applicable Administrative Agent, that (a) has failed to fund any portion of its Loans or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans required to be funded by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) has notified the applicable Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swing Line Bank, any Lender and/or the Borrowers in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within two Business Days after request by the applicable Administrative Agent prompted by any evidence of facts described in clause (b) with respect to such Lender, to confirm in writing that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans, (d) has otherwise failed to pay over to the applicable Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, or (e) in the case of a Lender that has a Revolving Loan Commitment or obligations with respect to outstanding Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans outstanding at such time, shall take, or is the Subsidiary of any Person that has taken, any action or be (or is) the subject of any action or

 

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proceeding of a type described in Section 9.1 (g) , or (h)  (or any comparable proceeding initiated by a regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Lender or such Person) excluding Undisclosed Administrations.

Designated Noncash Consideration ” means the Fair Market Value of noncash consideration received by the Borrower 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.

Disbursement Account ” shall mean account number 2000031004646 maintained at Wachovia Bank, National Association, 1445 Ross Avenue, Third Floor, Dallas, Texas 75202, or as otherwise designated to the Administrative Agents by the Administrative Borrower.

Discount Purchase Accepting Lender ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Discount Range” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.5(h) .

Discount Range Proration ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.5(h) .

                  Discount Range Sale Offer ” shall mean the irrevocable written offer by a Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit N , submitted in response to an invitation to submit offers following the Auction Agent’s receipt of a Discount Range Solicitation Notice.

Discount Range Sale Response Date ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.5(h) .

Discount Range Solicitation Amount ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.5(h) .

Discount Range Solicitation Notice ” shall mean a written notice of a Solicitation of Discount Range Sale Offers made pursuant to Section 11.5(h)(iii) substantially in the form of Exhibit M .

Discounted Loan Purchase ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.5(h) .

Discounted Purchase Determination Date ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.5(h) .

Discounted Purchase Effective Date ” shall mean in the case of an Offer of Specified Discount Purchase, Solicitation of Discount Range Sale Offer or Solicitation of Discounted Sale Offer, five (5) Business Days following the Specified Discount Purchase

 

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Response Date, the Discount Range Sale Response Date or the Solicited Discounted Sale Response Date, as applicable, in accordance with Section 11.5(h)(ii) , Section 11.5(h)(iii) or Section 11.5(h)(iv) , respectively, unless a different period is agreed to between the Borrower and the Auction Agent acting in their reasonable discretion.

Disposed EBITDA ” shall mean, with respect to any Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary for any period, the amount of EBITDA for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to the date such Subsidiary was designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of such Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Disqualified Equity Interests ” shall mean any Equity Interest which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Revolving Loan Commitments and all outstanding Letters of Credit), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash (except for cash payments that are expressly limited to the extent permitted by the senior credit facility of the issuer of such Equity Interest including, without limitation, this Agreement) or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Funded Debt or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Maturity Date; provided that, if such Equity Interests are issued pursuant to a plan for the benefit of employees of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because it may be required to be repurchased by either Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

Dividends ” shall mean any direct or indirect distribution, dividend, or payment to any Person on account of any Equity Interests of any Borrower Party.

Dollars ” or “ $ ” shall mean the lawful currency of the United States.

Domestic Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

E-Fax ” shall mean any system used to receive or transmit faxes electronically.

EBITDA ” shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the Net Income of such Person for such period, plus, without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining Net Income of such Person for such period, (i) income taxes, (ii) Interest Expense, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) non-cash charges or reserves, (v) restructuring charges and severance costs in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000 in the aggregate in any calculation of Annualized EBITDA , (vi) the Acquired EBITDA of Converted Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such

 

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period and (vii) charges or expenses attributed to any actual or proposed acquisitions or joint ventures, equity offerings, issuances and retirement of debt and divestitures of assets; provided , however, that if, at any time since the beginning of the four fiscal quarter period ending as of the date of the most recent financial statements that are required to be delivered by the Administrative Borrower pursuant to Section 7.1 , an acquisition or sale of a Person or all or substantially all of the assets of a Person occurred, then such calculation shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis, and minus , without duplication, the Disposed EBITDA of Converted Unrestricted Subsidiaries respect of such period.

ECF Payment Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.5(b) .

ECF Percentage ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.5(b) .

Electronic Transmission ” shall mean each document, instruction, authorization, file, information and any other communication transmitted, posted or otherwise made or communicated by e-mail or E-Fax, or otherwise to or from an E-System or any other equivalent service.

Eligible Assignee ” shall mean (a) a Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender); (b) an Affiliate of a Lender; (c) an Approved Fund; or (d) any other Person (other than (i) an individual and (ii) either Borrower, any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates (provided that the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be permitted to purchase Loans pursuant to and in accordance with Section 11.5(h)) approved by the applicable Administrative Agent and, unless an Event of Default under Section 9.1(b) , (g)  or (h)  has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Borrower, such approvals not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided , that the Administrative Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any assignment to an Eligible Assignee described in clause (d) of the definition thereof unless the Administrative Borrower shall have objected thereto by written notice to the applicable Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof.

Environmental Laws ” shall mean, collectively, any and all applicable federal, state, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees or requirements of any Governmental Authority regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning environmental protection matters, including without limitation, Hazardous Materials or human health, as now or may at any time during the term of this Agreement be in effect.

Equity Group ” shall mean those holders of Class C Preferred Units of CII as of the Agreement Date set forth on Schedule 1.1(b) and their Affiliates (including related funds that are Affiliates under common management with such holders, whether by contract or otherwise).

Equity Interests ” shall mean, as applied to any Person, any capital stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other equity interests of such Person, regardless of class or designation, and all warrants, options, purchase rights, conversion or exchange rights, voting rights, calls or claims of any character with respect thereto.

 

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Equity Issuance ” shall mean the issuance by a direct or indirect parent of the Administrative Borrower of not less than $200 million of common equity which shall be contributed to the capital of the Administrative Borrower.

Equity Proceeds ” shall mean any net cash proceeds received by any Borrower as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of such Borrower and the amount of reduction of Funded Debt of the Borrower Parties that has been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests sold to, or Funded Debt held by, a Subsidiary of any Borrower).

ERISA ” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as in effect on the Agreement Date and as such Act may be amended thereafter from time to time, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

ERISA Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to any Borrower Party, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that together with such Borrower Party, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

ERISA Event ” shall mean, with respect to any Borrower Party or any ERISA Affiliate, (a) any “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA with respect to a Title IV Plan for which the thirty (30) day notice period has not been waived; (b) the withdrawal of any Borrower Party or ERISA Affiliate from a Title IV Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (c) the cessation of operations at a facility of any Borrower Party or any ERISA Affiliate in the circumstances described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (d) the application for a minimum funding waiver with respect to a Title IV Plan; (e) the complete or partial withdrawal of any Borrower Party or any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan; (f) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Title IV Plan or the treatment of a plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA; (g) the institution or threatened institution of proceedings to terminate a Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan by the PBGC; (h) the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA; (i) the failure by any Borrower Party or ERISA Affiliate to make when due required contributions to a Multiemployer Plan or Title IV Plan unless such failure is cured within thirty (30) days; (j) any other event or condition that would reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan or for the imposition of liability under Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; (k) the conditions for imposition of a lien under Section 303(k) of ERISA shall have been met with respect to any Title IV Plan; (l) a determination that any Title IV Plan is in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 303 of ERISA) or any Multiemployer Plan is in “endangered” status or “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA) or (m) the revocation or any action reasonably likely to result in revocation of a Plan’s tax qualified status under Code Section 401(a).

         “ Escrow Agreement ” means an escrow agreement executed by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agents, the Collateral Agent and the escrow agent party thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to each Administrative Agent and the Borrowers.

 

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Escrow Proceeds ” means the Term Loans funded pursuant to Section 2.2(i) in an aggregate principal amount equal to $1,620,000,000 held in escrow pursuant to the terms of an Escrow Agreement.

E-System ” shall mean any electronic system, including Intralinks ® , SyndTrak Online and any other internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the applicable Administrative Agent, any of its Affiliates or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.

EURIBOR Rate ” shall mean, for any Eurodollar Loan Period in respect of a Revolving Loan denominated in Euro, the euro interbank offered rate administered by the Banking Federation of the European Union (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Eurodollar Loan Period in Euros, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on the date that is two TARGET Days before the first day of that Eurodollar Loan Period, for the relevant Eurodollar Loan Period displayed on page EURIBOR01 of the Reuters screen (or any replacement Reuters page which displays that rate); provided, however, that if such Reuters page or service ceases to be available, the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate after consultation with the Administrative Borrower, or (b) if no such rate is available for the Eurodollar Loan Period of the Revolving Loan, the Interpolated Screen Rate as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on the date that is two TARGET Days before the first day of that Eurodollar Loan Period and for a period equal in length to the Eurodollar Loan Period of the Revolving Loan; provided that if (a) and (b) are not available, the terms of Section 12.1 shall apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the EURIBOR Rate shall in no event be less than 0% per annum.

Euro ” and “ ” shall mean the single currency of the Participating Member States.

Euro Maximum Amount ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, $50,000,000, less (a) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of any outstanding Revolving Loans made prior to such date and outstanding on such date denominated in Euros, less (b) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of any outstanding Revolving Loans made prior to such date and outstanding on such date denominated in Sterling, less (c) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of any Letter of Credit Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit issued in Euros or Sterling then outstanding.

Eurodollar Basis ” shall mean, with respect to each Eurodollar Loan Period, a simple per annum interest rate equal to the quotient of (a)(i) in the case of Term Loans and Revolving Loans denominated in Dollars, the Eurodollar Rate , (ii) in the case of Revolving Loans denominated in Euros, the EURIBOR Rate, or (iii) in the case of Revolving Loans denominated in Sterling, the GBP LIBOR Rate, in each case, divided by (b) one minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage, stated as a decimal. The Eurodollar Basis shall remain unchanged during the applicable Eurodollar Loan Period, except for changes to reflect adjustments in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

 

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Eurodollar Loan ” shall mean a Loan which the Administrative Borrower requests to be made as a Eurodollar Loan or which is continued as or converted to a Eurodollar Loan, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2 . For the avoidance of doubt, any Revolving Loan denominated in Euro or in Sterling is a Eurodollar Loan.

Eurodollar Loan Period ” shall mean, for each Eurodollar Loan, each one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) month period (or, if agreed by all the applicable Lenders, a nine (9) or twelve (12) month period) (except prior to the earlier of (x) 60 days following the Agreement Date and (y) completion of primary syndication, during which time each Eurodollar Loan Period shall be a one (1) month period) as selected by the Administrative Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2 , during which the applicable Eurodollar Rate, EURIBOR Rate or GBP LIBOR Rate, as the case may be, shall remain unchanged. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however: (a) any applicable Eurodollar Loan Period which would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Eurodollar Loan Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day; (b) any applicable Eurodollar Loan Period which begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month during which such Eurodollar Loan Period is to end shall (subject to clause (a) above) end on the last day of such calendar month; and (c) no Eurodollar Loan Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date for the applicable Loans or such earlier date as would interfere with the repayment obligations of the Borrowers under Section 2.6 .

Eurodollar Rate ” shall mean, for any Eurodollar Loan Period in respect of any Loan denominated in Dollars, the greater of (a) (x) solely in the case of any Term Loan, 1.00% per annum or , (y)  solely in the case of any Revolving Loan, zero, and (b) the rate per annum quoted on the display designated on that page of the Bloomberg reporting service, or similar service as determined by the applicable Administrative Agent, that displays British Banker’s Association Interest Settlement Rates for Dollar deposits as of 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two (2) Business Days prior to the applicable date of determination; provided , however , that if no such quoted rate appears on such page, the rate used for such Eurodollar Loan Rate shall be the per annum rate of interest determined by the applicable Administrative Agent to be the rate at which Dollar deposits for such Eurodollar Loan Period are offered to the applicable Administrative Agent as of 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two (2) business days prior to such date of determination.

Eurodollar Reserve Percentage ” shall mean the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including, without limitation, any emergency, supplemental, special or other marginal reserves) expressed as a decimal (rounded upwards to the next one one-hundredth of one percent (1/100th of 1%)) in effect on any day to which the applicable Administrative Agent is subject with respect to the Eurodollar Basis pursuant to regulations issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions) (“Regulation D”) with respect to Eurocurrency Liabilities (as that term is defined in Regulation D). Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency Liabilities 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 the applicable Administrative Agent under Regulation D. The Eurodollar Reserve Percentage shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage. The Eurodollar Basis for any Eurodollar Loan shall be adjusted as of the effective date of any changes in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

 

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Event of Default ” shall mean any of the events specified in Section 9.1 , provided that any requirement for notice or lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.

Excess Cash Flow ” means, for any period, an amount equal to the excess of:

(a) the sum, without duplication (including for purposes of determining Net Income), of:

(i) Net Income of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for such period,

(ii) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash charges (including depreciation and amortization) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Net Income but excluding any such non-cash charges representing an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period,

(iii) decreases in Consolidated Working Capital for such period (other than any such decreases arising from acquisitions by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries completed during such period or the application of purchase accounting), and

(iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash loss on dispositions by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Net Income; less

(b) the sum, without duplication, of:

(i) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash credits included in arriving at such Net Income and cash charges included in clauses (a) through (d) of the definition of Net Income,

(ii) without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clause (x) below in prior fiscal years, the amount of Capital Expenditures or acquisitions of intellectual property made in cash during such period, to the extent that such Capital Expenditures or acquisitions were financed with internally generated cash flow of the Borrowers or their Restricted Subsidiaries,

(iii) the aggregate amount of all principal payments of Funded Debt of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries (including (A) the principal component of payments in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations and (B) the amount of repayments of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.6(b) and any mandatory prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.5(b) to the extent required due to a disposition that resulted in an increase to such Net Income and

 

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not in excess of the amount of such increase but excluding (X) all other prepayments of Term Loans, (Y) all prepayments under the Revolving Loan Facility and (Z) all prepayments in respect of any other revolving credit facility, except, in the case of clauses (Y)  and (Z ), to the extent there is an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder) made during such period, except to the extent financed with the proceeds of incurrence or issuance of other Indebtedness of any Borrower or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries or with Equity Proceeds,

(iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash gain on dispositions by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent included in arriving at such Net Income,

(v) increases in Consolidated Working Capital for such period (other than any such increases arising from acquisitions by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries completed during such period or the application of purchase accounting),

(vi) cash payments by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of long term liabilities of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries other than Indebtedness (including such Indebtedness specified in clause ( b)(iii) above),

(vii) the amount of Investments and acquisitions made by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries during such period to the extent that such Investments and acquisitions were (A) permitted hereunder and (B) financed with internally generated cash flow of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries,

(viii) the amount of Restricted Payments paid and Restricted Purchases made during such period pursuant to Section 8.4 to the extent such Restricted Payments and Restricted Purchases were (A) permitted hereunder and (B) financed with internally generated cash flow of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries,

(ix) the aggregate amount of any premium, make-whole or penalty payments actually paid in cash by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that are required to be made in connection with any prepayment of Funded Debt,

(x) the aggregate amount of expenditures actually made by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries in cash during such period (including expenditures for the payment of financing fees) to the extent that such expenditures are not expensed during such period,

(xi) the amount of cash taxes (including penalties, interest, costs and expenses related to such taxes or arising from any tax examinations) paid by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries in such period to the extent they exceed the amount of tax expense deducted in determining Net Income of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, and

 

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(xii) without duplication of amounts deducted from Excess Cash Flow in prior periods, at the election of the Administrative Borrower, the aggregate consideration required to be paid in cash by the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to binding contracts (the “ Contract Consideration ”) entered into prior to or during such period relating to Investments permitted by Section 8.5 or acquisitions permitted by Section 8.7(c) or Capital Expenditures, in each case, to be consummated or made during the four consecutive fiscal quarters of Zayo following the end of such period; provided that to the extent the aggregate amount of internally generated cash actually utilized to finance such Investments, acquisitions or Capital Expenditures during such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters is less than the Contract Consideration, the amount of such shortfall shall be added to the succeeding calculation of Excess Cash Flow.

Exchange Rate ” shall mean, on any day, for purposes of determining the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of any other currency, the rate at which such other currency may be exchanged into Dollars, as applicable, at the time of determination on such day on the Reuters WRLD Page for such currency. In the event that such rate does not appear on any Reuters WRLD Page, the Exchange Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be agreed upon the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent and the Administrative Borrower, or, in the absence of such an agreement, such Exchange Rate shall instead be the arithmetic average of the spot rates of exchange of the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent in the market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such currency are then being conducted, at or about such time as the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall elect after determining that such rates shall be the basis for determining the Exchange Rate, on such date for the purchase of Dollars for delivery two (2) Business Days later; provided that, if at the time of any such determination, for any reason, no such spot rate is being quoted, the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent may use any reasonable method it deems appropriate to determine such rate, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

Excluded Deposit Accounts ” shall mean, collectively, (i) each disbursement account that has a balance no greater than the amount necessary to cover outstanding checks drawn on such account, (ii) petty cash deposit accounts for Borrower Parties that have an aggregate balance no greater than $10,000, (iii) employee benefit trust accounts, so long as the balance therein does not exceed as of any date of determination the Administrative Borrower’s estimate of employee benefit claims to be paid in the remaining portion of such fiscal year (or, with respect to any date of determination in the last fiscal month of any fiscal year, the Administrative Borrower’s estimate of employee benefit claims to be paid in the remaining portion of such fiscal year and during the next succeeding fiscal year) from such date of determination (provided, that at any time that a Default exists, Borrower Parties shall not deposit additional funds into such account except to the extent necessary to pay accrued and unpaid employee benefit claims that are then due and payable) and (iv) other deposit accounts with balances not to exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate.

 

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Executive Order No. 13224 ” shall mean Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 24, 2001, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.

Existing AboveNet Debt Repayment ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Existing Credit Agreements ” shall mean that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2011, among Zayo Group, LLC. and Zayo Capital, Inc., as borrowers, SunTrust Bank, as collateral agent, Royal Bank of Canada as administrative agent and the lenders party thereto and that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2010, among Zayo Group, LLC., as borrower, SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent, collateral agent and issuing bank and the lenders party thereto.

Existing Borrower Debt Repayment ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Existing Credit Agreement Repayment ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Existing Letters of Credit ” shall mean the Letters of Credit listed on Schedule 1.1(d) .

Existing Secured Notes ” shall mean the notes issues pursuant to that certain Indenture of Trust, dated as of March 12, 2010 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified through the Agreement Date), among the Borrowers, the Guarantors and the Trustee.

Existing Senior Notes Repayment ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Facility ” shall mean either the Term Loan Facility and/or the Revolving Loan Facility, as the case may be.

Fair Market Value ” means the price that would be paid in an arm’s-length transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy, as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Borrowers, whose determination will be conclusive if evidenced by a board resolution.

FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as amended, and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.

FCC ” shall mean the Federal Communications Commission, or any governmental agency succeeding to the functions thereof.

 

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FCC Licenses ” shall mean the licenses, authorizations, consents, waivers and permits required under the Communications Act necessary for the Borrower Parties to own and operate their properties and their businesses.

Federal Funds Rate ” shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided , that (a), if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the immediately preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate charged to the applicable Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions as determined by the applicable Administrative Agent.

Fee Letter ” shall mean that certain fee letter dated as of March 18, 2012, executed by Zayo and addressed to certain of the Agents listed the addressees specified therein.

Fifth Amendment ” means that certain Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2013, among the Borrowers, the Administrative Agents and certain Lenders.

Fifth Amendment Effective Date ” means the date on which all of the conditions contained in Section 4 of the Fifth Amendment have been satisfied or waived by the Administrative Agents. November 26, 2013.

Financial Covenants Covenant ” shall mean the financial covenants covenant applicable to the Borrower Parties from time to time pursuant to Section 8.8 .

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” shall mean, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any calendar quarter ended, for the twelve-month period then ended, the ratio of (a) Annualized EBITDA of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for such period then ended minus Capital Expenditures for the twelve month period then ended (excluding, without duplication, Capital Expenditures for the twelve-month period then ended (i) that are directly related to new sales to, or made at the request of, Persons to whom any Borrower Party has agreed to provide either goods or services (or both) pursuant to a written agreement providing for the payment of aggregate compensation to a Borrower Party equal to or greater than the amount of Capital Expenditures made in respect of such written agreement, (ii) to the extent financed with Funded Debt for Borrowed Money (other than Funded Debt incurred under a revolving credit facility), (iii) made with the proceeds of a disposition permitted hereunder and (iv) made with the proceeds of an equity issuance permitted hereunder), to (b) Interest Expense of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for the twelve-month period then ended. Charges” shall mean, for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(a) the consolidated interest expense of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization

 

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of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capitalized Lease Obligations, 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 any Hedging Agreement; plus

(b) to the extent not included within clause (a) of this definition of Fixed Charges, the consolidated interest of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

(c) any interest expense on Funded Debt of another Person that is guaranteed by the Borrowers or one of the Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of the Borrowers or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(d) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Disqualified Equity Interests of the Borrowers or a Restricted Subsidiary or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Borrowers or to a Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, 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 the issuer of such Disqualified Equity Interests or Preferred Stock, expressed as a decimal;

in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

Foreign Lender ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.8(b) .

Foreign Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party that is (a) a Person formed under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or any state or territory of the United States or District of Columbia, (b) a Person that is, or that has no material assets other than Equity Interests in, a “controlled foreign corporation” (or several thereof) as defined in Section 957(a) of the Code or (c) any Subsidiary of any of the foregoing.

Fourth Amendment ” means that certain Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2013, among the Borrowers, the Administrative Agents and certain Lenders and New Lenders.

Fourth Amendment Effective Date ” means the date on which all of the conditions contained in Section 4 of the Fourth Amendment have been satisfied or waived by the Administrative Agents. February 27, 2013.

Fund ” shall mean any Person that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.

Funded Debt ” shall mean, with respect to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and without duplication, as of any calculation date, (a) any obligation of such Person for borrowed money, including, without limitation, all of the Obligations, (b) any

 

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obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (c) any obligation of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or for services (other than such obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business), (d) any Capitalized Lease Obligation, (e) any obligation or liability of others secured by a Lien on property owned by such Person, whether or not such obligation or liability is assumed, (f) any debt, liability or obligation of such Person arising from or in connection with any Hedge Agreements and, without double counting, any other debt, liability or obligation arising from or in connection with any Bank Products, (g) any reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers acceptances and similar instruments issued for the account of such Person, (h) any Guaranty (except items of shareholders’ equity or Equity Interests or surplus or general contingency or deferred tax reserves), (i) any financial obligation of such Person under purchase money mortgages, (j) any financial obligation of such Person under asset securitization vehicles, (k) any obligations of such Person under conditional sales contracts and similar title retention instruments with respect to property acquired, and (l) any financial obligation of such Person as issuer of Equity Interests redeemable in whole or in part at the option of a Person other than such issuer, at a fixed and determinable date or upon the occurrence of an event not solely within the control of such issuer; provided , however , that notwithstanding anything in GAAP to the contrary, the amount of all obligations shall be the full face amount of such obligations.

Funded Debt for Borrowed Money ” shall mean, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and, without duplication, as of any date of determination, all items that, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as indebtedness on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation, including Funded Debt described in subsections (a), (b), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (i) of the definition of Funded Debt; but with respect to letters of credit, in each case only with respect to such reimbursement obligations that are non-contingent.

Funding Borrower Party ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.4(b) .

Funding Losses ” shall mean expenses incurred by any Lender or any participant of such Lender permitted hereunder in connection with the re-employment of funds prepaid, repaid, not borrowed, or paid, as the case may be, and any lost profit of such Lender or any participant of such Lender over the remainder of the Eurodollar Loan Period for such prepaid Loan. For purposes of calculating amounts payable to a Lender hereunder with respect to Funding Losses, each Lender shall be deemed to have actually funded its relevant Eurodollar Loan through the purchase of a deposit bearing interest at the Eurodollar Rate in an amount equal to the amount of that Eurodollar Loan and having a maturity and repricing characteristics comparable to the relevant Eurodollar Loan Period; provided , however , that each Lender may fund each of its Eurodollar Loans in any manner it sees fit, and the foregoing assumption shall be utilized only for the calculation of amounts payable hereunder.

GAAP ” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles and practices set forth from time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the US accounting profession); provided , that all calculations relative to liabilities shall be made without giving effect to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159.

 

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GBP LIBOR Rate ” shall mean, for any Eurodollar Loan Period in respect of any Revolving Loan denominated in Sterling, the rate per annum quoted on the display designated on that page of the Bloomberg reporting service, or similar service as determined by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, that displays ICE Benchmark Administration Interest Settlement Rates for Sterling deposits as of 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two (2) Business Days prior to the applicable date of determination; provided, however, that if no such quoted rate appears on such page, the rate used for such Eurodollar Loan Rate shall be the per annum rate of interest determined by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent to be the rate at which Sterling deposits for such Eurodollar Loan Period are offered to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent as of 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two (2) business days prior to such date of determination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the GBP LIBOR Rate shall in no event be less than 0% per annum.

Governmental Authority ” shall mean any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to any government.

Guarantors ” shall mean, collectively, the Subsidiary Guarantors and any other Person that has executed a Guaranty Supplement or other document guaranteeing the Obligations; and “Guarantor” shall mean any one of the foregoing Guarantors.

Guaranty ” or “ guaranteed ,” as applied to an obligation (each a “primary obligation”), shall mean and include (a) any guaranty, direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or all of such primary obligation, and (b) any agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in any way the payment or performance (or payment of damages in the event of non-performance) of any part or all of such primary obligation, including, without limiting the foregoing, any reimbursement obligations as to amounts drawn down by beneficiaries of outstanding letters of credit, and any obligation of any Person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property or asset constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (A) for the purchase or payment of such primary obligation or (B) to maintain working capital, equity capital or the net worth, cash flow, solvency or other balance sheet or income statement condition of any other Person, (iii) to purchase property, assets, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner or holder of any primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor with respect to such primary obligation to make payment thereof or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner or holder of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof. All references in this Agreement to “this Guaranty” shall be to the Guaranty provided for pursuant to the terms of Article 3.

Guaranty Supplement ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.16 .

Hazardous Materials ” shall mean any hazardous materials, hazardous wastes, hazardous constituents, hazardous or toxic substances, petroleum products (including crude oil or any fraction thereof), friable asbestos containing materials defined or regulated as such in or under any Environmental Law.

 

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Hedge Agreement ” shall mean any and all transactions, agreements or documents now existing or hereafter entered into between or among any Borrower Party, on the one hand, and a third party, on the other hand, which provides for an interest rate, credit or equity swap, cap, floor, collar, forward foreign exchange transaction, currency swap, cross currency rate swap, currency option, or any combination of, or option with respect to, these or similar transactions, for the purpose of hedging such Borrower Party’s exposure to fluctuations in interest or exchange rates, loan, credit exchange, security or currency valuations.

Identified Participating Lenders ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Identified Qualifying Lenders ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Immaterial Subsidiary ” means, at any date of determination, each Subsidiary of any Borrower that has been designated by the Administrative Borrower in writing to each Administrative Agent as an “Immaterial Subsidiary” for purposes of this Agreement (and not redesignated as a Material Subsidiary as provided below), provided that, (a) for purposes of this Agreement, at no time shall (i) the Total Assets of all Immaterial Subsidiaries at the last day of the most recent Test Period be equal to or exceed 2.0% of the Total Assets of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries at such date or (ii) the gross revenues for such Test Period of all Immaterial Subsidiaries equal or exceed 2.0% of the consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP, (b) the Administrative Borrower shall not designate any new Immaterial Subsidiary if such designation would not comply with the provisions set forth in clause (a)  above, and (c) if the Total Assets or gross revenues of all Subsidiaries so designated by the Administrative Borrower as “Immaterial Subsidiaries” (and not redesignated as “Material Subsidiaries”) shall at any time exceed the limits set forth in clause (a)  above, then all such Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be Material Subsidiaries unless and until the Administrative Borrower shall redesignate one or more Immaterial Subsidiaries as Material Subsidiaries, in each case in a written notice to each Administrative Agent, and, as a result thereof, the total assets and gross revenues of all Subsidiaries still designated as “Immaterial Subsidiaries” do not exceed such limits; and provided , further that, the Administrative Borrower may designate and re-designate a Subsidiary as an Immaterial Subsidiary at any time, subject to the terms set forth in this definition.

Incremental Amendment ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.17 .

Incremental Loans ” shall mean the Incremental Term Loans and/or the Incremental Revolving Loans, as the context may require.

Incremental Revolving Loans ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.17 .

 

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Incremental Term Loans ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.17 .

Indemnified Person ” shall mean the Administrative Agents, the Agents, each member of the Lender Group, each Affiliate of any of the foregoing and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents and controlling persons.

Indentures ” shall mean that certain (i) Indenture, dated as of June 28, 2012 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified through the Agreement Date), among the Borrowers, the Guarantors and the Trustee, pursuant to which the Senior Secured Notes are issued and (ii) Indenture, dated as of June 28, 2012 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified through the Agreement Date), among the Borrowers, the Guarantors and the Trustee, pursuant to which the Senior Unsecured Notes are issued. the 2020 Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture and the 2023 Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture.

Insolvency Proceeding ” shall mean any proceeding commenced by or against any Person under any provision of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other state, federal or non-US bankruptcy or insolvency law, assignments for the benefit of creditors, formal or informal moratoria, compositions, extensions generally with creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other similar relief.

Intercreditor Agreement ” shall mean an intercreditor agreement between (a) the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and (b) one or more collateral agents or representatives for the holders of certain Funded Debt issued or incurred pursuant to Section 8.1 that is intended to be secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations either (x) in form and substance substantially similar to that certain Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Agreement Date, July 2, 2012, by and between each Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Lenders), the Collateral Agent and the Trustee, and acknowledged by the Borrowers and the Guarantors , in form and substance or (y) on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the parties thereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and any annexes, exhibits, schedules to any of the foregoing Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent .

Interest Expense ” shall mean, for any Person, for any period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the sum of (i) interest expense and loan fees, including capitalized and non-capitalized interest and the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations (whether or not actually paid during such period) but excluding any amortization of debt discount or financing fees and (ii) the net amount payable (or minus the net amount receivable) under any Hedge Agreement during such period (whether or not actually paid or received during such period) ; provided that in the calculation of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (i) Interest Expense for the Measurement Period ending as of September 30, 2012 shall equal Interest Expense for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2012 multiplied by four; (ii) Interest Expense for the Measurement Period ending as of December 31, 2012 shall equal Interest Expense for the two fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2012 multiplied by two; and (iii) Interest Expense for the Measurement Period ending as of March 31, 2013 shall equal Interest Expense for the three fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2013 multiplied by 4/3. .

 

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Interest Rate Basis ” shall mean the Base Rate or the Eurodollar Basis, as applicable.

Interpolated Screen Rate ” shall mean, in relation to any Revolving Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan, the rate which results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the rate appearing on ICE Benchmark Administration page (or on any successor or substitute page of such service) for the longest period (for which that rate is available) which is less than the Eurodollar Loan Period and (b) the rate appearing on the ICE Benchmark Administration page (or on any successor or substitute page of such service) for the shortest period (for which that rate is available) which exceeds the Interest Period, each as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Eurodollar Loan Period.

Initial Term Loans ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.17 .

Investment ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any loan, advance or extension of credit by such Person to, or any Guaranty with respect to the Equity Interests, Funded Debt or other obligations of, or any contributions to the capital of, any other Person, or any ownership, purchase or other acquisition by such Person of any Equity Interests of any other Person, other than any acquisition of all or substantially all of the Equity Interests of a Person or all or substantially all of the assets, property or business of a Person.

Issuing Bank ” shall mean SunTrust Bank, or any other Person who hereafter may be designated by the Administrative Borrower and the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent as an Issuing Bank and has agreed to act as the Issuing Bank pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance or otherwise.

Lead Arrangers ” shall mean Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and Barclays Bank PLC.

Lender Agreement ” shall mean a lender joinder agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the applicable Administrative Agent.

Lender Group ” shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agents, the Issuing Bank, the Lenders and, solely where such term is used in reference to the guarantees, the security interests and the Collateral in each case pursuant to the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, (a) the definitions of the terms “Collateral”, “Permitted Liens” and “Secured Parties” in Section 1.1 of this Agreement, (b) Sections 3.1 and 10.15 of this Agreement and (c) the Security Agreement), any party to a Bank Product Document other than any Borrower Party.

Lender Hedge Agreement ” shall mean any and all Hedge Agreements now existing or hereafter entered into between or among any Borrower Party, on the one hand, and any Person that is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender) at the time such Hedge Agreement was entered into, on the other hand.

Lenders ” shall mean those lenders whose names are set forth on the signature pages to this Agreement under the heading “Lenders” that hold Revolving Loan Commitments, Term Loan Commitments or commitments in respect of Incremental Loans and any assignees of the Lenders who hereafter become parties hereto pursuant to and in accordance with Section 11.5 ; and “ Lender ” shall mean any one of the foregoing Lenders.

 

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Letter of Credit Commitment ” shall mean that portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment that may be used by the Borrowers for the issuance of Letters of Credit in an aggregate face amount not to exceed an amount equal to $50,000,000.

Letter of Credit Disbursement ” shall mean a payment or disbursement made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

Letter of Credit Documents ” shall mean all applications, agreements and instruments relating to the Letters of Credit but excluding the Letters of Credit.

Letter of Credit Obligations ” shall mean, at any time, the sum of (a) an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate undrawn and unexpired stated amount (including the amount to which any such Letter of Credit can be reinstated pursuant to its terms) of the then outstanding Letters of Credit, plus (b) an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate drawn, but unreimbursed drawings of any Letters of Credit (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, such drawings that have been reimbursed with Loans made pursuant to Section 2.15 ).

Letter of Credit Reserve Account ” shall mean any account maintained by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Issuing Bank, the proceeds of which shall be applied as provided in Section 9.2(d) .

Letters of Credit ” shall mean either Standby Letters of Credit or Commercial Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank on behalf of one or more of the Borrower Parties from time to time in accordance with Section 2.15 . Letters of Credit may be issued in Dollars, Euros or Sterling.

Lien ” shall mean, with respect to any property, any mortgage, lien, pledge, negative pledge agreement, assignment for security purposes, charge, option, security interest, title retention agreement, levy, execution, seizure, attachment, garnishment, any documents, notice, instruments or other filings under the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 or other encumbrance of any kind in respect of such property, whether or not choate, vested, or perfected.

Loan ” or “ Loans ” shall mean an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrowers under Article II in the form of a Term Loan, a Revolving Loan, a Swing Line Loan and the Agent Advances.

Loan Account ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.7 .

Loan Documents ” shall mean this Agreement, the Restatement Agreement, any Notes, the Fee Letter, the Security Documents, the Blocked Account Agreements, the Fee Letter (other than for purposes of Section 11.2 ), the Guaranty Supplements, the Letter of Credit Documents, all Collateral Access Agreements, all Compliance Certificates, all Requests for Loans, all Requests for Issuance of Letters of Credit, all Notices of Conversion/Continuation, all documents executed by a Borrower Party in connection with the Federal Assignment of Claims

 

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Act of 1940 (if any), and all other documents, lockbox agreements, instruments, certificates, and agreements executed or delivered by a Borrower Party in connection with or contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, any security agreements or guaranty agreements from the Borrowers’ Subsidiaries to the Lender Group, or any of them; provided , however , that, notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Bank Products Documents shall constitute Loan Documents.

Majority Lenders ” shall mean, as of any date of calculation, Lenders (other than any Defaulting Lender) having more than 50% of the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of unutilized Revolving Loan Commitments of the Revolving Facility Lenders on such date, plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans (other than Swing Line Loans and Agent Advances) outstanding on such date, plus (c) the aggregate amount of the participation interests of the Revolving Facility Lenders on such date in Letter of Credit Obligations, Swing Line Loans and Agent Advances then outstanding on such date, plus (d) the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans of the Term Facility Lenders outstanding on such date.

Margin Stock ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.1(s) .

Material Subsidiary ” means, at any date of determination, each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Immaterial Subsidiary (but including, in any case, any Subsidiary that has been designated as a Material Subsidiary as provided in, or has been designated as an Immaterial Subsidiary in a manner that does not comply with, the definition of “Immaterial Subsidiary”).

Materially Adverse Effect ” shall mean, with respect to any event, act, condition or occurrence of whatever nature (including any adverse determination in any litigation, arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding), a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on: (a) the business, operations, properties or condition of the Borrower Parties, taken as a whole; (b) the ability of a Borrower Party to perform its material obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party; or (c) (i) the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Loan Document, (ii) the rights or remedies available to either Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender under the Loan Documents, taken as a whole, or (iii) the attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien of the Collateral Agent under the Security Documents on a material portion of the Collateral, except as a result of the action or inaction of a member of the Lender Group. In determining whether any individual event, act, condition or occurrence of the foregoing types would result in a Materially Adverse Effect, notwithstanding that a particular event, act, condition or occurrence does not itself have such effect, a Materially Adverse Effect shall be deemed to have occurred if the cumulative effect of such event, act, condition or occurrence and all other events, acts, conditions or occurrences of the foregoing types which have occurred would result in a Materially Adverse Effect.

Maturity Date ” shall mean, (a) in the case of the Revolving Loan Facility, the earliest of (i) five (5) years after the Seventh Amendment Effective Date, (ii) six (6) months prior to the Maturity Date of the 2019 Term Loan Facility, if, on or prior to January 1, 2019, the 2019 Term Loan Facility has not been repaid in full or refinanced with debt having a maturity date no earlier than five (5) years after the Seventh Amendment Effective Date; and (iii) six (6) months

 

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prior to the maturity date of Zayo’s 10.125% the 2020 Senior Unsecured Notes due July 2, 2020, , if, on or prior to January 1, 2020, such series of 2020 Senior Unsecured Notes has have not been repaid in full or refinanced with debt having a maturity date no earlier than five (5) years after the Seventh Amendment Effective Date; (b)  (i) in the case of the 2019 Term Loan Facility, July 2, 2019 and (ii) in the case of the 2021 Term Loan Facility, May 6, 2021 and (c) in the case of a Commitment Increase or an Incremental Loan, the maturity date set forth in the applicable Incremental Amendment.

Maximum Guaranteed Amount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.1(g) .

Measurement Period ” means, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of Zayo or, if fewer than four consecutive fiscal quarters of Zayo have been completed since the Agreement Date, the fiscal quarters of Zayo that have been completed since the Agreement Date.

Moody’s ” shall mean Moody’s Investor Service, Inc., or any successor thereto.

Mortgage ” shall mean, collectively, any mortgage, deed of trust or deed to secure debt entered into by a Borrower Party in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Multiemployer Plan ” shall mean a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, and to which any Borrower Party or ERISA Affiliate is making, is obligated to make or has made or been obligated to make at any time within the past five (5) years, contributions on behalf of participants who are or were employed by any of them.

Necessary Authorizations ” shall mean all material authorizations, consents, permits, approvals, waivers, licenses, and exemptions from, and all filings and registrations with, and all reports to, any Governmental Authority whether federal, state, local, and all agencies thereof, which are required for the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and necessary to the conduct of the businesses and the ownership (or lease) of the properties and assets of the Borrower Parties.

Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales ” shall mean the aggregate proceeds, including payments in respect of deferred payment obligations (to the extent corresponding to the principal, but not the interest component, thereof), received in cash or Cash Equivalents by the Administrative Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of (a) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting, investment banking, and brokerage fees, sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, (b) 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 relating to such Asset Sale, (c) in the case of any Asset Sale by a Restricted Subsidiary, payments to holders of Equity Interests in such Restricted Subsidiary in such capacity (other than such Equity Interests held by the

 

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Administrative Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) 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 Administrative Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (d) appropriate amounts to be provided by the Administrative Borrower or the 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 (i) excess amounts set aside for payment of taxes pursuant to clause (b) above remaining after such taxes have been paid in full or the statute of limitations therefor has expired and (ii) amounts initially held in reserve pursuant to clause (d) no longer so held, will, in the case of each of subclause (i) and (ii), at that time become Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales.

Net Cash Proceeds from Indebtedness ” shall mean, with respect to the incurrence or issuance of any Funded Debt by either Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, the excess, if any, of (x) the sum of the cash received in connection with such incurrence or issuance over (y) the sum of (A) the investment banking fees, underwriting discounts, commissions, costs and other out-of-pocket expenses and other customary expenses, incurred by such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such incurrence or issuance and (B) taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be actually payable in connection therewith.

Net Income ” shall mean, for any Person and for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person for such period determined in accordance with GAAP, but excluding therefrom (to the extent otherwise included therein) (a) any extraordinary or non-recurring gains or losses, (b) any gains attributable to write-ups of assets, (c) any non-cash losses attributable to write-downs of assets, (d) any Equity Interest of such Person in the unremitted earnings of any other Person that is not its Subsidiary, and (e) any income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary, or is merged into or consolidated with any Borrower, or any Subsidiary on the date that such Person’s assets are acquired by any Borrower or such Subsidiary.

Note ” shall mean a Term Note or a Revolving Loan Note, as the context may require.

New Lender ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a) .

Non-Consenting Lender ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.16 .

Notice of Conversion/Continuation ” shall mean a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit D .

Notice of Prepayment ” shall mean a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit J .

Notice of Requested Commitment Increase ” shall mean a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit I .

 

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Obligations ” shall mean (a) all payment and performance obligations as existing from time to time of the Borrower Parties to the Lender Group, or any of them, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all Letter of Credit Obligations and including any interest, fees and expenses that, but for the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued), or as a result of making the Loans or issuing the Letters of Credit and (b) any debts, liabilities and obligations as existing from time to time of any Borrower Party to any Lender (or an Affiliate of any Lender) arising from or in connection with any Bank Products and, if such Lender ceases to be a Lender, any debts, liabilities and obligations as existing from time to time of any Borrower Party to such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) arising from or in connection with any Bank Products Documents entered into at a time when such Lender was a Lender.

OFAC ” shall mean the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury, or any successor agency.

Offer of Specified Discount Purchase ” means the offer by a Borrower Party to purchase Loans at a specified discount to par pursuant to Section 11.5(h)(ii) .

Offered Amount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Offered Discount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

“Original Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble.

“Original Lead Arrangers” shall mean Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and Barclays Bank PLC.

Other Taxes ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.8(b)(ii) .

Overadvance ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1(e) .

Parent ” shall mean Zayo Group Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Pari Passu Debt ” shall mean any Funded Debt of a Borrower Party that ranks equally in right of payment with the Obligations.

Participant ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(d) .

Participant Register ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(f) .

Participating Lender ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Participating Member State ” shall mean any member state of the European Community that adopts or has adopted the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with the legislation of the European Community relating to economic and monetary union.

 

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Patent Security Agreements ” shall mean, collectively, the Patent Security Agreements made in favor of the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, from time to time.

Payment Date ” shall mean the last day of each Eurodollar Loan Period for a Eurodollar Loan.

PBGC ” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

Permitted Asset Swap ” shall mean one or more contemporaneous sales, by a Borrower Party with an un-Affiliated third party of non-current assets in exchange for (a) non-current assets that will be used or useful in a Permitted Business, (b) substantially all the assets of a Permitted Business or (c) a majority of Equity Interests of any Person engaged in a Permitted Business that will become on the date of the acquisition thereof a Subsidiary and comply with the provisions of Section 6.16 .

Permitted Business ” shall mean the lines of business conducted by the Borrower Parties and their Subsidiaries on the Agreement Date and any lines of business reasonably related, complementary, ancillary or incidental thereto.

Permitted Discretion ” shall mean a determination made in the exercise of reasonable commercial discretion (from the perspective of a secured lender) in accordance with the applicable Administrative Agent’s customary or generally applicable credit policies.

Permitted Liens ” shall mean, as applied to any Person:

(a) any Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent or any other member of the Lender Group given to secure the Secured Obligations;

(b) (i) Liens on real estate for real estate taxes not yet delinquent and (ii) Liens for taxes, assessments, judgments, governmental charges or levies, or claims not yet delinquent or the non-payment of which is being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been set aside, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP, on such Person’s books;

(c) Statutory and common law Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, laborers, suppliers, workers and materialmen incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet due or being diligently contested in good faith, if such reserve or appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor;

(d) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance or other types of social security benefits;

(e) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning or deed restrictions), and other similar encumbrances on the use of real property which were not

 

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incurred in connection with and do not secure Funded Debt and which in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agents do not interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Person;

(f) purchase money security interests and Liens securing Capitalized Lease Obligations provided that such Lien attaches only to the asset so purchased or leased by such Person and secures only Funded Debt incurred by such Person in order to purchase or lease such asset, but only to the extent permitted by Section 8.1(d) ;

(g) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, tenders, sales, licenses, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds, letters of credit permitted by this Agreement and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (exclusive of obligations for payment of borrowed money);

(h) Liens on assets of the Borrower Parties existing as of the Agreement Date which are set forth on Schedule 1.1(c) ;

(i) with respect to Collateral consisting of real property, Liens that are exceptions to the commitments for title insurance issued in connection with the Mortgage, as accepted by the Collateral Agent in its sole and absolute discretion;

(j) statutory Liens in favor of landlords with respect to assets at leased premises in a state that provides for statutory Liens in favor of landlords or Liens arising under leases entered into by a Borrower Party in the ordinary course of business or other Liens imposed by law, in each case with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or that are bonded;

(k) normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions holding such deposits;

(l) leases, licenses (including licenses of IP Rights) or subleases granted to others in accordance with the terms of the applicable Security Documents, not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of any Borrower Party or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof and not resulting in any material diminution in the Collateral as security for the Obligations;

(m) any interest of title of a lessor under, and Liens arising from UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings, registrations or agreements in foreign jurisdictions) solely evidencing such lessor’s interest under, leases permitted by this Agreement;

(n) deposits in anticipation of any acquisition of any property or assets permitted by this Agreement, in an amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the purchase price for such acquisition;

(o) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting or giving rise to an Event of Default;

 

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(p) Liens securing Permitted Secured Indebtedness; provided that such Liens shall be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement if such Liens are on a pari passu basis with the Liens securing the Obligations;

(q) Liens on property of a Person in an amount not to exceed $25,000,000 outstanding at any time, in each case, existing at the time (i) such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with a Borrower Party, or (ii) such property is acquired by a Borrower Party; provided , that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation or acquisition and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with, or the property acquired by, such Borrower Party;

(r) Liens securing additional obligations in a principal amount not to exceed $25,000,000 outstanding the greater of (i) $100,000,000 and (ii) 2.00% of the Total Assets of the Borrower Parties at any time; and

(s) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, but only to the extent the Lien securing the Funded Debt being refinanced is permitted by Section 8.3 .

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ” shall mean any Funded Debt of the Borrower Parties or their Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net cash proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Funded Debt of the Borrower Parties or their Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Funded Debt owed to the Borrower Parties or their Restricted Subsidiaries); provided , that (a) the amount of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall not exceed the amount of the Funded Debt 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 Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Funded Debt being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded, (c) if the Funded Debt being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, on terms at least as favorable, taken as a whole, to the Lender Group, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agents, as those contained in the documentation governing such Funded Debt being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded, (d) if the Funded Debt being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is Pari Passu Debt, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ranks equally in right of payment with, or is subordinated in right of payment to, the Obligations and (e) such Funded Debt is incurred by either (i) the Borrower Party, or Restricted Subsidiaries thereof, that is the obligor on the Funded Debt being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded or (ii) a Borrower Party.

Permitted Secured Indebtedness ” shall mean Funded Debt permitted by Section 8.1 , the proceeds of which are used to consummate an acquisition or merger permitted by Section 8.7(c) or Section 8.7(d) , which Funded Debt may be designated as “Additional Loan and Notes Obligations” pursuant to and in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement and 8.1 that by the terms of such section may be secured on a first-lien basis with the Obligations by Liens on the Collateral , and which Funded Debt shall be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement .

 

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Person ” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, joint stock company, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, other legal entity or joint venture or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Plan ” shall mean an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA that any Borrower Party (or, with respect to any Title IV Plan, any ERISA Affiliate) maintains, contributes to or has an obligation to contribute to or has maintained, contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to at any time within the past six (6) years on behalf of participants who were employed by any Borrower Party (or, with respect to any Title IV Plan, any ERISA Affiliate).

“Preferred Stock” shall mean, 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.

Pro Forma Basis ” shall mean for purposes of determining compliance with either the Financial Covenant (and the defined terms relating thereto) or any other covenant in this Agreement, for any period during which any acquisition or sale of a Person or all or substantially all of the business or assets of a Person or the designation of a Converted Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 6.17 (each, a “ Specified Transaction ”), and any related incurrence, repayment or refinancing of Funded Debt, Capital Expenditures or other related transactions (“ Related Transactions ”) has occurred, the calculation of such Financial Covenant or other covenant shall give effect to (a) the pro forma increase or decrease in Acquired EBITDA or EBITDA, as the case may be, resulting from such Specified Transaction and its Related Transactions that is factually supportable and is expected to have a continuing impact, in each case determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and (b) additional good faith pro forma adjustments arising out of cost savings initiatives or synergies attributable to such Specified Transaction and its Related Transactions and additional costs associated with the combination of the operations of such acquired Person or Converted Restricted Subsidiary with the operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case being given pro forma effect that (i) have been realized or (ii) are supportable and quantifiable and expected to be implemented within one (1) year following such Specified Transaction, taking into account, for purposes of determining such compliance, the historical financial statements of such acquired Person or Converted Restricted Subsidiary and the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, assuming such Specified Transaction and all other Specified Transactions that have been consummated during such period and all of their respective Related Transactions had been consummated, made, incurred or repaid at the beginning of such period (and assuming that any Funded Debt to be incurred bears interest during any portion of the applicable measurement period prior to the relevant Specified Transaction at the interest rate which is or would be in effect with respect to such Funded Debt as at the relevant date of determination); provided that, so long as such actions or synergies are initiated or such costs incurred during the one (1) year period immediately following such Specified Transaction, for purposes of projecting such pro forma increase or decrease to Acquired EBITDA or EBITDA, as the case may be, it may be

 

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assumed that such cost savings or synergies will be realizable, or such additional costs will be incurred, during the entirety of the period in respect of which such Financial Covenant or other covenant is calculated; provided further that any increase in Acquired EBITDA or EBITDA, as the case may be, as a result of the operation of this clause (b) (other than as a result of an actual increase in revenues or an actual reduction in costs) shall not exceed 15 20 % of EBITDA for such period (giving pro forma effect, including as a result of the operation of this clause (b) to all Specified Transactions and Related Transactions occurring during such period).

Pro Forma Financial Statements ” shall mean pro forma consolidated balance sheets of Zayo as of March 31, 2012, and pro forma statements of operations of Zayo for the period ended on such date, in each case, as adjusted to give effect to the Transactions and such other adjustments as are customary for similar financings or as otherwise reasonably agreed between the Borrowers and the Lead Arrangers.

Property ” shall mean any real property or personal property, plant, building, facility, structure, underground storage tank or unit, equipment, inventory or other asset owned, leased or operated by the Borrower Parties, their Subsidiaries or any of them (including, without limitation, any surface water thereon or adjacent thereto, and soil and groundwater thereunder).

PUC ” shall mean any state regulatory agency or body that exercises jurisdiction over the intrastate rates or services or the ownership, construction or operation of any intrastate network facility or telecommunications system or over Persons who own, construct or operate a network facility or telecommunications system used to provide intrastate services, 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 Person conducting business in such state.

Qualified Equity Interests ” shall mean any Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.

Qualifying Lender ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Receivables Facility ” shall mean one or more receivables financing facilities or arrangements, as amended or modified from time to time, pursuant to which the Borrowers or any Subsidiary sells (including a sale in exchange for a promissory note or capital stock of a Receivables Subsidiary) its accounts receivable to a Receivables Subsidiary or a Receivables Subsidiary sells accounts receivables to any other Person; provided such transaction is on market terms at the time the Borrowers or such Subsidiary enters into such transaction.

Receivables Subsidiary ” shall mean a Subsidiary of Borrowers which engages in no activities other than those reasonably related to or in connection with the entering into of receivables securitization transactions and which is designated by the board of directors or managers, as the case may be, of either Borrower as a Receivables Subsidiary and;

(a) no portion of the debt or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which:

(i) is guaranteed by Zayo or any Restricted Subsidiary (excluding Guarantees (other than the principal of, and interest on, such debt) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings);

 

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(ii) is recourse to or obligates Zayo or any Restricted Subsidiary in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings; or

(iii) subjects any property of Zayo or any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;

(b) with which neither Zayo nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms no less favorable to Zayo or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of Zayo, other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing accounts receivable of such entity; and

(c) to which neither Zayo nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings. Any designation of a Subsidiary as a Receivable Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the Administrative Agents by filing with each Administrative Agent a certified copy of the resolution of Zayo’s Board of Directors giving effect to the designation and an officer’s certificate certifying that the designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by this Agreement.

Refinancing ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Register ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(c) .

Reimbursement Obligations ” shall mean the payment obligations of the Borrowers under Section 2.15(d) .

Related Transactions ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Pro Forma Basis.”

Replacement Assets ” means (a) non-current assets that will be used or useful in a Permitted Business, (b) substantially all the assets of a Permitted Business, or (c) a majority of the voting Equity Interests of any Person engaged in a Permitted Business that will become on the date of acquisition thereof a Restricted Subsidiary.

Replacement Event ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.16 .

Replacement Lender ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.16 .

Repricing Event ” shall mean (i) any prepayment or repayment of the Term Loans with the proceeds of, or any conversion of the Term Loans into, any new or replacement loans bearing interest at an “effective” interest rate less than the “effective” interest rate applicable to the Term Loans and (ii) any amendment to the definitive documentation for the

 

45


Term Facility that reduces the “effective” interest rate applicable to the Term Loans (in each case, with original issue discount and upfront fees, which shall be deemed to constitute like amounts of original issue discount, being equated to interest margins in a manner consistent with generally accepted financial practice based on an assumed four-year life to maturity); provided, that a Repricing Event shall be deemed not to have occurred in connection with any prepayment or repayment of the Term Loans upon the occurrence of any transaction that would constitute a Change of Control or in connection with another transaction not otherwise permitted by this Agreement .

Request for Loan ” shall mean any certificate signed by an Authorized Signatory of the Administrative Borrower requesting a new Loan hereunder, which certificate shall be denominated a “ Request for Loan ,” and shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit E . Each Request for Loan shall, among other things, specify the date of the Loan, which shall be a Business Day, the amount of the Loan, the currency of such Loan (in the case of a Revolving Loan), and the type of Loan.

Request for Issuance of Letter of Credit ” shall mean any certificate signed by an Authorized Signatory of the Administrative Borrower requesting that the Issuing Bank issue a Letter of Credit hereunder, which certificate shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit F , and shall, among other things, (a) specify that the requested Letter of Credit is either a Commercial Letter of Credit or a Standby Letter of Credit, (b) the stated amount of the Letter of Credit (which shall be in Dollars), (c) the effective date (which shall be a Business Day) for the issuance of such Letter of Credit, (d) the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall be a Business Day and which shall be subject to Section 2.15(a) ), (e) the Person for whose benefit such Letter of Credit is to be issued, (f) other relevant terms of such Letter of Credit, and (g) the Available Letter of Credit Amount as of the scheduled date of issuance of such Letter of Credit.

Resignation Effective Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.12 .

“Restatement Agreement” shall mean that certain Amendment and Restatement Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2015, among the Borrowers, the Guarantors party thereto, the Administrative Agents and the Lenders party thereto.

“Restatement Agreement Effective Date” shall mean the date on which all of the conditions contained in Section 4 of the Restatement Agreement have been satisfied or waived by the Administrative Agents.

Restricted Payment ” shall mean (a) Dividends, (b) loans to Parent by any other Borrower Party, (c) any payment of management, consulting or similar fees payable by any Borrower Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Borrower Party to any Affiliate and (d) any redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment or any claim of rescission with respect to any Equity Interest of any Borrower Party.

Restricted Purchase ” shall mean any payment on account of the purchase, redemption, or other acquisition or retirement of any shares of Equity Interests of Parent or any direct or indirect parent thereof.

 

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Restricted Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Retiree Welfare Plan ” shall mean a Plan that is an “employee welfare benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA that provides for coverage or benefits for any participant or any beneficiary of a participant after such participant’s termination of employment, other than continuation coverage provided pursuant to Code Section 4980B (or applicable state law mandating health insurance continuation coverage for employees) and at the sole expense of the participant or the beneficiary.

Revaluation Date ” shall mean (a) with respect to any Revolving Loan, each of the following: (i) each date of the making of a Revolving Loan denominated in Euro or Sterling and (ii) each date of a continuation of a Eurodollar Revolving Loan denominated in Euro or Sterling pursuant to Section 2.2(c)(ii) and (b) with respect to any Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance of a Letter of Credit denominated in Euro or Sterling, (ii) each date of an amendment of any such Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof (solely with respect to the increased amount), (iii) each date of any payment by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit denominated in Euro or Sterling, and (iv) such additional dates as the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall determine or the applicable Issuing Bank shall require.

Revolving Facility Administrative Agent ” shall mean SunTrust Bank, acting as administrative agent for the Revolving Facility Lender Group, and any successor Revolving Facility Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Section 10.12 .

Revolving Facility Lender ” shall mean each Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment.

Revolving Facility Majority Lenders ” shall mean Revolving Facility Lenders (other than any Defaulting Lender) having more than 50% of the sum of (a) aggregate amount of unutilized Revolving Loan Commitments on such date of the Revolving Facility Lenders plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such date (other than Swing Line Loans and Agent Advances) plus (c) the aggregate amount of participation interests on such date in Letter of Credit Obligations, Swing Line Loans and Agent Advances then outstanding.

Revolving Loan Commitment ” shall mean the several obligations of the Revolving Facility Lenders to advance the aggregate amount of up to $450,000,000 to the Borrowers on or after the Seventh Amendment Effective Date, in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratio, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, as such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or increased pursuant to Section 2.17 .

Revolving Loan Facility ” shall mean the aggregate Revolving Loan Commitments.

Revolving Loan Facility Lead Arranger ” shall mean SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

 

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Revolving Loan Notes ” shall mean those certain promissory notes issued by the Borrowers to each of the Revolving Facility Lenders that requests a promissory note, in accordance with each such Lender’s Commitment Ratio of the Revolving Loan Commitments, substantially in the form of Exhibit G .

Revolving Loans ” shall mean, collectively, the aggregate principal amount (other than Agent Advances and Swing Line Loans) advanced from time to time by the Revolving Facility Lenders to the Borrowers under the Revolving Loan Commitments, not to exceed the aggregate amount of the Revolving Loan Facility.

“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.

Sanctioned Country ” shall mean a country subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs / , as amended or as otherwise published from time to time.

Sanctioned Person ” shall mean (i) a Person named on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” or any similar list, maintained by OFAC and available at http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn / , as amended or as otherwise published from time to time, or (ii) (A) an agency of the government of a Sanctioned Country, (B) an organization Controlled by a Sanctioned Country, or (C) a person resident in a Sanctioned Country, to the extent subject to a sanctions program administered by OFAC.

S&P ” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc., or any successor thereto.

SEA ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission, as amended from time to time or any similar Federal law then in force.

Second Amendment ” means that certain Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2012, among the Borrowers, the Administrative Agents, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and Barclays Bank PLC, as arrangers for the Second Amendment and certain Lenders.

Second Amendment Effective Date ” means the date on which all of the conditions contained in Section 3 of the Second Amendment have been satisfied or waived by the Administrative Agents.

Secured Obligations ” shall mean, collectively, the Obligations and the Secured Senior Note Indebtedness.

 

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Secured Parties ” shall mean, collectively, the Lender Group , the Secured Trustee and the holders of the Senior Secured Note Indebtedness.“ Secured Trustee ” shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company .

Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar Federal law then in force.

Security Agreement ” shall mean that certain Security Agreement dated as of the Agreement Date , as amended pursuant to the Restatement Agreement and as may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, among the Borrower Parties and the Collateral Agent, on behalf of and for the benefit of, the Bank Secured Parties, in substantially in the form of Exhibit K .

Security Documents ” shall mean, collectively, the Copyright Security Agreements, the Mortgages, the Patent Security Agreements, the Security Agreement, the Trademark Security Agreements, the Intercreditor Agreement, all documents executed in connection with the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 (if any), all UCC-1 financing statements and any other document, instrument or agreement granting Collateral for the Obligations, as the same may be amended or modified from time to time.

Senior Notes ” shall mean the Senior Secured Notes and/or the Senior Unsecured Notes, as the context may require.

Senior Note Documents ” shall mean the Senior Secured Note Documents and/or the Senior Unsecured Note Documents, as the context may require.

Senior Note Indebtedness ” shall mean the Senior Secured Note Indebtedness and/or the Senior Unsecured Note Indebtedness, as the context may require.

Senior Secured Leverage Ratio ” shall mean, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis for any period, the ratio of (a) the aggregate amount of all Funded Debt for Borrowed Money of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries as of the last day of such period constituting senior debt that is not subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, and is secured by Liens on the Collateral or any material portion thereof that are not subordinated to the Liens on such portion of the Collateral securing the Obligations, to (b) Annualized EBITDA of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

Senior Secured Notes ” has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto Unsecured Notes” shall mean the 2020 Senior Unsecured Notes and the 2023 Senior Unsecured Notes .

Senior Secured Note Documents ” shall mean the applicable Indenture, the “Security Documents” (as defined in such Indenture) and the other documents and agreements governing the Senior Secured Notes.

 

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Senior Secured Note Indebtedness ” shall mean all outstanding principal and interest, including any default interest, on the Senior Secured Notes of the Borrowers, issued pursuant to the applicable Indenture.

Senior Unsecured Notes ” has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto.

Senior Unsecured Note Documents ” shall mean the applicable Indenture and the other agreements and documents governing the Senior Unsecured Notes.

Senior Unsecured Note Indebtedness ” shall mean all outstanding principal and interest, including any default interest, on the Senior Unsecured Notes of the Borrowers, issued pursuant to the applicable Indenture.

Senior Unsecured Notes ” has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto.

Seventh Amendment ” shall mean Amendment No. 7 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of April 17, 2015.

Seventh Amendment Effective Date shall have the meaning specified in the Seventh Amendment. means April 17, 2015.

Sixth Amendment ” means that certain Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2014, among the Borrowers, the Administrative Agents and certain Lenders.

Sixth Amendment Effective Date ” means the date on which all of the conditions contained in Section 4 of the Sixth Amendment have been satisfied or waived by the Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Lenders. May 16, 2014.

Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Lenders ” shall mean each Lender with a Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Loan Commitment.

Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Loan Commitment ” shall mean the several obligations of the Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Lenders to advance the aggregate amount of $275,000,000 to the Borrowers on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Loan Facility ” shall mean the Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Loan Commitments and the provisions relating to the Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Loans herein.

Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Loans ” shall mean, collectively, the amounts advanced by the Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Lenders to the Borrowers under the Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Loan Commitment on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date.

 

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Solicitation of Discount Range Sale Offers ” means the solicitation by a Borrower Party of offers for a sale of Loans at a specified range of discounts to par and the corresponding tender by a Lender, and purchase by such Borrower Party, of Loans pursuant to Section 11.5(h)(iii) .

Solicitation of Discounted Sale Offers ” means the solicitation by a Borrower Party of offers for a sale of Loans at a discount to par and the subsequent tender by a Lender, and purchase by such Borrower Party, of Loans pursuant to Section 11.5(h)(iv) .

Solicited Discount Proration ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Solicited Discounted Sale Offer ” means the irrevocable written offer by each Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit O , submitted following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Solicited Discounted Solicitation Notice.

Solicited Discounted Sale Response Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h).

Solicited Discounted Solicitation Amount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Solicited Discounted Solicitation Notice ” means a written notice of the Borrower of Solicited Discounted Sale Offers made pursuant to Section 11.5(h)(iv) substantially in the form of Exhibit P .

Specified Discount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Specified Discount Proration ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Specified Discount Purchase Amount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Specified Discount Purchase Notice ” means a written notice of the Offer of Specified Discount Purchase made pursuant to Section 11.5(h)(ii) substantially in the form of Exhibit Q .

Specified Discount Purchase Response ” means the irrevocable written response by each Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit R , to a Specified Discount Purchase Notice.

Specified Discount Purchase Response Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Specified Equity Contribution ” shall mean any cash contribution to the equity of Zayo and/or any purchase or investment in Equity Interests of Zayo pursuant to Section 9.3 (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include the Equity Issuance) in each case other than Disqualified Equity Interests, as evidenced by a certificate of an Authorized Signatory of the Administrative Borrower delivered to each Administrative Agent.

 

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Specified Transaction ” shall have the meaning specified in the definition of “Pro Forma Basis.”

Springing Financial Covenant Triggering Event ” shall mean the earliest to occur of the following: (a) the Term Loan Facility is amended to remove all financial covenants or (b) the Term Loan Facility is refinanced in full with the proceeds of Funded Debt other than Funded Debt in the nature of a revolving credit facility, in each case, whose terms do not contain a maintenance financial covenant.

Standard Securitization Undertakings ” means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that are reasonably customary in receivables financing facilities, including, without limitation, servicing of the obligations thereunder.

Standby Letter of Credit ” shall mean a Letter of Credit issued to support obligations of any Borrower Party incurred in the ordinary course of its business, and which is not a Commercial Letter of Credit.

State PUC License ” shall mean any license, certificate or other authorization issued by any PUC to permit the Borrower Parties or their Subsidiaries to offer intrastate telecommunications services in the state.

State Telecommunications Laws ” shall mean the statutes of the states of the United States and the District of Columbia governing the provisions of telecommunications services and the rules, regulations and published policies, procedures, orders and decisions of the applicable PUC.

Sterling ” and the sign “ £ ” shall mean the lawful money of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Sterling Maximum Amount ” shall mean $50,000,000 less (a) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of any outstanding Revolving Loans made prior to such date and outstanding on such date denominated in Sterling, less (b) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of any outstanding Revolving Loans made prior to such date and outstanding on such date denominated in Euros, less (c) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of any Letter of Credit Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit issued in Euros or Sterling then outstanding.

Submitted Amount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Submitted Discount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5(h) .

Subsidiary ” shall mean, as applied to any Person, (a) any corporation of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares) having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of its board of directors, regardless of the

 

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existence at the time of a right of the holders of any class or classes of securities of such corporation to exercise such voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency, or any partnership or limited liability company of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding partnership interests or membership interests, as the case may be, is at the time owned by such Person, or by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, and (b) any other entity which is controlled or capable of being controlled by such Person, or by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

Subsidiary Guarantors ” shall mean all Subsidiaries of the Borrowers signatory to this Agreement as a “Guarantor” and all Subsidiaries of the Borrowers that have executed and delivered a Guaranty Supplement.

Swing Line Bank ” shall mean SunTrust Bank, or any other Lender that has been designated by the Administrative Borrower as a Swing Line Bank and has agreed to act as Swing Line Bank.

Swing Line Loans ” shall mean, collectively, the amounts advanced from time to time by the Swing Line Bank to the Borrowers under the Revolving Loan Facility in accordance with Section 2.2(g) .

Swingline Rate ” shall mean the Base Rate, plus the Applicable Margin applicable to Base Rate Loans.

TARGET Day ” shall mean any day on which the Trans-European Automated Realtime Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system is open for settlement of payments in Euro.

Taxes ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.8(b)(i) .

Telecommunication Assets ” shall mean (a) all interest of any Person in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible (other than cash or Cash Equivalents), including Equity Interests, used in the Telecommunications Business or (b) the Equity Interests of any Person engaged primarily in the Telecommunications Business.

Telecommunications Business ” shall mean the business of (a) transmitting or providing services relating to the transmission of voice, video or data through transmission facilities, (b) constructing, creating, developing or producing communications networks, related network transmission, equipment, software, devices and content for use in a communications or content distribution business or (c) evaluating, participating or pursing any other activity or opportunity that is primarily related to clause (a) or (b) above.

Term Facility Administrative Agent ” shall mean Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., acting as administrative agent for the Term Facility Lender Group, and any successor Term Facility Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Section 10.12 .

Term Facility Lenders ” shall mean each Lender with a Term Loan Commitment.

 

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Term Facility Majority Lenders ” shall mean Term Facility Lenders (other than any Defaulting Lender) having more than 50% of the sum of the aggregate amount of the Term Loans of the Term Facility Lenders (excluding any Defaulting Lender).

Term Loan Commitment ” shall mean the several obligations of the Term Facility Lenders to advance the aggregate amount of up to $1,620,000,000 to the Borrowers on the Agreement Date, in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratio, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, as such amount a 2019 Term Loan Commitment and/or a 2021 Term Loan Commitment, as the context may require and as may be increased pursuant to Section 2.17 .

Term Loan Facility ” shall mean the Term Loan Commitments and the provisions relating to the Term Loans herein.

Term Loan Facility Co-Syndication Agents ” shall mean Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and Barclays Bank PLC.

Term Loan Facility Documentation Agent ” shall mean RBC Capital Markets.

Term Loan Facility Joint Bookrunners ” shall mean Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and Barclays Bank PLC and RBC Capital markets.

Term Loan Facility Joint Lead Arrangers ” shall mean Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and Barclays Bank PLC , Barclays Bank PLC, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., RBC Capital Markets and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc .

Term Loan Notes ” shall mean those certain promissory notes issued by the Borrowers to each of the Term Facility Lenders that requests a promissory note, in accordance with each such Term Facility Lender’s Commitment Ratio of the Term Loan Commitment, in substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2 .

“Term Loan Standstill Period” has the meaning provided in Section 9.1(c).

Term Loans ” shall mean, collectively, the amounts advanced from time to time by the Term Facility Lenders to the Borrowers under the Term Loan Commitment , including the 2019 Term Loans, the 2021 Term Loans and any Incremental Term Loans made by any New Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.17 .

Test Period ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 9.3(a) .

Title IV Plan ” shall mean a Plan that is an “employee pension benefit plan,” within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA, that is covered by Title IV of ERISA (including any Multiemployer Plan).

Total Assets ” shall mean, with respect to any Person the total assets of such Person on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of Zayo delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 or 7.2 or, for the period prior to the time any such statements are so delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 or 7.2 , the Pro Forma Financial Statements. 7.2.

 

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Total Facility Exposure ” shall mean the sum of (a) Total Outstandings and (b) aggregate unused Commitments.

Total Leverage Ratio ” shall mean, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, the ratio of (a) Funded Debt for Borrowed Money as of the last day of such period to (b) Annualized EBITDA of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

Total Outstandings ” shall mean, on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans and Letters of Credit after giving effect to any prepayments or repayments of Loans and Letters of Credit on such date.

Trademark Security Agreements ” shall mean, collectively, the Trademark Security Agreements made in favor of the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, from time to time.

Tranche ” means, with respect to any Loan, the Facility such Loan was made under.

Transactions ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto mean the transactions contemplated by the Restatement Agreement .

Transfer ” shall have the meaning specified in the definition of “Asset Sale.”

Trustee ” shall mean the Secured Trustee and/or the Unsecured Trustee, as the context may require.

Type ” shall mean, as to any Loan, its nature as an a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may, from time to time, be enacted and in effect in the State of New York; provided , that to the extent that the UCC is used to define any term herein and such term is defined differently in different Articles or Divisions of the UCC, the definition of such term contained in Article or Division 9 shall govern; provided further , that in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment, perfection or priority of, or remedies with respect to, the Collateral Agent’s Lien on any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions thereof relating to such attachment, perfection, priority or remedies and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.

Unaudited Financial Statements ” shall mean the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of each of Zayo and AboveNet as of , in the case of Zayo, each of its fiscal quarters ended after December 31, 2011 and at least 45 days prior to the Agreement Date (other than the fourth fiscal quarter of its fiscal year) and , in the case of AboveNet, each of its fiscal quarters ended after December 31, 2011 and at least 45 days prior to the Agreement Date (other than the fourth fiscal quarter of its fiscal year) and, in each case , the related statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows of Zayo and AboveNet for such fiscal quarters.

 

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Undisclosed Administration ” means in relation to a Lender the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator under or based on the law in the country where such Lender is subject to home jurisdiction supervision if applicable law requires that such appointment is not to be publicly disclosed.

Unfunded Pension Liability ” shall mean at any time, the aggregate amount, if any, of the sum of (a) the amount by which the present value of all accrued benefits under each Title IV Plan exceeds the fair market value of all assets of such Title IV Plan allocable to such benefits in accordance with Title IV of ERISA, all determined as of the most recent valuation date for each such Title IV Plan using the actuarial assumptions for funding purposes in effect under such Title IV Plan, and (b) for a period of five (5) years following a transaction which might reasonably be expected to be covered by Section 4069 of ERISA, the liabilities (whether or not accrued) that could be avoided by any Borrower Party or any ERISA Affiliate as a result of such transaction.

Uniform Customs ” shall mean the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” shall mean (i) any Subsidiary of any Borrower designated by the board of directors of such Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 6.17 subsequent to the date hereof Agreement Date and (ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary of any Borrower ; provided that the aggregate Annualized EBITDA of all Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Borrowers shall not exceed 5.0% of the aggregate Annualized EBITDA of the Borrowers and all of their Subsidiaries; provided , further , that should such aggregate Annualized EBITDA of Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Borrowers exceed 5.0% of the aggregate Annualized EBITDA of the Borrowers and all of their Subsidiaries, so long as the implementation of such redesignation shall not cause the violation of any Applicable Law or agreement not entered into in contemplation thereof, one or more of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary such that after giving effect to such redesignation, the Annualized EBITDA of all Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Borrowers at such time shall not exceed 5.0% of the aggregate Annualized EBITDA of the Borrowers and all of their Subsidiaries; provided , further , however , that the Borrowers shall not designate or acquire any new Unrestricted Subsidiary if such designation would not comply with the provisions set forth in this definition .

Unsecured Trustee ” shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

Unused Line Fee ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(b) .

Unused Line Fee Rate ” shall mean a rate equal to (a) initially, 0.50% per annum, (b) following the date that is five (5) Business Days after the date on which the Compliance

 

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Certificate is delivered to each Administrative Agent for the fiscal quarter ending on September 30, 2012, unless clause (c) below applies and (c) following the date that is five (5) Business Days after the date on which the Compliance Certificate is delivered to each Administrative Agent for the fiscal quarter ending on June 30, 2015, the rate per annum determined in compliance with the grid set forth below:

 

Level

  

Total Leverage Ratio

   Unused Line Fee
Rate
 
I    Greater than 4.50 to 1.00      0.375
II    Less than or equal to 4.50:1.00      0.25

U.S. Dollar Equivalent ” shall mean (i) with respect to an amount denominated in any currency other than Dollars on any date, the equivalent in Dollars of such amount determined pursuant to Section 1.5 using the Exchange Rate with respect to such currency at the time in effect under the provisions of Section 1.5 and (ii) with respect to an amount denominated in Dollars on any date, the amount thereof.

U.S. Prime Rate ” shall mean the rate of interest published by the Wall Street Journal (eastern edition), from time to time, as the “U.S. Prime Rate”.

US ” or “ United States ” shall mean the United States of America, including the District of Columbia and its possessions and territories.

USA Patriot Act ” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107-56, 115 Stat. 272 (2001), as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.

Voidable Transfer ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.18 .

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” shall mean, when applied to any Funded Debt at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the product 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 Funded Debt.

Zayo ” has the meaning specified in the preamble.

Zayo Capital ” has the meaning specified in the preamble.

Section 1.2 Accounting Principles . The classification, character and amount of all assets, liabilities, capital accounts and reserves and of all items of income and expense to be determined, and any consolidation or other accounting computation to be made,

 

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and the interpretation of any definition containing any financial term, pursuant to this Agreement shall be determined and made in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, unless such principles are inconsistent with the express requirements of this Agreement; provided that if because of a change in GAAP after the date of this Agreement any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries would be required to alter a previously utilized accounting principle, method or policy in order to remain in compliance with GAAP, such determination shall continue to be made in accordance with such Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s previous accounting principles, methods and policies. All accounting terms used herein without definition shall be used as defined under GAAP. All financial calculations hereunder shall, unless otherwise stated, be determined for the Borrowers on a consolidated basis with their Subsidiaries. When reference is made to “the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis” or similar language, such consolidation shall not include any Subsidiaries of the Borrower other than Restricted Subsidiaries.

Section 1.3 Other Interpretive Matters . Each definition of an agreement in this Article 1 shall include such instrument or agreement as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time with, if required, the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders, except as provided in Section 11.12 and otherwise to the extent permitted under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Except where the context otherwise requires, definitions imparting the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided herein. References in this Agreement to “Articles”, “Sections”, “Schedules” or “Exhibits” shall be to Articles, Sections, Schedules or Exhibits of or to this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, whether or not so expressly stated in each such instance, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. “Writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing, computer disk, e-mail and other means of reproducing words in a visible form. Except where otherwise specifically restricted, reference to a party to a Loan Document includes that party and its successors and assigns. All terms used herein which are defined in Article 9 of the UCC and which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as set forth therein.

Section 1.4 Term Facility Administrative Agent and Revolving Facility Administrative Agent . For the avoidance of doubt, all references to an Administrative Agent or an “applicable Administrative Agent” shall be construed to refer to the Term Facility Administrative Agent in regard to matters relating exclusively to the Term Loan Facility, the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, in regard to matters relating exclusively to the Revolving Loan Facility and both the Term Facility Administrative Agent and the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent for matters that affect both Facilities. In the event that Revolving Loan Facility expires, all references to an Administrative Agent or an “applicable Administrative Agent” shall be construed to refer to the Term Facility Administrative Agent. In the event that Term Loan Facility expires, all references to an Administrative Agent or an “applicable Administrative Agent” shall be construed to refer to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent. The Term Facility Administrative Agent shall retain all power, authority and discretion

 

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with regard to the Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall retain all power, authority and discretion with regard to the Revolving Loan Facility in each case to the extent such power, authority and discretion is delegated to an Administrative Agent under this Agreement.

Section 1.5 Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents.

(a) The Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall determine the Exchange Rates as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating the U.S. Dollar Equivalent amounts of Revolving Loans denominated in Euro and Sterling. Such Exchange Rates shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Exchange Rates employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by Borrower Parties hereunder or calculating financial covenants hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such U.S. Dollar Equivalent amount as so determined by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent.

(b) Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Revolving Loan, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Revolving Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Revolving Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in Euro or Sterling, such amount shall be the relevant U.S. Dollar Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent.

ARTICLE 2.

THE LOANS AND THE LETTERS OF CREDIT

Section 2.1 Extension of Credit .

(a) Term Loan Borrowing . Subject to the terms and conditions of, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties made in, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, each Term Facility Lender holding a 2019 Term Loan Commitment on the Agreement Date severally (and not jointly) agrees to make made a single 2019 Term Loan in a principal amount equal to such Term Facility Lender’s 2019 Term Loan Commitment on the Agreement Date. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.1(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

Subject to the terms and conditions of, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties made in the Fifth Amendment and this Agreement, each 2013 Incremental Term Facility Lender severally (and not jointly) agrees to make made a single Term Loan in a principal amount equal to such 2013 Incremental Term Facility Lender’s 2013 Incremental Term Loan Commitment on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.1(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

 

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Subject to the terms and conditions of, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties made in the Sixth Amendment and this Agreement, each Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Lender severally (and not jointly) agrees to make made a single Term Loan in a principal amount equal to such Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Lender’s Sixth Amendment Incremental Term Loan Commitment on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.1(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

Subject to the terms and conditions of, and in reliance up on the representations and warranties made in the Restatement Agreement and this Agreement, certain 2019 Term Loan Lenders have agreed to extend the maturity of certain 2019 Term Loans, which shall be deemed to be the 2021 Term Loans hereunder and such Lenders shall be deemed to be the 2021 Term Loan Lenders hereunder.

(b) Revolving Loan Borrowing .

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions of, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties made in, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Revolving Facility Lenders agree, severally in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratio, and not jointly, to make Revolving Loans in Dollars, Euros and Sterling and extend credit to the Borrowers in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed (i) the Revolving Loan Facility, (ii) the Euro Maximum Amount for the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of Revolving Loans made in Euros, and (iii) the Sterling Maximum Amount for the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of Revolving Loans made in Sterling, in each case after giving effect to the incurrence of such Revolving Loan.

(ii) Each Revolving Facility Lender agrees, severally in accordance with its Commitment Ratio and not jointly with the other Revolving Facility Lenders, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, to lend and relend to the Borrowers, from time to time on any Business Day prior to the Maturity Date, Revolving Loans which do not exceed such Revolving Facility Lender’s ratable share (based upon such Revolving Facility Lender’s Commitment Ratio) of Availability, as of such Business Day. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof of this Agreement and prior to the Maturity Date, Revolving Loans under the Revolving Loan Facility may be repaid and reborrowed from time to time on a revolving basis.

(c) The Letters of Credit . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Issuing Bank agrees to issue Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars, Euros and Sterling for the account of the Borrower Parties (with such Letter of Credit application to be executed by both Borrowers) from time to time on any Business Day prior to the date that is thirty (30) days prior to the Maturity Date, pursuant to Section 2.15 in an aggregate outstanding face amount not to exceed, with respect to the issuance of any individual Letter of Credit as of any date of determination, the Available Letter of Credit Amount as of such date of determination.

(d) The Swing Line Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Swing Line Bank, in its sole discretion, may from time to time on any Business Day after the Agreement Date but prior to the Maturity Date, make Swing Line Loans to the Borrowers in an amount not to exceed the lessor of (i) Availability, to the extent in effect at such time of determination, as of such Business Day or (ii) $25,000,000.

 

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(e) Overadvances . If at any time the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Obligations exceeds the aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment or any other applicable limitation set forth in this Agreement (including, without limitation, the limitations on Swing Line Loans, Agent Advances and Letters of Credit) such excess (an “ Overadvance ”) shall nevertheless constitute a portion of the Obligations that are secured by the Collateral and are entitled to all benefits thereof. In no event, however, shall the Borrowers have any right whatsoever to (i) receive any Revolving Loan, (ii) receive any Swing Line Loan, or (iii) request the issuance of any Letter of Credit if, before or after giving effect thereto, there shall exist a Default. In the event that (1) the Lenders shall make any Revolving Loans, (2) the Swing Line Bank shall make any Swing Line Loan, (3) the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall make any Agent Advances or (4) the Issuing Bank shall agree to the issuance of any Letter of Credit, which in any such case gives rise to an Overadvance, the Borrowers shall make, on demand, a payment on the Obligations to be applied to the Revolving Loans, the Swing Line Loans, the Agent Advances and the Letter of Credit Reserve Account, as appropriate, in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Overadvance.

(f) Agent Advances .

(i) Subject to the limitations set forth below and notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrowers and the Revolving Facility Lenders, from time to time in the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, (A) at any time that a Default exists, (B) at any time that any of the other conditions precedent set forth in Article 4 have not been satisfied, or (C) at any time an Overadvance exists or would result from any Agent Advance (as defined below), to make Base Rate Loans to the Borrowers on behalf of the Lenders in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed (together with the amount of Swing Line Loans made pursuant to Section 2.1(d) then outstanding) $2,000,000, which the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable (1) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (2) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Obligations, or (3) to pay any other amount chargeable to the Borrowers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including costs, fees and expenses as provided under this Agreement (any of such advances are herein referred to as “ Agent Advances ”); provided , that the Revolving Facility Majority Lenders may at any time revoke the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent’s authorization to make Agent Advances. Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof. The Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall promptly provide to the Administrative Borrower written notice of any Agent Advance. In no event shall the Aggregate Revolving Credit Obligations, after giving effect to any Agent Advance, exceed the Revolving Loan Commitment.

(ii) The Agent Advances shall be secured by the Collateral and shall constitute Obligations hereunder. Each Agent Advance shall bear interest as a Base Rate

 

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Loan. Each Agent Advance shall be subject to all terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents applicable to Revolving Loans, except that all payments thereon shall be made to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent solely for its own account and the making of any Agent Advance shall not require the consent of the Borrowers. The Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation to make any Agent Advance hereunder.

(iii) The Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender no less frequently than weekly, as determined by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, of the principal amount of Agent Advances outstanding as of 12:00 noon (New York, New York time) as of such date, and each Lender’s pro rata share thereof. Each Lender shall before 2:00 p.m. (New York, New York time) on such Business Day make available to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, in immediately available funds, the amount of its pro rata share of such principal amount of Agent Advances outstanding. Upon such payment by a Lender, such Lender shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrowers, notwithstanding any failure of the Borrowers to satisfy the conditions in Section 4.2 . The Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall use such funds to repay the principal amount of Agent Advances. Additionally, if at any time any Agent Advances are outstanding, any of the events described in Section 9.1(g) or 9.1(h) shall have occurred, then each Lender shall automatically, upon the occurrence of such event, and without any action on the part of the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, the Borrowers or the Lenders, be deemed to have purchased an undivided participation in the principal and interest of all Agent Advances then outstanding in an amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment Ratio and each Lender shall, notwithstanding such Event of Default, immediately pay to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent in immediately available funds, the amount of such Lender’s participation (and upon receipt thereof, the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall deliver to such Lender, a loan participation certificate dated the date of receipt of such funds in such amount). The disbursement of funds in connection with the settlement of Agent Advances hereunder shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.2(e) .

Section 2.2 Manner of Borrowing and Disbursement of Loans .

(a) Choice of Interest Rate, etc. Any Loan shall, at the option of the Borrowers, be made either as a Base Rate Loan or as a Eurodollar Loan; provided , however , that (i) if the Administrative Borrower fails to give (x) the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, in case of Revolving Loans and (y) the Term Facility Administrative Agent, in case of Term Loans, written notice specifying whether a Eurodollar Loan is to be repaid, continued or converted on a Payment Date (and in the case of Revolving Loans denominated in Euros or Sterling, such Revolving Loan shall be exchanged for the U.S. Dollar Equivalent thereof), such Loan shall be converted to a Base Rate Loan on the Payment Date in accordance with Section 2.3(a)(iii) , (ii) the Administrative Borrower may not select a Eurodollar Loan (A) on the Agreement Date, (B) with respect to Swing Line Loans, (C) with respect to any Loan, the proceeds of which are to reimburse the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.15 , or (D) if, at the time of such Loan or at the time of the continuation of, or conversion to, a Eurodollar Loan pursuant to Section 2.2(c) , a Default exists, and the applicable Administrative Agent has notified

 

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the Administrative Borrower that no Eurodollar Loans may be selected by the Administrative Borrower during the continuance of such Default, (iii) Base Rate Loans shall be denominated in Dollars, and (iv) all Agent Advances shall be made as Base Rate Loans. Any notice given to any Administrative Agent in connection with a requested Loan hereunder shall be given to the applicable Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York, New York time) in order for such Business Day to count toward the minimum number of Business Days required.

(b) Base Rate Loans .

(i) Initial and Subsequent Loans . The Administrative Borrower shall give (x) the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, in case of Revolving Loans and (y) the Term Facility Administrative Agent, in case of Term Loans, in the case of Base Rate Loans irrevocable notice by telephone not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York, New York time) one Business Day prior to the date of such Base Rate Loan and shall immediately confirm any such telephone notice with a written Request for Loan; provided , however , that the failure by the Administrative Borrower to confirm any notice by telephone with a written Request for Loan shall not invalidate any notice so given. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2(f) , each Base Rate Loan shall be in a principal amount of no less than $1,000,000 an in an integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof.

(ii) Repayments and Conversions . The Borrowers may (A) subject to Section 2.5 , at any time without prior notice repay a Base Rate Loan, or (B) upon at least three (3) Business Days’ irrevocable prior written notice by the Administrative Borrower to (x) the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, in case of Revolving Loans denominated in Dollars and (y) the Term Facility Administrative Agent, in case of Term Loans, in each case, in the form of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, convert all or a portion of the principal thereof to one or more Eurodollar Loans; provided , however , that the Borrowers may not elect to convert any Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans during the first thirty (30) days following the Agreement Date (or such earlier date as shall be specified by the applicable Administrative Agent in its sole discretion by written notice to the Borrowers and the Lenders). Upon the date indicated by the Administrative Borrower, such Base Rate Loan shall be so repaid or converted.

(c) Eurodollar Loans .

(i) Initial and Subsequent Loans . The Administrative Borrower shall give (x) the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, in case of Revolving Loans and (y) the Term Facility Administrative Agent, in case of Term Loans, in the case of Eurodollar Loans irrevocable notice by telephone not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York, New York time) three (3) days prior to the date of such Eurodollar Loan in the case of a Eurodollar Loan denominated in Dollars, 11:00 a.m. (New York, New York time) three (3) days prior to the date of such Eurodollar Loan in the case of a Eurodollar Loan denominated in Euro, or 11:00 a.m. (New York, New York time) three (3) days prior to the date of such Eurodollar Loan in the case of a Eurodollar Loan denominated in Sterling, and shall, in each case, immediately confirm any such telephone notice with a written Request for Loan; provided , however , that the failure by the Administrative Borrower to confirm any notice by telephone with a written Request for Loan shall not invalidate any notice so given.

 

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(ii) Repayments, Continuations and Conversions . At least three (3) Business Days prior to each Payment Date for a Eurodollar Loan, the Administrative Borrower shall give (x) the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, in case of Revolving Loans and (y) the Term Facility Administrative Agent, in case of Term Loans, written notice in the form of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation specifying whether all or a portion of such Eurodollar Loan outstanding on such Payment Date is to be continued in whole or in part as one or more new Eurodollar Loans denominated in the same currency and also specifying the new Eurodollar Loan Period applicable to each such new Eurodollar Loan (and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, upon such Payment Date, such Eurodollar Loan shall be so continued); provided that Revolving Loans denominated in Euros or Sterling may only be continued as Eurodollar Loans. Upon such Payment Date, any Eurodollar Loan (or portion thereof) not so continued shall be converted to a Base Rate Loan or, subject to Section 2.5 , be repaid.

(iii) Miscellaneous . Notwithstanding any term or provision of this Agreement which may be construed to the contrary (x)(A) each Eurodollar Loan denominated in Dollars shall be in a principal amount of no less than $5,000,000 and in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (B) each Revolving Eurodollar Loan denominated in Euro shall be in a principal amount of no less than €5,000,000 and in an integral multiple of €1,000,000 in excess thereof and (C) each Revolving Eurodollar Loan denominated in Sterling shall be in a principal amount of no less than £5,000,000 and in an integral multiple of £1,000,000 in excess thereof, and (y) at no time shall the aggregate number of all Eurodollar Loans then outstanding exceed twelve (12).

(d) Notification of Lenders . Upon receipt of (i) a Request for Loan or a telephone, telecopy or deemed request for Loan, (ii) notification from the Issuing Bank that a draw has been made under any Letter of Credit (unless the Issuing Bank will be reimbursed through the funding of a Swing Line Loan), or (iii) notice from the Administrative Borrower with respect to the prepayment of any outstanding Eurodollar Loan prior to the Payment Date for such Loan, the applicable Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender by telephone or telecopy of the contents thereof and the amount of each Lender’s portion of any such Loan. Each Lender shall (x) not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York, New York time) on the date specified for such Loan (under clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 2.2(d)) in such notice, make available to the applicable Administrative Agent at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office, or at such account as such Administrative Agent shall designate, the amount in Dollars of such Lender’s portion of a Loan denominated in Dollars in immediately available funds, (y) not later than 10:00 a.m. (New York, New York time) on the date specified for such Loan (under clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 2.2(d) ) in such notice, make available to the applicable Administrative Agent at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office, or at such account as such Administrative Agent shall designate, the amount in Euros of such Lender’s portion of a Loan denominated in Euro in immediately available funds, and (z) not later than 10:00 a.m. (New York, New York time) on the date specified for such Loan (under clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 2.2(d) ) in such notice, make available to the applicable Administrative Agent at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office, or at such account as such Administrative Agent shall designate, the amount in Sterling of such Lender’s portion of a Loan denominated in Sterling in immediately available funds.

 

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(e) Disbursement . Prior to 3:00 p.m. (New York, New York time) on the date of an Loan hereunder, the applicable Administrative Agent shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article 4, disburse the amounts made available to such Administrative Agent by the Lenders in like funds in Dollars, Euros or Sterling, as applicable, by (i) transferring the amounts so made available by wire transfer to the Disbursement Account or (ii) in the case of an Loan the proceeds of which are to reimburse the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.15 , transferring such amounts to such Issuing Bank. Unless the applicable Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to 12:00 noon (New York, New York time) on the date of any Loan that such Lender will not make available to such Administrative Agent such Lender’s ratable portion of such Loan, such Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made or will make such portion available to such Administrative Agent on the date of such Loan and such Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion and in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrowers or the Issuing Bank, as applicable, on such date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent such Lender shall not have so made such ratable portion available to the applicable Administrative Agent, such Lender agrees to repay to such Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrowers or the Issuing Bank, as applicable, until the date such amount is repaid to such Administrative Agent, (x) for the first two (2) Business Days, at the Federal Funds Rate for such Business Days, and (y) thereafter, at the Base Rate (in an amount equal to the U.S. Dollar Equivalent thereof in the case of Revolving Loans denominated in Euros or Sterling). If such Lender shall repay to the applicable Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such Lender’s portion of the applicable Loan for purposes of this Agreement and if both such Lender and the Borrowers shall pay and repay such corresponding amount, such Administrative Agent shall promptly relend to the Borrowers such corresponding amount. If such Lender does not repay such corresponding amount immediately upon the applicable Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, such Administrative Agent shall notify the Administrative Borrower and the Borrowers shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to such Administrative Agent. The failure of any Lender to fund its portion of any Loan shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to fund its respective portion of the Loan on the date of such borrowing, but no Lender shall be responsible for any such failure of any other Lender. In the event that a Lender for any reason fails or refuses to fund its portion of an Loan in violation of this Agreement, then, until such time as such Lender has funded its portion of such Loan, or all other Lenders have received payment in full (whether by repayment or prepayment) of the principal and interest due in respect of such Loan, such non-funding Lender shall not (i) have the right to vote regarding any issue on which voting is required or advisable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and, with respect to any such Lender, the amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment or Loans, as applicable, held by such Lender shall not be counted as outstanding for purposes of determining “Majority Lenders” or “Revolving Majority Lenders” as applicable hereunder, and (ii) be entitled to receive any payments of principal, interest or fees from the Borrowers or the applicable Administrative Agent (or the other Lenders) in respect of its Loans.

 

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(f) Deemed Requests for Loan . Unless payment is otherwise timely made by the Borrowers, the becoming due of any amount required to be paid under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents as principal, interest, reimbursement obligations in connection with Letters of Credit, premiums, fees, reimbursable expenses or other sums payable hereunder shall be deemed irrevocably to be a Request for Loan on the due date of, and in an aggregate amount required to pay, such principal, interest, reimbursement obligations in connection with Letters of Credit, premiums, fees, reimbursable expenses or other sums payable hereunder, and the proceeds of a Revolving Loan made pursuant thereto may be disbursed by way of direct payment of the relevant Obligation and shall bear interest as a Base Rate Loan. The Lenders shall have no obligation to the Borrowers to honor any deemed Request for Loan under this Section 2.2(f) unless all the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 have been satisfied, but, with the consent of the Lenders required under the last sentence of Section 4.2 , may do so in their sole discretion and without regard to the existence of, and without being deemed to have waived, any Default and without regard to the existence or creation of an Overadvance or the failure by the Borrowers to satisfy any of the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 . No further authorization, direction or approval by the Borrowers shall be required to be given by the Borrowers for any deemed Request for Loan under this Section 2.2(f) .

(g) Special Provisions Pertaining to Swing Line Loans .

(i) The Administrative Borrower shall give the Swing Line Bank written notice in the form of a Request for Loan, or notice by telephone no later than 12:00 noon. (New York, New York time) on the date on which the Borrowers wish to receive any Swing Line Loan followed immediately by a written Request for Loan, with a copy to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent; provided , however , that the failure by the Administrative Borrower to confirm any notice by telephone with a written Request for Loan shall not invalidate any notice so given; provided further , however , that any request by the Administrative Borrower of a Base Rate Loan under the Revolving Loan Commitment shall be deemed to be a request for a Swing Line Loan unless the Administrative Borrower specifically requests otherwise. Each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest at the rate equal to the Swingline Rate. If the Swing Line Bank, in its sole discretion, elects to make the requested Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Loan shall be made on the date specified in the notice or the Request for Loan and such notice or Request for Loan shall specify (i) the amount of the requested Swing Line Loan, and (ii) instructions for the disbursement of the proceeds of the requested Swing Line Loan. Each Swing Line Loan shall be subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to Revolving Loans, except that all payments thereon shall be payable to the Swing Line Bank solely for its own account. The Swing Line Bank shall have no duty or obligation to make any Swing Line Loans hereunder. The Swing Line Bank shall not make any Swing Line Loans if the Swing Line Bank has received written notice from any Lender or the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent that one or more applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.2 will not be satisfied (or waived pursuant to the last sentence of Section 4.2 ) on the requested Loan date. In the event the Swing Line Bank in its sole and absolute discretion elects to make any requested Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Bank shall make the proceeds of such Swing Line Loan available to the Borrowers by deposit of Dollars in same day funds by wire transfer to the Disbursement Account. In the event that the Swing Line Bank informs the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent that it will not make the requested Loan as a Swing Line Loan, then such request will be deemed a request for a Base Rate Loan under the Revolving Loan Commitment.

 

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(ii) The Swing Line Bank at any time and from time to time in its sole discretion but in no event less frequently than once each calendar week, shall notify the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent of the principal amount of Swing Line Loans outstanding as of 3:00 p.m. (New York, New York time) as of such date and each Lender’s pro rata share (based on its Commitment Ratio) thereof. Each Lender (including the Swing Line Bank) shall before 12:00 noon (New York, New York time) on the next Business Day make available to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, in immediately available funds, the amount of its pro rata share (based on its Commitment Ratio) of such principal amount of Swing Line Loans outstanding. Upon such payment by a Lender, such Lender shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan as a Base Rate Loan to the Borrowers, notwithstanding any failure of the Borrowers to satisfy the conditions in Section 4.2 . The Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall use such funds to repay the principal amount of Swing Line Loans to the Swing Line Bank together with any interest due and payable on such Swing Line Loans. Additionally, if at any time any Swing Line Loans are outstanding, any of the events described in Section 9.1(g) or 9.1(h) shall have occurred, then each Lender shall automatically upon the occurrence of such event and without any action on the part of the Swing Line Bank, the Borrowers, the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent or the Lenders be deemed to have purchased an undivided participation in the principal and interest of all Swing Line Loans then outstanding in an amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment Ratio of the principal and interest of all Swing Line Loans then outstanding and each Lender shall, notwithstanding such Event of Default, immediately pay to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Bank in immediately available funds, the amount of such Lender’s participation (and upon receipt thereof, the Swing Line Bank shall deliver to such Lender a loan participation certificate dated the date of receipt of such funds in such amount). The disbursement of funds in connection with the settlement of Swing Line Loans hereunder shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.2(e) .

(h) Each Lender’s obligation to make a Base Rate Loan pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section 2.2 or to purchase participating interests pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section 2.2 shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including, without limitation, (i) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender or any other Person may have or claim against the Swingline Lender, the Borrowers or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default or the termination of any Lender’s Revolving Loan Commitment, (iii) the existence (or alleged existence) of any event or condition which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any Borrower Party, the Administrative Agents or any Lender or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. If such amount is not in fact made available to the Swing Line Lender by any Lender, the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender, together with accrued interest thereon for each day from the date of demand thereof (x) at the Federal Funds Rate until the second Business Day after such demand and (y) at the Base Rate at

 

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all times thereafter. Until such time as such Lender makes its required payment, the Swing Line Lender shall be deemed to continue to have outstanding Swingline Loans in the amount of the unpaid participation for all purposes of the Loan Documents. In addition, such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned any and all payments made of principal and interest on its Loans and any other amounts due to it hereunder to the Swing Line Lender to fund the amount of such Lender’s participation interest in such Swing Line Loans that such Lender failed to fund pursuant to this Section, until such amount has been purchased in full.

(i) Funding of Term Loans into Escrow . If the AboveNet Acquisition has not occurred on or prior to July 2, 2012, each Term Facility Lender severally (and not jointly) shall, on July 3, 2012, make a single Term Loan in a principal amount equal to such Term Facility Lender’s Commitment, the gross proceeds of such Term Loans, net upfront fees, shall be deposited into an escrow account pursuant to an Escrow Agreement and such Escrow Proceeds shall not be disbursed other than pursuant to the terms of such Escrow Agreement (which shall include, in any event, without limitation, the prepayment of Term Loans with all amounts in such Escrow Account in the event the AboveNet Acquisition shall not have been consummated on or prior to December 18, 2012).

Section 2.3 Interest .

(a) On Loans . Interest on the Loans, subject to Sections 2.3(b) and (c) , shall be payable as follows:

(i) On Base Rate Loans and Swing Line Loans . Interest on each Base Rate Loan and each Swing Line Loan shall be computed for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a hypothetical year of three hundred sixty five (365)/three hundred sixty six (366) days and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter for the prior calendar quarter, commencing on September 30, 2012 in the case of Base Rate Loans and shall be payable monthly in arrears on the last day of each calendar month for the prior calendar month commencing July 30, 2012 in the case of Swing Line Loans. Interest on Base Rate Loans and Swing Line Loans then outstanding shall also be due and payable on the Maturity Date (or the date of any earlier prepayment in full of the Obligations). Interest shall accrue and be payable on each Base Rate Loan at the simple per annum interest rate equal to the sum of (A) the Base Rate and (B) the Applicable Margin. Interest shall accrue and be payable on each Swing Line Loan at the simple per annum interest rate equal to the Swingline Rate.

(ii) On Eurodollar Loans . Interest on each Eurodollar Loan shall be computed for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a hypothetical year of three hundred sixty (360) days and shall be payable in arrears on (x) the Payment Date for such Loan, and (y) if the Eurodollar Loan Period for such Loan is greater than three (3) months, on the last day of such three (3) month period and on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar Loan Period for such Loan. Interest on Eurodollar Loans then outstanding shall also be due and payable on the Maturity Date (or the date of any earlier prepayment in full of the Obligations). Interest shall accrue and be payable on each Eurodollar Loan at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (A) the Eurodollar Basis applicable to such Eurodollar Loan and (B) the Applicable Margin, in each case payable in the currency in which the applicable Eurodollar Loan was borrowed.

 

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(iii) If No Notice of Selection of Interest Rate . If the Administrative Borrower fails to give the applicable Administrative Agent timely notice of its selection of a Eurodollar Basis, or if for any reason a determination of a Eurodollar Basis for any Loan denominated in Dollars is not timely concluded, the Base Rate shall apply to such Loan. If the Administrative Borrower fails to elect to continue any Eurodollar Loan then outstanding prior to the last Payment Date applicable thereto in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2 , as applicable, the Base Rate shall apply to such Loan commencing on and after such Payment Date. In each case, if the relevant Loan is a Revolving Loan denominated in Euro or Sterling, such Revolving Loan shall be automatically exchanged for the U.S. Dollar Equivalent thereof and the Base Rate shall apply thereto.

(b) Upon Default . If all or a portion of (i) the principal amount of any Loan or (ii) any interest payable thereon shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum which is the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.3 plus 2.00% per annum from the date of such non-payment until the earliest to occur of (i) waiver of the applicable Event of Default in accordance with Section 11.12 , (ii) agreement by the Majority Lenders to rescind the charging of interest at the Default Rate, or (iii) payment in full of the Obligations. The Lenders shall not be required to (A) accelerate the maturity of the Loans, (B) terminate the Revolving Loan Commitment, or (C) exercise any other rights or remedies under the Loan Documents in order to charge interest hereunder at the Default Rate.

(c) Computation of Interest .

(i) In computing interest on any Loan, the date of making the Loan shall be included and the date of payment shall be excluded; provided , however , that if an Loan is repaid on the date that it is made, one (1) day of interest shall be due with respect to such Loan.

(ii) With respect to the computation of interest hereunder, the application of funds in any Blocked Account by an Administrative Agent to the Obligations shall be deemed made on the date of receipt of such funds so long as such funds are received prior to 2:00 p.m. (New York, New York time), if received after 2:00 p.m. (New York, New York time), such funds shall be deemed received on the next Business Day.

Section 2.4 Fees .

(a) Fee Letter. Each Borrower agrees, jointly and severally, to pay to the applicable Administrative Agent such fees as are set forth in the Fee Letter.

(b) Unused Line Fee. Each Borrower agrees, jointly and severally, to pay to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, for the account of the Revolving Facility Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratios, an unused line fee (“ Unused Line Fee ”)

 

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on the aggregate amount by which the Revolving Loan Commitment exceeded the sum of the average daily amount of Aggregate Revolving Credit Obligations (other than with respect to any Swing Line Loans and Agent Advances) for each day from the Agreement Date through the Maturity Date (or the date of any earlier prepayment in full of the Obligations), at a per annum rate equal to the Unused Line Fee Rate. Such Unused Line Fee shall be computed on the basis of a hypothetical year of three hundred sixty five (365)/three hundred sixty six (366) days for the actual number of days elapsed, shall be payable in arrears on September 30, 2012, and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter thereafter for the immediately preceding calendar quarter, and if then unpaid, on the Maturity Date (or the date of any earlier prepayment in full of the Obligations), and shall be fully earned when due and non-refundable when paid.

(c) Letter of Credit Fees .

(i) The Borrowers shall pay to the Revolving Loan Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratios, a fee in Dollars on the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the undrawn amount of each outstanding Letter of Credit for each day such Letter of Credit is outstanding from the Date of Issue through the Maturity Date (or the date of any earlier prepayment in full of the Obligations) at a rate per annum on such amount equal to the Applicable Margin with respect to Eurodollar Loans denominated in Dollars in effect from time to time. Such Letter of Credit fee shall be computed on the basis of a hypothetical year of three hundred sixty (360) days for the actual number of days elapsed, shall be payable quarterly in arrears for each calendar quarter on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, commencing on September 30, 2012, and if then unpaid, on the Maturity Date (or the date of any earlier prepayment in full of the Obligations), and shall be fully earned when due and non refundable when paid. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.5.

(ii) The Borrowers shall also pay to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, in Dollars (A) a fee on the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the undrawn amount of each outstanding Letter of Credit for each day such Letter of Credit is outstanding from the Date of Issue through the expiration date of each such Letter of Credit (or any earlier prepayment in full of the Obligations) at a rate of one quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum which fee shall be computed on the basis of a hypothetical year of three hundred sixty (360) days for the actual number of days elapsed, shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter for the immediately preceding calendar quarter, commencing on September 30, 2012 and, if then unpaid on the Maturity Date (or any earlier prepayment in full of the Obligations) and (B) any reasonable and customary fees charged by the Issuing Bank for issuance and administration of such Letters of Credit. The foregoing fees shall be fully earned when due, and non-refundable when paid.

(d) Computation of Fees . In computing any fees payable under this Section 2.4 , the first day of the applicable period shall be included and the date of the payment shall be excluded.

 

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Section 2.5 Prepayments/Reduction of Commitments .

(a) Voluntary Prepayments . The principal amount of any Base Rate Loan may be prepaid in full or in part at any time, upon delivery of a Notice of Prepayment to the applicable Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York, New York time) one (1) Business Days prior to such prepayment. The principal amount of any Eurodollar Loan may be prepaid prior to the applicable Payment Date, upon delivery of a Notice of Prepayment to the applicable Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York, New York time) three (3) Business Days prior to such prepayment. Each Notice of Prepayment of any Eurodollar Loan shall be irrevocable. Upon receipt of any Notice of Prepayment or notice of repayment, the applicable Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each applicable Lender of the contents thereof by telephone or telecopy and of such Lender’s portion of the repayment or prepayment. Prepayments of principal under this Section 2.5(a) shall be in minimum amounts of, with respect to Base Rate Loans, $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, and, with respect to Eurodollar Loans, $5,000,000, and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, or, if less, the entire outstanding amount of such Loan; provided that prepayments of principal under this Section 2.5(a) (x) with respect to Revolving Eurodollar Loans denominated in Euros shall be in minimum amounts of €5,000,000 and integral multiples of €1,000,000 in excess thereof and (y) with respect to Revolving Eurodollar Loans denominated in Sterling shall be in minimum amounts of £5,000,000 and integral multiples of £1,000,000 in excess thereof. Upon the occurrence of a Repricing Event occurring on or prior to the date that is six months from the Fifth Amendment Restatement Agreement Effective Date, the Borrowers shall pay to the Term Facility Administrative Agent for the benefit of the affected Lenders an amount equal to 1.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Loans so prepaid or refinanced. Any prepayment of Loans shall not affect the Borrowers’ obligation to continue to make payments under any swap agreement (as defined in 11 U.S.C. §101), including, without limitation, any such swap agreement that is a Lender Hedge Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such prepayment, subject to the terms of the applicable swap agreement. All prepayments of Loans pursuant to this Section 2.5(a) shall be applied to the remaining amortization payments under the Term Loan Facility as directed by the Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowers shall not make any repayment or prepayment of the Revolving Loans unless and until the balance of the Swing Line Loans and the Agent Advances then outstanding is zero. Except as provided in Section 2.5(b) , any repayment and prepayment of Loans outstanding under the Revolving Loan Commitment shall not reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment.

(b) Mandatory Prepayment .

(i) Within five (5) Business Days after financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.2 and the related Compliance Certificate has been delivered pursuant to Section 7.3(a) (the date of such prepayment, the “ ECF Payment Date ”), the Borrowers shall cause to be prepaid an aggregate principal amount of Term Loans equal to (A) 50% (such percentage as it may be reduced as described below, the “ ECF Percentage ”) of their Excess Cash Flow, if any, for the fiscal year covered by such financial statements (commencing with the first full fiscal year ending after the Agreement Date) minus (B) at the Borrower’s option, the sum of all prepayments of Term Loans made under Section 2.5(a) during such fiscal year and after the end of such fiscal year and prior to the ECF Payment Date to the extent (1)

 

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such amounts were not deducted from a previous mandatory prepayment under this Section 2.5(b)(i) in respect of a prior period and (2) such prepayments are not funded with the proceeds of long term Funded Debt; provided that (x) the ECF Percentage shall be 25% if the Total Leverage Ratio at the end of the fiscal year covered by such financial statements is not greater than 3.5 3.75 :1.0 and not less than or equal to 2.5 2.75 :1.0 and (y) the ECF Percentage shall be 0% if the Total Leverage Ratio at the end of the fiscal year covered by such financial statements is not greater than 2.5 2.75 :1.0.

(ii) (A) Subject to Section 2.5(b)(ii)(B) , upon receipt by the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries of any Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales in an aggregate amount, at any one time and in respect of an individual Asset Sale or several Asset Sales, equal to or greater than $50,000,000, the Borrowers shall make a prepayment, in accordance with Section 2.5(b)(ii)(C) , of an aggregate principal amount of Term Loans equal to the product of the aggregate amount of any such Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales realized or received multiplied by the Asset Fraction; provided that no such prepayment shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.5(b)(ii)(A) with respect to such portion of such Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales that the Administrative Borrower shall have, on or prior to such date, given written notice to the Term Facility Administrative Agent of its intent to reinvest in accordance with Section 2.5(b)(ii)(B) (which notice may only be provided if no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing);

(B) Any Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales received by a Borrower from any Asset Sale may, at the Borrowers’ option, be reinvested within 360 days in Replacement Assets; provided , that (x) such newly acquired assets shall be subject to the Security Documents and Sections 5.1(w) and Section 6.16 and (y) the purchase of the Replacement Assets is consummated no later than (1) the 360th day after such Asset Sale or (2) so long as a binding agreement with respect to the purchase of Replacement Assets is entered into within 360 days after the Asset Sale, 90 days after the date of such binding agreement; provided , however , that any Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales not applied (or, in the case of the foregoing clause (B)(y)(2), committed to be applied) during the 360 day period provided for in this subsection (B) shall, immediately upon expiration of such 360 day period, constitute Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales which are required to be used to prepay Term Loans in accordance with the foregoing subsection (A) and are not permitted to be retained pursuant to this subsection (B);

(C) On each occasion that the Borrowers must make a prepayment of the Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.5(b)(ii) , the Borrowers shall, within three (3) Business Days after the date of realization or receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales (or, in the case of prepayments required pursuant to the proviso to Section 2.5(b)(ii)(B) , within three (3) Business Days of the deadline specified in such proviso or of the date the Borrowers reasonably determine that such Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales are no longer intended to be or cannot be so reinvested, as the case may be), make a prepayment of the principal amount of Term Loans in an amount equal to the product of any such Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales realized or received multiplied by the Asset Fraction.

(iii) If a Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs or issues any Funded Debt not expressly permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to Section 8.1 , the

 

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Borrowers shall cause to be prepaid an aggregate principal amount of Term Loans equal to 100% of all Net Cash Proceeds from Indebtedness received therefrom on or prior to the date which is three (3) Business Days after the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds from Indebtedness.

(iv) In the event that the AboveNet Acquisition does not occur on or prior to December 18, 2012, the Borrowers shall cause, within three Business Days after such date, to be prepaid an aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Loans equal to 100% of the Escrow Proceeds. [Reserved].

(v) Each prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.5(b) shall be applied first , with respect to the Term Loans ratably based on the then aggregate outstanding principal amounts thereof and to the installments thereof pro rata in direct order of maturity for the twenty four (24) months immediately following the applicable prepayment event and second , to the remaining installments thereof pro rata.

(c) Interest and Funding Losses . All prepayments of Loans under this Section 2.5 shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon together with, in the case of any such prepayment of a Eurodollar Loan on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period therefor, any Funding Loss or reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lenders or applicable Administrative Agent in connection with such prepayment, as set forth in Section 2.9 . Each prepayment of Loans under this Section 2.5 shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratios.

(d) Reduction of Commitments . The Borrowers shall have the right, at any time and from time to time after the Agreement Date and prior to the Maturity Date, upon at least ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice (which such notice may be be conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or another event) to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, without premium or penalty, to cancel or reduce permanently all or a portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment (i) on a pro rata basis among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratios or (ii) solely in connection with the Second Amendment on the Second Amendment Effective Date, of any Revolving Facility Lender or Lenders, as selected at the Borrowers’ discretion; provided , that (i) any such partial reduction be made in an amount not less than $1,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (ii) the Revolving Loan Commitment may not be reduced to an amount below the then outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations unless in compliance with subsection (iii) below. As of the date of cancellation or reduction set forth in such notice, the Revolving Loan Commitment shall be permanently canceled or reduced to the amount stated in the Administrative Borrower’s notice for all purposes herein, and the Borrowers shall (i) pay to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders the amount necessary to repay in full the principal amount of the Agent Advances, Swing Line Loans and Revolving Loans or reduce the principal amount of the Agent Advances, Swing Line Loans and Revolving Loans then outstanding to not more than the amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment as so reduced, together with accrued unpaid interest on the amount so prepaid and the Unused Line Fee accrued through the date of the reduction with respect to the amount reduced, and (ii) reimburse the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent and the Lenders for any Funding Loss or reasonable out-of-pocket expense incurred by any of them in connection with such payment as set forth in Section 2.9 and (iii) in the case of cancellation of the Revolving Loan Commitment, shall secure the Letter of Credit Obligations through the delivery of cash collateral to the Issuing Bank in an amount equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the Letters of Credit Obligations.

(d) Commitment Termination . The Term Loan Commitment of each Term Facility Lender shall be automatically and permanently reduced to $0 upon the making of Term Loans by such Term Facility Lender pursuant to Section 2.1(a) .

 

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Section 2.6 Repayment .

(a) The Revolving Loans. All unpaid principal and accrued interest on the Agent Advances, Swing Line Loans and Revolving Loans shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date; provided , in the case of Revolving Loans, that each Revolving Loan shall be repaid in the currency in which such Revolving Loan was borrowed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in the event that at any time and for any reason there shall exist an Overadvance, the Borrowers shall pay to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, on demand/in accordance with Section 2.1(e) , an amount equal to the Overadvance, which payment shall constitute a mandatory payment of the Revolving Loans, Agent Advances, Swing Line Loans and Letter of Credit Reserve Account, as appropriate.

(b) The Loans. The Borrowers shall repay to the Term Facility Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the 2019 Term Loan Lenders (A) on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December commencing the last Business Day of June 2014, 2015, an annual aggregate principal amount equal to $ 5,123,991.90 861,250.00 (which payments shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with Section 2.5(a) and Section 2.5(b)(iv) , in each case, solely to the extent of any such amounts applied to the prepayment of the 2019 Term Loans) and (B) on the Maturity Date , for the 2019 Term Loans, the aggregate principal amount of all 2019 Term Loans outstanding on such date. The Borrowers shall repay to the Term Facility Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the 2021 Term Loan Lenders (A) on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December commencing the last Business Day of June 2015, an annual aggregate principal amount equal to $4,127,260.08 (which payments shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with Section 2.5(a) and Section 2.5(b)(iv), in each case, solely to the extent of any such amounts applied to the prepayment of the 2021 Term Loans) and (B) on the Maturity Date for the 2021 Term Loans, the aggregate principal amount of all 2021 Term Loans outstanding on such date.

(c) The Other Obligations. In addition to the foregoing, the Borrowers hereby promise, jointly and severally, to pay all Obligations (other than Obligations in respect of Bank Products), including, without limitation, the principal amount of the Loans, amounts drawn under Letters of Credit and interest and fees on the foregoing, as the same become due and payable hereunder and, in any event, on the Maturity Date.

Section 2.7 Notes; Loan Accounts .

(a) The Loans shall be repayable in accordance with the terms and provisions set forth herein and, upon request by any Lender, the Loans owed to such Lender shall be evidenced by Notes. A Note shall be payable to the order of each Lender requesting such a Note

 

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in accordance with the Commitment Ratio of such Lender. Each such Note shall be issued by the Borrowers to the applicable Lender and shall be duly executed and delivered by an Authorized Signatory of each Borrower.

(b) The applicable Administrative Agent shall open and maintain on its books in the name of the Borrowers a loan account with respect to the Loans and interest thereon (the “ Loan Account ”). The applicable Administrative Agent shall debit such Loan Account for the principal amount of each Loan made by it on behalf of the Lenders, accrued interest thereon, and all other amounts which shall become due from the Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement and shall credit the Loan Account for each payment which the Borrowers shall make in respect to the Obligations. The records of the applicable Administrative Agent with respect to such Loan Account shall be conclusive evidence of the Loans and accrued interest thereon, absent manifest error.

Section 2.8 Manner of Payment .

(a) When Payments Due .

(i) Each payment (including any prepayment) by the Borrowers on account of the principal of or interest on the Loans, fees, and any other amount owed to any member of the Lender Group under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be made in Dollars, Euros, or Sterling, as applicable, not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York, New York time) for any payments made in Dollars, 1:00 p.m. (New York, New York time) for any payments made in Euros, or 1:00 p.m. (New York, New York time) for any payments made in Sterling, as applicable, on the date specified for payment under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the applicable Administrative Agent at such Administrative Agent’s Office, for the account of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or the applicable Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in Dollars, Euros or Sterling, as applicable, in immediately available funds. Any payment received by an Administrative Agent after 1:00 p.m. (New York, New York time) for any payments made in Dollars, 1:00 p.m. (New York, New York time) for any payments made in Euros, or 1:00 p.m. (New York, New York time) for any payments made in Sterling, as applicable, shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. In the case of a payment for the account of a Lender, the applicable Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter distribute the amount so received in like funds to such Lender. In the case of a payment for the account of the Issuing Bank, the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter distribute the amount so received in like funds to the Issuing Bank. If the applicable Administrative Agent shall not have received any payment from the Borrowers as and when due, such Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders accordingly.

(ii) Except as provided in the definition of Eurodollar Loan Period, if any payment under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be specified to be made on a day which is not a Business Day, it shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in computing interest and fees, if any, in connection with such payment.

 

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(b) No Deduction .

(i) Any and all payments of principal and interest, or of any fees or indemnity or expense reimbursements by the Borrowers hereunder or under any other Loan Documents (the “ Borrower Payments ”) shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and free and clear of and without deduction for any and all current or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings with respect to the Borrower Payments and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto, excluding taxes imposed on the net income of any member of the Lender Group by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such member of the Lender Group is organized or conducts business or any political subdivision thereof (all such nonexcluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings and liabilities collectively or individually “ Taxes ”). If any Borrower shall be required to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable to any member of the Lender Group hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (i) the sum payable shall be increased by the amount (an “ additional amount ”) necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.8(b)(i)) such member of the Lender Group shall receive an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Borrower shall make such deductions, and (iii) such Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law. If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender 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 Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent 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 or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. For purposes of determining U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed by FATCA, from and after the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall treat (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to treat) the Term Loans as not qualifying as a “grandfathered obligation” within the meaning of Section 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i) of the United States Treasury Regulations. Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(ii) In addition, the Borrowers shall pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law any current or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document (such taxes being “ Other Taxes ”).

 

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(iii) The Borrowers shall indemnify the members of the Lender Group for the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes with respect to Borrower Payments paid by such Person, and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses)) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth and containing an explanation in reasonable detail of the manner in which such amount shall have been determined and the amount of such payment or liability prepared by a member of the Lender Group or the applicable Administrative Agent on its behalf, absent manifest error, shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes. Such indemnification shall be made within thirty (30) days after the date the applicable Administrative Agent or such member, as the case may be, makes written demand therefor. If any Taxes or Other Taxes for which the applicable Administrative Agent or any member of the Lender Group has received indemnification from the Borrowers hereunder shall be finally determined to have been incorrectly or illegally asserted and are refunded to such Administrative Agent or such member, such Administrative Agent or such member, as the case may be, shall promptly forward to the Borrowers any such refunded amount (after deduction of any Tax or Other Tax paid or payable by any member of the Lender Group as a result of such refund), not exceeding the increased amount paid by the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 2.8(b) .

(iv) As soon as practicable after the date of any payment of Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrowers to the relevant Governmental Authority, the Administrative Borrower will deliver to each Administrative Agent, at its address, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing payment thereof.

(v) On or prior to the Agreement Date (or, in the case of any Lender that becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, on or prior to the effective date of such Assignment and Acceptance), each Lender which is organized in a jurisdiction other than the United States or a political subdivision thereof (a “ Foreign Lender ”) shall provide each of the Administrative Agents and the Administrative Borrower with either (A) two (2) properly executed originals of Form W-8ECI or Form W-8BEN (or any successor forms) prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service or other documents satisfactory to the Administrative Borrower and the Administrative Agents, as the case may be, certifying (1) as to such Foreign Lender’s status for purposes of determining exemption from United States withholding taxes with respect to all payments to be made to such Foreign Lender hereunder and under any other Loan Documents or Bank Products Documents or (2) that all payments to be made to such Foreign Lender hereunder and under any other Loan Documents and Bank Products Documents are subject to such taxes at a rate reduced to zero by an applicable tax treaty, or (B)(1) a certificate executed by such Lender certifying that such Lender is not a “bank” and that such Lender qualifies for the portfolio interest exemption under Section 881(c) of the Code, and (2) two (2) properly executed originals of Internal Revenue

 

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Service Form W-8BEN (or any successor form), in each case, certifying such Lender’s entitlement to an exemption from United States withholding tax with respect to payments of interest to be made hereunder or under any other Loan Documents or Bank Products Documents. Each such Foreign Lender agrees to provide the Administrative Agents and the Administrative Borrower with new forms prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered form, or after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent forms delivered by it to the Administrative Agents and the Administrative Borrower.

(vi) The Borrowers shall not be required to indemnify any Foreign Lender, or to pay any additional amounts to such Foreign Lender pursuant to Section 2.8(b)(i) or 2.8(b)(iii) to the extent that (A) the obligation to withhold amounts with respect to United States Federal, state or local withholding tax existed on the date such Foreign Lender became a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of a transferee, on the effective date of the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such transferee became a Lender) or, with respect to payments to a new lending office, the date such Foreign Lender designated such new lending office; provided , however , that this clause (A) shall not apply to any Foreign Lender that became a Lender or new lending office that became a new lending office as a result of an assignment or designation made at the request of the Administrative Borrower; and provided further , however , that this clause (A) shall not apply to the extent the indemnity payment or additional amounts, if any, that any member of the Lender Group through a new lending office would be entitled to receive (without regard to this clause (A)) do not exceed the indemnity payment or additional amounts that the Person making the assignment or transfer to such member of the Lender Group making the designation of such new lending office would have been entitled to receive in the absence of such assignment, transfer or designation or (B) the obligation to pay such additional amounts or such indemnity payments would not have arisen but for a failure by such member of the Lender Group to comply with the provisions of Section 2.8(b)(v) .

(vii) Nothing contained in this Section 2.8(b) shall require any member of the Lender Group to make available to the Borrowers any of its tax returns (or any other information) that it deems confidential or proprietary.

Section 2.9 Reimbursement . Whenever any Lender shall sustain or incur any Funding Losses (including losses of anticipated profits) or reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with (a) failure by the Borrowers to borrow or continue any Eurodollar Loan, or convert any Loan to a Eurodollar Loan, in each case, after having given notice of their intention to do so in accordance with Section 2.2 (whether by reason of the election of the Borrowers not to proceed or the non-fulfillment of any of the conditions set forth in this Agreement), or (b) prepayment of any Eurodollar Loan in whole or in part for any reason or (c) failure by the Borrowers to prepay any Eurodollar Loan after giving notice of its intention to prepay such Loan, each Borrower agrees, jointly and severally, to pay to such Lender, promptly upon such Lender’s demand therefor, an amount sufficient to compensate such Lender for all such Funding Losses and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Such Lender’s good faith determination of the amount of such Funding Losses and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, absent manifest error, shall be binding and conclusive. Losses subject to reimbursement

 

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hereunder shall include, without limitation, expenses incurred by any Lender or any participant of such Lender permitted hereunder in connection with the re-employment of funds prepaid, repaid, not borrowed, or paid, as the case may be, and any lost profit of such Lender or any participant of such Lender over the remainder of the Eurodollar Loan Period for such prepaid Loan. For purposes of calculating amounts payable to a Lender under this paragraph, each Lender shall be deemed to have actually funded its relevant Eurodollar Loan through the purchase of a deposit bearing interest at the Eurodollar Rate in an amount equal to the amount of that Eurodollar Loan and having a maturity and repricing characteristics comparable to the relevant Eurodollar Loan Period; provided , however , that each Lender may fund each of its Eurodollar Loans in any manner it sees fit, and the foregoing assumption shall be utilized only for the calculation of amounts payable under this Section.

Section 2.10 Pro Rata Treatment .

(a) Loans. Each Loan with respect to the Loans from the Lenders under this Agreement shall be made pro rata on the basis of their respective Commitment Ratios.

(b) Payments. Each payment and prepayment of the principal of the Loans and each payment of interest on the Loans received from the Borrowers shall be made by the applicable Administrative Agent to the applicable Lenders pro rata on the basis of their respective unpaid principal amounts thereof outstanding immediately prior to such payment or prepayment (except in cases when a Lender’s right to receive payments is restricted pursuant to Section 2.2(e) ). If any Lender shall obtain any payment (whether involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off or otherwise) on account of the Loans in excess of its ratable share of Loans under its Commitment Ratio (or in violation of any restriction set forth in Section 2.2(e) ), such Lender shall forthwith purchase from the other Lenders such participation in the Loans made by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment ratably with each of them; provided , however , that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, such purchase from each Lender shall be rescinded and such Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the extent of such recovery without interest thereon unless the Lender obligated to repay such amount is required to pay interest. Each Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section 2.10(b) may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrowers in the amount of such participation. This Section 2.10(b) shall not apply to any payments made on account of, or in connection with, an assignment of, or the sale of a participation in, any rights and obligations hereunder, in each case, in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.5 , as such section may be amended from time to time . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, payments and prepayments of principal and interest on the 2019 Term Loans made on the Restatement Amendment Effective Date may be applied on a non-ratable basis as the Borrowers may direct .

 

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Section 2.11 Application of Payments .

(a) Payments Prior to Event of Default. At all times during which an Event of Default has not occurred and is continuing, all amounts received by any Administrative Agent from the Borrowers, shall be distributed by such Administrative Agent in the following order of priority:

FIRST, pro rata, to the payment of (i) out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of each Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent incurred by such Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent in connection with the enforcement of the rights of the Lender Group under the Loan Documents pursuant to either Facility and (ii) any Agent Advances made by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent under or pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents and interest accrued thereon;

SECOND, pro rata, to the payment of any fees and reimbursable expenses then due and payable to each Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swing Line Bank hereunder or under any other Loan Documents;

THIRD, pro rata, to the payment of all Obligations consisting of accrued fees and interest then due and payable to the Lenders hereunder;

FOURTH, to the payment of principal then due and payable on the Loans and unreimbursed Letter of Credit Obligations (or cash collateral up to 105% of outstanding exposure) and to the payment of the Obligations arising in respect of Bank Products then due and payable, on a pro rata basis;

FIFTH, to the payment of all other Obligations not otherwise referred to in this Section 2.11(a) then due and payable; and

SIXTH, upon satisfaction in full of all Obligations, to the Borrowers or as otherwise required by law.

(b) Payments Subsequent to Event of Default . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Document which may be construed to the contrary, subsequent to the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, payments and prepayments with respect to the Obligations made to the Lender Group, or any of them, or otherwise received by any member of the Lender Group (from realization on Collateral or otherwise) shall be distributed in the following order of priority (subject, as applicable, to Section 2.10 and to the terms and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement , if then in effect ):

FIRST, pro rata, to the payment of (i) out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of each Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent incurred in connection with the enforcement of the rights of the Lender Group under the Loan Documents, and (ii) any Agent Advances made by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent under or pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents (including any costs incurred in connection with the sale or disposition of any Collateral);

SECOND, pro rata, to payment of any fees owed to each Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swing Line Bank hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

 

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THIRD, to the payment of out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of the Lenders incurred in connection with the enforcement of their respective rights under the Loan Documents;

FOURTH, to the payment of all Obligations consisting of accrued fees and interest payable to the Lenders hereunder;

FIFTH, pro rata, to (i) the payment of principal on the Loans then outstanding, (ii) the Letter of Credit Reserve Account to the extent of one hundred five percent (105%) of any Letter of Credit Obligations then outstanding and (iii) to the payment of any Obligation arising in respect of the Bank Products;

SIXTH, to any other Obligations not otherwise referred to in this Section 2.11(b) ; and

SEVENTH, upon satisfaction in full of all Obligations, to the Borrowers or as otherwise required by law.

Section 2.12 Use of Proceeds . The On and after the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, the proceeds of the Loans shall be used by the Borrowers to consummate the Refinancing, to fund the Transactions, to fund future acquisitions permitted hereunder, to support strategic growth initiatives, to provide for ongoing working capital and for the Borrowers’ and their Subsidiaries’ general corporate purposes and pay the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the AboveNet Acquisition, the Refinancing and the Transactions.

Section 2.13 All Obligations to Constitute One Obligation . All Obligations shall constitute one general obligation of the Borrowers and shall be secured by the Collateral Agent’s security interest (on behalf of, and for the benefit of, the Lender Group) and Lien upon all of the Collateral, and by all other security interests and Liens heretofore, now or at any time hereafter granted by any Borrower Party to the Collateral Agent, any Administrative Agent or any other member of the Lender Group, to the extent provided in the Security Documents under which such Liens arise.

Section 2.14 Maximum Rate of Interest . The Borrowers and the Lender Group hereby agree and stipulate that the only charges imposed upon the Borrowers for the use of money in connection with this Agreement are and shall be the specific interest and fees described in this Article 2 and in any other Loan Document. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowers and the Lender Group further agree and stipulate that all closing fees, agency fees, syndication fees, facility fees, underwriting fees, default charges, late charges, funding or “breakage” charges, increased cost charges, attorneys’ fees and reimbursement for costs and expenses paid by any member of the Lender Group to third parties or for damages incurred by the Lender Group, or any of them, are charges to compensate the Lender Group for underwriting and administrative services and costs or losses performed or incurred, and to be performed and incurred, by the Lender Group in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and shall under no circumstances be deemed to be charges for the use of money pursuant to any Applicable Law. In no event shall the amount of interest and other charges for the use of money payable under this Agreement exceed the maximum amounts permissible under any law that a

 

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court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable. The Borrowers and the Lender Group, in executing and delivering this Agreement, intend legally to agree upon the rate or rates of interest and other charges for the use of money and manner of payment stated within it; provided, however , that, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if the amount of such interest and other charges for the use of money or manner of payment exceeds the maximum amount allowable under Applicable Law, then, ipso facto as of the Agreement Date, the Borrowers are and shall be liable only for the payment of such maximum amount as allowed by law, and payment received from the Borrowers in excess of such legal maximum amount, whenever received, shall be applied to reduce the principal balance of the Revolving Loans to the extent of such excess.

Section 2.15 Letters of Credit

(a) Until the maturity or termination of the Revolving Loan Commitments, the Issuing Bank, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders pursuant to subsections (d) and (e) of this Section 2.15 , may, in its sole discretion, issue, at the request of the Borrowers, Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars, Euros and Sterling for the account of the Borrowers on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; provided that (i) each Letter of Credit shall expire on the earlier of (A) the date one year after the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (B) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date of the Revolving Credit Facility; (ii) each Letter of Credit shall be in a stated amount of at least $50,000, or such lesser amount as shall be agreed by the Issuing Bank in its sole discretion; and (iii) the Borrowers may not request any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (A) the aggregate Letter of Credit Obligations would exceed the aggregate Letter of Credit Commitment or (B) the aggregate outstanding Revolving Loans of all Lenders would exceed the Revolving Loan Facility. Each Revolving Facility Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Issuing Bank without recourse a participation in each Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s pro rata share of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit (i) on the Agreement Date with respect to all Existing Letters of Credit and (ii) on the date of issuance with respect to all other Letters of Credit. Each issuance of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to utilize the Revolving Loan Commitment of each Lender by an amount equal to the amount of such participation.

(b) To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or any amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrowers shall give the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent irrevocable written notice at least three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of such issuance specifying the date (which shall be a Business Day) such Letter of Credit is to be issued (or amended, renewed or extended, as the case may be), the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, the amount and currency 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. In addition to the satisfaction of the conditions in Section 4.3 , the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or any amendment which increases the amount of such Letter of Credit) will be subject to the further conditions that such Letter of Credit shall be in such

 

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form and contain such terms as the Issuing Bank shall approve and that the Borrowers shall have executed and delivered any additional applications, agreements and instruments relating to such Letter of Credit as the Issuing Bank shall reasonably require; provided that in the event of any conflict between such applications, agreements or instruments and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

(c) At least two (2) Business Days prior to the issuance of any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank will confirm with the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent has received such notice, and, if not, the Issuing Bank will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the Issuing Bank has received notice from the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, on or before the Business Day immediately preceding the date the Issuing Bank is to issue the requested Letter of Credit, directing the Issuing Bank not to issue the Letter of Credit because such issuance is not then permitted hereunder because of the limitations set forth in subsection (a) of this Section 2.15 or that one or more conditions specified in Section 4.3 are not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Bank shall, on the requested date, issue such Letter of Credit in accordance with the Issuing Bank’s usual and customary business practices.

(d) The Issuing Bank shall examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit promptly following its receipt thereof. The Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrowers and the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make a disbursement under such Letter of Credit Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Facility Lenders with respect to such Letter of Credit Disbursement. The Borrowers shall be irrevocably and unconditionally obligated to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any Letter of Credit Disbursements paid by the Issuing Bank in respect of such drawing, without presentment, demand or other formalities of any kind. The Borrowers shall reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank in the currency in which the subject Letter of Credit was issued. Unless the Borrowers shall have notified the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day immediately prior to the date on which such drawing is honored that the Borrowers intend to reimburse the Issuing Bank for the amount of such drawing and in the applicable currency in funds other than from the proceeds of Revolving Loans, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have timely given a Request for Loan to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent requesting the Revolving Facility Lenders to make a Base Rate Loan on the date on which such drawing is honored in an exact amount due to the Issuing Bank; provided that for purposes solely of such Borrowing, the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.3 hereof shall not be applicable; and provided further, that if the Letter of Credit was originally denominated in Euro or Sterling, such deemed Revolving Loan shall also automatically be exchanged for the U.S. Dollar Equivalent thereof. The Borrowers shall reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank in the currency in which the subject Letter of Credit was issued. The Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall notify the Revolving Facility Lenders of such Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.2 , and each Lender shall make the proceeds of its Base Rate Loan included in such borrowing available in Dollars to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank in accordance with Section 2.2 . The proceeds of such Base Rate Loan shall be applied directly by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for such Letter of Credit Disbursement.

 

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(e) If for any reason a Base Rate Loan may not be (as determined in the sole discretion of the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent), or is not, made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, then each Revolving Facility Lender (other than the Issuing Bank) shall be obligated to fund the participation that such Revolving Facility Lender purchased pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 2.15 in an amount equal to its pro rata share of such Letter of Credit Disbursement on and as of the date which such Base Rate Borrowing should have occurred. Each Revolving Facility Lender’s obligation to fund its participation shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including, without limitation, (i) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender or any other Person may have against the Issuing Bank or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default or the termination of the Revolving Loan Facility, (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries, (iv) any breach of this Agreement by the Borrowers or any other Lender, (v) any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or (vi) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. On the date that such participation is required to be funded, each Revolving Facility Lender shall promptly transfer, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank. Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Bank has received from any such Revolving Facility Lender the funds for its participation in a Letter of Credit Disbursement, the Issuing Bank (or the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent on its behalf) receives any payment on account thereof, the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, will distribute to such Lender its pro rata share of such payment; provided that if such payment is required to be returned for any reason to the Borrowers or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or similar official in any bankruptcy proceeding, such Revolving Facility Lender will return to the Term Revolving Facility Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank any portion thereof previously distributed by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank to it.

(f) To the extent that any Revolving Facility Lender shall fail to pay any amount required to be paid pursuant to subsection (d) or (e) of this Section 2.15 on the due date therefor, such Revolving Facility Lender shall pay interest to the Issuing Bank (through the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent) on such amount from such due date to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate; provided that if such Revolving Facility Lender shall fail to make such payment to the Issuing Bank within three (3) Business Days of such due date, then, retroactively to the due date, such Revolving Facility Lender shall be obligated to pay interest on such amount at the rate set forth in Section 2.3 .

(g) If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrowers receive notice from the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent or the Required Resolving Facility Lenders demanding that its reimbursement obligations

 

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with respect to the Letters of Credit be Cash Collateralized pursuant to this subsection, the Borrowers shall deposit in an account with the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, in the name of the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Facility Lenders, an amount in cash equal to 105% of the aggregate Letter of Credit Obligations of all Revolving Facility Lenders as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid fees thereon; provided that such obligation to cash collateralize the reimbursement obligations of the Borrowers with respect to the Letters of Credit shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrowers described in Section 9.1(g) or (h). Such deposit shall be held by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement. The Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. The Borrowers agree to execute any documents and/or certificates to effectuate the intent of this subsection. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent and at the Borrowers’ risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest and profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Cash in such account shall be applied by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for Letter of Credit Disbursements for which it had not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrowers for the Letter of Credit Obligations at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, with the consent of the Required Revolving Facility Lenders, be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. If the Borrowers are required to cash collateralize its reimbursement obligations with respect to the Letters of Credit as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such cash collateral so posted (to the extent not so applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrowers within three (3) Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.

(h) The Borrowers’ obligation to reimburse Letter of Credit Disbursements hereunder shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of any of the following circumstances:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement;

(ii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which the Borrowers or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Borrowers may have at any time against a beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons or entities for whom any such beneficiary or transferee may be acting), any Lender (including the Issuing Bank) or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement or the Letter of Credit or any document related hereto or thereto or any unrelated transaction;

 

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(iii) 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;

(iv) payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document to the Issuing Bank that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

(v) 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 set-off against, the Borrowers’ obligations hereunder; or

(vi) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default.

Neither the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender nor any Affiliates of any of the foregoing 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 above), 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 Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrowers to the extent of any actual direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect (including claims for lost profits or other consequential damages), or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrowers that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise due care when determining whether drafts or other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised due 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 that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank 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.

(i) Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the Issuing Bank and the Borrowers when a Letter of Credit is issued and subject to applicable laws, (i) each standby Letter of Credit shall be governed by the “International Standby Practices 1998” (ISP98) (or such later revision as may be published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice on any date any Letter of Credit may be issued), (ii) each documentary Letter of Credit shall be governed by the Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600 (or such later revision as may be published by the International Chamber of Commerce on any date any Letter of Credit may be issued) and (iii) the Borrowers shall specify the foregoing in each letter of credit application submitted for the issuance of a Letter of Credit.

(j) Existing Letters of Credit . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Existing Letter of Credit that is outstanding on the Agreement Date, listed on Schedule 1.1(d) shall, effective as of the Agreement Date and without any further action by the Borrowers, be continued as a Letter of Credit hereunder, from and after the Agreement Date be deemed a Letter of Credit for all purposes hereof and be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.

 

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Section 2.16 Bank Products . Any Borrower Party may request and any Lender may, in its sole and absolute discretion, arrange for such Borrower Party to obtain from such Lender or any Affiliate of such Lender, Bank Products although no Borrower Party is required to do so. If any Bank Products are provided by an Affiliate of any Lender, the Borrower Parties agree to indemnify and hold the Lender Group, or any of them, harmless from any and all costs and obligations now or hereafter incurred by the Lender Group, or any of them, which arise from any indemnity given by such Lender to any of its Affiliates, as applicable, related to such Bank Products; provided , however , nothing contained herein is intended to limit the Borrower Parties’ rights, with respect to such Lender or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, if any, which arise as a result of the execution of documents by and between the Borrower Parties and such Person which relate to any Bank Products. The agreement contained in this Section shall survive termination of this Agreement. The Borrower Parties acknowledge and agree that the obtaining of Bank Products from any Lender or its Affiliates (a) is in the sole and absolute discretion of such Lender or such Affiliates, and (b) is subject to all rules and regulations of such Lender or such Affiliates.

Section 2.17 Additional Increase of Commitments; Additional Lenders .

(a) Increase of the Revolving Loan Commitment .

(i) So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Borrower may request the right to effectuate increases in the Revolving Loan Commitment (any such increase, a “ Commitment Increase ”), during the term of this Agreement by delivering a Notice of Requested Commitment Increase to each Administrative Agent substantially in the form of Exhibit I-1 (a “ Notice of Requested Commitment Increase ”), provided that, in each case: (A) each Commitment Increase shall be at least $5,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (B) the proposed Commitment Increase shall have been consented to in writing by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), each Revolving Facility Lender (if any) who is increasing its portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment and any other bank or financial institution acceptable to the Borrowers and reasonably acceptable to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent that has agreed to become a Revolving Facility Lender in respect of all or a portion of the Commitment Increase (a “ New Lender ”). Each Notice of Requested Commitment Increase shall specify: (1) the amount of the proposed Commitment Increase and (2) the requested date of the proposed Commitment Increase (which shall be at least ten (10) Business Days from the date of delivery of the Notice of Requested Commitment

 

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Increase). Each Notice of Requested Commitment Increase shall be binding on all Borrowers. Upon the effective date of any Commitment Increase, the Administrative Borrower shall deliver to each Administrative Agent a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Administrative Borrower certifying that no Default or Event of Default then exists or would be caused thereby. No Commitment Increase shall be effective (x) unless immediately prior to, and after giving effect to the incurrence of such Commitment Increase and any transaction consummated in connection therewith, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is no greater, calculated on a pro forma basis, than 4.50 to 1.00, (y) the Commitment Increase shall be on the same terms as the existing Revolving Loan Commitments and (z) until the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall have received amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, commitments of Revolving Facility Lenders or New Lenders in an aggregate amount equal to such Commitment Increase, Lender Agreements for each Revolving Facility Lender or New Lender committing to such Commitment Increase, any upfront fees to be paid to the Revolving Facility Lenders committing to such Commitment Increase, and, if requested, opinion letters, Revolving Loan Notes and such other agreements, documents and instruments requested by and reasonably satisfactory to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion evidencing and setting forth the conditions of such Commitment Increase.

(ii) If the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent approves a proposed Commitment Increase, the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall deliver a copy of the Notice of Requested Commitment Increase relating thereto to each Revolving Facility Lender. No Revolving Facility Lender (or any successor thereto) shall have any obligation to increase its portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment or its other obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and any decision by a Revolving Facility Lender to increase its portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment shall be made in its sole discretion independently from any other Lender. If the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent receives commitments from the Revolving Facility Lenders or the New Lenders in excess of the amount of the proposed Commitment Increase, the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall, in consultation with the Borrower, have the right, to reduce and reallocate (within the minimum and maximum amounts specified by each such Revolving Facility Lender or New Lender in its notice to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent) the shares of such Commitment Increase of the Revolving Facility Lenders or New Lenders willing to fund the proposed Commitment Increase so that the total committed shares of the proposed Commitment Increase equals the proposed Commitment Increase. The Revolving Facility Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Facility Lender or New Lender, as the case may be, whether its proposed share of the proposed Commitment Increase has been accepted and, if so, the amount of its share of such Commitment Increase, and such Revolving Facility Lender shall thereafter execute and deliver a Lender Agreement with respect to its respective share of such Commitment Increase.

(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, each Commitment Increase meeting the conditions set forth in Section 2.17(a)(i) shall not require the consent of any Lender other than those Revolving Facility Lenders, if any, which have agreed to increase their portions of the Revolving Loan Commitment in

 

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connection with such Commitment Increase and shall not constitute an amendment, modification or waiver that is subject to Section 11.12 and shall be effective as of the later of (a) the date specified in the applicable Notice of Requested Commitment Increase and (b) the date upon which the foregoing conditions shall have been satisfied or waived by each Administrative Agent and the Revolving Facility Lenders which have agreed to increase their portions of the Revolving Loan Commitment, or by the requisite Lenders in accordance with Section 11.12 in the case of a waiver of an Event of Default, as applicable.

(iv) Effect of Commitment Increase . After giving effect to any Commitment Increase, the outstanding Revolving Loans may not be held pro rata in accordance with the new Revolving Loan Commitment. In order to remedy the foregoing, on the effective date of each Commitment Increase, the Revolving Facility Lenders (including any New Lenders) shall reallocate the Revolving Loans owed to them among themselves so that, after giving effect thereto, the Revolving Loans will be held by the Revolving Facility Lenders (including any New Lenders) on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratios (after giving effect to such Commitment Increase). Each Revolving Facility Lender agrees to wire immediately available funds to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent in accordance with this Agreement as may be required by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11.5 , the reallocations so made by each Revolving Facility Lender whose Commitment Ratio has increased shall be deemed to be a purchase of a corresponding amount of the Revolving Loans of the Revolving Facility Lender or Lenders whose Commitment Ratio have decreased and shall not be considered an assignment for purposes of Section 11.5 .

(b) Incremental Loans .

(i) The Borrowers may at any time or from time to time, after the Fifth Amendment Restatement Agreement Effective Date, upon not less than five (5) Business Days written notice to each Administrative Agent (whereupon the applicable Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver a copy of such notice to each of the applicable Lenders), request that one or more new tranche of Term Loans (the “ Incremental Term Loans ”) or one or more new tranche of Revolving Loans be made available to the Borrowers (the “ Incremental Revolving Loans ”, together the “ Incremental Loans ”) in an aggregate amount, together with any Funded Debt incurred pursuant to Section 8.1(r) or 8.1(t) on or after the Fifth Amendment Restatement Agreement Effective Date, not to exceed (A) $ 750,000,000, provided that, immediately prior to, and after giving effect to the incurrence of such Incremental Loans and any transaction consummated in connection therewith, (x) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects, (y) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (z) the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is no greater, calculated on a pro forma basis, than 4.50 to 1.00, 750,000,000 plus (B) an aggregate additional amount of Incremental Loans, provided that, immediately prior to, and after giving effect to the incurrence of such aggregate additional amount of Incremental Loans and any transaction consummated in connection therewith, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is no greater, calculated on a

 

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pro forma basis, than 4.50 to 1.00 (assuming that all Funded Debt incurred pursuant to this Section 2.17(b)(i) on such date of determination would be included in clause (a) of the definition of Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, whether or not such Funded Debt would otherwise be so included). Each incurrence of Incremental Loans shall be subject to the following conditions: (x) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects , and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (z) the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is no greater, calculated on a pro forma basis, than 4.00 to 1.00. . Each incurrence of Incremental Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $5,000,000. Incremental Loans (w) shall rank pari passu in right of payment and of security with the initial 2021 Term Loans incurred on the Agreement Date (the “Initial Term Loans”) and the existing Revolving Loan Commitments (though such Incremental Loans may be secured by less than all of the Collateral), (x) shall not mature earlier than the Maturity Date with respect to the Initial 2021 Term Loans or existing Revolving Loan Commitments, (y) shall be treated substantially the same as the Initial 2021 Term Loans and the existing Revolving Loan Commitments, as applicable, (including, without limitation, with respect to mandatory and voluntary prepayments) and (z) shall have interest rates and amortization schedules as determined by the Borrowers and the lenders thereof; provided further that, (1)  as of the date of the incurrence of any Incremental Term Loan (1)  the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Incremental Term Loan shall not be shorter than that of the Initial 2021 Term Loans and (2) in the event that the All-In Yield applicable to such Incremental Term Loans exceeds the All-In Yield of the Initial any class of existing Term Loans by more than 50 basis points, the interest rate margins for such existing such Initial class of Term Loans to the extent necessary so that the All-In Yield of such existing Term Loans is equal to the All-In Yield of the applicable Incremental Term Loans minus 50 basis points ; provided that after the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, an amount of Incremental Term Loans (together with the aggregate principal amount of any Funded Debt incurred pursuant to Section 8.1(t)) not in excess of $400,000,000 shall not be subject to terms of this clause (2) .

(ii) Each notice from the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 2.17 shall set forth the requested amount and proposed terms of the relevant Incremental Loans. Incremental Loans may be made by any applicable existing Lender (and each applicable existing Lender will have the right, but not an obligation, on terms permitted in this Section 2.17 and otherwise on terms reasonably acceptable to the applicable Administrative Agent, to make a portion of any Incremental Loan equal to the amount of Incremental Loans so requested by the Borrowers multiplied by such Lender’s Commitment Ratio) or by any other bank or other financial institution reasonably acceptable to the Borrowers and the applicable Administrative Agent (any such other bank or other financial institution being called an “ Additional Lender ”). Incremental Loans shall become Loans under this Agreement pursuant to an amendment (an “ Incremental Amendment ”) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Borrowers, each Lender agreeing to provide such Loans, if any, each Additional Lender, if any, and each Administrative Agent. The Incremental 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 each Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.17 . The effectiveness

 

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of any Incremental Amendment and the borrowings of Incremental Loans under this Agreement (as amended by such Incremental Amendment) shall be subject to the satisfaction of such conditions as the parties thereto shall agree. The Borrowers will use the proceeds of any Incremental Loans for any purposes not prohibited by this Agreement. No Lender shall be obligated to provide any Incremental Loans unless it so agrees.

(iii) This Section 2.17 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.10 or Section 11.12 to the contrary.

Section 2.18 Defaulting Lenders . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) the Unused Line Fees shall cease to accrue on the portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment held by such Lender so long as it is a Defaulting Lender (except to the extent it is payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to clause (b)(v) below);

(b) if any Swing Line Loans or Letter of Credit Obligations exist at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

(i) all or any part of such Swing Line Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratio but only to the extent the Aggregate Revolving Credit Obligations held by of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ plus the Commitment Ratio of such Defaulting Lender’s Swing Line Loan and Letter of Credit Obligations does not exceed the portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment held by the non-Defaulting Lenders and the conditions precedent to borrowing pursuant to Section 4.2 are met;

(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, Borrowers shall within one Business Day following notice by the applicable Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay the Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to such Defaulting Lender’s pro rata share of the Swing Line Loan and (y) second, cash collateralize the Letters of Credit Obligations in an amount equal to such Defaulting Lender’s pro rata share of the Letter of Credit Obligations (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in an amount equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the Letter of Credit Obligations for so long as such Letter of Credit Obligations are outstanding;

(iii) if any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s pro rata share of the Letter of Credit Obligations is cash collateralized pursuant to clause (ii)  above, Borrowers shall not be required to pay the fees described in Section 2.4(c) with respect to such portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Obligations so long as it is cash collateralized;

 

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(iv) if any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Obligations is reallocated to the non-Defaulting Lenders pursuant to clause (i)  above, then the Letter of Credit Fees under Section 2.4(c) with respect to such portion shall be allocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their Commitment Ratio;

(v) if any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s pro rata share of the Letter of Credit Obligations is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.18(b) , then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, the Unused Line Fee that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender (on account of the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Loan Commitment that was utilized by such Letter of Credit Obligations) and the Letter of Credit Fee under Section 2.4(c) payable with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Obligations shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until such Letter of Credit Obligations are cash collateralized and/or reallocated in accordance herewith; and

(vi) so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swing Line Bank shall not be required to fund any Swing Line Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Revolving Loan Commitment of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateralized in accordance with this Section 2.18(b) , and participations in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit or newly made Swing Line Loan shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratio (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein); and

(c) any amount payable to such Defaulting Lender hereunder (whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise) may, in lieu of being distributed to such Defaulting Lender, be retained by the applicable Administrative Agent in a segregated non-interest bearing account and, subject to any Applicable Law, be applied at such time or times as may be determined by such Administrative Agent (i)  first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to such Administrative Agent hereunder, (ii)  second , pro rata, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Bank or Swing Line Bank hereunder, (iii)  third , to the funding of any Loan or the funding or cash collateralization of any participation in any Swing Line Loan or Letter of Credit in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by such Administrative Agent, (iv)  fourth , if so determined by such Administrative Agent and the Administrative Borrower, held in such account as cash collateral for future funding obligations of the Defaulting Lender under this Agreement, (v)  fifth , pro rata, to the payment of any amounts owing to Borrowers or the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrowers or any Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement and (vi)  sixth , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if such payment is (x) a prepayment of the principal amount of any

 

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Loans or Letter of Credit Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit which a Defaulting Lender has funded its participation obligations and (y) made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.3 are satisfied, such payment shall be applied solely to prepay the Loans of, and Letter of Credit Obligations owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders, based on their Commitment Ratio, prior to being applied to the prepayment of any Loans, or Letter of Credit Obligations owed to, any Defaulting Lender.

In the event that the applicable Administrative Agent, the Borrowers, the Issuing Bank or the Swing Line Bank, as the case may be, each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swing Line Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders as the applicable Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Commitment Ratio. The rights and remedies against a Defaulting Lender under this Section 2.18 are in addition to other rights and remedies that the Borrowers, the applicable Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swing Line Bank and the non-Defaulting Lenders may have against such Defaulting Lender. The arrangements permitted or required by this Section 2.18 shall be permitted under this Agreement, notwithstanding any limitation on Liens or the pro rata sharing provisions or otherwise.

ARTICLE 3.

GUARANTY

Section 3.1 Guaranty .

(a) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably guarantees to the applicable Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, the full and prompt payment of the Obligations, including, without limitation, any interest therein (including, without limitation, interest as provided in this Agreement, accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any Insolvency Proceedings, whether or not such interest accrues or is recoverable against the Borrowers after the filing of such petition for purposes of the Bankruptcy Code or is an allowed claim in such proceeding), plus documented, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses if the obligations represented by this Guaranty are collected by law, through an attorney-at-law, or under advice therefrom.

(b) Regardless of whether any proposed guarantor or any other Person shall become in any other way responsible to the Lender Group, or any of them, for or in respect of the Obligations or any part thereof, and regardless of whether or not any Person now or hereafter responsible to the Lender Group, or any of them, for the Obligations or any part thereof, whether under this Guaranty or otherwise, shall cease to be so liable, each Guarantor hereby declares and agrees that this Guaranty shall be a joint and several obligation, shall be a continuing guaranty and shall be operative and binding until the Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash (or in the case of Letter of Credit Obligations, secured through delivery of cash collateral in an amount equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the Letter of Credit Obligations) and the Revolving Loan Commitment shall have been terminated.

 

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(c) Each Guarantor absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably waives any and all right to assert any defense (other than the defense of payment in cash in full or performance, to the extent of its obligations hereunder, or a defense that such Guarantor’s liability is limited as provided in Section 3.1(g) ), set-off, counterclaim or cross-claim of any nature whatsoever with respect to this Guaranty or the obligations of the Guarantors under this Guaranty or the obligations of any other Person or party (including, without limitation, the Borrowers) relating to this Guaranty or the obligations of any of the Guarantors under this Guaranty or otherwise with respect to the Obligations in any action or proceeding brought by any Administrative Agent or any other member of the Lender Group to collect the Obligations or any portion thereof, or to enforce the obligations of any of the Guarantors under this Guaranty.

(d) The Lender Group, or any of them, may from time to time, without exonerating or releasing any Guarantor in any way under this Guaranty, (i) take such further or other security or securities for the Obligations or any part thereof as they may deem proper, or (ii) release, discharge, abandon or otherwise deal with or fail to deal with any Guarantor of the Obligations or any security or securities therefor or any part thereof now or hereafter held by the Lender Group, or any of them, or (iii) amend, modify, extend, accelerate or waive in any manner any of the provisions, terms, or conditions of the Loan Documents, all as they may consider expedient or appropriate in their sole discretion. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, or of Section 3.1(e) , it is understood that the Lender Group, or any of them, may, without exonerating or releasing any Guarantor, give up, modify or abstain from perfecting or taking advantage of any security for the Obligations and accept or make any compositions or arrangements, and realize upon any security for the Obligations when, and in such manner, and with or without notice, all as such Person may deem expedient.

(e) Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that no change in the nature or terms of the Obligations or any of the Loan Documents, or other agreements, instruments or contracts evidencing, related to or attendant with the Obligations (including any novation), shall discharge all or any part of the liabilities and obligations of such Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty; it being the purpose and intent of the Guarantors and the Lender Group that the covenants, agreements and all liabilities and obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are absolute, unconditional and irrevocable under any and all circumstances. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor agrees that until each and every one of the covenants and agreements of this Guaranty is fully performed, and without possibility of recourse, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Guarantor’s undertakings hereunder shall not be released, in whole or in part, by any action or thing which might, but for this paragraph of this Guaranty, be deemed a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor, or by reason of any waiver, omission of the Lender Group, or any of them, or their failure to proceed promptly or otherwise, or by reason of any action taken or omitted by the Lender Group, or any of them, whether or not such action or failure to act varies or increases the risk of, or affects the rights or remedies of, such Guarantor or by reason of any further dealings between the Borrowers, on the one hand, and any member of the Lender Group, on the other hand, or any other guarantor or surety, and such Guarantor hereby expressly waives and surrenders any defense to its liability hereunder, or any right of counterclaim or offset of any nature or description which it may have or may exist based upon, and shall be deemed to have consented to, any of the foregoing acts, omissions, things, agreements or waivers.

 

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(f) The Lender Group, or any of them, may, without demand or notice of any kind upon or to any Guarantor, at any time or from time to time when any amount shall be due and payable hereunder by any Guarantor following and during the continuance of an Event of Default, if the Borrowers shall not have timely paid any of the Obligations (or in the case of Letter of Credit Obligations, secured through delivery of cash collateral in an amount equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the Letter of Credit Obligations), set-off and appropriate and apply to any portion of the Obligations hereby guaranteed, and in such order of application as the applicable Administrative Agent may from time to time elect in accordance with this Agreement, any deposits, property, balances, credit accounts or moneys of any Guarantor in the possession of any member of the Lender Group or under their respective control for any purpose. If and to the extent that any Guarantor makes any payment to any Administrative Agent or any other Person pursuant to or in respect of this Guaranty, any claim which such Guarantor may have against any Borrower by reason thereof shall be subject and subordinate to the prior payment in full of the Obligations to the satisfaction of the Lender Group.

(g) The creation or existence from time to time of Obligations in excess of the amount committed to or outstanding on the date of this Guaranty is hereby authorized, without notice to any Guarantor, and shall in no way impair or affect this Guaranty or the rights of the Lender Group herein. It is the intention of each Guarantor and each Administrative Agent that each Guarantor’s obligations hereunder shall be, but not in excess of, the Maximum Guaranteed Amount (as herein defined). The “ Maximum Guaranteed Amount ” with respect to any Guarantor, shall mean the maximum amount which could be paid by such Guarantor without rendering this Guaranty void or voidable as would otherwise be held or determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any action or proceeding involving any state or Federal bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws relating to the insolvency of debtors.

(h) Upon the bankruptcy or winding up or other distribution of assets of any Borrower, or of any surety or guarantor (other than the applicable Guarantor) for any Obligations of the Borrowers to the Lender Group, or any of them, the rights of any Administrative Agent against any Guarantor shall not be affected or impaired by the omission of any member of the Lender Group to prove its claim, or to prove the full claim, as appropriate, against any Borrower, or any other Borrower or any such other guarantor or surety, and any Administrative Agent may prove such claims as it sees fit and may refrain from proving any claim and in its discretion may value as it sees fit or refrain from valuing any security held by it without in any way releasing, reducing or otherwise affecting the liability to the Lender Group of each of the Guarantors.

(i) Each Guarantor hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably expressly waives, except to the extent such waiver would be expressly prohibited by Applicable Law, the following: (i) notice of acceptance of this Guaranty, (ii) notice of the existence or creation of all or any of the Obligations, (iii) presentment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest and all other notices whatsoever (other than notices expressly required hereunder or under any other Loan Document to which any Guarantor is a party), (iv) all diligence in collection or protection of or realization upon the Obligations or any part thereof, any obligation hereunder, or

 

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any security for any of the foregoing, (v) until the Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash (or, in the case of a Letter of Credit Obligation, secured through delivery of cash collateral in an amount equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the Letter of Credit Obligations, all rights to enforce any remedy which the Lender Group, or any of them, may have against any Borrower and (vi) until the Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash (or in the case of a Letter of Credit Obligations, secured through delivery of cash collateral in an amount equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the Letter of Credit Obligations), all rights of subrogation, indemnification, contribution and reimbursement from the Borrowers for amounts paid hereunder and any benefit of, or right to participate in, any collateral or security now or hereinafter held by the Lender Group, or any of them, in respect of the Obligations. If a claim is ever made upon any member of the Lender Group for the repayment or recovery of any amount or amounts received by such Person in payment of any of the Obligations and such Person repays all or part of such amount by reason of (A) any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over such Person or any of its property, or (B) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by such Person with any such claimant, including any Borrower, then in such event each Guarantor agrees that any such judgment, decree, order, settlement or compromise shall be binding upon such Guarantor, notwithstanding any revocation hereof or the cancellation of any promissory note or other instrument evidencing any of the Obligations, and such Guarantor shall be and remain obligated to such Person hereunder for the amount so repaid or recovered to the same extent as if such amount had never originally been received by such Person.

(j) This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty of the Obligations and all liabilities to which it applies or may apply under the terms hereof and shall be conclusively presumed to have been created in reliance hereon. No failure or delay by any member of the Lender Group in the exercise of any right, power, privilege or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise by any Administrative Agent of any right or remedy shall preclude other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy and no course of dealing between any Guarantor and any member of the Lender Group shall operate as a waiver thereof. No action by any member of the Lender Group permitted hereunder shall in any way impair or affect this Guaranty. For the purpose of this Guaranty, the Obligations shall include, without limitation, all Obligations of the Borrowers to the Lender Group, notwithstanding any right or power of any third party, individually or in the name of any Borrower and the Lender Group, or any of them, to assert any claim or defense as to the invalidity or unenforceability of any such Obligation, and no such claim or defense shall impair or affect the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder.

(k) This is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. In the event any Administrative Agent makes a demand upon any Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Guaranty, such Guarantor shall be held and bound to such Administrative Agent directly as debtor in respect of the payment of the amounts hereby guaranteed. All costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, incurred by any Administrative Agent in obtaining performance of or collecting payments due under this Guaranty shall be deemed part of the Obligations guaranteed hereby.

(l) Each Subsidiary Guarantor is a direct or indirect wholly owned Domestic Subsidiary of a Borrower. Each Guarantor expressly represents and acknowledges that any

 

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financial accommodations by the Lender Group to the Borrowers, including, without limitation, the extension of credit, are and will be of direct interest, benefit and advantage to such Guarantor.

(m) Each Guarantor shall be entitled to subrogation and contribution rights from and against the Borrowers to the extent any Guarantor is required to pay to any member of the Lender Group any amount in excess of the Loans advanced directly to, or other Obligations incurred directly by, such Guarantor or as otherwise available under Applicable Law; provided , however , that such subrogation and contribution rights are and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 3.1 and Section 13.4 . The payment obligation of a Guarantor to any other Guarantor under any Applicable Law regarding contribution rights among co-obligors or otherwise shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the obligations of such Guarantor under the other provisions of this Guaranty, and such Guarantor shall not exercise any right or remedy with respect to such rights until payment and satisfaction in full of all such obligations.

Section 3.2 Special Provisions Applicable to Subsidiary Guarantors . Pursuant to Section 6.17 of this Agreement, any new Domestic Subsidiary of any Borrower other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary is required to enter into this Agreement by executing and delivering to each Administrative Agent a Guaranty Supplement. Upon the execution and delivery of a Guaranty Supplement by such new Domestic Subsidiary, such Domestic Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor and Borrower Party hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor or Borrower Party herein. The execution and delivery of any Guaranty Supplement (or any other supplement to any Loan Document delivered in connection therewith) adding an additional Guarantor as a party to this Agreement or any other Applicable Loan Document shall not require the consent of any other party hereto. The rights and obligations of each party hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Guarantor hereunder.

ARTICLE 4.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 4.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Loan [Reserved] . The obligations of the Lenders to undertake the Revolving Loan Commitment and to make the initial Term Loan hereunder, and the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue any initial Letter of Credit hereunder, are subject to the prior or concurrent fulfillment of each of the following conditions:

(a) The Term Facility Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Administrative Agent:

(i) This duly executed Agreement;

(ii) A duly executed Note to the order of each Lender requesting a promissory note in the amount of such Lender’s Commitments Ratio of its Commitment;

 

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(iii) The Security Agreement duly executed by the Borrower Parties, together with Uniform Commercial Code financing statements related thereto, certificates representing all of the certificated Equity Interests of the pledged Subsidiaries, and all other original Collateral to be delivered to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement, and transfer powers with respect thereto duly endorsed in blank;

(iv) Certificates of insurance with respect to the insurance policies of the Borrower Parties, in each case, meeting the requirements of Section 6.5 ;

(v) Lien search results with respect to the Borrower Parties from all appropriate jurisdictions and filing offices, it being agreed that the lien search results received by each Administrative Agent prior to the date hereof is in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Administrative Agent;

(vi) A Trademark Security Agreement duly executed by each Borrower Party;

(vii) The duly executed Intercreditor Agreement;

(viii) The legal opinion of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, counsel to the Borrower Parties, addressed to the Lender Group;

(ix) The legal opinion of Bingham McCutchen LLP, regulatory counsel to the Borrower Parties, addressed to the Lender Group;

(x) With respect to each Borrower Party, a loan certificate signed by the secretary or assistant secretary of such Person (or, in the case of a Person that is a partnership, the general partner of such Person or, in the case of a Person that is a limited liability company, the members or manager, as appropriate, of such Person), in form and substance satisfactory to each Administrative Agent, including a certificate of incumbency with respect to each Authorized Signatory of such Person, together with appropriate attachments which shall include the following: (A) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation or Formation of such Person certified to be true, complete and correct by the Secretary of State of the State of such Person’s incorporation or formation, (B) a true, complete and correct copy of the By-Laws, partnership agreement or operating agreement of such Person, (C) a true, complete and correct copy of the resolutions of such Person (or its general partner, members or manager, as applicable) authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by such Person of the Loan Documents and, with respect to Borrowers, authorizing the borrowings hereunder, (D) certificates of good standing from such Person’s jurisdiction of formation and each other jurisdiction in which such Person does business;

(xi) Payment of all fees and expenses payable to the Administrative Agents (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of one counsel to the Administrative Agents) and fees payable to the Arrangers and Lenders in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement that are invoiced at least one Business day prior to the date hereof;

 

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(xii) A Solvency Certificate executed by an Authorized Signatory of the Administrative Borrower regarding the solvency and financial condition of the Borrower Parties, after giving effect to the Transactions contemplated herein including the initial Loan and, if any, the issuance of the initial Letter of Credit hereunder; and

(xiii) A duly executed Request for Loan for the initial Loan of the Term Loans;

(b) The Lender Group shall have received (i) U.S. GAAP audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of each of Zayo and AboveNet for each of the last three fiscal years ended more than 90 days prior to the Agreement Date, (ii) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income and cash flows of each of Zayo and AboveNet for each subsequent fiscal quarter ended at least 45 days before the Agreement Date and after December 31, 2011 and (iii) a pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income and cash flows for Zayo for the latest four fiscal quarter period ended with the latest period covered by the financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (ii) above.

(c) Immediately following the Transactions, neither the Borrowers nor any of their Subsidiaries shall have any third party Funded Debt for Borrowed Money other than (A) the Facilities, (B) in the case of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the Existing Secured Notes solely to the extent that following a tender offer for the Existing Secured Notes, (i) such Existing Secured Notes are subject to covenant defeasance and release of liens upon the collateral securing the Existing Secured Notes and (ii) the amount of all Existing Secured Notes not so tendered does not exceed $25 million and (C) in the case of AboveNet and its subsidiaries, set forth on Schedule 8.1 .

(d) Since March 18, 2012, there shall have been no occurrences that, individually or in the aggregate, have had and continue to have, or would be reasonably expected to have, an AboveNet Material Adverse Change.

(e) The representations and warranties made in the AboveNet Acquisition Agreement by AboveNet or any other party thereto that are material to the interests of the Lenders shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless any such representation or warranty is qualified as to materiality, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects), but only to the extent that the accuracy of such representations or warranties is a condition to the Borrowers’ (or their Affiliates’) obligation to consummate the AboveNet Acquisition thereunder.

 

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(f) The representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.1(a)(i) , (a)(ii) , (b) , (e)(i) , (e)(ii) (only with respect to charter documents and other organizational documents), (s) , (t) , (y) , (z)  and (aa) hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless any such representation or warranty is qualified as to materiality, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects), both before and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of the Loans.

(g) Prior to or substantially simultaneously with the initial funding of the Facilities, the Borrower shall have received the proceeds of Equity Issuance (to the extent not otherwise applied to the Transactions).

(h) The Senior Secured Note Indebtedness shall have been issued in the aggregate amount of $750,000,000.

(i) The Senior Unsecured Note Indebtedness shall have been issued in the aggregate amount of $500,000,000.

(j) The Borrower Parties shall have provided the documentation and other information to the Lenders that are required by regulatory authorities under the applicable “know-your-customer” rules and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act, in each case requested at least five business days prior to the Agreement Date

(k) The Term Facility Administrative Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to each Administrative Agent that either (i) the AboveNet Acquisition has been consummated substantially concurrently with the initial funding of the Facilities in accordance with the Acquisition Agreement, without waiver or amendment thereof or any consent thereunder that would be materially adverse to the Lenders or (ii) the Escrow Proceeds shall have been deposited in the Escrow Account (as defined in the Escrow Agreement).

Section 4.2 Conditions Precedent to Each Loan . The obligation of the Lenders to make each Loan (other than the Loans and on the Agreement Date) (but excluding Loans, the proceeds of which are to reimburse (i) the Swing Line Bank for Swing Line Loans, (ii) the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent for Agent Advances or (iii) the Issuing Bank for amounts drawn under a Letter of Credit), is subject to the fulfillment of each of the following conditions immediately prior to or contemporaneously with such Loan:

(a) All of the representations and warranties of the Borrower Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, which, pursuant to Section 5.2 , are made at and as of the time of such Loan, shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless any such representation or warranty is qualified as to materiality, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) at such time, both before and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of the Loan; and

(b) There shall not exist on the date of such Loan and after giving effect thereto, a Default or an Event of Default ; and .

 

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(c) Until the Necessary Authorizations are obtained with respect thereto, such Loan shall not cause the Aggregate Revolving Credit Obligations to exceed $130,000,000.

Each Borrower hereby agrees that the delivery of any Request for Loan hereunder or any telephonic request for an Loan hereunder shall, in each case, be deemed to be the certification of the Authorized Signatory thereof that all of the conditions set forth in this Section 4.2 have been satisfied. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the conditions, or any of them, set forth above are not satisfied, such conditions may be waived by the requisite Lenders under Section 11.12 .

Section 4.3 Conditions Precedent to Each Letter of Credit . The obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue each Letter of Credit (including the initial Letter of Credit) hereunder is subject to the fulfillment of each of the following conditions immediately prior to or contemporaneously with the issuance of such Letter of Credit:

(a) All of the representations and warranties of the Borrower Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, which, pursuant to Section 5.2 , are made at and as of the time of the issuance of such Letter of Credit, shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless any such representation or warranty is qualified as to materiality, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) at such time, both before and after giving effect to the issuance of such Letter of Credit; and

(b) There shall not exist on the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit, and after giving effect thereto, a Default or an Event of Default ; and .

(c) Until the Necessary Authorizations are obtained with respect thereto, such Letter of Credit shall not cause the Aggregate Revolving Credit Obligations to exceed $130,000,000.

Each Borrower hereby agrees that the delivery of any Request for Issuance of a Letter of Credit hereunder shall be deemed to be the certification of the Authorized Signatory thereof that all of the conditions set forth in this Section 4.3 have been satisfied. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the conditions, or any of them, set forth above are not satisfied, such conditions may be waived by the requisite Lenders under Section 11.12 .

ARTICLE 5.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 5.1 General Representations and Warranties . In order to induce the Lender Group to enter into this Agreement and to extend the Loans and issue the Letters of Credit for the benefit of the Borrowers, each Borrower Party hereby represents, and warrants that:

(a) Organization; Power; Qualification. Each Borrower Party and each Subsidiary of a Borrower Party (i) is a corporation, partnership or limited liability

 

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company duly organized, validly existing, and in active status or good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation or formation, (ii) has the corporate or other company power and authority to own or lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being and hereafter proposed to be conducted, and (iii) is duly qualified and is in active status or good standing as a foreign corporation or other company, and authorized to do business, in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its business requires such qualification or authorization except in each case where the failure to have such power and authority described in clause (ii) above or to be so qualified as described in clause (iii) above would not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

(b) Authorization; Enforceability. Each Borrower Party has the power and has taken all necessary action, corporate or otherwise, to authorize it to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party in accordance with the terms thereof and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Each of this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which a Borrower Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by such Borrower Party, and (except for Requests for Loan, Requests for Issuance of Letters of Credit, Notices of Conversion/Continuation, Notices of Requested Commitment Increases and Uniform Commercial Code financing statements solely to the extent they do not contain any affirmative obligations of the Borrower Parties) is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Borrower Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(c) Partnerships; Joint Ventures; Subsidiaries . Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.1(c)-1 , as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, no Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party has any Subsidiaries, which Subsidiaries are identified on such Schedule as Domestic Subsidiaries or Foreign Subsidiaries. As of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, no Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party is a partner or joint venturer in any partnership or joint venture other than (i) the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.1(c)-1 and (ii) the partnerships and joint ventures (that are not Subsidiaries) listed on Schedule 5.1(c)-2 . Schedule 5.1(c)-1 and Schedule 5.1(c)-2 set forth, for each Person set forth thereon, a complete and accurate statement of (i) the percentage ownership of each such Person by the applicable Borrower Party or Subsidiary of a Borrower Party as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, (ii) the state or other jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, as appropriate, of each such Person as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, (iii) each state in which the failure of such Person to be qualified to do business as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date could reasonably be expected to cause a Materially Adverse Effect and (iv) all of each such Person’s trade names, trade styles or doing business forms which such Person has used or under which such Person has transacted business during the five (5) year period immediately preceding the Restatement Agreement Effective Date.

 

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(d) Capital Stock and Related Matters. The authorized Equity Interests as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date of each Borrower Party and each Subsidiary of a Borrower Party that is a corporation and the number of shares of such Equity Interests that are issued and outstanding as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date are as set forth on Schedule 5.1(d) . All of the shares of such Equity Interests in each Borrower Party and each Subsidiary of a Borrower Party that are issued and outstanding as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. None of such Equity Interests in each Borrower Party and each Subsidiary of a Borrower Party have been issued in violation of the Securities Act, or the securities, “Blue Sky” or other Applicable Laws of any applicable jurisdiction. As of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, the Equity Interests of each such Borrower Party and each such Subsidiary of a Borrower Party are owned by the parties listed on Schedule 5.1(d) in the amounts set forth on such schedule and a description of the Equity Interests of each such party is listed on Schedule 5.1(d) . As of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, except as described on Schedule 5.1(d) , no Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party has outstanding any stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its Equity Interests, nor are there any preemptive or similar rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any options for the purchase of, or any agreements providing for the issuance (contingent or otherwise) of, or any calls, commitments, or claims of any character relating to, any Equity Interests or any stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for any Equity Interests. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.1(d) , as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, no Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of any Borrower Party is subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its Equity Interests or to register any shares of its Equity Interests, and there are no agreements restricting the transfer of any shares of such Borrower Party’s or such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests or restricting the ability of any Subsidiary of any Borrower from making distributions, dividends or other Restricted Payments to such Borrower.

(e) Compliance with Law, Loan Documents, and Contemplated Transactions. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents and the Bank Product Documents in accordance with their respective terms and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) violate any Applicable Law, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under (x) the certificate of incorporation or formation or by-laws, partnership agreement or operating agreement of any Borrower Party or (y) except as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, any indenture, agreement, or other instrument to which any Borrower Party is a party or by which any Borrower Party or any of its properties may be bound, or (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with any assets or property of any Borrower Party except Permitted Liens.

(f) Necessary Authorizations. Each Borrower Party and each Subsidiary of a Borrower Party has obtained all Necessary Authorizations (including all FCC Licenses and State PUC Licenses), and all such Necessary Authorizations (including

 

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FCC Licenses and State PUC Licenses) are in full force and effect except, other than with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, where failure to obtain such Necessary Authorizations, or the failure of such Necessary Authorizations to be in full force and effect, could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect. None of such Necessary Authorizations is the subject of any pending or, to the best of each Borrower Party’s knowledge, threatened attack, application, objection or any other petition with a Governmental Authority for revocation, termination, suspension, denial or material modification of a Necessary Authorization, by the grantor of the Necessary Authorization except, other than with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, where the revocation by the grantor of such Necessary Authorizations could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect. The actions of any applicable Governmental Authority granting all Necessary Authorizations have not been reversed, stayed, enjoined, annulled or suspended. Each Borrower Party has duly and timely filed all material reports, statements and filings, and paid all required regulatory fees in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of each applicable Governmental Authority, that are required to be filed by any of them with respect to FCC Licenses under the Communications Act or State PUC Licenses under any applicable State Telecommunications Laws, and are in all respects in compliance therewith, including the rules and regulations of the FCC and each applicable State PUC, in each case, except any such failure to comply which has not, and could not reasonably be expected to have, a Materially Adverse Effect. Each Borrower Party has received, and is in all respects in compliance with all State PUC Licenses and the applicable State Telecommunications Laws, except any such failure to comply which has not, and could not reasonably be expected to have, a Materially Adverse Effect or result in such Borrower Party not being authorized to own or operate any material portion of its Telecommunications Assets, or incur or remain liable with respect to any of the Obligations or Liens granted as security therefore. No Borrower Party has any knowledge of any event or circumstance constituting (i) noncompliance (or any Person alleging noncompliance) with any rule or regulation of the FCC and (ii) noncompliance (or any Person alleging noncompliance) with any applicable State Telecommunications Laws, except any noncompliance which has not had, and could not reasonably be expected to have, a Materially Adverse Effect or result in any Borrower Party not being authorized to own or operate any material portion of the Telecommunication Assets, or incur or remain liable with respect to any of the Obligations or Liens granted as security therefor.

(g) Title to Properties. Each Borrower Party has good, marketable and legal title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all of its properties and assets except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect, and none of such properties or assets is subject to any Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

(h) Intentionally Omitted. [Reserved].

(i) Labor Matters . Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.1(i) : as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, (i) no Borrower Party is engaged in any

 

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unfair labor practice; (ii) there is no unfair labor practice complaint pending against any Borrower Party before the National Labor Relations Board and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement that is so pending against any Borrower Party; and (iii) no strike or work stoppage is in existence involving any employees of any Borrower Party, except (with respect to any matter specified in clause (i) or (ii) above) such as could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

(j) Taxes. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.1(j) , all federal, state and other material tax returns of each Borrower Party and each Subsidiary of a Borrower Party required by law to be filed have been duly filed, all such tax returns are true, complete and correct in all material respects, and all federal, state, and other material taxes (including without limitation, all real estate and personal property, income, franchise, transfer and gains taxes), all general or special assessments, and other governmental charges or levies upon each Borrower Party and each Subsidiary of a Borrower Party and any of their respective properties, income, profits, and assets, which are shown thereon as due and payable, have been paid, except any payment of any of the foregoing which such Borrower Party or such Subsidiary, as applicable, is currently contesting in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of such Borrower Party or such Subsidiary, as the case may be. As of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, no adjustment relating to any tax returns has been proposed formally or informally by any Governmental Authority and, to the knowledge of each Borrower Party no basis exists for any such adjustment, except as reflected in the charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower Parties and their Subsidiaries or except such as could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect. Except as described in Schedule 5.1(j) , no Borrower Party has executed or filed with the Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority any agreement or other document extending, or having the effect of extending, the period for assessment or collection of any taxes. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.1(j) , as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, none of the Borrower Parties and their respective predecessors are liable for any taxes: (i) under any agreement (including any tax sharing agreements) or (ii) to each Borrower Party’s knowledge, as a transferee. As of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, no Borrower Party has agreed, or been requested, to make any adjustment under Code Section 481(a), by reason of a change in accounting method or otherwise, which would have a Materially Adverse Effect.

(k) Financial Statements. The Borrowers have furnished, or have caused to be furnished, to the Lenders (i) the Audited Financial Statements which are complete and correct in all material respects and present fairly in accordance with GAAP the respective financial positions position of Zayo and AboveNet for the fiscal years covered thereby and the results of operations for the fiscal years then ended , and (ii) the Unaudited Financial Statements which are complete and correct in all material respects and present fairly in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year end adjustments, the respective financial positions position of Zayo and AboveNet for the periods covered thereby, and the results of operations for the respective twelve-month

 

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periods then ended and (iii) the Pro Forma Financial Statements which have been prepared in good faith, based on assumptions believed by the Borrowers to be reasonable as of the date hereof, and present fairly in all material respects on a Pro Forma Basis the estimated financial position of Zayo and its Subsidiaries as at March 31, 2012 and the estimated results of operations for the periods covered thereby, assuming that the Transactions had actually occurred at the beginning of the periods covered thereby .

(l) No Adverse Change. Since June 30, 2011, December 31, 2014, there has occurred no event which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

(m) Investments and Guaranties. As of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, no Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party owns any Equity Interests of any Person except as disclosed on Schedules 5.1(c)-1 and 5.1(c)-2 , or has outstanding loans or advances to, or guaranties of the obligations of, any Person, except as reflected in the financial statements referred to in Section 5.1(k) or disclosed on Schedule 5.1(m) .

(n) Liabilities, Litigation, etc. As of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, except for liabilities incurred in the normal course of business, no Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of any Borrower Party has any material (individually or in the aggregate) liabilities, direct or contingent, except as disclosed or referred to in the financial statements referred to in Section 5.1(k) or with respect to the Obligations or the Senior Unsecured Note Indebtedness. As of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, except as described on Schedules 5.1(n) , there is no litigation, legal or administrative proceeding, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower Parties, investigation or other action of any nature, pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower Parties, threatened against or affecting any Borrower Party, any Subsidiary of any Borrower Party or any of their respective properties which could reasonably be expected to result in any judgment against or liability of such Borrower Party or Subsidiary in excess of $10,000,000 individually or in the aggregate with respect to all Borrower Parties and their Subsidiaries, or the loss of any certification or license material to the operation of such Borrower Party’s or Subsidiary’s business. None of such litigation disclosed on Schedules 5.1(n) , individually or collectively, could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

(o) ERISA. Schedule 5.1(o) lists (i) all ERISA Affiliates and (ii) all Plans, and separately identifies all Title IV Plans (other than Multiemployer Plans), Multiemployer Plans, and Retiree Welfare Plans. Copies of all such listed Plans, together with a copy of the latest IRS/DOL 5500 series form for each Plan, have been delivered to the applicable Administrative Agent. Schedule SB, (Actuarial Information) to the most recent IRS/DOL 5500 series form for each Plan is complete and accurate and fairly presents the funding status of such Plan, and since the date of such Schedule SB there has been no material adverse change in such funding status. Except with respect to Multiemployer Plans, each Plan intended to be qualified under Code Section 401 has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to qualify

 

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under Section 401 of the Code, the trusts created thereunder have been determined to be exempt from tax under the provisions of Sections 501 of the Code, and nothing has occurred that would reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such qualification or tax exempt status. Except any such failure to comply which has not, and could not reasonably be expected to have, a Materially Adverse Effect, each Borrower Party and each ERISA Affiliate and each of their respective Plans are in compliance with ERISA and the Code. No Borrower Party or, to each Borrower Party’s knowledge, any of its ERISA Affiliates has made any promises of retirement or other benefits to employees, except (i) as set forth in the Plans and (ii) that could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect. No Borrower Party or ERISA Affiliate has incurred any material liability to the PBGC in connection with any such Plan (other than the payment of premiums that are not past due). No Title IV Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability. No ERISA Event has occurred, is continuing or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Plan. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect, there are no pending, or to the knowledge of any Borrower Party, threatened claims (other than claims for benefits in the normal course), sanctions, actions or lawsuits, asserted or instituted against any Plan or any Person as fiduciary (as defined in Section 3(21) of ERISA) or sponsor of any Plan. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect, no Plan or trust created thereunder, or party in interest (as defined in Section 3(14) of ERISA), or any fiduciary (as defined in Section 3(21) of ERISA), has engaged in a non exempt “prohibited transaction” (as such term is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) which would subject any Plan of any Borrower Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates, any trust created thereunder, or any such party in interest or fiduciary, or any party dealing with any such Plan or any such trust to any material penalty or tax on “prohibited transactions” imposed by Section 502 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

(p) Intellectual Property; Licenses; Certifications. As of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date, except as set forth on Schedule 5.1(p) , no Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party owns any registered patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property (collectively, “ IP Rights ”) and has no pending registration applications with respect to any of the foregoing. No other IP Rights are necessary for the operation of the business of the Borrower Parties and their Subsidiaries, except for such IP Rights, the failure to obtain which could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect. No claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any IP Rights or the validity or effectiveness of any IP Rights, nor does any Borrower Party have knowledge of any such claim, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower Parties, the use of any IP Rights by any Borrower Party or any Subsidiary or the granting of a right or license in respect of any IP Rights from any Borrower Party or any Subsidiary does not infringe on the rights of any Person, except, in each case, for such claims, and such infringements, as could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.1(p) , (a) none of the IP Rights owned by any of the Borrower Parties is subject to any licensing agreement or similar arrangement and (b) no material licenses or certifications are necessary for the operation of the Borrower Parties’ and their

 

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Subsidiaries’ business, except, in each case, for such agreements and arrangements and such licenses and certifications, the failure to obtain which , could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

(q) Compliance with Law. Each Borrower Party and each Subsidiary of a Borrower Party is in compliance with all Applicable Laws and with all of the provisions of its certificate of incorporation or formation and by-laws or other governing documents except where the failure to be in compliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

(r) Accuracy and Completeness of Information. All written information, reports, other papers and data relating to the Borrower Parties and their Subsidiaries furnished by or at the direction of the Borrower Parties to the Lender Group were, at the time furnished, taken as a whole with all other such information, reports, other papers and data furnished previously or concurrently, complete and correct in all material respects and such information did not contain any material omission, misstatement or other material inaccuracy which has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Materially Adverse Effect. With respect to projections, estimates and forecasts given to the Lender Group, such projections, estimates and forecasts are based on the Borrower Parties’ good faith assessment of the future of the business at the time made. The Borrower Parties had a reasonable basis for such assessment at the time made.

(s) Compliance with Regulations T, U, and X. No Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party is engaged principally in the business of or has as one of its important activities in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying, and no Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party owns or presently intends to acquire, any “margin security” or “margin stock” as defined in Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (herein called “ Margin Stock ”). None of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock or for the purpose of reducing or retiring any Funded Debt which was originally incurred to purchase or carry Margin Stock or for any other purpose which might constitute this transaction a “purpose credit” within the meaning of said Regulations T, U and X. None of any Borrower Party, any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party or any bank acting on its behalf has taken or will take any action which would cause this Agreement or any other Loan Documents to violate Regulation T, U or X or any other regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or to violate the SEA, in each case as now in effect or as the same may hereafter be in effect. If so requested by any Administrative Agent, the Borrower Parties and their Subsidiaries will furnish the Administrative Agents with a statement or statements in conformity with the requirements of Federal Reserve Form U-1 referred to in Regulation U of said Board of Governors. Neither the making of the Loans nor the use of proceeds thereof will violate, or be inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of said Board of Governors.

 

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(t) Solvency. As of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date and after giving effect to the Transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (i) the property of the Borrower Parties, on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation on a going concern basis, will exceed its debt; (ii) the capital of the Borrower Parties, on a consolidated basis, will not be unreasonably small to conduct their business; and (iii) the Borrower Parties, on a consolidated basis, will not have incurred debts, or have intended to incur debts, beyond their ability to pay such debts as they mature. For purposes of this Section 5.1(t) , “debt” shall mean any liability on a claim, and “claim” shall mean (A) the right to payment, whether or not such right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured, or (B) the right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, undisputed, secured or unsecured.

(u) Insurance . The Borrower Parties and their Subsidiaries have insurance meeting the requirements of Section 6.5 , and such insurance policies are in full force and effect . As of the Agreement Date, all insurance maintained by the Borrower Parties and their Subsidiaries is fully described on Schedule 5.1(u) .

(v) Broker’s or Finder’s Commissions . No broker’s or finder’s fee or commission will be payable with respect to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and no other similar fees or commissions will be payable by the Borrower Parties for any other services rendered to the Borrower Parties ancillary to the credit transactions contemplated herein.

(w) Real Property . All real property leased by each Borrower Party and each Subsidiary of a Borrower Party constituting a material collocation and interconnection data center location as of the Agreement Date for which the annual rent expense is greater than $1,000,000, and the name of the lessor of such real property, is set forth in Schedule 5.1(w)-1 . The leases of each Borrower Party and each Subsidiary of a Borrower Party are valid, enforceable and in full force and effect, and, as of the Agreement Date, have not been modified or amended, except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 5.1(w)-1 or as could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect . All real property owned by each Borrower Party or a Subsidiary of a Borrower Party as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date with a value in excess of $ 5,000,000 10,000,000 is set forth in Schedule 5.1(w) - - 2 . The Administrative Borrower shall provide notice to each Administrative Agent upon the purchase by any Borrower Party of any real property with a value in excess of $ 5,000,000 10,000,000 upon the request of the Collateral Agent, the applicable Borrower Party shall deliver a Mortgage with respect to such real property and all other documentation reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, including, without limitation, one or more opinions of counsel.

 

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(x) Environmental Matters .

(i) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.1(x) or as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect, no Borrower Party or any Subsidiary thereof (A) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (B) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Law or (C) knows of any basis for any liability under any Environmental Law.

(ii) Except in each case, as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect or as otherwise set forth in Schedule 5.1(x) , (A) there are no and never have been any underground or above-ground storage tanks or any surface impoundments, septic tanks, pits, sumps or lagoons in which Hazardous Materials are being or have been treated, stored or disposed on any property currently owned or, to the knowledge of any Borrower Party, operated by any Borrower Party; (B) there is no asbestos or asbestos-containing material on any property currently owned or, to the knowledge of any Borrower Party, operated by any Borrower Party or; and (C) to the knowledge of the Borrower Parties, Hazardous Materials have not been released, discharged or disposed of on any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Borrower Party or any Subsidiary thereof.

(iii) Except in each case, as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect or as otherwise set forth on Schedule 5.1(x) , (i) no Borrower Party or any Subsidiary thereof is undertaking, either individually or together with other potentially responsible parties, any investigation or assessment or remedial or response action relating to any actual or threatened release, discharge or disposal of Hazardous Materials at any site, location or operation, either voluntarily or pursuant to the order of any Governmental Authority or the requirements of any Environmental Law; and (ii) all Hazardous Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored at, or transported to or from, any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Borrower Party or any Subsidiary thereof have been disposed of in a manner not reasonably expected to result in liability to any Borrower Party or any Subsidiary thereof.

(y) Investment Company Act . No Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party is required to register under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and neither the entering into or performance by the Borrower Parties of this Agreement nor the issuance of any Notes violates any provision of such Act or requires any consent, approval, or authorization of, or registration with, any governmental or public body or authority pursuant to any of the provisions of such Act, in each case, that have not already been obtained.

(z) Patriot Act . Neither any Borrower Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “enemy” or an “ally of the enemy” within the meaning of Section 2 of the Trading

 

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with the Enemy Act of the United States of America (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.), as amended or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto. Neither any Borrower Party nor any or its Subsidiaries is in violation of (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, (b) any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto or (c) the USA Patriot Act. None of the Borrower Parties (i) is a blocked person described in section 1 of the Executive Order No. 13224 or (ii) to the best of its knowledge, engages in any dealings or transactions, or is otherwise associated, with any such blocked person.

(aa) OFAC . No Borrower Party, or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) has assets in Sanctioned Countries, or (iii) derives operating income from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Countries. No part of the proceeds of any Loans hereunder will be used directly or indirectly to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country or for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

Section 5.2 Survival of Representations and Warranties, etc . All representations and warranties made under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be deemed to be made, and shall be true and correct, at and as of the Restatement Agreement Effective Date and at the date of each Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit hereunder (except to the extent that such representation or warranty specifically refers to an earlier date, in which case it shall be so true and correct as of such earlier date). All representations and warranties made under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall survive, and not be waived by, the execution hereof by the Lender Group, or any of them, any investigation or inquiry by any member of the Lender Group, or the making of any Loan or the issuance of any Letter of Credit under this Agreement.

ARTICLE 6.

GENERAL COVENANTS

Until the later of the date the Obligations are repaid in full or the date the Borrowers no longer have the right to borrow, or have Letters of Credit issued, hereunder (whether or not the conditions to borrowing have been or can be fulfilled), and unless the Majority Lenders shall otherwise give their prior consent in writing:

Section 6.1 Preservation of Existence and Similar Matters . Each Borrower Party will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to (i) except as expressly permitted by Section 8.7 , preserve and maintain its due organization, valid existence and good standing, in each case in its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, (ii) qualify and remain qualified and authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of its

 

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properties or the nature of its business requires such qualification or authorization except where the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect, and (iii) maintain all Necessary Authorizations except where the failure to maintain such Necessary Authorizations could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

Section 6.2 Compliance with Applicable Law . Each Borrower Party will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply, in all material respects, with the requirements of all Applicable Law, except in such instances in which such requirement of Applicable Law is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, or in which failure to comply with such requirement of Applicable Law could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

Section 6.3 Maintenance of Properties . Each Borrower Party will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, maintain or cause to be maintained in the ordinary course of business in good repair, working order and condition, normal wear and tear and disposal of obsolete equipment excepted, all properties used or useful in its business (whether owned or held under lease), and from time to time make or cause to be made all needed and appropriate repairs, renewals, replacements, additions, betterments, and improvements thereto, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

Section 6.4 Accounting Methods and Financial Records . Zayo and its Subsidiaries shall maintain, on a consolidated basis, a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP and will keep adequate records and books of account in which complete entries will be made in accordance with such accounting principles consistently applied and reflecting all transactions required to be reflected by such accounting principles.

Section 6.5 Insurance . Each Borrower Party will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, maintain insurance including, but not limited to, property insurance, public liability, comprehensive general liability with respect to losses and claims in excess of $1,000,000 individually, or $2,000,000 in the aggregate during any policy year, business interruption and fidelity coverage insurance, in such amounts and against such risks as would be customary for companies in the same industry and of comparable size as the Borrower Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries from financially sound and reputable insurance companies having and maintaining an A.M. Best rating of “A minus” or better and being in a size category of VI or larger or otherwise acceptable to each Administrative Agent. In addition to the foregoing, each Borrower Party further agrees to maintain and pay for insurance upon all goods constituting Collateral wherever located, in storage or in transit in vehicles, vessels or aircraft, including goods evidenced by documents, covering casualty, hazard, public liability and such other risks and in such amounts as would be customary for companies in the same industry and of comparable size as the Borrower Parties and not less than replacement costs, from financially sound and reputable insurance companies having and maintaining an A.M. Best rating of “A minus” or better and being in a size category of VI or larger or otherwise acceptable to each Administrative Agent to insure the Lender Group’s interest in such Collateral. All such property insurance policies covering goods that constitute Collateral shall name the Collateral Agent as loss payee and all liability insurance policies shall name the Collateral Agent as additional insured. Each Borrower Party shall deliver certificates of insurance evidencing that

 

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the required insurance is in force together with satisfactory lender’s loss payable and additional insured, as applicable, endorsements. Each policy of insurance or endorsement shall contain a clause requiring the insurer to give not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to each Administrative Agent in the event of cancellation or material modification of the policy for any reason whatsoever (other than non-payment of premiums, which notice may be less than thirty (30) days but shall be at least ten (10) days). If any Borrower Party fails to provide and pay for such insurance, any Administrative Agent may, at the Borrowers’ expense, procure the same, but shall not be required to do so. Each Borrower Party agrees to deliver to each Administrative Agent, promptly as rendered, true copies of all reports made in any reporting forms to insurance companies.

Section 6.6 Payment of Taxes and Claims . Each Borrower Party will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge all taxes, assessments, and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or its income or profit or upon any properties belonging to it prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, and all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which have become due and payable and which by law have or may become a Lien upon any of its Property; except that, no such tax, assessment, charge, levy, or claim need be paid which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves shall have been set aside on the appropriate books, but only so long as such tax, assessment, charge, levy, or claim does not become a Lien or charge other than a Permitted Lien.

Section 6.7 Visits and Inspections . Each Borrower Party will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, permit representatives of each Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, any consultant engaged by each Administrative Agent who has agreed with the Borrower Parties to comply with Section 11.17 , upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower Parties and, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, not more than two (2) times each calendar year, to (a) visit and inspect the properties of the Borrower Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries during normal business hours, (b) inspect and make extracts from and copies of the Borrower Parties’ and their Restricted Subsidiaries’ books and records and (c) discuss with the Borrower Parties’ and their Restricted Subsidiaries’ respective principal officers the Borrower Parties’ or such Restricted Subsidiaries’ businesses, assets, liabilities, financial positions, results of operations, and business prospects relating to the Borrower Parties or such Restricted Subsidiaries. Any other member of the Lender Group may, at its expense (unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), accompany the Administrative Agents on any regularly scheduled visit (or at any time that a Default exists any visit regardless of whether it is regularly scheduled) to the Borrower Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries’ properties.

Section 6.8 Intentionally Omitted [Reserved] .

Section 6.9 ERISA . Each Borrower Party shall at all times make, or cause to be made, prompt payment of contributions required to meet the minimum funding standards set forth in ERISA with respect to each Borrower Party’s and its ERISA Affiliates’ Plans that are subject to such funding requirements; furnish to each Administrative Agent, promptly upon any Administrative Agent’s request therefor, copies of any annual report required to be filed pursuant to ERISA in connection with each such Plan of each Borrower Party and its

 

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ERISA Affiliates; notify each Administrative Agent promptly of the occurrence of any ERISA Event; and furnish to each Administrative Agent, promptly upon any Administrative Agent’s request therefor, such additional information concerning any such Plan as may be reasonably requested by any Administrative Agent.

Section 6.10 Lien Perfection . Each Borrower Party agrees to take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to perfect or continue the perfection of the Collateral Agent’s (on behalf of, and for the benefit of, the Secured Parties) security interest in the Collateral ; provided that the Borrower Parties shall not be required to provide any account control agreements or collateral access agreements . Each Borrower Party hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to file any such financing statement on such Borrower Party’s behalf describing the Collateral as “all assets of the debtor” or “all personal property of the debtor”.

Section 6.11 Blocked Account Agreements [Reserved] .

(a) Each deposit account and securities account owned or maintained by the Borrower Parties (other than an Excluded Deposit Account) shall be maintained at a bank or financial institution which is reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent (each such bank, a “ Cash Management Bank ”). As of the Agreement Date, each deposit account and securities account of the Borrower Parties, other than Excluded Deposit Accounts with individual balances of less than $1,000,000, are listed on Schedule 6.11 and such schedule designates which accounts are deposit accounts. Except with respect to Excluded Deposit Accounts or with the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, each deposit account and securities account maintained by any Borrower Party shall be subject to a control agreement in form and substance satisfactory to each Administrative Agent and such bank or financial institution (each such account, a “ Blocked Account Agreement ”). Each such Blocked Account Agreement shall provide, among other things, that from and after the Agreement Date, the relevant Cash Management Bank, agrees, from and after the receipt of a notice (an “ Activation Notice ”) from the Collateral Agent (which Activation Notice shall be given by the Collateral Agent at any time at which an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), to forward immediately all amounts in each deposit account or securities account, as the case may be to the Collateral Agent per its instructions and to commence the process of daily sweeps from such account to the Collateral Agent.

(b) In the event that any Borrower Party shall at any time receive any remittances of any of the foregoing directly or shall receive any other funds representing proceeds of the Collateral, such Borrower Party shall hold the same as trustee for the Collateral Agent, shall segregate such remittances from its other assets, and shall promptly deposit the same into a Blocked Account. All cash, cash equivalents, checks, notes, drafts or similar items of payment received by any Borrower Party shall be deposited into a Blocked Account promptly upon receipt thereof by such Borrower Party.

Section 6.12 Further Assurances . Upon the request of any Administrative Agent, each Borrower Party will promptly cure, or cause to be cured, defects in the creation and issuance of any Notes and the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) and any Bank Products Documents, resulting from any act or failure to act by any Borrower Party or any employee or officer thereof. Each Borrower Party at its

 

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expense will promptly execute and deliver to each Administrative Agent and the Lenders, or cause to be executed and delivered to each Administrative Agent and the Lenders, all such other and further documents, agreements, and instruments in compliance with or accomplishment of the covenants and agreements of the Borrower Parties in the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) and the Bank Products Documents, or more fully to effect the purposes thereof or of any of the Loan Documents or the Bank Products Documents, or to ensure the continued validity, perfection and priority of the Liens in accordance with the terms hereof, all as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith as may be reasonably requested by any Administrative Agent.

Section 6.13 Broker’s Claims . Each Borrower Party hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold each member of the Lender Group harmless from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses which may be suffered or incurred by such member of the Lender Group in respect of any claim, suit, action or cause of action now or hereafter asserted by a broker or any Person acting in a similar capacity arising from or in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or Bank Products Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or therein. This Section 6.13 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

Section 6.14 Indemnity . Each Borrower Party will indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any and all claims, liabilities, investigations, losses, damages, actions, demands, penalties, judgments, suits, investigations and costs, expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of experts, agents, consultants and counsel) and disbursements, in each case, of any kind or nature (whether or not the Indemnified Person is a party to any such action, suit or investigation, and whether such claim, proceeding or action is brought by either any Borrower, any Guarantor, or any third party) whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against an Indemnified Person resulting from any breach or alleged breach by the Borrower Parties of any representation or warranty made hereunder, or otherwise in any way relating to or arising out of the Revolving Loan Commitment, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Bank Products Documents or any other document contemplated by this Agreement, the making, administration or enforcement of the Loan Documents and the Loans or any Bank Products Documents, any transaction contemplated hereby or any related matters unless, with respect to any of the above, such Indemnified Person or its officers, directors, employees or agents, is determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have acted or failed to act with gross negligence or willful misconduct or to have been in material breach of any Loan Document; provided , that in the case of legal fees and expenses, the Borrower Parties’ indemnification obligations shall be limited to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel to all Indemnified Persons taken as a whole in any relevant jurisdiction and, in the case of any conflict of interest (as reasonably determined by the Indemnified Persons affected by such conflict) one additional counsel in each relevant jurisdiction to each group of affected Indemnified Persons similarly situated taken as a whole. NO INDEMNIFIED PERSON SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO ANY OTHER PARTY TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, ANY SUCCESSOR, ASSIGNEE OR THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY OF SUCH PERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON ASSERTING CLAIMS DERIVATIVELY THROUGH SUCH PARTY, FOR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY BE ALLEGED AS A RESULT OF CREDIT HAVING BEEN EXTENDED,

 

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SUSPENDED OR TERMINATED UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR AS A RESULT OF ANY OTHER TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT. No Indemnified Person shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnified Person through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. This Section 6.14 shall survive termination of this Agreement whether or not any Obligations remain outstanding.

Section 6.15 Environmental Matters . Each Borrower Party shall (a) conduct its operations and keep and maintain its Properties in compliance with all Environmental Laws, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect; (b) obtain and renew all environmental permits necessary for its operations and Properties, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect; and (c) implement any and all investigation, remediation, removal and response actions that are appropriate or necessary to maintain the value and marketability of its Properties or to otherwise comply with Environmental Laws pertaining to the presence, generation, treatment, storage, use, disposal, transportation or release of any Hazardous Materials on, at, in, under, above, to, from or about any of its Properties, provided , however , that no Borrower Party shall be required to undertake any such investigation, remediation, removal or response action to the extent that (i) its obligation to do so is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and adequate reserves have been set aside and are being maintained by the Borrower Parties with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP, or (ii) failure to undertake any investigation, remediation, removal or response action could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

Section 6.16 Formation of Subsidiaries . Within thirty (30) days of (x) the formation of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of any Borrower after the Agreement Date or (y) the acquisition of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of any Borrower after the Agreement Date, the Borrower Parties, as appropriate, shall (a) cause such Restricted Subsidiary, if it is a Domestic Subsidiary to provide to each Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, a joinder and supplement to this Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H (each, a “ Guaranty Supplement ”), pursuant to which such Domestic Subsidiary shall agree to join as a Guarantor of the Obligations under Article 3 and as a Borrower Party under this Agreement, a supplement to the Security Agreement, and such other security documents, together with appropriate Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, (b) provide to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a pledge agreement and appropriate certificates and powers or Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, pledging all direct or beneficial ownership interest in such Restricted Subsidiary, if it is a Foreign Subsidiary, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, provided , however , such pledge will only be required to the extent the Equity Interests of such Foreign Subsidiary are directly owned and held by a Borrower Party, and such pledge shall be limited to sixty-five percent (65%) of the Equity Interests of such Foreign

 

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Subsidiary, and (c) provide to each Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, all other documentation reasonably requested, including one or more opinions of counsel satisfactory to each Administrative Agent, which in its reasonable opinion is appropriate with respect to such formation and the execution and delivery of the applicable documentation referred to above. Nothing in this Section 6.16 shall authorize any Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party to form or acquire any Subsidiary in violation of Article 8 . Any document, agreement or instrument executed or issued pursuant to this Section 6.16 shall be a “Loan Document” for purposes of this Agreement.

Section 6.17 Designation of Subsidiaries .

(a) Subject to Section 6.17(b) below, the board of directors of the Borrowers may at any time designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that any Subsidiary which is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and subsequently redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary may not thereafter be redesignated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The designation of any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by such Borrower therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the net book value of such Borrower’s investment therein , which Investment shall be permitted to the extent the Borrowers Parties have capacity for a Restricted Payment in the same amount as such Investment pursuant to the basket set forth in Section 8.4(f) . The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute an incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time.

(b) The Borrowers may not designate (x) any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or (y) any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case unless:

(i) no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom; and

(ii) in case of clause (x) only, (A) the Restricted Subsidiary to be so designated does not (directly, or indirectly through its own Subsidiaries) own any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, any Borrower and (B) neither the Borrowers nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall at any time be directly or indirectly liable for any Indebtedness that provides that the holder thereof may (with the passage of time or notice or both) declare a default thereon or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity upon the occurrence of a default with respect to any Indebtedness, Lien or other obligation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary (including any right to take enforcement action against such Unrestricted Subsidiary).

Section 6.18 Post-Closing Matters . Execute and deliver the documents and complete the tasks set forth on Schedule 6.18 , in each case within the time limits specified on such schedule or such later time as the Administrative Agents shall agree. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, failure by Borrower Parties to take the actions set forth on Schedule 6.18 as required under this Agreement or any

 

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other Loan Document shall not be deemed a Default or an Event of Default or shall result in a failure to satisfy the conditions set forth in Sections 4.1 , 4.2 and 4.3 , so long as such actions are completed within the time periods set forth on Schedule 6.18 .

ARTICLE 7.

INFORMATION COVENANTS

Until the date on which the Obligations are repaid in full and the Commitments have been terminated and unless the Majority Lenders shall otherwise give their prior consent in writing, the Borrower Parties will furnish or cause to be furnished to each member of the Lender Group; provided , however , that the Administrative Borrower, at its option, may deliver such items described in Sections 7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3 , 7.5 and 7.6 to each Administrative Agent with instructions to post such items on “IntraLinks” or any similar website for viewing by the Lenders or to send such items to the Lenders via electronic mail and each Administrative Agent shall post or send via electronic mail such items within a reasonable period of time after delivery thereby by the Administrative Borrower to it and such posting or sending via electronic mail shall constitute delivery of such items to the Lenders:

Section 7.1 Quarterly Financial Statements and Information . Within forty-five (45) days after the last day of each of the first three fiscal quarters in each fiscal year of Zayo, (a) the balance sheet of Zayo and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related statement of income and retained earnings and related statement of cash flows for such fiscal quarter which financial statements shall set forth in comparative form such figures as at the end of such quarter during the previous fiscal year and for such quarter during the previous fiscal year, all of which shall be on a consolidated and consolidating basis, and shall be certified by an Authorized Signatory of the Administrative Borrower to be, in his or her opinion, complete and correct in all material respects and to present fairly in accordance with GAAP the financial position of Zayo and its Subsidiaries, as at the end of such period and the results of operations for such period, subject only to normal year-end adjustments and lack of footnotes and (b) the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such financial statements.

Section 7.2 Annual Financial Statements and Information; Certificate of No Default . Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of Zayo, (a) the audited balance sheet of Zayo and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related audited statements of income and retained earnings and related audited statements of cash flows for such year, all of which shall be on a consolidated basis, together with consolidating schedules for Zayo and its Subsidiaries, which financial statements shall set forth in comparative form such figures as at the end of and for the previous year, and shall be accompanied by an opinion of KPMG LLP or other independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing satisfactory to each Administrative Agent, which opinion shall not include a “going concern” or like qualification, exception or explanation or any qualification or exception as to scope of such audit consistent with past practices, stating that such financial statements have been prepared in all material respects in accordance with GAAP and fairly present the financial condition of Zayo and its Subsidiaries in all material respects and (b) the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such financial statements.

 

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Section 7.3 Compliance Certificates .

(a) Compliance Certificates . At the time the financial statements are furnished pursuant to Section 7.1 and Section 7.2 , a Compliance Certificate:

(b) Setting forth as at the end of the relevant period, the arithmetical calculations required to establish whether or not the Borrower Parties were in compliance with the requirements of the Financial Covenants Covenant, if applicable ;

(c) Stating whether any material change in GAAP or the application thereof has occurred since the date of the Borrowers’ audited financial statements delivered on the Agreement Date, and, if any change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;

(d) Stating that, to the best of his or her knowledge, no Default has occurred as at the end of such period, or, if a Default has occurred, disclosing each such Default and its nature, when it occurred and whether it is continuing; and

(e) Describing each event, condition or circumstance during the last fiscal quarter covered by such Compliance Certificate requiring a prepayment under Section 2.5(b) .

Section 7.4 Access to Accountants . Each Borrower Party hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to communicate directly with such Borrower Party’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ independent public accountants; provided, that a representative of the Borrower Parties shall be given the opportunity to participate in any “in person” or telephonic communications between the Administrative Agent and such accountants and the Borrower Parties shall receive copies of any written communication between the Administrative Agent and such accountants.

Section 7.5 Additional Reports .

(a) Promptly upon (and in any event within three (3) Business Days of) receipt thereof, the Borrower Parties shall deliver to the Lender Group copies of any accountants’ letters or final management report prepared in connection with the annual audit referred to in Section 7.2 ;

(b) Within forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal year, the Borrower Parties shall deliver to the Lender Group an annual budget approved by the board of directors of Zayo including, without limitation, an annual income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and availability forecast for the immediately succeeding year on a quarterly basis;

(c) Intentionally Omitted; [Reserved];

(d) If there is a material change in GAAP after March December 31, 2012, 2014, that affects the presentation of the financial statements referred to in Section 7.1 or

 

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7.2 , then, in addition to delivery of such financial statements, and on the date such financial statements are required to be delivered, the Borrower Parties shall furnish the adjustments and reconciliations necessary to enable the Borrowers and each Lender to determine compliance with the Financial Covenants, all of Covenant, if applicable, which shall be determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; and

(e) From time to time at the request of any Administrative Agent, and promptly upon (and in any event within three (3) Business Days of) each request, the Borrower Parties shall, and shall cause their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to, deliver to each Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lender Group such data, certificates, reports, statements, opinions of counsel, documents, or further information regarding the business, assets, liabilities, financial position, projections, results of operations, or business prospects of the Borrower Parties, their respective Restricted Subsidiaries, or any of them, as any Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

Section 7.6 Notice of Litigation and Other Matters .

(a) Promptly upon (and in any event within three (3) Business Days of) any Borrower Party’s obtaining knowledge of the institution of, or a written threat of, any action, suit, governmental investigation or arbitration proceeding against any Borrower Party, any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party or any Property, which action, suit, governmental investigation or arbitration proceeding, if adversely determined, would expose, in such Borrower Party’s reasonable judgment, any Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party to liability in an aggregate amount in excess of $ 20,000,000, 50,000,000, such Borrower Party shall notify the Lender Group of the occurrence thereof, and the Borrower Parties shall provide such additional information with respect to such matters as the Lender Group, or any of them, may reasonably request.

(b) Promptly upon (and in any event within three (3) Business Days of) any Borrower Party’s obtaining knowledge of the occurrence of any default (whether or not any Borrower Party has received notice thereof from any other Person) on Funded Debt of any Borrower Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Borrower Party which singly, or in the aggregate, exceeds $ 20,000,000, 50,000,000, such Borrower Party shall notify the Lender Group of the occurrence thereof;

(c) Promptly upon (and in any event within three (3) Business Days of) any Borrower Party’s receipt of notice of the pendency of any proceeding for the condemnation or other taking of any material Property (excluding any condemnation or other taking that does not have a material and adverse impact on the conduct of the Borrower Parties’ business) of any Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party, such Borrower Party shall notify the Lender Group of the occurrence thereof;

(d) Promptly upon (and in any event within three (3) Business Days of) any Borrower Party’s receipt of notice of any event that could reasonably be expected to result in a Materially Adverse Effect, such Borrower Party shall notify the Lender Group of the occurrence thereof;

 

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(e) Promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days) following any material amendment or change approved by the board of directors of the Borrowers to the budget submitted to the Lender Group pursuant to Section 7.5(b) , the Borrower Parties shall notify the Lender Group of the occurrence thereof;

(f) Promptly upon (and in any event within three (3) Business Days of) any officer of any Borrower becoming aware of any (i) Default under any Loan Document or any Senior Unsecured Note Document , (ii) breach under any lease under which any Borrower Party makes rental payments in excess of $1,000,000 in any year, or (iii or (ii ) default under any other agreement (other than those referenced in clause (i) of this Section 7.6(f) or in Section 7.6(b) ) to which any Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party is a party or by which any Borrower Party’s or any such Subsidiary’s properties is bound which could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect, then the Borrower Parties shall notify the Lender Group of the occurrence thereof giving in each case the details thereof and specifying the action proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

(g) Promptly (but in any event within three (3) Business Days) following the occurrence of (i) any ERISA Event or (ii) a “prohibited transaction” (as such term is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) with respect to any Plan of any Borrower Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates which would subject any Borrower Party to any penalty or tax on “prohibited transactions” imposed by Section 502 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or the commencement or threatened commencement of any litigation regarding any such Plan or naming it or the trustee of any such Plan with respect to such Plan (other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course of business), the Borrower Parties shall notify each Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the occurrence thereof;

(h) Promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days) notify the Lender Group in writing of any material change in the accounting policies or financial reporting practices of any Borrower Party or any Subsidiary; and

(i) Promptly (but in any event within three (3) Business Days) notify each Administrative Agent of the acquisition by any Borrower Party of any additional fiber optic capacity (including through intercompany transfers between Borrower Parties) in states other than disclosed on the Agreement Date.

ARTICLE 8.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Until the date on which the Obligations are repaid in full and Commitments have been terminated and unless the Majority Lenders shall otherwise give their prior consent in writing:

Section 8.1 Funded Debt . No Borrower Party will, or will permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, assume, incur, or otherwise become or remain obligated in respect of, or permit to be outstanding, any Funded Debt except:

 

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(a) Funded Debt under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the Bank Products Documents;

(b) the Funded Debt existing on the Agreement Date and described on Schedule 8.1 ;

(c) trade or accounts payable and/or similar obligations, and accrued expenses, incurred in the ordinary course of business, other than for borrowed money;

(d) Purchase money obligations or Capitalized Lease Obligations of a Borrower Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries that may be secured by Permitted Liens described in clause (f) of the definition of Permitted Liens, not to exceed an aggregate principal amount equal to the sum of (i) $ 100,000,000 200,000,000 and (ii)  3.00% the consolidated total assets 4.00% of the Total Assets of the Borrower Parties , determined as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Borrowers for which internal financial statements are available, at any time;

(e) Guaranties permitted by Section 8.2 ;

(f) (i) unsecured Funded Debt of any Borrower Party owed to another Borrower Party or (ii) unsecured Funded Debt of any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party owed to any Borrower Party or any Subsidiary of any Borrower Party, in the case of this clause (ii), to the extent such Investment is permitted by Section 8.5;

(g) obligations under Hedge Agreements not entered into for speculative purposes;

(h) Senior Secured Note Indebtedness in the original aggregate principal amount of $750,000,000; [Reserved];

(i) Senior Unsecured Note Indebtedness in the original aggregate principal amount of $ 500,000,000 1,756,000,000 ;

(j) other unsecured Funded Debt of any Borrower Party, so long as (i) such Funded Debt has no mandatory sinking fund, redemption or amortization, or maturity earlier than one year and one day prior to six months following the latest Maturity Date then in existence (other than in respect of unsecured Funded Debt consisting of bridge facilities (regardless of maturity), so long as such bridge facility (x) has customary “rollover” provisions to a date that is no earlier than six months following the latest Maturity Date then in existence or (y) is a bridge facility to an intended issuance of Funded Debt with a maturity that is no earlier than six months following the latest Maturity Date then in existence) , (ii) the Total Leverage Ratio on a pro forma basis for the issuance of such Funded Debt, is not greater than 5.25 6.00 :1.00 as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available (and the Administrative Borrower shall provide to each Administrative Agent a certificate from an Authorized Signatory of the Administrative Borrower certifying such compliance) and (iii) at the time of and

 

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immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Funded Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, on a pro forma basis, no Default or Event of Default is in existence;

(k) Funded Debt 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 Borrower Parties pursuant to such agreements, in any case incurred in connection with the disposition or acquisition of any business, assets or Equity Interests, so long as the amount does not exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Borrower Parties in connection with such disposition;

(l) Funded Debt 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 , that such Funded Debt is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence;

(m) Funded Debt in respect of bid, performance or surety bonds or letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit supporting lease obligations or supporting (or in lieu of) such bid, performance or surety bonds or in respect of workers’ compensation claims, or other Funded Debt with respect to reimbursement obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims;

(n) customer deposits and advance payments received from customers for goods and services sold in the ordinary course of business;

(o) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net cash proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace Funded Debt that was permitted by clauses (b) , (d) , (h)  , (i), (j), (o)  or (r)  of this Section 8.1 ;

(p) Funded Debt to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are promptly deposited to defease or to satisfy and discharge the Senior Unsecured Note Indebtedness in accordance with the terms of the Senior Unsecured Note Documents;

(q) Funded Debt of a Receivables Subsidiary in respect of a Receivables Facility, which is non-recourse to any Borrower Party or any other Restricted Subsidiary in any way other than Standard Securitizations Undertakings;

(r) Permitted Secured Indebtedness that is not in the form of term loans , together with any Funded Debt incurred pursuant to Section 2.17(b) or 8.1(t) , in an aggregate amount not to exceed (A) $ 750,000,000, provided that, immediately prior to, and after giving effect to the incurrence of such Permitted Secured Indebtedness and any transaction consummated in connection therewith, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is no greater, calculated on a pro forma basis, than 4.50 to 1.00, 750,000,000 plus (B) an aggregate additional amount of Permitted Secured Indebtedness, provided that, immediately prior to, and after giving effect to the incurrence of such aggregate additional amount of Permitted Secured Indebtedness and any transaction consummated in connection therewith, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is no greater, calculated on a pro forma basis, than 4.00 4.50 to 1.00; and

 

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(s) Funded Debt in an amount not to exceed $25,000,000 outstanding at any time, which may be secured by Permitted Liens described in clause (r) of the definition of Permitted Liens. the greater of (i) $250,000,000 and (ii) 5.00% of the Total Assets of the Borrower Parties at any time; and

(t) Funded Debt in the form of Incremental Loans or term loans secured on a pari passu basis with the Facilities in an aggregate principal amount, together with any Incremental Term Loans incurred pursuant to the proviso to clause (2) of the proviso to Section 2.17(b)(i), not to exceed $400,000,000 at any time, so long as the aggregate principal amount of Funded Debt incurred pursuant to Sections 2.17(b), 8.1(r) and this 8.1(t) shall not exceed (A) $750,000,000 plus (B) an aggregate additional amount of such Funded Debt, provided that, immediately prior to, and after giving effect to the incurrence of such aggregate additional amount of Funded Debt and any transaction consummated in connection therewith, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is no greater, calculated on a pro forma basis, than 4.50 to 1.00; provided that such Funded Debt shall (A) have a maturity date that is on or after the latest Maturity Date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at the time such Funded Debt is incurred, (B) have a weighted average life to maturity not shorter than the longest remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Term Loans, (C) be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, and (D) have terms and conditions (other than pricing, rate floors, discounts, fees, premiums and optional prepayment or redemption provisions) that in the good faith determination of the Borrowers are not materially less favorable (when taken as a whole) to the Borrowers than the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents (when taken as a whole).

Section 8.2 Guaranties . No Borrower Party will, or will permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, at any time guarantee or enter into or assume any Guaranty, or be obligated with respect to, or permit to be outstanding, any Guaranty, other than (a) guaranties of the Obligations, (b) guaranties by any Borrower Party of obligations under agreements of any other Borrower Party or Restricted Subsidiary entered into in connection with the acquisition of services, supplies, and equipment in the ordinary course of business of such Borrower Party, (c) endorsements of instruments in the ordinary course of business, (d) guaranties by any Borrower Party of any obligation of any other Borrower Party, (e) guaranties of any Funded Debt permitted by Section 8.1 and (f) Investments permitted by Section 8.5 .

Section 8.3 Liens . No Borrower Party will, or will permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, assume, incur, or permit to exist or to be created, assumed, or permitted to exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien on any of its property, real or personal, now owned or hereafter acquired, except for Permitted Liens.

Section 8.4 Restricted Payments and Purchases . No Borrower Party shall, or shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly declare or make any Restricted Payment or Restricted Purchase, or set aside any funds for any such purpose, other than Dividends on common stock which accrue (but are not paid in cash) or are

 

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paid-in-kind or Dividends on preferred stock which accrue (but are not paid in cash) or are paid-in-kind; provided , however , that (a) any Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments or Restricted Purchases to any Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (b) the Borrower Parties may repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value of any Equity Interests of Zayo, or declare or pay dividends or make other distributions, directly or indirectly, to fund the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of Zayo, in each case held by any current or former employee or director of the Borrower Parties (or any Subsidiaries thereof) pursuant to the terms of any employee equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement or similar agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, so long as both before and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment or Restricted Purchase, no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the making of such Restricted Payment or Restricted Purchase, (c) any Borrower may make additional Restricted Payments or Restricted Purchases in the following amounts after the Agreement Date, so long as both before and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment or Restricted Purchase, no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the making of such Restricted Payment or Restricted Purchase: (i) if minimum Availability is greater than or equal to $65,000,000 and the Total Leverage Ratio, on a pro forma basis, is less than 5.00 to 1.00 but greater than or equal to 4.50 to 1.00 at the time of the proposed payment of the Restricted Payments or the proposed Restricted Purchase, $40,000,000 less the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments and Restricted Purchases made under this clause (c) after the Agreement Date and (ii) if minimum Availability is greater than or equal to $32,500,000 and (A) if the Total Leverage Ratio, on a pro forma basis, is less than 4.50 to 1.00 but greater than or equal to 3.50 to 1.00 at the time of the proposed payment of the Restricted Payments or the proposed Restricted Purchase, $100,000,000 less the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments and Restricted Purchases made under this clause (c) after the Agreement Date, (B) if the Total Leverage Ratio, on a pro forma basis, is less than 3.50 to 1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00 at the time of the proposed payment of the Restricted Payments or the proposed Restricted Purchase, $140,000,000 less the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments and Restricted Purchases made under this clause (c) after the Agreement Date, and (C) if the Total Leverage Ratio, on a pro forma basis, is less than 2.50 to 1.00 at the time of the proposed payment of the Restricted Payments or the proposed Restricted Purchase, $180,000,000 less the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments and Restricted Purchases made under this clause (c) after the Agreement Date, (d) the Borrowers may, within 180 days of any acquisition permitted by Section 8.7(c) , distribute any assets or liabilities so acquired by the Borrowers that are determined by the Administrative Borrower to be non-core to the business of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries; provided , that the fair market value of any assets and liabilities so distributed in respect of any such acquisition shall not exceed 5.0% of the Annualized EBITDA of Zayo based on the most recent fiscal quarter of Zayo then ended in respect of which financial statements are available (and the Administrative Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent a certificate from an Authorized Signatory of the Administrative Borrower certifying as to compliance with this clause (d)), (e) the Borrower Parties may make Restricted Payments and Restricted Purchases, to the extent that, giving effect to such Restricted Payments and Restricted Purchases, the Available Amount Utilization as of such date shall not exceed the Available Amount as of such date, so long as both before and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment or Restricted Purchase, (x)  no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the making of such Restricted Payment or Restricted Purchase ,

 

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and (y) the Borrower Parties could incur at least $1.00 of additional Funded Debt and remain in compliance with a Total Leverage Ratio of not greater than 6.00:1.00, (f) the Borrower Parties may make Restricted Payments and Restricted Purchases in an amount not to exceed $30,000,000, the greater of (i) $150,000,000 and (ii) 3.0% Total Assets of the Borrower Parties at any time, so long as both before and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment or Restricted Purchase, no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the making of such Restricted Payment or Restricted Purchase , (g) Restricted Payments to, any Parent in amounts required for any Parent to pay, in each case without duplication, (i) franchise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain their corporate existence, (ii) foreign, federal, state and local income taxes, to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of its foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries to pay such taxes separately from any such parent entity, (iii) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of any Parent to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries and (iv) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses of any Parent to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries and , (h) amounts required for any Parent to pay fees and expenses incurred by any Parent related to the maintenance of such Parent of its corporate or other entity existence . , and (i) the Borrower Parties may make Restricted Payments and Restricted Purchases so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the payment of such Restricted Payment or Restricted Purchase, as applicable, the Total Leverage Ratio would be positive and less than 3.75:1.00.

Section 8.5 Investments . No Borrower Party will, or will permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make Investments, except that (a) the Borrower Parties may purchase or otherwise acquire and own and may permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to purchase or otherwise acquire and own Cash Equivalents; (b) the Borrower Parties may hold the Investments in existence on the Agreement Date and described on Schedule 8.5 ; (c) any Borrower Party may make Investments constituting accounts receivable created, acquired or made and trade credit extended in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms , and may convert any of its accounts that are in excess of ninety (90) days past due into notes or Equity Interests from the applicable Account Debtor so long as the Collateral Agent is granted a first priority security interest in such Equity Interests or notes which Lien is perfected promptly following the conversion of such Account to Equity Interests or notes; (d) the Borrower Parties and their Subsidiaries may hold the Equity Interests of their respective Subsidiaries in existence as of the Agreement Date and their Subsidiaries created after the Agreement Date in accordance with Section 6.17 and Section 8.7(g) ; (e) without limiting Section 8.2 , any Borrower Party may make Investments in any other Borrower Party; (f) the Borrower Parties may hold Investments arising out of Hedge Agreements not entered into for speculative purposes; (g) the Borrower Parties may make short term loans to employees in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time; (h) the Borrower Parties may make Permitted Asset Swaps; (i) the Borrower Parties may make Investments in the Equity Interests of CoBank, ACB pursuant to CoBank, ACB’s Patronage Program so long as such Investments are not acquired through the expenditure of any cash or other assets of any Borrower Party, other than a one time membership fee in an amount not to

 

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exceed $1,000; (j) the Borrower Parties may make additional Investments after the Agreement Date, (i) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000 during the term of this Agreement, so long as both before and after giving effect to such Investment, (A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the making of such Investment, (B) minimum Availability is greater than or equal to $32,500,000 and (C) the Total Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3.50 to 1.00, or (ii) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000 during the term of this Agreement, so long as both before and after giving effect to such Investment, (A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the making of such Investment, (B) minimum Availability is greater than or equal to $32,500,000 and (C) the Total Leverage Ratio is less than 3.50 to 1.00; (k) the Borrower Parties may make additional Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in any fiscal year of the Borrowers; (l) the Borrower Parties may acquire assets or properties to the extent otherwise permitted under this Agreement and may give deposits therefor to the extent permitted by clause (n) of the definition of Permitted Liens; (m) the Borrower Parties may make Guaranties permitted by Section 8.2 ; (n) the Borrower Parties may make additional Investments, to the extent that, giving effect to such additional Investments, the Available Amount Utilization as of such date shall not exceed the Available Amount as of such date , so long as both before and after giving effect to such Investment, (x) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the making of such Investment and (y) the Borrower Parties could incur at least $1.00 of additional Funded Debt and remain in compliance with a Total Leverage Ratio of not greater than 6.00:1.00 ; and (o) the Borrower Parties may make additional Investments in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Borrower Parties or in Unrestricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed 1% of Total Assets in any fiscal year of the Borrower plus any unused amounts for prior fiscal years. With respect to Investments permitted under clause (j), the Administrative Borrower, on behalf of the Borrower Parties, shall deliver to each Administrative Agent a certificate, together with supporting documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Administrative Agent, executed by an Authorized Signatory certifying that as of the date of such proposed Investment the Total Leverage Ratio is at the applicable level for such Investment.

Section 8.6 Affiliate Transactions . No Borrower Party shall, or shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into or be a party to any agreement or transaction with any Affiliate (other than a Borrower Party or their Restricted Subsidiaries) except (a) as described on Schedule 8.6 , (b) upon terms that are no less favorable to such Borrower Party or such Restricted Subsidiary than it would obtain in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of such Borrower Party or such Restricted Subsidiary or (c) as permitted by Sections 8.4 and Section 8.5 .

Section 8.7 Liquidation; Change in Ownership, Name, or Year; Disposition or Acquisition of Assets; Etc. No Borrower Party shall, or shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, at any time:

(a) Liquidate or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) or otherwise wind up its business, except that any Subsidiary of Zayo may liquidate or dissolve itself in accordance with Applicable Law;

 

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(b) Consummate an Asset Sale unless (x) such Asset Sale shall be for fair market value as reasonably determined by the applicable Borrower or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary in good faith based on sales of similar assets, if available, (y) at least 75% of the consideration therefore received by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries is in the form of (1) cash or Cash Equivalents (including any cash or Cash Equivalents received from the conversion within 180 days of such Asset Sale of any securities, notes or other obligations received in consideration of such Asset Sale), (2) Replacement Assets, (3) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Borrower 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 (3) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x)  1 3.0 % of Total Assets and (y) $ 10,000,000 150,000,000 (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) or (4) any combination of the consideration specified in the foregoing clauses (1) (2) and (3) and (z) the Borrowers comply with the applicable provisions of Section 2.5 ;

(c) Acquire (i) any Person, (ii) all or any substantial part of the assets, property or business of a Person, or (iii) any assets that constitute a division or operating unit of the business of any Person; provided , however , that the Borrower Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries shall be permitted to consummate an acquisition described above if, (i)  before and after giving effect to such acquisition, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the making of such acquisition and (ii) the Borrower Parties are in compliance with the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis and the Administrative Borrower, on behalf of the Borrower Parties, delivers to each Administrative Agent a certificate, together with supporting documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Administrative Agent, executed by an Authorized Signatory certifying to compliance with the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis, as of the date of such proposed acquisition, both before and after giving effect to such acquisition; provided , further , that notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained herein, the Borrower Parties shall be permitted to consummate the AboveNet Acquisition on the Agreement Date ;

(d) Merge or consolidate with any other Person; provided , however , that (i) any Restricted Subsidiary of Zayo may merge into any Borrower Party so long as, with respect to any merger with any Borrower, such Borrower shall be the surviving entity after such merger and, with respect to any merger with any other Borrower Party, such other Borrower Party shall be the surviving entity after such merger, (ii) any Foreign Subsidiary may merge into another Foreign Subsidiary, and (iii) any Borrower Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries may merge with any Person in order to consummate an acquisition permitted under Section 8.7(c) so long as, with respect to any merger with any Borrower, such Borrower shall be the surviving entity after such merger, and, with respect to any merger with any other Borrower Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, such other Borrower Party or Restricted Subsidiary shall be the surviving entity after such merger;

 

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(e) Change its legal name, state of incorporation or formation or structure without giving each Administrative Agent at least ten (10) days prior written notice of its intention to do so and complying with all reasonable requirements of the Lenders in regard thereto;

(f) Change its year-end for accounting purposes from the fiscal year ending June 30, except with the prior written consent of each Administrative Agent; or

(g) Create any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that the Borrowers or any Subsidiary of the Borrowers may create wholly owned Subsidiaries so long as the Borrowers and such Subsidiaries comply with Sections 6.10 and 6.17 .

Section 8.8 Financial Covenants Covenant .

(a) [Reseverd]

(b) [Reserved]

(c) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . The Borrower Parties shall not permit, at the end of each applicable fiscal quarter, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio to be less than the required amount for the applicable period set forth below:

 

Fiscal Quarter Ending: Applicable Ratio
September, 2012 1.50:1.00
December, 2012 1.50:1.00
March, 2013 1.50:1.00
June, 2013 1.50:1.00
September, 2013 1.75:1.00
December, 2013 1.75:1.00
March, 2014 1.75:1.00
June, 2014 1.75:1.00
September, 2014 2.00:1.00
December, 2014 2.00:1.00
March, 2015 2.00:1.00
June, 2015 2.25:1.00
September, 2015 2.25:1.00
December, 2015 2.25:1.00
March, 2016 2.50:1.00
June, 2016 2.50:1.00
September, 2016 2.50:1.00
December, 2016 2.75:1.00
March, 2017 2.75:1.00
June, 2017 2.75:1.00
September, 2017 2.75:1.00
December, 2017 2.75:1.00

 

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; provided that following the occurrence of a Springing Financial Covenant Triggering Event, the Borrower Parties shall not be required to comply with this Section 8.8(c) and shall instead comply with Section 8.8(d) . (d) Springing Senior Secured Leverage Ratio . Subject to the following proviso, from and after the occurrence of a Springing Financial Covenant Triggering Event, the Borrower Parties shall not permit, at the end of each applicable fiscal quarter, . The Borrower Parties shall not permit, at the end of each applicable fiscal quarter, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio to exceed 5.25:1.00; provided that the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall only be tested if, at the end of any fiscal quarter commencing with the first full fiscal quarter after the date on which the Springing Financial Covenant Triggering Event Restatement Agreement Effective Date occurred, the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans made pursuant to Section 2.1(b) and outstanding Letters of Credit (except to the extent such Letters of Credit are undrawn or have been cash collateralized) is greater than 35% of the aggregate amount of Revolving Loan Commitments (without giving effect to any adjustment or reduction due to the issue of a Letter of Credit or borrowing of a Revolving Loan).

Section 8.9 Additional Fiber Optic . The Borrower Parties shall not acquire any additional fiber optic capacity unless within thirty (30) days of such acquisition (a) such Borrower Party is in the business of transmitting communications and qualifies as a “transmitting utility,” as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in the state in which such fiber optic capacity is located, and (b) a transmitting utility Uniform Commercial Code financing statement has been filed in such state naming such Borrower Party, as debtor, and the Collateral Agent, as secured party.

Section 8.10 Conduct of Business . The Borrower Parties shall not engage substantially in any line of business substantially different from the lines of business conducted by the Borrower Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries on the Agreement Date or from any lines of business reasonably related, complementary, ancillary or incidental thereto.

Section 8.11 Sales and Leasebacks . No Borrower Party shall, or shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any third party whereby such Borrower Party or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and whereby such Borrower Party or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall then or thereafter rent or lease as lessee such property or any part thereof or other property which such Borrower Party or such Restricted Subsidiary intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred, except in an aggregate amount to the exceed $50,000,000. Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided that the Borrower Parties or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction with respect to assets or properties if:

(a) such Borrower Party or Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, could have (a) incurred Funded Debt in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Funded Debt pursuant to Section 8.3;

 

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(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 Borrowers apply the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with Section 2.5(b)(ii).

Section 8.12 Amendment and Waiver . Except as permitted hereunder, no Borrower Party shall, or shall permit any Subsidiary of a Borrower Party to, enter into any amendment of, or agree to or accept any waiver, which would adversely affect the rights of such Borrower Party or such Subsidiary, as applicable, or any member of the Lender Group, of its articles or certificate of incorporation or formation and by-laws, partnership agreement or other governing documents.

Section 8.13 ERISA Liability . No Borrower Party shall fail to meet all of the applicable minimum funding requirements of ERISA and the Code, without regard to any waivers thereof, to the extent such failure could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect. To the extent that the assets of any Borrower Party’s Plans would be less (by $1,000,000 or more) than an amount sufficient to provide all accrued benefits payable under such Plans, the Borrower Parties shall make the maximum deductible contributions allowable under the Code (based on the Borrowers’ current actuarial assumptions). No Borrower Party shall, or shall cause or permit any ERISA Affiliate to, (a) cause or permit to occur any event that could result in the imposition of a Lien under Section 430 of the Code or Section 303(k) or 4068 of ERISA, or (b) cause or permit to occur an ERISA Event to the extent the event described in (a) or (b) individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

Section 8.14 Prepayments . No Borrower Party shall, or shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, prepay, redeem, defease or purchase in any manner, or deposit or set aside funds for the purpose of any of the foregoing, make any payment in respect of principal of, or make any payment in respect of interest on, any Funded Debt incurred under subsections (i) or (j) of Section 8.1 , except any Borrower may (a) make regularly scheduled payments of principal or interest required in accordance with the terms of the instruments governing such Funded Debt, (b) make prepayments on, or offer to repurchase, such Funded Debt with Equity Proceeds, the Available Amount, so long as both before and after giving effect to such prepayments or offer to repuchase, (x) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the making of such Investment and (y) the Borrower Parties could incur at least $1.00 of additional Funded Debt and remain in compliance with a Total Leverage Ratio of not greater than 6.00:1.00, and (c) make prepayments on, or offer to repurchase, such Funded Debt with the proceeds arising out of on one or more sales or dispositions of assets or the incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness so long as, for the avoidance of doubt, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is not secured by any Lien on any asset or property of the Borrowers or the Guarantors .

Section 8.15 Negative Pledge . No Borrower Party shall, or shall permit any Subsidiary of any Borrower Party to, directly or indirectly, enter into any agreement with

 

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any Person that prohibits or restricts or limits the ability of any Borrower Party or any such Subsidiary to create, incur, pledge, or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its respective assets, or restricts the ability of any Subsidiary of a Borrower to pay Dividends to such Borrower except prohibitions or conditions (a) under the Loan Documents, (b) under the Senior Unsecured Notes Documents, (c) under the definitive documentation in respect of any Funded Debt permitted by Section 8.1(d) solely to the extent that the agreement or instrument governing such Funded Debt or Capitalized Lease Obligation prohibits a Lien on the property acquired with the proceeds of such Indebtedness or the property subject to such Capitalized Lease Obligation, respectively, (d) existing by reason of customary provisions restricting pledges, assignments, subletting or other transfers contained in leases, licenses and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided , that such restrictions are limited to the property or assets subject to such leases, licenses or similar agreements, as the case may be, (e) with respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into in connection with the disposition of all or substantially all of the Equity Interests or assets of such Subsidiary, (f) imposed by any amendments or refinancings that are otherwise permitted by the Loan Documents or the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clause (c) above; provided that such amendments or refinancings are no more materially restrictive with respect to such prohibitions and limitations than those in effect prior to such amendment or refinancing (as determined in good faith and, if requested by any Administrative Agent, certified in writing to each Administrative Agent by an Authorized Signatory of the Administrative Borrower or (g) under any Funded Debt of a Person outstanding on the date such Person first becomes a Subsidiary of a Borrower; provided , that the agreements imposing such prohibitions or conditions were not entered into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary of a Borrower.

Section 8.16 Inconsistent Agreements . No Borrower Party shall, or shall permit any Subsidiary of any Borrower Party to, enter into any contract or agreement which would violate the terms hereof, any other Loan Document or any Bank Products Document.

Section 8.17 Senior Note Documents . No Borrower Party shall amend, modify or waive, or request or agree to, any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Senior Note Documents to the extent such amendment, modification or waiver is prohibited by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall govern and control as among the Administrative Agents and the Lenders, on the one hand, and the Trustee and the holders of the Senior Note Indebtedness, on the other hand.

ARTICLE 9.

DEFAULT

Section 9.1 Events of Default . Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default, whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment or order of any court or any order, rule, or regulation of any governmental or non-governmental body:

(a) Any representation, warranty or certification made under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall prove incorrect or misleading in any material

 

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respect (unless such representation, warranty or certification is qualified as to materiality, in which case such representation, warranty or certification shall at any time prove to have been incorrect or misleading in any respect) when made or deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 5.2 ;

(b) (i) Any payment of any principal hereunder, or any reimbursement obligations with respect to any Letter of Credit shall not be received by the applicable Administrative Agent on the date such payment is due, or (ii) any payment of any interest hereunder or any fees or any other amounts payable hereunder or under the other Loan Documents by any Borrower Party shall not be received by the applicable Administrative Agent within three (3) Business Days from the date on which such payment is due;

(c) Any Borrower Party shall default in the performance or observance of any agreement or covenant contained in Sections 2.12 , 6.1 , 6.5 , 6.7 , 6.10 , 6.13 , 6.18 or in Article 7 or Article 8 or any material (as determined by any Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion) agreement or covenant in any Security Document (other than any Mortgage); provided that any Borrower Party’s failure to comply with Section 8.8 shall not constitute an Event of Default with respect to any Term Loans or Term Loan Commitments unless and until the Revolving Facility Lenders have declared all amounts outstanding under the Revolving Loan Facility to be immediately due and payable and all outstanding Revolving Loan Commitments to be immediately terminated, in each case in accordance with this Agreement and such declaration has not been rescinded on or before such date (the “Term Loan Standstill Period”);

(d) Any Borrower Party shall default in the performance or observance of any other agreement or covenant contained in this Agreement not specifically referred to elsewhere in this Section 9.1 , and such default, if curable, shall not be cured to the Majority Lenders’ satisfaction within the earlier of (i) a period of thirty (30) days from the date that an officer of such Borrower Party knew of the occurrence of such default, or (ii) a period of thirty (30) days after written notice of such default is given by any Administrative Agent to the Administrative Borrower;

(e) There shall occur any default in the performance or observance by any Borrower Party of any agreement or covenant contained in any of the other Loan Documents or in the Bank Products Documents with respect to Lender Hedge Agreements (other than this Agreement or the Security Documents or as otherwise provided in this Section 9.1 ) which shall not be cured to the Majority Lenders’ satisfaction within the applicable cure period, if any, provided for in such Loan Document or Bank Products Document, or, if there is no applicable cure period set forth in such Loan Document or Bank Products Document, within the earlier of (i) a period of thirty (30) days from the date that an officer of a Borrower knew of the occurrence of such default, or (ii) a period of thirty (30) days after written notice of such default is given by any Administrative Agent to the Administrative Borrower;

(f) There shall occur any Change in Control;

 

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(g) (i) There shall be entered a decree or order for relief in respect of any Borrower Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries which is a Material Subsidiary under the Bankruptcy Code, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy law or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, or similar official of any Borrower Party or any Restricted Subsidiary which is a Material Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its properties, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of the affairs of any Borrower Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries which is a Material Subsidiary, or (ii) an involuntary petition shall be filed against any Borrower Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries which is a Material Subsidiary and a temporary stay entered and (A) such petition and stay shall not be diligently contested, or (B) any such petition and stay shall continue undismissed for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days;

(h) Any Borrower Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries which is a Material Subsidiary shall (i) commence an Insolvency Proceeding (ii) consent to the institution of an Insolvency Proceeding or to the appointment or taking of possession of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, or other similar official of such Borrower Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries which is a Material Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its properties, (iii) fail generally to pay its debts as they become due, or take any action in furtherance of the foregoing;

(i) A final judgment (other than a money judgment or judgments fully covered (except for customary deductibles or copayments not to exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate) by insurance as to which the insurance company has acknowledged coverage) shall be entered by any court against any Borrower Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries for the payment of money which exceeds, together with all such other judgments of the Borrower Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries, $ 40,000,000 50,000,000 in the aggregate, or a warrant of attachment or execution or similar process shall be issued or levied against property of any Borrower Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to a final judgment which, together with all other such property of the Borrower Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries subject to other such process, exceeds in value $ 40,000,000 50,000,000 in the aggregate, and if, within thirty (30) days after the entry, issue, or levy thereof, such judgment, warrant, or process shall not have been paid or discharged or stayed pending appeal, or if, after the expiration of any such stay, such judgment, warrant, or process shall not have been paid or discharged;

(j) The occurrence of any of the following events at any time: (i) a trustee shall be appointed by a United States District Court to administer any Plan; (ii) the PBGC shall institute proceedings to terminate any Plan; (iii) any Borrower Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any Borrower Party shall incur any liability to the PBGC in connection with the termination of any Plan; (iv) any Plan or trust created under any Plan shall engage in a non exempt “prohibited transaction” (as such term is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) which would subject any such Plan, any trust created thereunder, any trustee or administrator thereof, or any party dealing with any such Plan or trust to any tax or penalty on “prohibited transactions” imposed by Section 502 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code; (v) any Borrower

 

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Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any Borrower Party shall enter into or become obligated to contribute to a Multiemployer Plan; (vi) there shall be at any time a Lien imposed against the assets of a Borrower Party or ERISA Affiliate under Code Section 430, or ERISA Sections 303(k) or 4068; or (vii) there shall occur at any time an ERISA Event; provided, however that no Event of Default shall occur as a result of an event described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (vii) of this Section 9.1(j) unless such event either individually or in the aggregate with other events described therein could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect;

(k) (i) There shall occur any default (after the expiration of any applicable grace or cure period) under any indenture, agreement, or instrument evidencing Funded Debt of any Borrower Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $ 40,000,000 50,000,000 (determined singly or in the aggregate with other Funded Debt) which entitles the holders thereof to cause such debt to become due prior to its stated maturity, (ii) there shall occur any default under any Hedge Agreement (after the expiration of any applicable cure period set forth therein) with a termination value in excess of $ 40,000,000 50,000,000 (measured at the time of such default) and (iii) any event of default shall occur under the Indenture;

(l) All or any portion of any Loan Document or any Bank Products Document shall at any time and for any reason be declared to be null and void, the effect of which is to render any such material Loan Document or Bank Products Document inadequate for the practical realization of the rights and benefits afforded thereby, or a proceeding shall be commenced by any Borrower Party, any of their Restricted Subsidiaries or any Affiliate thereof, or by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any Borrower Party, any of their Restricted Subsidiaries or any Affiliate thereof, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof (exclusive of questions of interpretation of any provision thereof), or any Borrower Party, any of their Restricted Subsidiaries or any Affiliate thereof shall deny that it has any liability or obligation for the payment of any Obligation provided under any Loan Document or any Bank Products Document, or any Lender Hedge Agreement shall be terminated as a result of a default or event of default thereunder by any Borrower Party;

(m) Intentionally Omitted; [Reserved];

(n) One or more of the material authorizations, licenses, certificates or permits relating to any Borrower Party’s ability to continue to engage in the Telecommunications Business or operate a material portion of the Telecommunications Assets is cancelled, suspended, materially limited, terminated or revoked and such cancellation, suspension, limitation, termination or revocation has become final, or a Borrower Party, or grantor of any such material authorization, license or permit fails to timely renew such authorization, license or permit prior to the expiration thereof, and such cancellation, suspension, material limitation, termination, revocation or failure to renew could reasonably be expected to have an Material Adverse Effect;

 

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Section 9.2 Remedies . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing, in addition to the rights and remedies set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any Bank Products Documents:

(a) With the exception of an Event of Default specified in Section 9.1(g) or (h) , the Administrative Agents may in their discretion (unless otherwise instructed by the Majority Lenders) or shall at the direction of the Majority Lenders (or, if an Event of Default under Section 8.8 occurs and is continuing and prior to the expiration of the Term Loan Standstill Period, at the request of the Revolving Majority Lenders under the Revolving Loan Facility only, and in such case only with respect to the Revolving Loan Commitments, Swing Line Loans, and any Letters of Credit) , (i) terminate the Revolving Loan Commitments and the Letter of Credit Commitment, or (ii) declare the principal of and interest on the Loans and all other Obligations (other than any Obligations existing from time to time of any Borrower Party to any Lender arising in connection with any Bank Products Documents) to be forthwith due and payable without presentment, demand, protest, or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, or both.

(b) Upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default specified in Section 9.1(g) or (h) , such principal, interest, and other Obligations (other than any Obligations existing from time to time of any Borrower Party to any Lender arising in connection with any Bank Products Documents) shall thereupon and concurrently therewith become due and payable, and the Revolving Loan Commitment and the Letter of Credit Commitment, shall forthwith terminate, all without any action by the Lender Group, or any of them and without presentment, demand, protest, or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived, anything in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.

(c) The Administrative Agents may in their discretion (unless otherwise instructed by the Majority Lenders) or shall at the direction of the Majority Lenders exercise all of the post-default rights granted to the Lender Group, or any of them, under the Loan Documents or under Applicable Law. The Administrative Agents, for the benefit of the Lender Group, shall have the right to the appointment of a receiver for the Property of the Borrower Parties, and the Borrower Parties hereby consent to such rights and such appointment and hereby waive any objection the Borrower Parties may have thereto or the right to have a bond or other security posted by the Lender Group, or any of them, in connection therewith.

(d) In regard to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment shall not have occurred at the time of any acceleration of the Obligations pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.2 or, upon the request of the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, after the occurrence of an Event of Default and prior to acceleration, the Borrowers shall promptly upon demand by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent deposit in a Letter of Credit Reserve Account opened by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Issuing Bank an amount equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the aggregate then undrawn and

 

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unexpired amount of such Letter of Credit Obligations. Amounts held in such Letter of Credit Reserve Account shall be applied by the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for its payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay other Obligations in the manner set forth in Section 2.11 . After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all Reimbursement Obligations shall have been satisfied, and all other Obligations shall have been paid in full and the Revolving Loan Commitments have terminated, the balance, if any, in such Letter of Credit Reserve Account shall be returned to the Borrowers. Except as expressly provided hereinabove, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers.

(e) The rights and remedies of the Lender Group hereunder shall be cumulative, and not exclusive.

Section 9.3 Right to Cure.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 9.1(c) , in the event that the Borrowers fail to comply with either of the Financial Covenants Covenant , until the expiration of the tenth day after the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 with respect to the fiscal quarter ending on the last day of the twelve-month period in respect of which such the Financial Covenant is being measured (the “ Test Period ”), if Zayo receives a Specified Equity Contribution, Zayo may apply the amount of the net proceeds of such Specified Equity Contribution to increase Annualized EBITDA with respect to such applicable fiscal quarter (the “ Cure Right ”) and the Financial Covenants Covenant shall be recalculated, giving effect to a pro forma increase to Annualized EBITDA for such Test Period in an amount equal to such net cash proceeds; provided that such pro forma adjustment to Annualized EBITDA shall be given solely for the purpose of determining the existence of a Default or an Event of Default under the Financial Covenants Covenant with respect to any Test Period that includes the fiscal quarter for which such Cure Right was exercised and not for any other purpose under any Loan Document.

(b) If, after the exercise of the Cure Right and the recalculations pursuant to subsection (a) above, the Borrowers shall then be in compliance with the Financial Covenants Covenant during such Test Period (including for purposes of Section 4.2 and 4.3 ), the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of the Financial Covenants Covenant as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable Default or Event of Default under Section 9.1(c) that had occurred shall be deemed cured; provided that (i) in each four-fiscal quarter period, there shall be at least two fiscal quarters in which the Cure Right is not exercised, (ii) there shall be no more than four Specified Equity Contributions during the term of this Agreement, (iii) with respect to any exercise of the Cure Right, the Specified Equity Contribution shall be applied only to the prepayment of Loans and shall be no greater than the

 

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amount required to cause the Borrowers to be in compliance with the Financial Covenants Covenant and (iv) all Specified Equity Contributions will be disregarded for purposes of determining the Available Amount or the availability of any baskets or carve-outs with respect to the covenants contained in Article 8 hereof.

ARTICLE 10.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENTS

Section 10.1 Appointment and Authorization . Each member of the Lender Group hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes, and hereby agrees that it will require any transferee of any of its interest in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and its Loans, its portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment and, if applicable, Letter of Credit Commitment irrevocably to appoint and authorize, each Administrative Agent to take such actions as its agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents as are delegated by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, each member of the Lender Group hereby authorizes the applicable Administrative Agent to execute and deliver each Loan Document to which such Administrative Agent is, or is required to be, a party. Neither Administrative Agent nor any of their directors, officers, employees, or agents shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it hereunder or in connection herewith, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 10.2 Interest Holders . The applicable Administrative Agent may treat each Lender, or the Person designated in the last notice filed with such Administrative Agent under this Section 10.2 , as the holder of all of the interests of such Lender in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, its Loans and its portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment until written notice of transfer, signed by such Lender (or the Person designated in the last notice filed with the applicable Administrative Agent) and by the Person designated in such written notice of transfer, in form and substance satisfactory to such Administrative Agent, shall have been filed with such Administrative Agent.

Section 10.3 Consultation with Counsel . Each Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel selected by it and shall not be liable to any Lender or the Issuing Bank for any action taken or suffered by it in good faith in reliance on the advice of such counsel.

Section 10.4 Documents . The Administrative Agents shall not be under any duty to examine, inquire into, or pass upon the validity, effectiveness, or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any instrument, document, or communication furnished pursuant hereto or in connection herewith, and the Administrative Agents shall be entitled to assume that they are valid, effective, and genuine, have been signed or sent by the proper parties, and are what they purport to be.

Section 10.5 Administrative Agents and Affiliates . With respect to the Commitments and Loans, the Administrative Agents shall have the same rights and powers

 

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hereunder as any other Lender, and the Administrative Agents and their Affiliates, as the case may be, may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower Parties or any Affiliates of, or Persons doing business with, the Borrower Parties, as if it were not an Administrative Agent or affiliated with an Administrative Agent and without any obligation to account therefor. The Lenders and the Issuing Bank acknowledge that the Administrative Agents and their Affiliates have other lending and investment relationships with the Borrower Parties and their Affiliates and in the future may enter into additional such relationships.

Section 10.6 Responsibility of the Administrative Agents . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agents shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall the Administrative Agents have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any other member of the Lender Group, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement with reference to the Administrative Agents is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any Applicable Law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties. The Administrative Agents shall be entitled to assume that no Default exists unless it has actual knowledge, or has been notified by any Borrower Party, of such fact, or has been notified by a Lender that such Lender considers that a Default exists, and such Lender shall specify in detail the nature thereof in writing. The Administrative Agents shall provide each Lender with copies of such documents received from any Borrower Party as such Lender may reasonably request.

Section 10.7 Action by Administrative Agents .

(a) The Administrative Agents shall be entitled to use their discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any rights which may be vested in it by, and with respect to taking or refraining from taking any action or actions which it may be able to take under or in respect of, this Agreement, unless the Administrative Agents shall have been instructed by the Majority Lenders to exercise or refrain from exercising such rights or to take or refrain from taking such action. The Administrative Agents shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement with respect to anything which it may do or refrain from doing in the reasonable exercise of its judgment or which may seem to it to be necessary or desirable in the circumstances.

(b) The Administrative Agents shall not be liable to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, or any of them, in acting or refraining from acting under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with the instructions of the Majority Lenders (or all Lenders if expressly required by Section 11.12 ), and any action taken or failure to act pursuant to such instructions shall be binding on all Lenders and the Issuing Bank.

Section 10.8 Notice of Default . In the event that any member of the Lender Group shall acquire actual knowledge, or shall have been notified in writing, of any

 

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Default, such member of the Lender Group shall promptly notify the other members of the Lender Group, and the applicable Administrative Agent shall take such action and assert such rights under this Agreement as the Majority Lenders shall request in writing, and the applicable Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any liability by reason of its acting pursuant to any such request. If the Majority Lenders shall fail to request the applicable Administrative Agent to take action or to assert rights under this Agreement in respect of any Default after their receipt of the notice of any Default from a member of the Lender Group, or shall request inconsistent action with respect to such Default, the applicable Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, take such action and assert such rights (other than rights under Article 9) as it deems in its discretion to be advisable for the protection of the Lender Group, except that, if the Majority Lenders have instructed the applicable Administrative Agent not to take such action or assert such right, in no event shall the applicable Administrative Agent act contrary to such instructions.

Section 10.9 Responsibility Disclaimed . The Administrative Agents shall not be under any liability or responsibility whatsoever as an Administrative Agent:

(a) to any Borrower Party or any other Person or entity as a consequence of any failure or delay in performance by or any breach by, any member of the Lender Group of any of its obligations under this Agreement;

(b) to any Lender Group, or any of them, as a consequence of any failure or delay in performance by, or any breach by, any Borrower Party or any other obligor of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(c) to any Lender Group, or any of them, for any statements, representations, or warranties in this Agreement, or any other document contemplated by this Agreement or any information provided pursuant to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other document contemplated by this Agreement, or for the validity, effectiveness, enforceability, or sufficiency of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other document contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 10.10 Indemnification . The Lenders agree to indemnify (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrowers) and hold harmless each Administrative Agent and each of their Affiliates, employees, representatives, officers and directors (each an “ Administrative Agent Indemnified Person ”) pro rata in accordance with their Commitment Ratios from and against any and all claims, liabilities, investigations, losses, damages, actions, demands, penalties, judgments, suits, investigations, costs, expenses (including fees and expenses of experts, agents, consultants and counsel) and disbursements, in each case, of any kind or nature (whether or not an Administrative Agent Indemnified Person is a party to any such action, suit or investigation) whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against an Administrative Agent Indemnified Person resulting from any breach or alleged breach by the Borrower Parties, or any of them, of any representation or warranty made hereunder, or otherwise in any way relating to or arising out of the Commitments, the Loans, the Letters of Credit, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other document contemplated by this Agreement or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agents under this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other document contemplated by this Agreement (other than

 

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Bank Products Documents), the making, administration or enforcement of the Loan Documents and the Loans or any transaction contemplated hereby or any related matters unless, with respect to any of the above, such Administrative Agent Indemnified Person is determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have acted or failed to act with gross negligence or willful misconduct. This Section 10.10 is for the benefit of each Administrative Agent Indemnified Person and shall not in any way limit the obligations of the Borrower Parties under Section 6.14 . The provisions of this Section 10.10 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Section 10.11 Credit Decision . Each member of the Lender Group represents and warrants to each other member of the Lender Group and the Administrative Agents that:

(a) In making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to make its Loans it has independently taken whatever steps it considers necessary to evaluate the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower Parties and that it has made an independent credit judgment, and that it has not relied upon information provided by the Administrative Agents or any of their Affiliates;

(b) So long as any portion of the Obligations remains outstanding, it will continue to make its own independent evaluation of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower Parties; and

(c) Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agents, the Administrative Agents shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of the Borrower Parties which may come into the possession of any of the Administrative Agents or any Affiliates of the Administrative Agents.

Section 10.12 Successor Administrative Agents . Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent, as provided below, the applicable Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Administrative Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Revolving Facility Majority Lenders or Term Facility Majority Lenders, as applicable, shall have the right to appoint a successor Term Facility Administrative Agent or Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, as applicable (with the consent of the Administrative Borrower if no Event of Default then exists). If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed pursuant to this Section 10.12 , and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Term Facility Majority Lenders or Revolving Facility Majority Lenders, as applicable) (the “ Resignation Effective Date ”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Term Facility Administrative Agent or Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, as applicable, which shall be any Lender or a Person organized under the laws of the US, a State or any political subdivision thereof which has combined capital and reserves in excess of $250,000,000; provided that if the applicable Administrative Agent shall

 

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notify the Borrowers and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then, whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as an Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges, duties, and obligations of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder as an Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article 10 shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting an Administrative Agent.

Section 10.13 Administrative Agents May File Proofs of Claim . Each Administrative Agent may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of such Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Administrative Agent, its agents, financial advisors and counsel), the Lenders and the Issuing Bank allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to any Borrower Party, or any of their respective creditors or property, and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any monies, securities or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceedings is hereby authorized by each Lender and the Issuing Bank to make such payments to such Administrative Agent and, in the event that such Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, to pay to such Administrative Agent any amount due to such Administrative Agent for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Administrative Agent, its agents, financial advisors and counsel, and any other amounts due such Administrative Agent under Section 11.2 . Nothing contained in this Agreement or the Loan Documents shall be deemed to authorize any Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting this Agreement, any Notes, the Letters of Credit or the rights of any holder thereof, or to authorize any Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.

Section 10.14 Collateral . The Collateral Agent is hereby authorized to hold all Collateral pledged pursuant to any Loan Document and to act on behalf of the Lender Group, in its own capacity and through other agents appointed by it, under the Security Documents; provided , that the Collateral Agent shall not agree to the release of any Collateral except in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Lender Group acknowledges that the Loans (including Agent Advances), any Overadvances, the Letter of Credit Obligations, all Obligations with respect to Bank Products Documents and all interest, fees and expenses hereunder constitute one Funded Debt, secured by all of the Collateral. The Collateral Agent hereby appoints each Lender and the Issuing Bank as its agent (and each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby accepts such appointment) for the purpose of perfecting the Collateral’s Liens in assets which, in accordance with the UCC, can be perfected by possession. Should any Lender or the Issuing Bank obtain possession of any such Collateral, subject to the limitations set forth in the Blocked Account Agreements, promptly upon the Collateral Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Collateral Agent or in accordance with the Collateral Agent’s instructions.

 

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Section 10.15 Release of Collateral .

(a) Each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby directs, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Administrative Agents, and the Administrative Agents agree, to instruct the Collateral Agent to release any Lien held by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lender Group:

(i) against all of the Collateral, upon final and indefeasible payment in full of the Obligations and termination of the Revolving Loan Commitments and/or funding of the letter of credit account; or

(ii) against any part of the Collateral sold, transferred or disposed of by the Borrower Parties (including, without limitation, all property, assets and rights of any Guarantor released pursuant to subsection (b) below) if such sale, transfer or other disposition is permitted by Section 8.7 or is otherwise consented to by the requisite Lenders for such release as set forth in Section 11.12 , as certified to the Collateral Agent by the Administrative Borrower in a certificate of an Authorized Signatory of the Administrative Borrower.

(iii) Each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby directs the Administrative Agents, and the Administrative Agents agree, to instruct the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver or file or authorize the filing of such termination and partial release statements and do such other things as are necessary to release Liens to be released pursuant to this Section 10.15 promptly upon the effectiveness of any such release. Upon request by any Administrative Agent at any time, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank will confirm in writing the Administrative Agents’ authority to instruct the Collateral Agent to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 10.15 .

(b) Each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby directs, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Administrative Agents, and the Administrative Agents agree, (i) to release any Guarantor from its obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, its obligations with respect to the Guaranty) in connection with (1) any sale or other disposition, including by merger or otherwise, of Equity Interests in such Guarantor after which such Guarantor is no longer a Subsidiary of any Borrower, if such sale or disposition complies with the applicable provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise consented to by the applicable Lenders for such release as set forth in Section 11.12 , as certified to each Administrative Agent by the Administrative Borrower or (2) the designation of such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 6.17 and in accordance with the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”, and (ii) to execute and deliver or file or authorize the filing of such documents, statements and instruments and do such other things as are necessary to release such Guarantor from such obligations pursuant to this Section 10.15 promptly upon the effectiveness of any such release. Upon request by any Administrative Agent at any time, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank shall confirm in writing each Administrative Agent’s authority to release the applicable Guarantor pursuant to this Section 10.15 .

 

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Section 10.16 Additional Agents . None of the Lenders or other entities identified on the facing page of this Agreement as \ Joint Lead Arrangers”, “Term Loan Facility Co-Syndication Agents”, or “Term Loan Facility Documentation Agent “Joint Bookrunners”, “Managers” or “Lead Arranger ” shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement or any other Loan Document other than those applicable to all Lenders as such if such entity is also a Lender. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Lenders or other entities so identified shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any other Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on any of the Lenders or other entities so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in taking or not taking action hereunder or thereunder.

Section 10.17 Intercreditor Agreement . (a) The Administrative Agents and the Collateral Agent are authorized to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement and the parties hereto acknowledge that the Intercreditor Agreement is binding upon them. Each Lender hereby agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and hereby authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agents and Collateral Agent to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement and to subject the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to the provisions thereof. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may, without any further consent of any Lender, enter into or amend (i) the Intercreditor Agreement with the collateral agent or other representatives of the holders of such Permitted Secured Indebtedness issued pursuant to Section 8.1 that is intended to be secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations, (y) the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may rely exclusively on a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as to whether any such other Liens are permitted and (z) any Intercreditor Agreement entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall be binding on the Bank Secured Parties.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents (other than the Intercreditor Agreement), the rights of the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and the provisions of this Agreement and/or or any other Loan Documents (other than the Intercreditor Agreement), the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall govern and control.

ARTICLE 11.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.1 Notices .

(a) All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given five (5) days after deposit in the mail, designated as certified mail, return receipt requested, postage-prepaid, or one (1) day after being entrusted to a reputable commercial overnight delivery service, or when delivered to the telegraph office or sent out (with receipt confirmed) by telex or telecopy (or to the extent specifically permitted under Section 11.1(c) only, when sent out by electronic means) addressed to the party to which such notice is directed at its address determined as in this Section 11.1 . All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be given to the parties hereto at the following addresses:

 

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(i) If to any Borrower Party, to such Borrower Party in care of the Administrative Borrower at:

Zayo Group, LLC

901 Front Street, Suite 200

Louisville, CO 80027

Attn: Ken desGarennes, Chief Financial Officer

Telecopy No.: (303) 226-5942

Email: kdesgarennes@zayo.com

with a copy to:

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP

200 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10166-0193

Attn: Aaron F. Adams

Telecopy: (212) 351-6245

Email: afadams@gibsondunn.com

(ii) If to the Term Facility Administrative Agent, to it at:

Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.

1 Pierrepont Plaza, 7th Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Facsimile: (212) 507-6680

Email: msagency@ms.com

(iii) If to the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent, to it at:

SunTrust Bank

303 Peachtree Street

Atlanta, Georgia 30308

Attn: Doug Weltz

Phone: 404-813-5156

Email: Doug.Weltz@Suntrust.com

(iv) If to the Lenders, to them at the addresses set forth in the Administrative Questionnaire delivered to the applicable Administrative Agent; and

(v) If to the Issuing Bank, at the address set forth on the signature pages of this Agreement.

 

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(b) Any party hereto may change the address to which notices shall be directed under this Section 11.1 by giving ten (10) days’ written notice of such change to the other parties.

(c) The Borrowers may make delivery of the items required by Sections 7.1 , 7.2 and 7.3 via Electronic Transmission to the Lender Group. Each Administrative Agent shall so post such items within a reasonable period of time after delivery thereof by Borrowers. Such posting or sending via Electronic Transmission to the Lender Group shall constitute delivery of such items to the Lender Group.

Section 11.2 Expenses . Each Borrower agrees, jointly and severally, to promptly pay or promptly reimburse:

(a) All documented, and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agents, the Arrangers and the Collateral Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and syndication of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder, and the making of the initial Loan hereunder, including, but not limited to, the documented, reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Administrative Agents;

(b) All documented and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agents in connection with the administration of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the preparation, negotiation, execution, and delivery of any waiver, amendment, or consent by the Lenders relating to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel and any reasonably necessary local or regulatory counsel and, in the case of a perceived conflict, one additional counsel to all such Persons similarly situated);

(c) All documented and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agents and the Lenders (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel and any reasonably necessary local or regulatory counsel and, in the case of a perceived conflict, one additional counsel to all such Persons similarly situated) in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

(d) All taxes, assessments, general or special, and other charges levied on, or assessed, placed or made against any of the Collateral, any Notes or the Obligations; and

(e) All documented, reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder.

Section 11.3 Waivers . The rights and remedies of the Lender Group under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Bank Products Documents shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have. No

 

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failure or delay by the Lender Group, or any of them, or the Majority Lenders in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver of such right. The Lender Group expressly reserves the right to require strict compliance with the terms of this Agreement in connection with any funding of a request for an Loan. In the event the Lenders decide to fund a request for an Loan at a time when the Borrowers are not in strict compliance with the terms of this Agreement, such decision by the Lenders shall not be deemed to constitute an undertaking by the Lenders to fund any further requests for Loans or preclude the Lenders from exercising any rights available to the Lenders under the Loan Documents or at law or equity. Any waiver or indulgence granted by the Lenders or by the Majority Lenders shall not constitute a modification of this Agreement, except to the extent expressly provided in such waiver or indulgence, or constitute a course of dealing by the Lenders at variance with the terms of the Agreement such as to require further notice by the Lenders of the Lenders’ intent to require strict adherence to the terms of the Agreement in the future. Any such actions shall not in any way affect the ability of the Lenders, in their discretion, to exercise any rights available to them under this Agreement or under any other agreement, whether or not the Lenders are party, relating to the Borrowers.

Section 11.4 Set-Off . In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under Applicable Law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, except to the extent limited by Applicable Law, at any time that an Event of Default exists, each member of the Lender Group and each subsequent holder of the Obligations is hereby authorized by the Borrower Parties at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Borrower Parties or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set-off and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, including, but not limited to, Funded Debt evidenced by certificates of deposit, in each case whether matured or unmatured, but not including any amounts held by any member of the Lender Group or any of its Affiliates in any escrow account) and any other Funded Debt at any time held or owing by any member of the Lender Group or any such holder to or for the credit or the account of any Borrower Party, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of the Borrower Parties, to any member of the Lender Group or any such holder under this Agreement, any Notes, any other Loan Document and any Bank Products Documents, including, but not limited to, all claims of any nature or description arising out of or connected with this Agreement, any Notes, any other Loan Document or any Bank Products Document, irrespective of whether or not (a) the Lender Group shall have made any demand hereunder or (b) the Lender Group shall have declared the principal of and interest on the Loans and any Notes and other amounts due hereunder to be due and payable as permitted by Section 9.2 and although said obligations and liabilities, or any of them, shall be contingent or unmatured. Any sums obtained by any member of the Lender Group or by any subsequent holder of the Obligations shall be subject to the application of payments provisions of Article 2.

Section 11.5 Assignment .

(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, except that no Borrower Party may 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 any Borrower Party without such consent shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto,

 

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their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Indemnified Parties) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 11.5 , no assignments, participations or other transfers of rights under this Agreement shall be permitted to any Person that is a competitor, or an Affiliate of a competitor, or any Borrower Party or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that in connection with any assignment, participation or other transfer of rights to an entity other than any entity previously designated in writing by the Administrative Borrower (and made available to the Lenders) as a competitor or an Affiliate of a competitor, a Lender may conclusively rely upon a representation by such entity that it is not a competitor or an Affiliate of a Competitor.

(b) Any Lender (and any Lender that is an Issuing Bank) may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment (which assignment shall automatically include an assignment of the Letter of Credit Commitment which is a subset of the Revolving Loan Commitment) and the Loans at the time owing to it and excluding rights and obligations with respect to Bank Products Documents); provided that (i) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender, the aggregate amount of the portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the applicable Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $1,000,000, unless each of the applicable Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default under Section 9.16(b), (g) or (h) has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and (ii) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the applicable Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together with (in the case of assignments under the Revolving Loan Facility) a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (unless such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund), and the Eligible Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the applicable Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the applicable Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.5(c) , from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, 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 Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s 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 2.8(b) , 2.9 , 6.16 , 12.3 and 12.5) . Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph 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 (d) of this Section 11.5 .

(c) The applicable Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at the applicable Administrative Agents’ Office a copy of

 

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each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the applicable Administrative Agent 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; provided , that failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect the Commitment of any Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Any Lender may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrowers or the Administrative Agents, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrowers and the Lender Group shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s 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 this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; 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 Section 11.12(a)(i) that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (e) of this Section, the Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.8(b) , 2.9 , 6.16 and 12.3 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 11.5(b) . To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.4 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.10 as though it were a Lender.

(e) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.8(b) or Section 12.3 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 Administrative Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.8(b) unless the Administrative Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrowers, to comply with
Section 2.8(b) as though it were a Lender.

(f) Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan

 

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Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agents (each in its capacity as an Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(g) Any Lender may 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 (i) any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender and (ii) in the case of any Lender that is a Fund, any pledge or assignment of all or any portion of such Lender’s rights under this Agreement to any holders of obligations owed, or securities issued, by such Lender as security for such obligations or securities, or to any trustee for, or any other representative of, such holders, 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.

(h) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement (including but not limited to Sections 2.6 and 2.10 (which provisions shall not be applicable to this Section 11.5(h) ) or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, any Borrower Party may purchase the outstanding Term Loans on the following basis:

(i) Any Borrower Party shall have the right to purchase Term Loans at a discount to par pursuant to an Offer of Specified Discount Purchase, Solicitation of Discount Range Sale Offers or Solicitation of Discounted Sale Offers (any such purchase, a “ Discounted Loan Purchase ”), in each case made in accordance with this Section 11.5(h) ; provided that, no Borrower Party shall initiate any action under this Section 11.5(h) in order to make a Discounted Loan Purchase unless (I) at least ten (10) Business Days shall have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Loan Purchase as a result of a purchase made by a Borrower Party on the applicable Discounted Purchase Effective Date; or (II) at least three (3) Business Days shall have passed since the date the Borrower Party was notified that no Lender was willing to sell any Term Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of Solicitation of Discounted Sale Offers, the date of any Borrower Party’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Sale Offers; provided further that, none of the Borrower Parties shall initiate any process to effect a Discounted Loan Purchase that shall coincide with any prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Section  2.5(a) or (b), and any scheduled repayment of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.6 .

(ii) (1) Subject to the proviso to subsection (i) above, any Borrower Party may from time to time offer to make a Discounted Loan Purchase by providing the Auction Agent notice in the form of a Specified Discount Purchase Notice; provided that (I) any such offer shall be made available, at the sole discretion of the Borrower Party, to (x) each Lender and/or (y) each Lender with respect to any Tranche of Term Loans on an individual Tranche

 

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basis, (II) any such offer shall specify the aggregate principal amount offered to be purchased (the “ Specified Discount Purchase Amount ”) with respect to each applicable tranche, the tranche or tranches of Term Loans subject to such offer and the specific percentage discount to par (the “ Specified Discount ”) of such Term Loans to be purchased (it being understood that different Specified Discounts and/or Specified Discount Purchase Amounts may be offered with respect to different Tranches of Term Loans and, in such event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Specified Discount Purchase Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $5,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such offer shall remain outstanding through the Specified Discount Purchase Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Lender holding Term Loans in respect of which an Offer of Specified Discount Purchase is made with a copy of such Specified Discount Purchase Notice and a form of the Specified Discount Purchase Response to be completed and returned by each such Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to such Lenders (which date may be extended for a period not exceeding three Business Days upon notice by the applicable Borrower Party to the Auction Agent (and the Auction Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Lenders)) (the “ Specified Discount Purchase Response Date ”).

(2) Each Lender receiving such offer shall notify the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by the Specified Discount Purchase Response Date whether or not it agrees to sell any of its applicable then outstanding Term Loans at the Specified Discount and, if so (such accepting Lender, a “ Discount Purchase Accepting Lender ”), the amount and the tranches of such Lender’s Term Loans to be sold at such offered discount. Each acceptance of a Discounted Loan Purchase by a Discount Purchase Accepting Lender shall be irrevocable. Any Lender whose Specified Discount Purchase Response is not received by the Auction Agent by the Specified Discount Purchase Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept the applicable Offer of Specified Discount Purchase.

(3) If there is at least one Discount Purchase Accepting Lender, the relevant Borrower Party will purchase the outstanding Term Loans of each Discount Purchase Accepting Lender on the Discounted Purchase Effective Date in accordance with the respective outstanding amount and tranches of Term Loans specified in such Lender’s Specified Discount Purchase Response given pursuant to subsection (2) above; provided that, if the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans tendered for sale by all Discount Purchase Accepting Lenders exceeds the Specified Discount Purchase Amount, such purchase shall be made pro rata among the Discount Purchase Accepting Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts tendered to be sold by each such Discount Purchase Accepting Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with such Borrower Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Specified Discount Proration ”). The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within three (3) Business Days following the Specified Discount Purchase Response Date, notify (I) the relevant Borrower Party of the respective Lenders’ responses to such offer, the Discounted Purchase Effective Date and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Loan Purchase and the Tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Lender of the Discounted Purchase Effective Date, and the aggregate principal amount and the Tranches of Term Loans to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date and (III) each Discount Purchase Accepting Lender of the Specified

 

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Discount Proration, if any, and confirmation of the principal amount, Tranche and Type of Term Loans of such Lender to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower Party and such Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Borrower Party shall be due and payable by such Borrower Party on the Discounted Purchase Effective Date in accordance with subsection (iv) below (subject to subsection (x) below).

(iii) (1) Subject to the proviso to subsection (i) above, any Borrower Party may from time to time solicit Discount Range Sale Offers by providing the Auction Agent with notice in the form of a Discount Range Solicitation Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of such Borrower Party, to (x) each Lender and/or (y) each Lender with respect to any Tranche of Term Loans on an individual Tranche basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate principal amount of the relevant Term Loans (the “ Discount Range Solicitation Amount ”), the Tranche or Tranches of Term Loans subject to such offer and the maximum and minimum percentage discounts to par (the “ Discount Range ”) of the principal amount of such Term Loans with respect to each relevant Tranche or Tranches of Term Loans willing to be purchased by such Borrower Party (it being understood that different Discount Ranges and/or Discount Range Solicitation Amounts may be offered with respect to different Tranches of Term Loans and, in such event, each such offer will be treated as separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Discount Range Solicitation Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $5,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Discount Range Sale Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Appropriate Lender with a copy of such Discount Range Solicitation Notice and a form of the Discount Range Sale Offer to be submitted by a responding Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to such Lenders (which date may be extended for a period not exceeding three Business Days upon notice by the Borrower Party to the Auction Agent (and the Auction Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Lenders)) (the “ Discount Range Sale Response Date ”). Each Lender’s Discount Range Sale Offer shall be irrevocable until the Discounted Purchase Effective Date (at which time such Discount Range Sale Offer shall be deemed to have been automatically revoked by such Lender as to any of such Lender’s Term Loans not purchased by such Borrower Party on or prior to such date) and shall specify one or more (but no more than three for any Lender) discounts to par within the Discount Range (the “ Submitted Discount ”) at which such Lender is willing to sell any or all of its then outstanding Term Loans of the applicable Tranche or Tranches and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender’s Term Loans (the “ Submitted Amount ”) such Lender is willing to sell at the Submitted Discount. Any Lender whose Discount Range Sale Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Discount Range Sale Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept a Discounted Loan Purchase of any of its Term Loans at any discount to their par value within the Discount Range.

(2) The Auction Agent shall review all Discount Range Sale Offers received on or before the applicable Discount Range Sale Response Date and shall determine (in consultation with such Borrower Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the Applicable Discount and Term Loans

 

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to be purchased at such Applicable Discount in accordance with this subsection (iii). The relevant Borrower Party agrees to accept on the Discount Range Sale Response Date all Discount Range Sale Offers received by Auction Agent within the Discount Range by the Discount Range Sale Response Date, in the order from the Submitted Discount that is the largest discount to par to the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par, up to and including the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range (such Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range being referred to as the “ Applicable Discount ”) which yields a Discounted Loan Purchase in an aggregate principal amount equal to the lower of (I) the Discount Range Solicitation Amount and (II) the sum of all Submitted Amounts. Each Lender that has submitted a Discount Range Sale Offer to sell Term Loans at a discount to par that is larger than or equal to the Applicable Discount shall be deemed to have offered to sell Term Loans equal to its Submitted Amount (subject to any required proration pursuant to the following subsection (3)) to such Borrower Party its at the Applicable Discount (each such Lender, a “ Participating Lender ”), which offer shall be irrevocable until the Discounted Purchase Effective Date (at which time such Discount Range Sale Offer shall be deemed to have been automatically revoked by such Lender as to any of such Lender’s Term Loans not purchased by such Borrower Party on or prior to such date).

(3) If there is at least one Participating Lender, the relevant Borrower Party will accept such Participating Lender’s Discount Range Sale Offer and purchase the respective outstanding Term Loans of each Participating Lender on the Discounted Purchase Effective Date in the aggregate principal amount and of the Tranches specified in such Lender’s Discount Range Sale Offer at the Applicable Discount; provided that if the Submitted Amount by all Participating Lenders offered at a discount to par greater than the Applicable Discount exceeds the Discount Range Solicitation Amount, the purchase of the principal amount of the relevant Term Loans for those Participating Lenders whose Submitted Discount is a discount to par greater than or equal to the Applicable Discount (the “ Identified Participating Lenders ”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Participating Lenders in accordance with the Submitted Amount of each such Identified Participating Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with such Borrower Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Discount Range Proration ”). The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within five (5) Business Days following the Discount Range Sale Response Date, notify (I) the relevant Borrower Party of the respective Lenders’ responses to such solicitation, the Discounted Purchase Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Loan Purchase and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Lender of the Discounted Purchase Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount and tranches of Term Loans to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (III) each Participating Lender of the aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, and (IV) if applicable, each Identified Participating Lender of the Discount Range Proration. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the relevant Borrower Party and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Borrower Party shall be due and payable by such Borrower Party on the Discounted Purchase Effective Date in accordance with subsection (iv) below (subject to subsection (x) below).

 

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(iv) (1) Subject to the proviso to subsection (i) above, any Borrower Party may from time to time solicit Solicited Discounted Sale Offers by providing the Auction Agent with notice in the form of a Solicited Discounted Solicitation Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of such Borrower Party, to (x) each Lender and/or (y) each Lender with respect to any Tranche of Term Loans on an individual Tranche basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate amount of the Term Loans (the “ Solicited Discounted Solicitation Amount ”) and the tranche or tranches of Term Loans the Borrower is willing to purchase at a discount (it being understood that different Solicited Discounted Solicitation Amounts may be offered with respect to different Tranches of Term Loans and, in such event, each such offer will be treated as separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Solicited Discounted Solicitation Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $5,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Solicited Discounted Sale Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Appropriate Lender with a copy of such Solicited Discounted Solicitation Notice and a form of the Solicited Discounted Sale Offer to be submitted by a responding Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to such Lenders (which date may be extended for a period not exceeding three Business Days upon notice by the Borrower Party to the Auction Agent (and the Auction Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Lenders)) (the “ Solicited Discounted Sale Response Date ”). Each Lender’s Solicited Discounted Sale Offer shall (x) be irrevocable, (y) remain outstanding until the Acceptance Date, and (z) specify both one or more (but no more than three) discounts to par (the “ Offered Discount ”) at which such Lender is willing to sell its then outstanding Loan and the maximum aggregate principal amount and Tranches of such Term Loans (the “ Offered Amount ”) such Lender is willing to sell the Offered Discount. Any Lender whose Solicited Discounted Sale Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Sale Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to sell any of any of its Term Loans at any discount.

(2) The Auction Agent shall promptly provide the relevant Borrower Party with a copy of all Solicited Discounted Sale Offers received on or before the Solicited Discounted Sale Response Date. Such Borrower Party shall review all such Solicited Discounted Sale Offers and select the largest of the Offered Discounts specified by the relevant responding Lenders in the Solicited Discounted Sale Offers that is acceptable to the Borrower Party in its sole discretion (the “ Acceptable Discount ”), if any. If the Borrower Party elects, in its sole discretion, to accept any Offered Discount as the Acceptable Discount, in no event later than by the third Business Day after the date of receipt by such Borrower Party from the Auction Agent of a copy of all Solicited Discounted Sale Offers pursuant to the first sentence of this subsection (2) (the “ Acceptance Date ”), the Borrower Party may submit an Acceptance and Purchase Notice to the Auction Agent setting forth the Acceptable Discount. If the Auction Agent shall fail to receive an Acceptance and Purchase Notice from the Borrower Party by the Acceptance Date, such Borrower Party shall be deemed to have rejected all Solicited Discounted Sale Offers.

(3) Based upon the Acceptable Discount and the Solicited Discounted Sale Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Sale Response Date, within three (3) Business Days after receipt of an Acceptance and Purchase Notice (the

 

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Discounted Purchase Determination Date ”), the Auction Agent will determine (in consultation with such Borrower Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the aggregate principal amount and the Tranches of Term Loans (the “ Acceptable Purchase Amount ”) to be purchased by the relevant Borrower Party at the Acceptable Discount in accordance with this Section 11.5(h)(iv)(3). If the Borrower Party elects to accept any Acceptable Discount, then the Borrower Party agrees to accept all Solicited Discounted Sale Offers received by the Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Sale Response Date, in the order from largest Offered Discount to smallest Offered Discount, up to and including the Acceptable Discount. Each Lender that has submitted a Solicited Discounted Sale Offer with an Offered Discount that is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably agreed to sell Term Loans equal to its Offered Amount (subject to any required pro-rata reduction pursuant to the following sentence) at the Acceptable Discount (each such Lender, a “ Qualifying Lender ”). The Borrower Party may purchase outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this subsection (iv) from each Qualifying Lender in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Solicited Discounted Sale Offer at the Acceptable Discount; provided that if the aggregate Offered Amount by all Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount exceeds the Solicited Discounted Solicitation Amount, purchases of the principal amount of the Term Loans for those Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount (the “ Identified Qualifying Lenders ”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Qualifying Lenders in accordance with the Offered Amount of each such Identified Qualifying Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with such Borrower Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Solicited Discount Proration ”). On or prior to the Discounted Purchase Determination Date, the Auction Agent shall promptly notify (I) the relevant Borrower Party of the Discounted Purchase Effective Date and Acceptable Purchase Amount comprising the Discounted Loan Purchase and the tranches to be purchased, (II) each Lender of the Discounted Purchase Effective Date, the Acceptable Discount, and the Acceptable Purchase Amount of all Term Loans and the Tranches to be purchased at the Applicable Discount on such date, (III) each Qualifying Lender of the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of such Lender to be purchased at the Acceptable Discount on such date, and (IV) if applicable, each Identified Qualifying Lender of the Solicited Discount Proration. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to such Borrower Party and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to such Borrower Party shall be due and payable by such Borrower Party on the Discounted Purchase Effective Date in accordance with subsection (iv) below (subject to subsection (x) below).

(v) In connection with any Discounted Loan Purchase, the Borrower Parties and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Auction Agent may require as a condition to any Discounted Loan Purchase, the payment of customary fees and expenses from a Borrower Party in connection therewith.

(vi) If any Loan is purchased in accordance with subsections (ii) through (iv) above, a Borrower Party shall purchase such Term Loans on the Discounted Purchase Effective Date without premium or penalty. The relevant Borrower Party shall make payment in respect of its purchase of such Term Loans to the applicable Administrative Agent,

 

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for the account of the Discount Purchase Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office in immediately available funds not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Discounted Purchase Effective Date and all such purchases shall be applied to the remaining principal installments of the relevant tranche of Term Loans on a pro-rata basis across such installments. The Term Loans so purchased shall be accompanied by all accrued and unpaid interest on the par principal amount so prepaid up to, but not including, the Discounted Purchase Effective Date. The consideration for each purchase of outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Section 11.5(h) shall be paid to the Discount Purchase Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, and shall be applied to the relevant Term Loans of such Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Ratios. The aggregate principal amount of the tranches and installments of the relevant Term Loans outstanding shall be deemed reduced by the full par value of the aggregate principal amount of the tranches of Term Loans prepaid on the Discounted Purchase Effective Date in any Discounted Loan Purchase.

(vii) To the extent not expressly provided for herein, each Discounted Loan Purchase shall be consummated pursuant to procedures consistent with the provisions in this Section 11.5(h) or as otherwise established by the Auction Agent acting in its reasonable discretion and as reasonably agreed by the Borrower.

(viii) Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, for purposes of this Section 11.5(h), to the extent an Administrative Agent is the Auction Agent, each notice or other communication required to be delivered or otherwise provided to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) shall be deemed to have been given upon Auction Agent’s (or its delegate’s) actual receipt during normal business hours of such notice or communication; provided that any notice or communication actually received outside of normal business hours shall be deemed to have been given as of the opening of business on the next Business Day.

(ix) Each of the Borrower Parties and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Auction Agent may perform any and all of its duties under this Section 11.5(h) by itself or through any Affiliate of the Auction Agent and expressly consents to any such delegation of duties by the Auction Agent to such Affiliate and the performance of such delegated duties by such Affiliate. The exculpatory provisions pursuant to this Agreement shall apply to each Affiliate of the Auction Agent and its respective activities in connection with any Discounted Loan Purchase provided for in this Section 11.5(h) as well as activities of the Auction Agent.

(x) Each Borrower Party shall have the right, by written notice to the Auction Agent, to revoke or modify its offer to make a Discounted Loan Purchase and rescind the applicable Specified Discount Purchase Notice, Discount Range Solicitation Notice or Solicited Discounted Solicitation Notice therefor at its discretion at any time on or prior to the applicable Specified Discount Purchase Response Date.

(xi) Any failure by a Borrower Party to purchase Term Loans from a Lender pursuant to this Section 11.5(h) shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 9.1 or otherwise.

 

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(xii) To the extent the Auction Agent is required to deliver notices or communicate such other information to the Lenders pursuant to this Section 11.5(h), the Auction Agent will work with the applicable Administrative Agent (and such Administrative Agent will cooperate with the Auction Agent) in order to procure the delivery of such notices and/or the communication of such information to the applicable Lenders.

(xiii) Nothing in this Section 11.5(h) shall require the Borrower to undertake any Discounted Loan Purchase.

(xiv) Each Discounted Loan Purchase shall be subject to the following conditions:

(1) Borrower Parties will not receive information provided solely to Lenders by the applicable Administrative Agent or any Lender and will not be permitted to attend or participate in meetings attended solely by the Lenders and the applicable Administrative Agent;

(2) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing;

(3) no proceeds of loans under the Revolving Credit Facility shall be used to purchase Term Loans under this Section 11.5(h);

(4) any Term Loans acquired by any Borrower Party shall automatically be cancelled immediately upon acquisition thereof;

(5) the Borrower Party making such Discounted Loan Purchase shall represent to the Discount Purchase Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, that as of the applicable Discounted Purchase Effective Date, such Borrower Party does not possess any material non-public information with respect to the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities that has not been disclosed to the Lenders generally (other than to Lenders who have elected not to receive such information); and

(6) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans acquired by the Borrower Parties shall not exceed 15% of the original aggregate principal amount of Term Loans made under this Agreement on the Agreement Date.

Section 11.6 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such separate counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. In proving this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any judicial proceedings, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by the party against whom such enforcement is sought. Any signatures delivered by a party by facsimile transmission or by electronic transmission shall be deemed an original signature hereto. The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document mutatis mutandis .

 

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Section 11.7 Under Seal; Governing Law . This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are intended to take effect as sealed instruments and shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Loan Documents.

Section 11.8 Severability . Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof in that jurisdiction or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 11.9 Headings . Headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used in connection with the interpretation of any provision hereof.

Section 11.10 Source of Funds . Notwithstanding the use by the Lenders of the Base Rate and the Eurodollar Rate as reference rates for the determination of interest on the Loans, the Lenders shall be under no obligation to obtain funds from any particular source in order to charge interest to the Borrowers at interest rates tied to such reference rates.

Section 11.11 Entire Agreement . THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES. Each Borrower Party represents and warrants to the Lender Group that it has read the provisions of this Section 11.11 and discussed the provisions of this Section 11.11 and the rest of this Agreement with counsel for such Borrower Party, and such Borrower Party acknowledges and agrees that the Lender Group is expressly relying upon such representations and warranties of such Borrower Party (as well as the other representations and warranties of such Borrower Party set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents) in entering into this Agreement.

Section 11.12 Amendments and Waivers . (a) Neither this Agreement, any other Loan Document nor any term hereof or thereof may be amended orally, nor may any provision hereof be waived orally but only by an instrument in writing signed by the Majority Lenders, or in the case of Loan Documents executed by each Administrative Agent (and not the other members of the Lender Group), signed by each Administrative Agent and approved by the Majority Lenders and, in the case of an amendment, also by the Borrowers, except that: (i) the consent of each of the Lenders (or in the case of clause (C) and clause (E) and clause (K), each of the directly affected Lenders) and, in the case of an amendment, the Borrowers, shall be required for (A) any sale or release of, or the subordination of any Administrative Agent’s or the Collateral Agent’s security interest in, any material Collateral except in conjunction with sales or transfers of Collateral permitted hereunder, (B) except in conjunction with transactions permitted hereunder, any release of all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty of the Obligations, (C) subject to Section 2.15 , any extensions, postponements or delays of the Maturity Date or the scheduled date of payment of interest or principal or fees, or any reduction of principal (without

 

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a corresponding payment with respect thereto), or reduction in the rate of interest or fees due to the Lenders hereunder or under any other Loan Documents, (D) any amendment of this Section 11.12 or of the definition of “Majority Lenders” or any other provision of the Loan Documents specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder; (E) any amendment increasing the Commitments (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or modification of any of the defined terms contained herein (other than those defined terms specifically addressed in this Section 11.12 ) shall not constitute a change in the terms of any portion of the Commitment held by any Lender); (F) any amendment to the definition of “Availability” and the defined terms used therein; (G) the consent of the Issuing Bank, the Revolving Facility Majority Lenders and the Borrowers shall be required for any amendment to Section 2.1(b) or 2.15 or the definition of “Letter of Credit Commitment”; (H) the consent of the Swing Line Bank, the Majority Lenders and the Borrowers shall be required for any amendment to Section 2.1(c) or Section 2.2(g) ; (I) the consent of the Revolving Facility Administrative Agent only shall be required to amend Schedule 1.1(a) to reflect assignments of any portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment and Loans in accordance with this Agreement and (J) any amendment to Section 2.11 and (K) change the coin or currency in which the principal of any Revolving Loan or the interest thereon is payable pursuant to Sections 2.1(b) or 2.3(a)(ii) ; (ii) the consent of each Administrative Agent, the Majority Lenders and the Borrowers shall be required for any amendment to Section 2.1(e) or Article 10 and (iii) the consent of the Guarantors and the Majority Lenders shall be required for any amendment to Article 3. Any amendment, modification, waiver, consent, termination or release of any Bank Products Documents may be effected by the parties thereto without the consent of the Lender Group. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 11.12 , pursuant to the terms of an Incremental Amendment, the Borrowers, each Administrative Agent, any Additional Lenders in respect thereof and any Lenders party thereto may, without the input or consent of any other Lender, effect amendments (including amendments and restatements), supplements or other modifications to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate to effect the provisions of Section 2.17 and such Incremental Amendment.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 11.12 , pursuant to the terms of an Incremental Amendment, the Borrowers, the Administrative Agents, any Additional Lenders in respect thereof may, without the input or consent of any other Lender, effect amendments (including amendments and restatements), supplements or other modifications to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate to effect the provisions of Section 2.17(b) and such Incremental Amendment.

(b) If any fees are paid to the Lenders as consideration for amendments, waivers or consents with respect to this Agreement, at the applicable Administrative Agent’s election, such fees may be paid only to those Lenders that agree to such amendments, waivers or consents within the time specified for submission thereof.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to enter into amendments to the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Agreement (each in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) for the purpose of allowing the Obligations and any Senior Notes to be secured by less than all of the collateral which secures the Facilities.

 

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Section 11.13 Other Relationships; No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility . No relationship created hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall in any way affect the ability of any member of the Lender Group or the Administrative Agents to enter into or maintain business relationships with any Borrower, or any of its Affiliates, beyond the relationships specifically contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In connection with all aspect of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (a) (i) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Agents and Administrative Agents are arm’s-length commercial transactions between each Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Agents, on the other hand, (ii) each Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (iii) each Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents, (b) (i) each of the Agents and Administrative Agents is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrowers or any of their Affiliates, or any other Person and (ii) no Agent has any obligation to the Borrowers or any of their Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and (c) the Agents and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrowers and their Affiliates, and no Agent has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrowers or their Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Agents with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

Section 11.14 Pronouns . The pronouns used herein shall include, when appropriate, either gender and both singular and plural, and the grammatical construction of sentences shall conform thereto.

Section 11.15 Disclosure . The Borrower Parties agree that the Administrative Agents, and the Administrative Agents agree that the Borrower Parties, shall each have the right, with the consent of the other (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), to issue press releases regarding the making of the Loans and the issuance and the Revolving Loan Commitment to the Borrowers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

Section 11.16 Replacement of Lender . In the event that a Replacement Event occurs and is continuing with respect to any Lender, the Administrative Borrower may designate another financial institution (such financial institution being herein called a “ Replacement Lender ”) acceptable to the applicable Administrative Agent and in the case of the Revolving Facility the Swingline Bank and the Issuing Bank, and which is not a Borrower or an Affiliate of any Borrower, to assume such Lender’s portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment hereunder, to purchase the Loans and participations of such Lender and such Lender’s rights hereunder and (if such Lender is the Issuing Bank) to issue Letters of Credit in substitution for all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by such Lender, without recourse to or representation or warranty by, or expense to, such Lender for a purchase price equal to the outstanding principal

 

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amount of the Loans payable to such Lender plus any accrued but unpaid interest on such Loans and accrued but unpaid commitment fees and letter of credit fees owing to such Lender plus amounts necessary to cash collateralize any Letters of Credit issued by such Lender, and upon such assumption, purchase and substitution, and subject to the execution and delivery to the applicable Administrative Agent by the Replacement Lender of documentation satisfactory to such Administrative Agent (pursuant to which such Replacement Lender shall assume the obligations of such original Lender under this Agreement), the Replacement Lender shall succeed to the rights and obligations of such Lender hereunder and such Lender shall no longer be a party hereto or have any rights hereunder; provided that the obligations of the Borrowers to indemnify such Lender with respect to any event occurring or obligations arising before such replacement shall survive such replacement; provided further that, (a) the Borrower shall have paid to the applicable Administrative Agent the fee (if any) specified in Section 11.5(b) , (b) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 12.3 , such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation thereafter, (c) such assignment does not conflict with Applicable Laws and (d) in the case of an assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent. “ Replacement Event ” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, (x) the commencement of or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee or liquidator of such Lender, or the declaration by the appropriate regulatory authority that such Lender is insolvent or such Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender, (y) the making of any claim by any Lender under Section 2.8(b) , 12.3 or 12.5 , unless the changing of the lending office by such Lender would obviate the need of such Lender to make future claims under such Sections or (z) a refusal by such Lender to execute any amendment, waiver or consent which requires to the written consent of all of the Lenders or each of the directly affected Lenders and to which the Majority Lenders, the Administrative Agents and the Borrowers have agreed (a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”).

Section 11.17 Confidentiality . No member of the Lender Group shall disclose any non-public confidential information regarding the Borrower Parties (“ Confidential Information ”; which shall include all information received from any Borrower Party or any of its Subsidiaries relating to any Borrower Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to or in the possession of the Lender Group (or any intended recipient) on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by any Borrower Party or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that, such information was or is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential) to any other Person without the consent of the Borrowers, other than (i) to such member of the Lender Group’s Affiliates and their officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors, to other members of the Lender Group and, as contemplated by Section 11.5 , to actual or prospective assignees and participants, and then only on a confidential basis, with instructions to keep such Confidential Information confidential, and provided that such parties agree to be bound by confidentiality provisions substantially similar to those hereunder, (ii) as required by any law, rule or regulation or judicial process, (iii) to any nationally recognized rating agency when required by it, provided that, prior to any such disclosure, such rating agency shall undertake to preserve the confidentiality of any Confidential Information relating to the Borrower Parties received by it from such member of the Lender Group, (iv) as requested or required by any state, federal or foreign authority or examiner regulating banks or banking and (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder.

 

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Section 11.18 Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations . If the incurrence or payment of the Obligations by any Borrower or any Guarantor, or the transfer to the Lender Group of any property, should for any reason subsequently be declared to be void or voidable under any state or federal law relating to creditors’ rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent conveyances, preferences or other voidable or recoverable payments of money or transfers of property (collectively, a “ Voidable Transfer ”), and if the Lender Group, or any of them, is required to repay or restore, in whole or in part, any such Voidable Transfer, or elects to do so upon the reasonable advice of its counsel, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that the Lender Group, or any of them, is required or elects to repay or restore, and as to all reasonable costs, expenses and attorneys fees of the Lender Group related thereto, the liability of the Borrowers or such Guarantor, as applicable, automatically shall be revived, reinstated and restored and shall exist as though such Voidable Transfer had never been made. Moreover, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the applicable Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by such Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders to make such repayment shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

Section 11.19 Electronic Transmissions . (a)  Authorization . Subject to the provisions of this Section 11.19(a) , each of the Administrative Agents, the Borrowers, the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and each of their Affiliates is authorized (but not required) to transmit, post or otherwise make or communicate, in its sole discretion, Electronic Transmissions in connection with any Loan Document and the transactions contemplated therein. Each of the Borrowers and the other Borrower Parties hereby acknowledges and agrees, and each of the Borrowers and the other Borrower Parties shall cause each of their Subsidiaries to acknowledge and agree, that the use of Electronic Transmissions is not necessarily secure and that there are risks associated with such use, including risks of interception, disclosure and abuse and each indicates it assumes and accepts such risks by hereby authorizing the transmission of Electronic Transmissions.

(b) Separate Agreements . All uses of an E-System shall be governed by and subject to, in addition to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, separate terms and conditions posted or referenced in such E-System and related contractual obligations executed by Borrower Parties or the members of the Lender Group in connection with the use of such E-System.

(c) Limitation of Liability . All E-Systems and Electronic Transmissions shall be provided “as is” and “as available”. None of Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates warrants the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any E-Systems or Electronic Transmission, and each disclaims all liability for errors or omissions therein. No warranty of any kind is made by the Administrative Agents or any of their Affiliates in connection with any E-Systems or Electronic Transmission, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects.

 

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Each of the Borrowers and the other Borrower Parties agrees that the Administrative Agents have no responsibility for maintaining or providing any equipment, software, services or any testing required in connection with any Electronic Transmission or otherwise required for any E-System.

Section 11.20 USA Patriot Act Compliance . Each Lender that is subject to the USA Patriot Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act each Administrative Agent is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrowers, which information includes the names and addresses of the Borrowers and other information that will allow such Lender or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrowers in accordance with the USA Patriot Act. The Borrowers shall, promptly following a request by any Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that such Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act.

Section 11.21 Judgment . The obligations of the Borrowers due to any party hereto shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “judgment currency”) other than Dollars, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such party of any sum adjudged to be so due in the judgment currency such party may, in accordance with normal banking procedures, purchase Dollars with the judgment currency; if the amount of Dollars so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such party in Dollars, the Borrowers agree, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such party against such loss, if the amount of Dollars so purchased exceeds the sum originally due to any party to this Credit Agreement, such party agrees to remit to the Borrowers, such excess.

ARTICLE 12.

YIELD PROTECTION

Section 12.1 Eurodollar Rate Basis Determination . Notwithstanding anything contained herein which may be construed to the contrary, if with respect to any proposed Eurodollar Loan for any Eurodollar Loan Period, the applicable Administrative Agent (a) determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate, EURIBOR Rate or GBP LIBOR Rate, as applicable, for such Eurodollar Loan Period or (b) is advised by the Majority Lenders that the Eurodollar Basis for such Eurodollar Loan Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of making or maintaining the Loans for such Eurodollar Loan Period, such Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Administrative Borrower and the Lenders, whereupon until such Administrative Agent notifies the Administrative Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such situation no longer exist, the obligations of the Lenders to make Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended, and any such Revolving Eurodollar Loan denominated in Euros or Sterling shall be redenominated and converted into, on the last day of the Eurodollar Loan Period applicable thereto, a Revolving Loan accruing interest at the Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to the U.S. Dollar Equivalent thereof.

 

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Section 12.2 Illegality . If any change in Applicable Law, any change in the interpretation or administration of any Applicable Law by any Governmental Authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or any change in compliance with Applicable Law as a result of any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank, or comparable agency after the Agreement Date, shall make it unlawful for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make, maintain, or fund its Eurodollar Loans in Dollars, Euros or Sterling, as applicable, such Lender shall so notify the applicable Administrative Agent, and such Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the other Lenders and the Administrative Borrower. Before giving any notice to the applicable Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 12.2 , such Lender shall designate a different lending office if such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender. Upon receipt of such notice, notwithstanding anything contained in Article 2, the Borrowers shall repay in full (in an amount equal to the U.S. Dollar Equivalent thereof, in the case of Revolving Loans denominated in Euros or Sterling) the then outstanding principal amount of each affected Eurodollar Loan of such Lender, together with accrued interest thereon, either (a) on the last day of the then current Eurodollar Loan Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain and fund such Eurodollar Loan to such day or (b) immediately if such Lender may not lawfully continue to fund and maintain such Eurodollar Loan to such day. Concurrently with repaying each affected Eurodollar Loan of such Lender, notwithstanding anything contained in Article 2, the Borrowers shall borrow a Base Rate Loan from such Lender, and such Lender shall make such Loan in an amount such that the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans held by such Lender shall equal the outstanding principal amount of such Revolving Loans immediately prior to such repayment.

Section 12.3 Increased Costs .

(a) If any change in Applicable Law, any change in the interpretation or administration of any Applicable Law by any Governmental Authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof or any change in compliance with Applicable Law as a result of any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of such Governmental Authority, central bank, or comparable agency after the Agreement Date:

(i) Shall subject an Issuing Bank or any Lender to any tax, duty, or other charge with respect to its obligation to make Loans, or its Loans, or its obligation to issue Letters of Credit, maintain Letters of Credit or participate in Letters of Credit, or shall change the basis of taxation of payments to any member of the Lender Group of any amounts due under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except for changes in the rate of tax on the overall net income of such Lender);

(ii) Shall impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve (including, without limitation, any imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, but excluding any included in an applicable Eurodollar Reserve Percentage), special deposit, assessment, or other requirement or condition against assets of, deposits (other than as described in Section 12.5 ) with or for the account of, or commitments or

 

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credit extended by any Lender, or shall impose on any Lender or the eurodollar interbank borrowing market any other condition affecting its obligation to make such Eurodollar Loans or its Eurodollar Loans; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any such Eurodollar Loans, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by the Lender under this Agreement or under any Notes with respect thereto, and such increase is not given effect in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate; or

(iii) Shall impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve (including, without limitation, any imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), special deposit, assessment, or other requirement or condition against assets of, deposits (other than as described in Section 12.5 ) with or for the account of, or commitments or credit extended by the Issuing Bank, or shall impose on the Issuing Bank or any Lender any other condition affecting the obligation to issue Letters of Credit, maintain Letters of Credit or participate in Letters of Credit; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to the Issuing Bank or any Lender of issuing, maintaining or participating in any such Letters of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by the Issuing Bank or any Lender under this Agreement with respect thereto,

then promptly upon demand by such Lender or Issuing Bank, the Borrowers agree to pay, without duplication of amounts due under Section 2.8(b) , to such Lender or Issuing Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank for such increased costs. Each Lender or Issuing Bank will promptly notify the Borrowers and the applicable Administrative Agent of any event of which it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof Agreement Date , which will entitle such Lender or the Issuing Bank to compensation pursuant to this Section 12.3 and will designate a different lending office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the sole judgment of such Lender or the Issuing Bank, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender or the Issuing Bank. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 12.3 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 12.3 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank notifies the Borrowers of the change in Applicable Law or other occurrence giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the change in Applicable Law or other occurrence giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

(b) A certificate of any Lender or the Issuing Bank claiming compensation under this Section 12.3 and setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder and calculations therefor shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In determining such amount, such Lender or the Issuing Bank may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods. If any Lender demands compensation under this Section 12.3 , the Borrowers may at any time, upon at least five (5) Business Days’ prior notice to such Lender,

 

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prepay in full the then outstanding affected Eurodollar Loans of such Lender, together with accrued interest thereon to the date of prepayment, along with any reimbursement required under Section 2.9 . Concurrently with prepaying such Eurodollar Loans, the Borrowers shall borrow a Base Rate Loan, or a Eurodollar Loan not so affected, from such Lender, and such Lender shall make such Loan in an amount such that the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans held by such Lender shall equal the outstanding principal amount of such Revolving Loans immediately prior to such prepayment.

Section 12.4 Effect On Other Loans . If notice has been given pursuant to Sections 12.1 , 12.2 or 12.3 suspending the obligation of any Lender to make any, or requiring Eurodollar Loans of any Lender to be repaid or prepaid, then, unless and until such Lender (or, in the case of Section 12.1 , an Administrative Agent) notifies the Administrative Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such repayment no longer apply, all Loans which would otherwise be made by such Lender as to the Eurodollar Loans affected shall, at the option of the Administrative Borrower, be made instead as Base Rate Loans.

Section 12.5 Capital Adequacy . If after the Agreement Date, any Lender or Issuing Bank (or any Affiliate of the foregoing) shall have reasonably determined that the adoption of any Applicable Law, governmental rule, regulation or order regarding the capital adequacy or liquidity of banks or bank holding companies, or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by such Lender or Issuing Bank (or any Affiliate of the foregoing) with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency (but only if such adoption, change, request or directive occurs after the Agreement Date), has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s (or any Affiliate of the foregoing) capital as a consequence of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment or obligations hereunder to a level below that which it could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s (or any Affiliate of the foregoing) policies with respect to capital adequacy immediately before such adoption, change or compliance and assuming that such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s (or any Affiliate of the foregoing) capital was fully utilized prior to such adoption, change or compliance), then, promptly upon demand by such Lender or Issuing Bank, the Borrowers shall immediately pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank such additional amounts as shall be sufficient to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank for any such reduction actually suffered; provided , however , that there shall be no duplication of amounts paid to a Lender pursuant to this sentence and Section 12.3 ; provided , further , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for the purposes of this Section 12.5 , the following shall be deemed to have occurred after the Agreement Date: (i) the adoption of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International settlements 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. A certificate of such Lender or Issuing Bank setting forth the amount to be paid to such Lender or Issuing Bank by the Borrowers as a result of any event referred to in this paragraph shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive. Such Lender or the Issuing Bank will

 

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designate a different lending office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the sole judgment of such Lender or the Issuing Bank, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender or the Issuing Bank. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 12.5 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that, other than in respect of matters covered by the second proviso to the first sentence of this Section 12.5 , the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 12.5 for any reductions in rate of return incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank notifies the Borrowers of the change in Applicable Law or other occurrence giving rise to such reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefore; provided further that, if the change in Applicable Law or other occurrence giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 270 day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

ARTICLE 13.

JURISDICTION, VENUE AND WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

Section 13.1 Jurisdiction and Service of Process . FOR PURPOSES OF ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY HERETO WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY BANK PRODUCTS DOCUMENT, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS SITTING IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK AND EACH BORROWER PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY DESIGNATES AND APPOINTS, AS ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE ADMINISTRATIVE BORROWER, OR SUCH OTHER PERSON AS SUCH BORROWER PARTY SHALL DESIGNATE HEREAFTER BY WRITTEN NOTICE GIVEN TO EACH ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. THE LENDER GROUP SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES AUTOMATICALLY, AND WITHOUT ANY ACT ON THEIR PART, BE ENTITLED TO TREAT SUCH DESIGNEE OF EACH BORROWER PARTY AS THE AUTHORIZED AGENT TO RECEIVE FOR AND ON BEHALF OF SUCH BORROWER PARTY SERVICE OF WRITS, OR SUMMONS OR OTHER LEGAL PROCESS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WHICH SERVICE SHALL BE DEEMED EFFECTIVE PERSONAL SERVICE ON SUCH BORROWER PARTY SERVED WHEN DELIVERED, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH AGENT GIVES NOTICE TO SUCH BORROWER PARTY; AND DELIVERY OF SUCH SERVICE TO ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE WHEN PERSONALLY DELIVERED OR THREE (3) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER MAILING BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO SUCH AUTHORIZED AGENT. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN SECTION 11.1 ABOVE, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THREE (3) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. IN THE EVENT THAT, FOR ANY REASON, SUCH AGENT OR ITS SUCCESSORS SHALL NO LONGER SERVE AS AGENT OF EACH BORROWER PARTY TO RECEIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF

 

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NEW YORK, EACH BORROWER PARTY SHALL SERVE AND ADVISE EACH ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THEREOF SO THAT AT ALL TIMES EACH BORROWER PARTY WILL MAINTAIN AN AGENT TO RECEIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK ON BEHALF OF SUCH BORROWER PARTY WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, ALL OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE BANK PRODUCTS DOCUMENTS. IN THE EVENT THAT, FOR ANY REASON, SERVICE OF LEGAL PROCESS CANNOT BE MADE IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED ABOVE, SUCH SERVICE MAY BE MADE IN SUCH MANNER AS PERMITTED BY LAW.

Section 13.2 Consent to Venue . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT WOULD MAKE NOW OR HEREAFTER FOR THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY BANK PRODUCTS DOCUMENT BROUGHT IN THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK, AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

Section 13.3 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY HERETO, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WAIVES, AND OTHERWISE AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY COURT AND IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM OF ANY TYPE IN WHICH ANY PARTY HERETO OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS IS A PARTY, AS TO ALL MATTERS AND THINGS ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE BANK PRODUCTS DOCUMENTS AND THE RELATIONS AMONG THE PARTIES LISTED IN THIS ARTICLE 13.

Section 13.4 All Obligations to Constitute Joint and Several Obligations .

(a) All Obligations shall constitute joint and several obligations of the Borrowers and shall be secured by the Collateral Agent’s Lien upon all of the Collateral, and by all other Liens heretofore, now or at any time hereafter granted by each Borrower to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, to the extent provided in the Loan Documents or Bank Products Documents under which such Lien arises. Each Borrower expressly represents and acknowledges that it is part of a common enterprise with the other Borrowers and that any financial accommodations by the Administrative Agents, and the other members of the Lender Group to any other Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and the Bank Products Documents are and will be of direct and indirect interest, benefit and advantage to all Borrowers. Each Borrower acknowledges that any Request for Loan, Notice of Conversion/Continuation, Notice of Requested Commitment Increase, Request for Issuance of Letter of Credit or other notice or request given by any Borrower (including the Administrative Borrower) to the applicable Administrative Agent shall bind all Borrowers, and that any notice given by such Administrative Agent or any other member of the Lender Group to any Borrower shall be effective with respect to all Borrowers. Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that each Borrower shall be liable, on a joint and several basis, for all of the Loans and other Obligations, regardless of which Borrower actually may have received the proceeds of any

 

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of the Loans or other extensions of credit or have had Letters of Credit issued hereunder or the amount of such Loans received, Letters of Credit issued or the manner in which the applicable Administrative Agent or any other member of the Lender Group accounts among the Borrowers for such Loans, Letters of Credit or other extensions of credit on its books and records, and further acknowledges and agrees that Loans and other extensions of credit to any Borrower inure to the mutual benefit of all of the Borrowers and that the applicable Administrative Agent and the other members of the Lender Group are relying on the joint and several liability of the Borrowers in extending the Loans and other financial accommodations hereunder. Each Borrower shall be entitled to subrogation and contribution rights from and against the other Borrowers to the extent any Borrower is required to pay to any member of the Lender Group any amount in excess of the Loans advanced directly to, or other Obligations incurred directly by, such Borrower or as otherwise available under Applicable Law; provided , however , that such subrogation and contribution rights are and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 13.4 .

(b) In the event any Borrower Party (a “ Funding Borrower Party ”) shall make any payment or payments under this Agreement or shall suffer any loss as a result of any realization upon any collateral granted by it to secure its obligations hereunder, such Funding Borrower Party shall have the right to seek contribution payments from each other Borrower Party (each, a “ Contributing Borrower Party ”) to the extent permitted by Applicable Law. Nothing in this Section 13.4(b) shall affect any Borrower Party’s joint and several liability to the Lender Group for the entire amount of its Obligations. Each Borrower Party covenants and agrees that (i) its right to receive any contribution hereunder from a Contributing Borrower Party shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all obligations of the Borrower Parties to the Lender Group hereunder and (ii) it shall not exercise any such contribution rights unless and until the Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash (or, with respect to Letters of Credit, cash collateralized or supported by a letter of credit) and the Revolving Loan Commitment terminated.

(c) Nothing in this Section 13.4 shall affect any Borrower’s joint and several liability to the Lender Group for the entire amount of its Obligations. Each Borrower Party covenants and agrees that its right to receive any contribution hereunder from a contributing Borrower Party shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Obligations of the Borrowers to the Lender Group hereunder. No Borrower Party will exercise any rights that it may acquire by way of subrogation hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any Bank Products Document or at law by any payment made hereunder or otherwise, nor shall any Borrower Party seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from any other Borrower Party in respect of payments made by such Borrower Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document or under any Bank Products Document, until all amounts owing to the Lender Group on account of the Obligations are paid in full in cash (or, with respect to Letters of Credit, are either cash collateralized or supported by a letter of credit) and the Revolving Loan Commitment is terminated. If any amounts shall be paid to any Borrower Party on account of such subrogation or contribution rights at any time when all of the Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Borrower Party in trust for the Lender Group segregated from other funds of such Borrower Party, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Borrower Party, be turned over to the applicable Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Borrower Party (duly endorsed by such Borrower Party to the Administrative Agents, if required), to be applied against the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, as provided for herein.

 

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Section 13.5 The Administrative Borrower . Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints Zayo as the borrowing agent and attorney-in-fact for all Borrowers (the “ Administrative Borrower ”), which appointment shall remain in full force and effect unless and until any Administrative Agent shall have received prior written notice signed by each Borrower that such appointment has been revoked and that another Borrower has been appointed the Administrative Borrower. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Borrower (i) to provide each Administrative Agent with all notices with respect to Loans and Letters of Credit obtained for the benefit of any Borrower and all other notices and instructions under this Agreement and (ii) to take such action as the Administrative Borrower deems appropriate on its behalf to obtain Loans and Letters of Credit and to exercise such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

ZAYO GROUP, LLC,
as a Borrower
By:

 

Name:
Title:
ZAYO CAPITAL, INC.,
as a Borrower
By:

 

Name:
Title:

CREDIT AGREEMENT Signature Page to

LEGAL_US_E # 95563303.13

Credit Agreement


GUARANTORS:

ZAYO COLOCATION, INC.
AMERICAN FIBER SYSTEMS, INC.
AMERICAN FIBER SYSTEMS HOLDING CORP.
FIBERNET TELECOM, INC.
LOCAL FIBER, LLC
360NETWORKS HOLDINGS (USA) INC.
360NETWORKS (USA) INC.
360NETWORKS LLC
360NETWORKS ILLINOIS LLC
360NETWORKS IOWA LLC
360NETWORKS KENTUCKY LLC
360NETWORKS LOUISIANA LLC
360NETWORKS MICHIGAN LLC
360NETWORKS MISSISSIPPI LLC
360NETWORKS TENNESSEE LLC
NORTHERN COLORADO TELECOMMUNICATIONS LLC (TA-CO)
By:                                                                                               
Name:
Title:

Signature Page to

Credit Agreement


MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR
FUNDING, INC.,
as Term Facility Administrative Agent
By:

 

Name:
Title:

Signature Page to

Credit Agreement


SUNTRUST BANK,

as Collateral Agent

By:

 

Name:
Title:

Signature Page to

Credit Agreement


SUNTRUST BANK,
as Revolving Facility Administrative Agent
By:

 

Name:
Title:

Signature Page to

Credit Agreement


[Lender] ,
as Term Facility Lender

By:

 

Name:
Title:

Signature Page to

Credit Agreement


[Lender] ,
as Revolving Facility Lender

By:

 

Name:
Title:

Signature Page to

Credit Agreement


ANNEX B

2021 Term Loan Facility

On File with the Term Facility Administrative Agent


ANNEX C

Amended Security Agreement

See attached.


Execution Version SECURITY AGREEMENT

This SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) entered into as of July 2, 2012 among the Grantors listed on the signature pages hereof and those additional entities that from time to time hereafter become parties hereto by executing the form of supplement attached hereto as Exhibit A (collectively, jointly and severally, the “ Grantors ” and each individually a “ Grantor ”), and SUNTRUST BANK, in its capacity as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as defined below) (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented, Refinanced, in whole or in part, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among Zayo Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Administrative Borrower ”), Zayo Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Zayo Capital ”; and together with the Administrative Borrower, each, individually a “ Borrower ” and, collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), the Persons party thereto from time to time as Guarantors (the “ Guarantors ”), the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lenders (the “ Lenders ”), Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc, as Administrative Agent for the term loan facility under the Credit Agreement, SunTrust Bank, as the Administrative Agent for the revolving loan facility under the Credit Agreement, SunTrust Bank, as the Issuing Bank, SunTrust Bank, as the Collateral Agent, and the other persons party thereto, the Lender Group is willing to make certain financial accommodations available to the Borrowers from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of June 28, 2012 (the “ Base Indenture ”), by and between Zayo Escrow Corporation, as issuer (“ Escrow Corp ”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as indenture trustee for the holders of the Senior Secured Notes (as defined below) (the “ Trustee ”; together with the Lender Group, the Collateral Agent, and the holders from time to time of the Senior Secured Notes (the “ Senior Note Holders ”), and any Additional Loan and Notes Secured Parties (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) (the “ Secured Parties ”) Escrow Corp issued $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8.125% Senior Secured First-Priority Notes due 2020 (the “ Senior Secured Notes ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 2, 2012 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ”, together with the Base Indenture, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, Refinanced, in whole or in part, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), by and among the Borrowers, the Guarantors, and the Trustee, pursuant to which the Borrowers assumed Escrow Corp’s obligations under the Indenture and the Senior Secured Notes and the Guarantors guaranteed such obligations under the Indenture and the Senior Secured Notes;


WHEREAS, the Collateral Agent has agreed to act as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Credit Agreement, the Indenture and any Additional Loan and Notes Agreement (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement);

WHEREAS, the Grantors have determined that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement is of substantial benefit to, and is within the best interests of, each Grantor; and

WHEREAS, in order to induce the Secured Parties to enter into the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Indenture and the other Senior Note Documents, and any Additional Loan and Notes Agreements (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), as applicable, and to induce the Secured Parties to make financial accommodations to the Borrowers as provided for in the Credit Agreement and the Indenture, or constituting Additional Loan and Notes Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), as applicable, the Grantors have agreed to grant a continuing security interest in and to the Collateral in order to secure the prompt and complete payment, as and when due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), in full and in cash, of all amounts from time to time owing in respect of the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Indenture, the other Senior Note Documents and any Additional Loan and Notes Agreements (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), and the payment, observance and performance of, among other things, (a) all of the present and future obligations of the Grantors arising from this Agreement, the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Bank Products Documents, the Indenture and the other Senior Note Documents, including under any Guaranty, (b) all other Obligations and Senior Secured Notes, and (c) Additional Loan and Notes Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), including, in the case of each of the preceding clauses (a), (b) and (c), attorneys’ fees and expenses and any interest, fees or expenses that accrue after the filing of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any Insolvency Proceeding (clauses (a), (b) and (c) being hereinafter referred to as the “ Secured Obligations ”);

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the recitals made above, the financial accommodations provided under the Credit Agreement and the Indenture which directly or indirectly benefit the Grantors, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms . All capitalized terms used herein (including in the preamble and recitals hereof) without definition herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement. Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the UCC shall be construed and defined as set forth in the UCC unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement; provided , however , that to the extent that the UCC is used to define any term herein and such term is defined differently in different Articles of the UCC, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the UCC shall govern. In addition to those terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) “ Books ” means books and records (including each Grantor’s Records indicating, summarizing, or evidencing or related to such Grantor’s assets (including the Collateral) or liabilities, each Grantor’s Records relating to such Grantor’s business operations or financial condition, and each Grantor’s goods or General Intangibles related to such information).

 

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(b) “ Borrower ” has the meaning specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

(c) “ Chattel Paper ” means chattel paper (as that term is defined in the UCC) and includes tangible chattel paper and electronic chattel paper.

(d) “ Collateral ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2 .

(e) “ Commercial Tort Claims ” means commercial tort claims with a value in excess of $1,000,000 (as that term is defined in the UCC), and includes those commercial tort claims listed on Schedule 1 .

(f) “ Copyrights ” means copyrights and copyright registrations, including the copyright registrations and recordings thereof and all applications in connection therewith listed on Schedule 2 , and (i) all reissues, continuations, extensions or renewals thereof, (ii) all income, royalties, damages and payments now and hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past or future infringements or dilutions thereof, (iii) the right to sue for past, present and future infringements and dilutions thereof, (iv) the goodwill of each Grantor’s business symbolized by the foregoing and connected therewith, and (v) all of each Grantor’s rights corresponding to the foregoing throughout the world.

(g) “ Copyright Security Agreement ” means each Copyright Security Agreement among the Grantors, or any of them, and the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in substantially the form of Exhibit B attached hereto, pursuant to which the Grantors have granted to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all their respective Copyrights.

(h) “ Credit Agreement ” has the meaning specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

(i) “ Deposit Account ” means any deposit account (as that term is defined in the UCC).

(j) “ Equipment ” means equipment (as that term is defined in the UCC).

(k) “ Event of Default ” means an Event of Default as defined in either the Credit Agreement or the Indenture or any Additional Loan and Notes Agreements (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).

(l) “ Foreign Stock Subsidiary ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2 .

 

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(m) “ General Intangibles ” means general intangibles (as that term is defined in the UCC) and, in any event, including payment intangibles, contract rights, rights to payment, rights arising under common law, statutes, or regulations, choses or things in action, goodwill (including the goodwill associated with any Trademark, Patent, or Copyright), Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, URLs and domain names, industrial designs, other industrial or Intellectual Property or rights therein or applications therefor, whether under license or otherwise, programs, programming materials, blueprints, drawings, purchase orders, customer lists, monies due or recoverable from pension funds, route lists, rights to payment and other rights under any royalty or licensing agreements, including Intellectual Property Licenses, infringement claims, computer programs, information contained on computer disks or tapes, software, literature, reports, catalogs, pension plan refunds, pension plan refund claims, insurance premium rebates, tax refunds, and tax refund claims, uncertificated Equity Interests not constituting a security (as defined in the UCC), and any other personal property other than commercial tort claims, money, Accounts, Chattel Paper, Deposit Accounts, goods, Investment Related Property, Negotiable Collateral, and oil, gas, or other minerals before extraction.

(n) “ Grantor ” and “ Grantors ” have the meanings specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

(o) “ Guarantors ” has the meaning specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

(p) “ Indenture ” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Agreement.

(q) “ Intellectual Property ” means any and all Intellectual Property Licenses, Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks and trade secrets, the goodwill associated with such Trademarks and trade secrets and customer lists.

(r) “ Intellectual Property Licenses ” means rights under or interest in any Patent, Trademark, Copyright or other Intellectual Property, including software license agreements with any other party, whether the applicable Grantor is a licensee or licensor under any such license agreement, including the license agreements listed on Schedule 3 , and the right to use the foregoing in connection with the enforcement of the Secured Parties’ rights under the Loan Documents and the Senior Note Documents, including this Agreement and the other Security Documents, including the right to prepare for sale and sell any and all Inventory and Equipment now or hereafter owned by any Grantor and now or hereafter covered by such licenses.

(s) “ Inventory ” means inventory (as that term is defined in the UCC).

(t) “ Investment Related Property ” means (i) investment property (as that term is defined in the UCC), and (ii) all of the following regardless of whether classified as investment property under the UCC: all Pledged Interests; Pledged Operating Agreements; and Pledged Partnership Agreements.

(u) “ Lenders ” has the meaning specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

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(v) “ Negotiable Collateral ” means letters of credit, letter of credit rights, instruments, promissory notes, drafts and documents (as such terms are defined in the UCC).

(w) “ Patents ” means patents and patent applications, including the patents and patent applications listed on Schedule 4 , and (i) all renewals thereof, (ii) all income, royalties, damages and payments now and hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past or future infringements or dilutions thereof, (iii) the right to sue for past, present and future infringements and dilutions thereof, and (iv) all of each Grantor’s rights corresponding to the foregoing throughout the world.

(x) “ Patent Security Agreement ” means each Patent Security Agreement among the Grantors, or any of them, and the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in substantially the form of Exhibit C attached hereto, pursuant to which the Grantors have granted to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all their respective Patents.

(y) “ Pledged Companies ” means, each Person listed on Schedule 5 as a “Pledged Company”, together with each other Subsidiary of any Grantor, all or a portion of whose Equity Interests, is acquired or otherwise owned by a Grantor after the Agreement Date.

(z) “ Pledged Interests ” means all of each Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to all of the Equity Interests now or hereafter owned by such Grantor, regardless of class or designation, including, in each of the Pledged Companies, and all substitutions therefor and replacements thereof, all proceeds thereof and all rights relating thereto, including any certificates representing the Equity Interests, the right to request after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default that such Equity Interests be registered in the name of the Collateral Agent or any of its nominees, the right to receive any certificates representing any of the Equity Interests and the right to require that such certificates be delivered to the Collateral Agent together with undated powers or assignments of investment securities with respect thereto, duly endorsed in blank by such Grantor, all warrants, options, share appreciation rights and other rights, contractual or otherwise, in respect thereof and of all dividends, distributions of income, profits, surplus, or other compensation by way of income or liquidating distributions, in cash or in kind, and cash, instruments, and other property from time to time received, receivable, or otherwise distributed in respect of or in addition to, in substitution of, on account of, or in exchange for any or all of the foregoing.

(aa) “ Pledged Interests Addendum ” means a Pledged Interests Addendum substantially in the form of Exhibit D to this Agreement.

(bb) “ Pledged Operating Agreements ” means all of each Grantor’s rights, powers, and remedies under the limited liability company operating agreements of each of the Pledged Companies that are limited liability companies.

(cc) “ Pledged Partnership Agreements ” means all of each Grantor’s rights, powers, and remedies under the partnership agreements of each of the Pledged Companies that are partnerships.

 

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(dd) “ Proceeds ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2 .

(ee) “ Real Property ” means any estates or interests in real property now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor and the improvements thereto.

(ff) “ Records ” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or which is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(gg) “ Refinance ” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, amend, increase, modify, supplement, restructure, refund, replace or repay, or to issue other indebtedness or enter alternative financing arrangements, in exchange or replacement for such indebtedness (in whole or in part), including by adding or replacing lenders, creditors, agents, borrowers and/or guarantors, and including in each case, but not limited to, after the original instrument giving rise to such indebtedness has been terminated and including, in each case, through any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement, and the terms “ Refinanced ” and “ Refinancing ” have correlative meanings.

(hh) “ Secured Obligations ” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Agreement.

(ii) “ Securities Account ” means any securities account (as that term is defined in the UCC).

(jj) “ Security Interest ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2 .

(kk) “ Secured Parties ” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Agreement.

(ll) “ Senior Note Holders ” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Agreement.

(mm) “ Senior Secured Notes ” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Agreement

(nn) “ Supporting Obligations ” means supporting obligations (as such term is defined in the UCC), and includes letters of credit and guaranties issued in support of Accounts, Chattel Paper, documents, General Intangibles, instruments, or Investment Related Property.

(oo) “ Trademarks ” means trademarks, trade names, registered trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, registered service marks and service mark applications, including the trade names, registered trademarks, trademark applications, registered service marks and service mark applications listed on Schedule 6 , and (i) all renewals thereof, (ii) all income, royalties, damages and payments now and hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past or future infringements or dilutions thereof, (iii) the right to sue for past, present and future infringements and dilutions thereof, (iv) the goodwill of each Grantor’s business symbolized by the foregoing and connected therewith, and (v) all of each Grantor’s rights corresponding to the foregoing throughout the world.

 

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(pp) “ Trademark Security Agreement ” means each Trademark Security Agreement among the Grantors, or any of them, and the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in substantially the form of Exhibit E attached hereto, pursuant to which the Grantors have granted to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all their respective Trademarks.

(qq) “ Trustee ” has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Agreement.

(rr) “ URL ” means “uniform resource locator,” an internet web address.

2. Grant of Security . Each Grantor hereby unconditionally grants, assigns, and pledges to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a continuing security interest (hereinafter referred to as the “ Security Interest ”) in all personal property of such Grantor whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located, including such Grantor’s right, title, and interest in and to the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located (the “ Collateral ”, subject to the succeeding paragraph):

(a) all of such Grantor’s Accounts;

(b) all of such Grantor’s Books;

(c) all of such Grantor’s Chattel Paper;

(d) all of such Grantor’s interest with respect to any Deposit Account;

(e) all of such Grantor’s Equipment and fixtures;

(f) all of such Grantor’s General Intangibles;

(g) all of such Grantor’s Inventory;

(h) all of such Grantor’s Investment Related Property;

(i) all of such Grantor’s Negotiable Collateral;

(j) all of such Grantor’s rights in respect of Supporting Obligations;

(k) all of such Grantor’s interest with respect to any Commercial Tort Claims;

(l) all of such Grantor’s money, Cash Equivalents, or other assets of each such Grantor that now or hereafter come into the possession, custody, or control of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party; and

(m) all of the proceeds and products, whether tangible or intangible, of any of the foregoing, including proceeds of insurance or commercial tort claims covering or relating to any or all of the foregoing, and any and all Accounts, Books, Chattel Paper, Deposit Accounts, Equipment, General Intangibles, Inventory, Investment Related Property, Negotiable Collateral, Supporting Obligations, money, or other tangible or intangible property resulting from the sale, lease, license, exchange, collection, or other disposition of any of the foregoing, the proceeds of

 

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any award in condemnation with respect to any of the property of the Grantors, any rebates or refunds, whether for taxes or otherwise, and all proceeds of any such proceeds, or any portion thereof or interest therein, and the proceeds thereof, and all proceeds of any loss of, damage to, or destruction of the above, whether insured or not insured, and, to the extent not otherwise included, any indemnity, warranty, or guaranty payable by reason of loss or damage to, or otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing Collateral (the “ Proceeds ”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Proceeds” includes whatever is receivable or received when Investment Related Property or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected, or otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary, and includes proceeds of any indemnity or guaranty payable to any Grantor or the Collateral Agent from time to time with respect to any of the Investment Related Property.

Notwithstanding any of the other provisions set forth in this Section 2 to the contrary, the term Collateral and the terms set forth in this Section 2 defining the components of Collateral (and the defined terms which such components directly or indirectly comprise in turn) shall not include, and this Agreement shall not constitute a grant of a security interest in (i) any intent-to-use United States trademark application for which an amendment to allege use or statement of use has not been filed and accepted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (provided that each such intent-to-use application shall be considered Collateral immediately and automatically upon such filing and acceptance), (ii) any instrument, Investment Related Property (to the extent issued by or pertaining to a Person other than a Grantor or a Subsidiary thereof), contract, license, permit or other General Intangible which by its terms, or under Applicable Law, or (in the case of such Investment Related Property) by the terms of any applicable organizational document or bylaws or similar agreement, cannot be, or requires any consent (which has not been obtained) to be, pledged, transferred or assigned by Grantor, or to the extent that granting a security interest therein without a consent, waiver, or amendment (which has not been obtained) would result in a breach or default under, or give rise to a right by any party to terminate, the instrument, Investment Related Property (or applicable organizational document or bylaws or similar agreement), contract, license, permit or General Intangible (in each case after giving effect to Sections 9-406(d), 9-407(a), 9-408(a) or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor provision or provisions) or any other applicable law); provided , however , that with respect to any potential Collateral described in this clause (ii) requiring a consent, waiver or amendment prior to the effective grant of a security interest, the affected Grantor shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent, waiver or amendment, (iii) any FCC License or any State PUC License, or assets subject thereto, solely at such times and to the extent that a security interest in such FCC License or such State PUC License is not permitted under Applicable Law, (iv) any Equity Interests of (x) a Person formed under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or any State of the United States or the District of Columbia or (y) a Person that is a “controlled foreign corporation” (or several thereof) as defined in Section 957(a) of the Code (any such Person described in clause (x) or (y), a “ Foreign Stock Subsidiary ”) in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such Foreign Stock Subsidiary and any Equity Interests of a Subsidiary of any Foreign Stock Subsidiary, (v) any property owned by any Grantor on the date hereof or hereafter acquired that is subject to a Lien securing a purchase money or capital or finance lease obligation permitted to be incurred pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the Indenture if (and in each case only for so long as) the contract or other agreement in which such Lien is granted (or the documentation providing for such purchase money, project financing or capital or finance lease obligation) prohibits the creation of any other Lien on such property,

 

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except to the extent that the term in such contract or other agreement providing for such prohibition is ineffective under Applicable Law, and (vi) any Equity Interests or other securities of any Subsidiary of a Grantor in excess of the maximum amount of such Equity Interests or securities that could be included in the Collateral without creating a requirement pursuant to Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act for separate financial statements of such Subsidiary to be included in filings by any direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary with the SEC.

3. Security for Obligations . This Agreement and the Security Interest created hereby secures the prompt and complete payment as and when due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), in full and in cash, and performance of all of the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or arising hereafter. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement secures the performance and payment of all amounts which constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by the Grantors, or any of them, to the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party, but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Grantor.

4. Grantors Remain Liable . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) each of the Grantors shall remain liable under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral in accordance with their terms, including the Pledged Operating Agreements and the Pledged Partnership Agreements, to perform all of the duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if this Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party of any of the rights hereunder shall not release any Grantor from any of its duties or obligations under such contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, and (c) no Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under such contracts and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Agreement, nor shall any Secured Party be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of any Grantors thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for payment assigned hereunder. Until an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Indenture and the other Senior Note Documents, the Grantors shall have the right to possession and enjoyment of the Collateral, subject to and upon the terms hereof and of the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Indenture and the other Senior Note Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is the intention of the parties hereto that record and beneficial ownership of the Pledged Interests, including all voting, consensual, and dividend rights, shall remain in the applicable Grantor owning such Pledged Interests from time to time until the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and until the Collateral Agent shall notify the applicable Grantor of the Collateral Agent’s exercise of voting, consensual, or dividend rights with respect to the Pledged Interests pursuant to Section 16 .

5. Representations and Warranties . Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants as follows:

(a) The exact legal name of each of the Grantors as of the Agreement Date is set forth on the signature pages of this Agreement or on a written notice provided to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 8.7(e) of the Credit Agreement. No Grantor conducts as of the Agreement Date, and, during the five-year period immediately preceding the Agreement Date, no Grantor has conducted business under any trade name or other name other than those set forth on Schedule 7 .

 

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(b) Such Grantor’s organizational identification number (within the meaning of Section 9-516(b)(5)(C)(iii) of the applicable provision of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the state applicable to such Grantor), and its chief executive office, principal place of business and the place where such Grantor maintains its records concerning the Collateral are set forth, as of the Agreement Date, on Schedule 7 . If such Grantor is a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, corporate trust or other registered organization, the state under whose law such registered organization was organized is set forth, as of the Agreement Date, on Schedule 7 .

(c) Schedule 8 sets forth all Real Property owned by the Grantors (and constituting ownership in fee simple) as of the Agreement Date, except for Real Property with a value less than $5,000,000.

(d) As of the Agreement Date, no Grantor has any interest in, or title to, any registered Copyrights, Patents, or Trademarks, or material Intellectual Property Licenses, except as set forth on Schedules 2 , 4 , 6 , and 3 , respectively. This Agreement is effective to create a valid and continuing Lien on such Copyrights, Intellectual Property Licenses, Patents and Trademarks and, upon filing of the Copyright Security Agreement with the United States Copyright Office and filing of the Patent Security Agreement and the Trademark Security Agreement with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the filing of appropriate financing statements in the jurisdictions listed on Schedule 9 , all action necessary or desirable to perfect the Security Interest in and to each Grantor’s registered Patents, Trademarks, or Copyrights has been taken and such perfected Security Interests are enforceable as such as against any and all creditors of and purchasers from any Grantor. No Grantor has any interest in any Copyright that is necessary in connection with the operation of such Grantor’s business, except (i) for those Copyrights identified on Schedule 2 which have been registered with the United States Copyright Office or (ii) for those Copyrights which the failure to register with the United States Copyright Office could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

(e) This Agreement creates a valid security interest in the Collateral of each of the Grantors, to the extent a security interest therein can be created under the UCC, securing the payment of the Secured Obligations. Except to the extent a security interest in the Collateral cannot be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the UCC, all filings and other actions necessary to perfect such security interest have been duly taken or will have been taken upon the filing of financing statements listing each applicable Grantor, as a debtor, and the Collateral Agent, as secured party, in the jurisdictions listed next to such Grantor’s name on Schedule 9 . Upon the making of such filings, the Collateral Agent shall have a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral of each Grantor to the extent such security interest can be perfected by the filing of a financing statement subject only to Permitted Liens. All action reasonably required by the Collateral Agent by any Grantor necessary to secure, protect and perfect such security interest on each item of Collateral has been duly taken.

 

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(f) (i) Except for the Security Interest created hereby, other Liens created by the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Indenture, the Senior Note Documents, any Additional Loan and Notes Agreement (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) and other Permitted Liens, each Grantor is and will at all times be the sole holder of record and the legal and beneficial owner, with good and marketable title (and full right and authority to pledge, grant and assign), free and clear of all Liens, of the Pledged Interests indicated on Schedule 5 as being owned by such Grantor and, when acquired by such Grantor, any Pledged Interests acquired after the Agreement Date; (ii) all of the Pledged Interests are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and the Pledged Interests constitute or will constitute the percentage of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Pledged Companies of such Grantor identified on Schedule 5 , as supplemented or modified by any Pledged Interests Addendum or any supplement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A ; (iii) such Grantor has the right and requisite authority to pledge the Investment Related Property pledged by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent as provided herein; (iv) all actions necessary or desirable to perfect, establish the first priority of, or otherwise protect, the Collateral Agent’s Security Interest in the Investment Related Property, and the proceeds thereof, will have been duly taken, (A) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, (B) upon the taking of possession by the Collateral Agent of any certificates constituting the Pledged Interests, to the extent such Pledged Interests are represented by certificates, together with undated powers endorsed in blank by the applicable Grantor, (C) upon the filing of financing statements in the applicable jurisdiction set forth on Schedule 9 for such Grantor with respect to the Pledged Interests of such Grantor that are not represented by certificates, (D) with respect to any Securities Accounts, upon the delivery of Blocked Account Agreements with respect thereto and (E and (D ) with respect to any uncertificated Pledged Interests, upon a notation that the Collateral Agent is the registered owner of such Pledged Interest recorded in the appropriate corporate books and/or records of the applicable Grantor; and (v) each Grantor has delivered to and deposited with the Collateral Agent (or, with respect to any Pledged Interests created or obtained after the Agreement Date, will deliver and deposit in accordance with Sections 6(a) and 8 ) all certificates representing the Pledged Interests owned by such Grantor to the extent such Pledged Interests are represented by certificates, and undated powers endorsed in blank with respect to such certificates. None of the Pledged Interests owned or held by such Grantor has been issued or transferred in violation of any securities registration, securities disclosure or similar laws of any jurisdiction to which such issuance or transfer may be subject. In addition, no effective financing statement or other instrument similar in effect covering all or any part of the Pledged Interests or listing any Grantor as debtor with respect thereto, is on file in any recording office, having been authorized by such Grantor, except as may have been filed in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

(g) If, except as contemplated by Section 9 , any consent, approval, authorization, or other order or other action by, or any notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person that has not been obtained is required (i) for the grant of a Security Interest by such Grantor in and to the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement or for the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement by such Grantor, or (ii) for the exercise by the Collateral Agent of the voting or other rights provided for in this Agreement with respect to the Investment Related Property or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement, except as may be required in connection with such disposition of Investment Related Property by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally, then, upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, each Grantor agrees to use it commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Collateral Agent in obtaining as soon as practicable any such necessary approvals or consent for the exercise of any such remedies and rights.

 

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6. Covenants . Each Grantor, jointly and severally, covenants and agrees with the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties that from and after the date of this Agreement and until the date of termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 23 :

(a) Possession of Collateral . In the event that any Collateral, including proceeds, is evidenced by or consists of Negotiable Collateral (except for a letter of credit or instrument with a face amount less than $1,000,000, individually, or $5,000,000, in the aggregate for all Grantors), Investment Related Property, or Chattel Paper (except for Chattel Paper in a face amount less than $1,000,000, individually, or $5,000,000, in the aggregate), and if and to the extent that perfection or priority of the Collateral Agent’s Security Interest is dependent on or enhanced by possession, the applicable Grantor, promptly upon the request of the Collateral Agent and in accordance with Section 8 hereof, shall execute such other documents and instruments as shall be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent or, if applicable, endorse and deliver physical possession of such Negotiable Collateral (except for a letter of credit or instrument with a face amount less than $1,000,000, individually, or $5,000,000, in the aggregate for all Grantors), Investment Related Property, or Chattel Paper (except for Chattel Paper in a face amount less than $1,000,000, individually, or $5,000,000, in the aggregate) to the Collateral Agent, together with such undated powers endorsed in blank as shall be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent;

(b) Chattel Paper .

(i) Each Grantor shall take all steps necessary to grant the Collateral Agent control of all electronic Chattel Paper (except for Chattel Paper in a face amount less than $1,000,000, individually, or $5,000,000, in the aggregate for all Grantors) in accordance with the UCC and all “transferable records” as that term is defined in Section 16 of the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act and Section 201 of the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction; and

(ii) If any Grantor retains possession of any Chattel Paper or instruments (except for Chattel Paper or instruments in a face amount less than $1,000,000, individually, or $5,000,000, in the aggregate) (which retention of possession shall be subject to the extent permitted hereby, by the other Loan Documents and the other Senior Note Documents), promptly upon the request of the Collateral Agent, such Chattel Paper and instruments shall be marked with the following legend: “This writing and the obligations evidenced or secured hereby are subject to the Security Interest of SunTrust Bank, as the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties”;

(c) Control Agreements. [Reserved].

(i) Each Grantor shall obtain an authenticated Blocked Account Agreement from each bank holding a Deposit Account, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, to the extent required pursuant to Section 6.11 of the Credit Agreement and Section 11.08 of the Indenture; and

 

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(ii) Each Grantor shall obtain an authenticated Blocked Account Agreement from each bank holding a Securities Account, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, to the extent required pursuant to Section 6.11 of the Credit Agreement;

(d) Letter of Credit Rights . Each Grantor that is or becomes the beneficiary of a letter of credit in a face amount greater than $1,000,000, individually, or $5,000,000, in the aggregate for all Grantors, shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days after becoming a beneficiary), notify the Collateral Agent thereof and, upon the request by the Collateral Agent, enter into a tri-party agreement with the Collateral Agent and the issuer or confirmation bank with respect to letter-of-credit rights (as that term is defined in the UCC) assigning such letter-of-credit rights to the Collateral Agent and directing all payments thereunder to the Collateral Agent, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

(e) Commercial Tort Claims . Each Grantor shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days of receipt thereof), notify the Collateral Agent in writing upon incurring or otherwise obtaining a Commercial Tort Claim after the date hereof against any third party, with a value in excess of $1,000,000 and, upon request of the Collateral Agent, promptly amend Schedule 1 , authorize the filing of additional financing statements or amendments to existing financing statements and do such other acts or things deemed necessary or desirable by the Collateral Agent to give the Collateral Agent a first priority, perfected security interest in any such Commercial Tort Claim;

(f) Intentionally Omitted ;

(g) Intellectual Property .

(i) Upon request of the Collateral Agent, in order to facilitate filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, each Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent one or more Copyright Security Agreements, Trademark Security Agreements, or Patent Security Agreements to evidence the Collateral Agent’s Lien on such Grantor’s Patents, Trademarks, or Copyrights, and the General Intangibles of such Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby;

(ii) Each Grantor shall have the duty, to the extent necessary or economically desirable in the operation of such Grantor’s business, (A) to promptly sue for infringement, misappropriation, or dilution and to recover any and all damages for such infringement, misappropriation, or dilution, (B) to prosecute diligently any trademark application or service mark application that is part of the Trademarks pending as of the date hereof or hereafter until the termination of this Agreement, (C) to prosecute diligently any patent application that is part of the Patents pending as of the date hereof or hereafter until the termination of this Agreement, and (D) to take all reasonable and necessary action to preserve and maintain all of such Grantor’s Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, Intellectual Property Licenses, and its rights therein, including the filing of applications for renewal, affidavits of use, affidavits of noncontestability and opposition and interference and cancellation proceedings.

 

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Each Grantor shall promptly file an application with the United States Copyright Office for any Copyright that has not been registered with the United States Copyright Office if such Copyright is necessary in connection with the operation of such Grantor’s business. Any expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing shall be borne by the appropriate Grantor. Each Grantor further agrees not to abandon any Trademark, Patent, Copyright, or Intellectual Property License that is necessary or economically desirable in the operation of such Grantor’s business without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent;

(iii) The Grantors acknowledge and agree that Secured Parties shall have no duties with respect to the Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, or Intellectual Property Licenses. Without limiting the generality of this Section 6(g) , the Grantors acknowledge and agree that no Secured Party shall be under any obligation to take any steps necessary to preserve rights in the Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, or Intellectual Property Licenses against any other Person, but the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party may do so at its option from and after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, and all expenses incurred in connection therewith (including fees and expenses of attorneys and other professionals) shall be for the sole account of the Borrower and shall be chargeable to the Loan Account; and

(iv) In no event shall any Grantor, either itself or through any agent, employee, licensee, or designee, file an application for the registration of any Patent, Trademark, or Copyright with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency without giving the Collateral Agent prompt written notice thereof. Promptly upon any such filing, each Grantor shall comply with Section 6(g)(i) hereof;

(h) Investment Related Property .

(i) If any Grantor shall receive or become entitled to receive any Pledged Interests after the Agreement Date, it shall within ten (10) Business Days of receipt thereof, deliver to the Collateral Agent a duly executed Pledged Interests Addendum identifying such Pledged Interests;

(ii) All sums of money and property paid or distributed in respect of the Investment Related Property which are received by any Grantor after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default shall be held by the Grantors in trust for the benefit of the Collateral and, if required by the Collateral Agent, segregated from such Grantor’s other property ( provided that if the Event of Default is an Event of Default pursuant to subsections b, g, or h of Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement, such sums of money or property shall be immediately segregated from Grantor’s other property by Grantor, whether or not the Collateral Agent requests such segregation);

(iii) Each Grantor shall promptly deliver to the Collateral Agent a copy of each material written notice or other communication received by it in respect of any Pledged Interests, subject to Applicable Law;

 

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(iv) No Grantor shall make or consent to any amendment or other modification or waiver with respect to any Pledged Interests, Pledged Operating Agreement, or Pledged Partnership Agreement, or enter into any agreement or permit to exist any restriction with respect to any Pledged Interests other than as permitted in the Credit Agreement and the Indenture;

(v) Each Grantor agrees that it will cooperate with the Collateral Agent in obtaining all necessary approvals and making all necessary filings under federal, state, local, or foreign law in connection with the Security Interest on the Investment Related Property or any sale or transfer thereof; and

(vi) As to all limited liability company or partnership interests, issued under any Pledged Operating Agreement or Pledged Partnership Agreement, each Grantor hereby represents, warrants and covenants that the Pledged Interests issued pursuant to such agreement (A) are not and shall not be dealt in or traded on securities exchanges or in securities markets, (B) do not and will not constitute investment company securities, and (C) are not and will not be held by such Grantor in a securities account. In addition, none of the Pledged Operating Agreements, the Pledged Partnership Agreements, or any other agreements governing any of the Pledged Interests issued under any Pledged Operating Agreement or Pledged Partnership Agreement, provide or shall provide that such Pledged Interests are securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction, unless such Pledged Interests are duly certificated, endorsed and delivered to the Collateral Agent in accordance herewith;

(i) Real Property; Fixtures. Each Grantor covenants and agrees that (i) upon the acquisition of any fee interest in Real Property in excess of $ 5,000,000 10,000,000 in value it will promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days of acquisition) notify the Collateral Agent of the acquisition of such Real Property and (ii) upon the acquisition of any fee interest in Real Property in excess of $ 5,000,000 10,000,000 in value, it will grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a first priority Mortgage, subject to Permitted Liens, on each such acquired fee interest in Real Property now or hereafter owned by such Grantor and shall deliver such other documentation and opinions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, in connection with the grant of such Mortgage as the Collateral Agent shall request in its Permitted Discretion, including title insurance policies, financing statements, fixture filings and environmental audits and such Grantor shall pay all recording costs, intangible taxes and other fees and costs (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection therewith. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, all of the Collateral shall remain personal property regardless of the manner of its attachment or affixation to real property;

(j) Transfers and Other Liens . The Grantors shall not (i) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, any of the Collateral, except as expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement and the Indenture, or (ii) create or permit to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral of any of the Grantors, except for Permitted Liens. The inclusion of Proceeds in the Collateral shall not be deemed to constitute the Collateral Agent’s consent to any sale or other disposition of any of the Collateral except as expressly permitted in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents and the Indenture or the other Senior Note Documents;

 

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(k) General Intangibles . To the extent that any asset purchase agreement or similar document in respect of any acquisition permitted under the Credit Agreement and the Indenture prohibits the grant of a security interest in any Grantor’s interest therein (including any provision stating that such grant would constitute a default under, or give rise to the right to terminate, such agreement), such Grantor shall use good faith commercially reasonable efforts to secure the consent to the granting of such security interest from each counterparty thereto on or prior to the date of consummation of such acquisition. To the extent that any other agreement (including any other Material Contract) contains any enforceable provision prohibiting the grant of a security interest in any Grantor’s interest therein (including any provision stating that such grant would constitute a default under, or give rise to the right to terminate, such agreement), such Grantor shall use good faith commercially reasonable efforts to secure the consent to the granting of such security interest from each counterparty thereto within 30 days of any request by the Collateral Agent to do so; provided, however, that if the applicable counterparty is an Affiliate of such Grantor, such Grantor shall be required to secure the consent of such Affiliate to the granting of a security interest within 30 days of the Collateral Agent’s request; and

(l) Other Actions as to Any and All Collateral . Each Grantor shall promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days of acquiring or obtaining such Collateral) notify the Collateral Agent in writing upon (i) acquiring or otherwise obtaining any Collateral after the date hereof consisting of Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, Intellectual Property Licenses, Investment Related Property, Chattel Paper (electronic, tangible or otherwise), documents (as defined in Article 9 of the UCC), promissory notes (as defined in the UCC), or instruments (as defined in the UCC) or (ii) any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral being or becoming evidenced after the date hereof by any Chattel Paper, documents, promissory notes, or instruments and, in each such case upon the request of the Collateral Agent and in accordance with Section 8 hereof, promptly execute such other documents, or if applicable, deliver such Chattel Paper, other documents or certificates evidencing any such Investment Related Property in accordance with Section 6 hereof and do such other acts or things deemed necessary or desirable by the Collateral Agent to secure, perfect, or protect the Collateral Agent’s Security Interest therein.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Grantors shall not be required to deliver any document or certificate or take any further action to perfect the security interest in the Equity Interests of CoBank, ACB, so long as such Investments are not acquired through the expenditure of any cash or other assets of any Grantor, other than a one time membership fee in an amount not to exceed $1,000.

7. Relation to Other Security Documents . The provisions of this Agreement shall be read and construed with the other Loan Documents and the other Senior Note Documents referred to below in the manner so indicated.

(a) Credit Agreement; Indenture . In the event of any conflict between any provision in this Agreement and a provision in the Credit Agreement with respect to the rights and interests of the Lender Group, such provision of this Agreement shall control. In the event of any conflict between any provision in this Agreement and a provision in the Indenture with respect to the rights and interests of the Trustee or the Senior Note Holders, such provision of this Agreement shall control. In the event of any conflict between any provision of this

 

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Agreement and a provision in any Additional Loan and Notes Agreement (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) with respect to the rights and interests of any Additional Loan and Notes Secured Parties (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) such provision of this Agreement shall control.

(b) Patent, Trademark, Copyright Security Agreements . The provisions of the Copyright Security Agreements, Trademark Security Agreements, and Patent Security Agreements are supplemental to the provisions of this Agreement, and nothing contained in the Copyright Security Agreements, Trademark Security Agreements, or the Patent Security Agreements shall limit any of the rights or remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

8. Further Assurances .

(a) Each Grantor agrees that from time to time, at such Grantor’s own expense, such Grantor will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be necessary to perfect or that the Collateral Agent may reasonably request in order to secure, perfect and protect, any Security Interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or that may be necessary to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any of the Collateral.

(b) Each Grantor authorizes the filing by the Collateral Agent of financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such Grantor will execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or as the Collateral Agent may request, in order to perfect and preserve the Security Interest granted or purported to be granted hereby.

(c) Each Grantor authorizes the Collateral Agent at any time and from time to time to file, transmit, or communicate, as applicable, financing statements and amendments (i) describing the Collateral as “all personal property of debtor”, “all assets of debtor”, “all assets of the Debtor, whether now existing or hereafter acquired” or words of similar effect, (ii) describing the Collateral as being of equal or lesser scope or with greater detail, or (iii) that contain any information required by part 5 of Article 9 of the UCC for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance. Each Grantor also hereby ratifies any and all financing statements or amendments previously filed by the Collateral Agent in any jurisdiction.

(d) Each Grantor acknowledges that it is not authorized to file any financing statement or amendment or termination statement with respect to any financing statement filed in connection with this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, subject to such Grantor’s rights under Section 9-509(d)(2) of the UCC.

9. FCC Licenses; State PUC Licenses; Related Collateral .

(a) The Collateral Agent’s rights hereunder (and the rights of any receiver appointed by reason of the exercise of remedies hereunder) with respect to the FCC Licenses and the State PUC Licenses and any Collateral subject to such FCC Licenses and State PUC Licenses, are expressly subject to, and limited by any obligations and/or restrictions imposed by, the Communications Act and State Telecommunication Laws, as applicable. Prior to the exercise by the Collateral Agent (or any receiver appointed by reason of the exercise of remedies

 

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hereunder) of any power, rights, privilege, or remedy pursuant to this Agreement which requires any consent, approval, or authorization of the FCC or any other Governmental Authority, the Grantors, at the request of the Collateral Agent, will execute and deliver, or will cause the execution and delivery of, all applications, certificates, instruments, and other documents and papers that the Collateral Agent determines may be required to obtain such consent, approval, or authorization. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each such Grantor will promptly upon request by the Collateral Agent (or any such receiver so appointed) execute and deliver the appropriate portions of applications to the FCC or any other Governmental Authority for its consent to the assignment of or the direct or indirect transfer of control of the FCC Licenses and State PUC Licenses issued to such Grantor and/or any Collateral subject to such FCC Licenses and State PUC Licenses and use its commercially reasonable efforts, upon the request of the Collateral Agent (or any receiver so appointed) to assist in obtaining from the FCC or such other Governmental Authority the necessary consent, approval and authorization, if any, for the assignment of or the direct or indirect transfer of control of such FCC Licenses, such State PUC Licenses, and any Collateral subject to such FCC Licenses or State PUC Licenses to the Collateral Agent or its designee upon or following acceleration of the payment of the Secured Obligations.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement but without waiving or limiting any obligations of any Grantor hereunder, neither the Collateral Agent nor any receiver appointed by reason of the exercise of remedies hereunder shall control, supervise, direct, or manage, or attempt to control, supervise, direct, or manage, the business of any Grantor, in any case that would constitute or result in any assignment of any FCC License or State PUC License or any Collateral subject to such FCC Licenses or State PUC Licenses, or a direct or indirect transfer of control of any Grantor, any FCC License or any State PUC License, whether de jure or de facto, if such assignment or such direct or indirect transfer of control would require under the Communications Laws or State Telecommunications Laws (including the written rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) the prior approval of the FCC or any PUC without first obtaining such approval.

(c) Each Grantor agrees to take any action which the Collateral Agent may request in order to obtain and enjoy the full rights and benefits granted to the Collateral Agent by this Agreement, including the use of its commercially reasonable efforts to assist in obtaining approval of the FCC or any other Governmental Authority for any action or transaction contemplated by this Agreement which is then required by law, and specifically, without limitation, upon request following the occurrence of an Event of Default, to prepare, sign, and file (or cause to be prepared, signed, and filed) with the FCC or any PUC any portion of any application or applications for consent to the assignment or the direct or indirect transfer of control of the FCC Licenses or State PUC Licenses or any Collateral subject to such FCC Licenses or State PUC Licenses required to be signed by such Grantor and necessary or appropriate under the Communications Laws or State Telecommunications Laws (including the written rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) for approval of (i) any sale or transfer of any of the capital stock or other Collateral of such Grantor or any Pledged Company or (ii) any direct or indirect transfer of control of Grantor or any Pledged Company or any FCC License or any State PUC License held by such Grantor or any Pledged Company.

 

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10. Collateral Agent’s Right to Perform Contracts . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Collateral Agent (or its designee) may proceed to perform any and all of the obligations of any Grantor contained in any contract, lease, or other agreement and exercise any and all rights of any Grantor therein contained as fully as such Grantor itself could.

11. Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . Each Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent its attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or otherwise, at such time as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to take any action and to execute any instrument which the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including:

(a) to ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in connection with the Accounts or any other Collateral of such Grantor;

(b) to receive, indorse, and collect any drafts or other instruments, documents, Negotiable Collateral or Chattel Paper;

(c) to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings which the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral of such Grantor or otherwise to enforce the rights of the Collateral Agent with respect to any of the Collateral;

(d) to repair, alter, or supply goods, if any, necessary to fulfill in whole or in part the purchase order of any Person obligated to such Grantor in respect of any Account of such Grantor;

(e) to use any Equipment, fixtures, furniture, machinery, labels, Patents, Trademarks, trade names, URLs, domain names, industrial designs, Copyrights, Intellectual Property Licenses, advertising matter or other industrial or intellectual property rights, in advertising for sale and selling Inventory and other Collateral and to collect any amounts due under Accounts, contracts or Negotiable Collateral of such Grantor; and

(f) The Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to bring suit in its own name to enforce the Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights and Intellectual Property Licenses and, if the Collateral Agent shall commence any such suit, the appropriate Grantor shall, at the request of the Collateral Agent, do any and all lawful acts and execute any and all proper documents required by the Collateral Agent in aid of such enforcement.

To the extent permitted by law, each Grantor hereby ratifies all that such attorney-in-fact shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated.

12. Collateral Agent May Perform . If any of the Grantors fails to perform any agreement contained herein (after giving effect to all applicable grace periods), the Collateral Agent may itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable, jointly and severally, by the Grantors.

 

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13. Collateral Agent’s Duties . The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect the Collateral Agent’s interest in the Collateral, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall not impose any duty upon the Collateral Agent to exercise any such powers. Except for the safe custody of any Collateral in the Collateral Agent’s (or its agents’ or bailees’) possession or control and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any Collateral in its actual possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Collateral Agent accords its own property.

14. Collection of Accounts, General Intangibles and Negotiable Collateral . At any time upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent or the Collateral Agent’s designee may (a) notify Account Debtors of any Grantor that the Accounts, General Intangibles, Chattel Paper or Negotiable Collateral have been assigned to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, or that the Collateral Agent has a security interest therein, and (b) collect the Accounts, General Intangibles and Negotiable Collateral directly, and any collection costs and expenses shall constitute part of such Grantor’s Secured Obligations under the Loan Documents and the Senior Note Documents.

15. Disposition of Pledged Interests by the Collateral Agent . None of the Pledged Interests existing as of the date of this Agreement are, and none of the Pledged Interests hereafter acquired on the date of acquisition thereof will be, registered or qualified under the various federal or state securities laws of the United States and disposition thereof after an Event of Default may be restricted to one or more private (instead of public) sales in view of the lack of such registration or qualification. Each Grantor understands that in connection with such disposition, the Collateral Agent may approach only a restricted number of potential purchasers and further understands that a sale under such circumstances may yield a lower price for the Pledged Interests than if the Pledged Interests were registered and qualified pursuant to federal and state securities laws and sold on the open market. Each Grantor, therefore, agrees that: (a) if the Collateral Agent shall, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, sell or cause the Pledged Interests or any portion thereof to be sold at a private sale, the Collateral Agent shall have the right to rely upon the advice and opinion of any nationally recognized brokerage or investment firm (but shall not be obligated to seek such advice and the failure to do so shall not be considered in determining the commercial reasonableness of such action) as to the best manner in which to offer the Pledged Interest or any portion thereof for sale and as to the best price reasonably obtainable at the private sale thereof; and (b) such reliance shall be conclusive evidence that the Collateral Agent has handled the disposition in a commercially reasonable manner.

 

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16. Voting Rights .

(a) Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, (i) the Collateral Agent may, at its option, and with prior notice to any Grantor, and in addition to all rights and remedies available to the Collateral Agent under any other agreement, at law, in equity, or otherwise, exercise all voting rights, and all other ownership or consensual rights in respect of the Pledged Interests owned by such Grantor, but under no circumstances is the Collateral Agent obligated by the terms of this Agreement to exercise such rights, (ii) if the Collateral Agent duly exercises its right to vote any of such Pledged Interests, each Grantor hereby appoints the Collateral Agent, such Grantor’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and IRREVOCABLE PROXY to vote such Pledged Interests in any manner the Collateral Agent deems advisable for or against all matters submitted or which may be submitted to a vote of shareholders, partners or members, as the case may be and (iii) each Grantor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest and other distributions paid in respect of the Pledged Interests of such Grantor if and to the extent that the payment thereof is not otherwise prohibited by the terms of the Loan and Notes Agreements; provided , however , that any and all (A) dividends, interest and other distributions paid or payable other than in cash in respect of, and instruments and other property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, or in exchange for, any Pledged Interests, (B) dividends and other distributions paid or payable in cash in respect of any Pledged Interests in connection with a partial or total liquidation or dissolution or in connection with a reduction of capital, capital surplus or paid in surplus and (C) cash paid, payable or otherwise distributed in respect of principal of, or in redemption of, or in exchange for, any Pledged Interests, in each case, if requested by the Collateral Agent, shall be, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent to hold as Pledged Interests in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement ( provided that if the Event of Default is an Event of Default pursuant to subsections b, g, or h of Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement, such dividends or cash shall be delivered to Collateral Agent to hold as Pledged Interests in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, whether or not the Collateral Agent requests such delivery) and shall, if received by such Grantor, be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, and if requested by the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion, be segregated from the other property or funds of such Grantor and be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent as Pledged Interests in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement in the same form as so received (with any necessary indorsement) ( provided that if the Event of Default is an Event of Default pursuant to subsections b, g, or h of Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement, such cash or dividends shall be immediately segregated from Grantor’s other property by Grantor, whether or not the Collateral Agent requests such segregation). The power-of-attorney granted hereby is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable.

(b) For so long as any Grantor shall have the right to vote the Pledged Interests owned by it, such Grantor covenants and agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, vote or take any consensual action with respect to such Pledged Interests which would (i) affect the grant, perfection or priority of the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, (ii) materially diminish the value of the Collateral, taken as a whole, or (iii) affect the ability of the Collateral Agent or any of the Secured Parties to realize or foreclose on the Collateral.

 

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17. Remedies . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(a) The Collateral Agent may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for herein, in the other Loan Documents, in the other Senior Note Documents or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party upon default under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected Collateral) or any other Applicable Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor expressly agrees that, in any such event, the Collateral Agent without demand of performance or other demand, advertisement or notice of any kind (except a notice specified below of time and place of public or private sale) to or upon any of the Grantors or any other Person (all and each of which demands, advertisements and notices are hereby expressly waived to the maximum extent permitted by the UCC or any other Applicable Law), may take immediate possession of all or any portion of the Collateral and (i) require the Grantors to, and each Grantor hereby agrees that it will at its own expense and upon request of the Collateral Agent forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral as directed by the Collateral Agent and make it available to the Collateral Agent at one or more locations where such Grantor regularly maintains Inventory or such other location as the Collateral Agent may request, and (ii) without notice except as specified below, sell the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of the Collateral Agent’s offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit, and upon such other terms as the Collateral Agent may deem commercially reasonable. Each Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten (10) days notice to any of the Grantors of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification and specifically such notice shall constitute a reasonable “authenticated notification of disposition” within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the UCC. the Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Collateral Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.

(b) The Collateral Agent is hereby granted a non-exclusive license or other right to use, without liability for royalties or any other charge, each Grantor’s labels, Patents, Copyrights, Intellectual Property Licenses, rights of use of any name, trade secrets, trade names, Trademarks, service marks and advertising matter, URLs, domain names, industrial designs, other industrial or Intellectual Property, Equipment, fixtures, furniture, machinery or any property of a similar nature, whether owned by any of the Grantors or with respect to which any of the Grantors have rights under license, sublicense, or other agreements, as it pertains to the Collateral, in preparing for sale, advertising for sale and selling any Collateral, and each Grantor’s rights under all licenses and all franchise agreements shall inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent in each case, to the extent permitted under applicable licenses or as permitted under Applicable Law.

(c) Any cash held by the Collateral Agent as Collateral and all cash proceeds received by the Collateral Agent in respect of any sale of, collection from or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied against the Secured Obligations in the order set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement. In the event the proceeds of Collateral are insufficient to satisfy all of the Secured Obligations in full, each Grantor shall remain jointly and severally liable for any such deficiency.

 

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(d) Each Grantor hereby acknowledges that the Secured Obligations arose out of one or more commercial transactions, and agrees that if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing the Collateral Agent shall have the right to an immediate writ of possession without notice of a hearing. The Collateral Agent shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, have the right to the appointment of a receiver for the properties and assets of each Grantor, and each Grantor hereby consents to such rights and such appointment and hereby waives any objection such Grantor may have thereto or the right to have a bond or other security posted by the Collateral Agent.

(e) The Collateral Agent may send to each bank, securities intermediary or issuer party to any Blocked Account Agreement an “Access Termination Notice” as defined in and under such Blocked Account Agreement.

18. Remedies Cumulative . Each right, power, and remedy of the Collateral Agent as provided for in this Agreement, in the other Loan Documents, in the other Senior Note Documents or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise shall be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition to every other right, power, or remedy provided for in this Agreement, in the other Loan Documents, in the other Senior Note Documents or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise by the Collateral Agent, of any one or more of such rights, powers, or remedies shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by the Collateral Agent of any or all such other rights, powers, or remedies.

19. Marshaling . The Collateral Agent shall not be required to marshal any present or future collateral security (including but not limited to the Collateral) for, or other assurances of payment of, the Secured Obligations or any of them or to resort to such collateral security or other assurances of payment in any particular order, and all of its rights and remedies hereunder and in respect of such collateral security and other assurances of payment shall be cumulative and in addition to all other rights and remedies, however existing or arising. To the extent that it lawfully may, each Grantor hereby agrees that it will not invoke any law relating to the marshaling of collateral which might cause delay in or impede the enforcement of the Collateral Agent’s rights and remedies under this Agreement or under any other instrument creating or evidencing any of the Secured Obligations or under which any of the Secured Obligations is outstanding or by which any of the Secured Obligations is secured or payment thereof is otherwise assured, and, to the extent that it lawfully may, each Grantor hereby irrevocably waives the benefits of all such laws.

20. Indemnity and Expenses .

(a) Each Grantor agrees to, on a joint and several basis, indemnify the Collateral Agent and each Secured Party from and against all claims, lawsuits and liabilities (including attorneys’ fees) arising out of or resulting from this Agreement (including enforcement of this Agreement), any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document to which such Grantor is a party, except claims, losses or liabilities resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party seeking indemnification as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction; provided , that in the case of legal fees and expenses, such Grantor’s indemnification obligations shall be limited to the reasonable and

 

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documented out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel to the Collateral Agent in any relevant jurisdiction and, in the case of any conflict of interest (as reasonably determined by the Secured Parties, taken as a whole, affected by such conflict) one additional counsel in each relevant jurisdiction to each group of affected Secured Parties similarly situated taken as a whole. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement, the Indenture and the repayment of the Secured Obligations.

(b) The Grantors, jointly and severally, shall, upon demand, pay to the Collateral Agent all the reasonable, documented expenses which the Collateral Agent may incur in connection with (i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody, preservation, use or operation of, or, upon an Event of Default, the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the Collateral in accordance with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the other Senior Note Documents, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of the Collateral Agent hereunder or (iv) the failure by any of the Grantors to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

21. Merger, Amendments; Etc. THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE OTHER SENIOR NOTE DOCUMENTS, REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE MATTERS ADDRESSED HEREIN AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by any of the Grantors herefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Collateral Agent, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. No amendment of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Collateral Agent and each of the Grantors to which such amendment applies.

22. Addresses for Notices . All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be given in the form and manner and delivered to the Collateral Agent at its address specified in the Credit Agreement, and to any of the Grantors at their respective addresses specified in the Credit Agreement or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other party.

23. Continuing Security Interest: Assignments under Credit Agreement and Indenture. This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the Obligations and the Senior Secured Notes have been repaid in full in cash, or otherwise satisfied to the satisfaction of the Secured Parties, in accordance with the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Credit Agreement, and the Indenture, and the Revolving Loan Commitment has expired or has been terminated, (b) be binding upon each of the Grantors, and their respective successors and assigns, and (c) inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Collateral Agent, and its successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (c), any Lender or Senior Note Holder may, in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement or the Indenture, as applicable, assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the

 

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Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, all or any portion of the Revolving Loan Commitments, the Loans owing to it and any Revolving Loan Notes held by it), the Indenture or the notes issued under the Indenture, as applicable, to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender or Senior Note Holder, as applicable, herein or otherwise. (x) Upon repayment in full in cash, or other satisfaction to the satisfaction of the Secured Parties, of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Credit Agreement, and the Indenture, and the expiration or termination of the Revolving Loan Commitment, the Security Interest granted hereby on all of the Collateral shall, and (y) upon the sale, transfer or other disposition to a non-Grantor of any portion of the Collateral (including Equity Interests in a Grantor), which sale, transfer or disposition is permitted by the Credit Agreement and the Indenture, the Security Interest granted hereby on all of such sold, transferred or disposed Collateral (and, in the case of a sale, transfer or a disposition of Equity Interests in a Grantor other than a Borrower, that results in such Grantor no longer being a Subsidiary of any Borrower, the Security Interest granted hereby on all of the Collateral in and to which such Grantor has any right, title or interest), shall, in each case, automatically terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral (or such portion thereof) shall revert to the Grantors or any other Person entitled thereto. At such time, the Collateral Agent will authorize the filing of appropriate termination statements to evidence the termination of such Security Interests to the extent described above. At the request and sole expense of any Grantor following any such termination, the Collateral Agent shall deliver to such Grantor any Pledged Collateral or other Collateral then held by the Collateral Agent hereunder in which the Security Interest has been terminated, and execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination. Except as provided above, no transfer or renewal, extension, assignment, or termination of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Indenture, any other Senior Note Document or any other instrument or document executed and delivered by any Grantor to the Collateral Agent nor any additional Advances or other loans made by the Collateral Agent or any Lender to the Borrower, nor the taking of further security, nor the retaking or re-delivery of the Collateral to the Grantors, or any of them, by the Collateral Agent, nor any other act of any Secured Party shall release any of Grantors from any obligation, except a release or discharge executed in writing by the Collateral Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement and the Indenture. The Collateral Agent shall not by any act, delay, omission or otherwise, be deemed to have waived any of its rights or remedies hereunder, unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the Collateral Agent and then only to the extent therein set forth. A waiver by the Collateral Agent of any right or remedy on any occasion shall not be construed as a bar to the exercise of any such right or remedy which the Collateral Agent would otherwise have had on any other occasion.

24. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

(a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ARE INTENDED TO TAKE EFFECT AS SEALED INSTRUMENTS AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE LOAN DOCUMENTS.

 

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(b) FOR PURPOSES OF ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS SITTING IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY DESIGNATES AND APPOINTS, AS ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE ADMINISTRATIVE BORROWER, OR SUCH OTHER PERSON AS SUCH GRANTOR SHALL DESIGNATE HEREAFTER BY WRITTEN NOTICE GIVEN TO THE COLLATERAL AGENT. THE SECURED PARTIES SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES AUTOMATICALLY, AND WITHOUT ANY ACT ON THEIR PART, BE ENTITLED TO TREAT SUCH DESIGNEE OF EACH GRANTOR AS THE AUTHORIZED AGENT TO RECEIVE FOR AND ON BEHALF OF SUCH GRANTOR SERVICE OF WRITS, OR SUMMONS OR OTHER LEGAL PROCESS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WHICH SERVICE SHALL BE DEEMED EFFECTIVE PERSONAL SERVICE ON SUCH GRANTOR SERVED WHEN DELIVERED, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH AGENT GIVES NOTICE TO SUCH GRANTOR; AND DELIVERY OF SUCH SERVICE TO ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE WHEN PERSONALLY DELIVERED OR THREE (3) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER MAILING BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO SUCH AUTHORIZED AGENT. EACH GRANTOR FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL TO SUCH GRANTOR AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH ABOVE, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THREE (3) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. IN THE EVENT THAT, FOR ANY REASON, SUCH AGENT OR ITS SUCCESSORS SHALL NO LONGER SERVE AS AGENT OF EACH GRANTOR TO RECEIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EACH GRANTOR SHALL SERVE AND ADVISE THE COLLATERAL AGENT THEREOF SO THAT AT ALL TIMES EACH GRANTOR WILL MAINTAIN AN AGENT TO RECEIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK ON BEHALF OF SUCH GRANTOR WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, ALL OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, ALL OTHER SENIOR NOTE DOCUMENTS AND THE BANK PRODUCTS DOCUMENTS. IN THE EVENT THAT, FOR ANY REASON, SERVICE OF LEGAL PROCESS CANNOT BE MADE IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED ABOVE, SUCH SERVICE MAY BE MADE IN SUCH MANNER AS PERMITTED BY LAW.

(c) EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT WOULD MAKE NOW OR HEREAFTER FOR THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT BROUGHT IN THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK, AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

(d) EACH GRANTOR AND EACH SECURED PARTY TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW WAIVES, AND OTHERWISE AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY COURT AND IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM OF ANY TYPE IN WHICH ANY GRANTOR, ANY SECURED PARTY OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS IS A PARTY, AS TO ALL MATTERS AND THINGS ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

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25. New Subsidiaries . Pursuant to Section 6.16 of the Credit Agreement and Section 4.08 of the Indenture, certain new direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiaries (whether by acquisition or creation) of a Grantor may from time to time be required to enter into this Agreement by executing and delivering in favor of the Collateral Agent a supplement to this Agreement in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. Upon the execution and delivery of Exhibit A by any such new Domestic Subsidiary, such Domestic Subsidiary shall become a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Grantor herein. The execution and delivery of any instrument adding an additional Grantor as a party to this Agreement shall not require the consent of any Grantor hereunder. The rights and obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Grantor hereunder.

26. Collateral Agent . Each reference herein to any right granted to, benefit conferred upon or power exercisable by the “Collateral Agent” shall be a reference to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

27. Intercreditor Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the priority of the Lien granted to the Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the exercise of the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder and under any other Loan Documents and Senior Note Documents are subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement or any other Loan Document or Senior Note Document, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall govern and control.

28. Miscellaneous .

(a) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Agreement.

(b) Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof in that jurisdiction or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

(c) Headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used in connection with the interpretation of any provision hereof.

 

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(d) The pronouns used herein shall include, when appropriate, either gender and both singular and plural, and the grammatical construction of sentences shall conform thereto.

(e) Unless the context of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document refer to this Agreement, such other Loan Document or such other Senior Note Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, such other Loan Document or such other Senior Note Document, as the case may be. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Agreement, in any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein). Any reference herein, in any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document to the satisfaction or repayment in full of the Obligations and the Senior Secured Notes shall mean the repayment in full in cash (or cash collateralization in accordance with the terms hereof) of all Obligations and the Senior Secured Notes other than unasserted contingent indemnification Obligations and Senior Secured Notes. Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns. Any requirement of a writing contained herein, in any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record and any Record so transmitted shall constitute a representation and warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained therein.

[remainder of page left blank intentionally]

 

28


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned parties hereto have executed this Agreement by and through their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.

 

        GRANTORS: ZAYO GROUP, LLC
By:  
Name:
Title:
ZAYO CAPITAL, INC.
By:  
Name:
Title:


ZAYO COLOCATION INC.
FIBERNET TELECOM, INC.

LOCAL FIBER, LLC

AMERICAN FIBER SYSTEMS HOLDING CORP.

AMERICAN FIBER SYSTEMS, INC.

360NETWORKS HOLDINGS (USA) INC.

360NETWORKS (USA) INC.

360NETWORKS LLC

360NETWORKS ILLINOIS LLC

360NETWORKS IOWA LLC

360NETWORKS KENTUCKY LLC

360NETWORKS LOUISIANA LLC

360NETWORKS MICHIGAN LLC

360NETWORKS MISSISSIPPI LLC

360NETWORKS TENNESSEE LLC

NORTHERN COLORADO

TELECOMMUNICATIONS LLC

CONTROL ROOM TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

ARIALINK TELECOM, LLC

ARIALINK SERVICES, LLC

LANSING FIBER COMMUNICATIONS, LLC

ALLEGAN FIBER COMMUNICATIONS, LLC

ABOVENET OF UTAH, L.L.C.

ABOVENET OF VA, L.L.C.

MFN INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.
ABOVENET, INC.
ABOVENET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
ABOVENET INTERNATIONAL, INC.
MFN EUROPE FINANCE, INC.
By:  
Name: Ken desGarennes
Title: Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer


COLLATERAL AGENT: SUNTRUST BANK, as Collateral Agent
By:  
Name:
Title:


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT

Supplement No. [            ] (this “ Supplement ”) dated as of [            ], 20[    ], to the Security Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Security Agreement ”), by each of the parties listed on the signature pages thereto and those additional entities that thereafter become parties thereto (collectively, jointly and severally, the “ Grantors ” and each individually a “ Grantor ”) and SUNTRUST BANK, in its capacity as the Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties (together with its successors, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, Refinanced, in whole or in part, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among Zayo Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Administrative Borrower ”), Zayo Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Zayo Capital ”; and together with the Administrative Borrower, each, individually a “ Borrower ” and, collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), the Persons party thereto from time to time as Guarantors (the “ Guarantors ”), the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lenders (the “ Lenders ”), Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc, as Administrative Agent for the term loan facility under the Credit Agreement, SunTrust Bank, as the Administrative Agent for the revolving loan facility under the Credit Agreement, SunTrust Bank, as the Issuing Bank, SunTrust Bank, as the Collateral Agent, and the other persons party thereto, the Lender Group is willing to make certain financial accommodations available to the Borrower from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of June 28, 2012 (the “ Base Indenture ”), by and between Zayo Escrow Corporation, as issuer (“ Escrow Corp ”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as indenture trustee for the holders of the Senior Secured Notes (as defined below) (the “ Trustee ”; together with the Lender Group, the Collateral Agent, and holders from time to time of the Senior Secured Notes, and any Additional Loan and Notes Secured Parties (as defined below) (the “ Secured Parties ”) Escrow Corp issued $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8.125% Senior Secured First-Priority Notes due 2020 (the “Senior Secured Notes”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 2, 2012 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ”, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), by and among the Borrowers, the Guarantors, and the Trustee, pursuant to which the Borrowers assumed Escrow Corp’s obligations under the Indenture and the Senior Secured Notes and the Guarantors guaranteed such obligations under the Indenture and the Senior Secured Notes;

WHEREAS, the Secured Parties are willing to make the financial accommodations to the Borrower as provided for in the Credit Agreement and the Indenture, but only upon the condition, among others, that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that certain Security Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, (including all annexes, exhibits or schedules thereto, as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Security Agreement ”);


WHEREAS, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Grantors have entered into the Security Agreement in order to induce the Secured Parties to make certain financial accommodations to the Borrower; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the Indenture, new direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiaries of the Borrower must execute and deliver certain Loan Documents and Senior Note Documents, including the Security Agreement, and the execution of the Security Agreement by the undersigned new Grantor or Grantors (collectively, the “ New Grantors ”) may be accomplished by the execution of this Supplement in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each New Grantor hereby agrees as follows:

1. In accordance with Section 25 of the Security Agreement, each New Grantor, by its signature below, becomes a “Grantor” under the Security Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a “Grantor” and each New Grantor hereby (a) agrees to all of the terms and provisions of the Security Agreement applicable to it as a “Grantor” thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a “Grantor” thereunder are true and correct on and as of the date hereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, each New Grantor, as security for the payment and performance in full of the Secured Obligations, does hereby grant, assign, and pledge to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and security title to all assets of such New Grantor of the type described in Section 2 of the Security Agreement to secure the full and prompt payment of the Secured Obligations, including, any interest thereon, plus attorneys’ fees and expenses if the Secured Obligations represented by the Security Agreement are collected by law, through an attorney-at-law, or under advice therefrom. Schedule 1 , “Commercial Tort Claims”, Schedule 2 , “Copyrights”, Schedule 3 , “Intellectual Property Licenses”, Schedule 4 , “Patents”, Schedule 5 , “Pledged Companies”, Schedule 6 , “Trademarks”, Schedule 7 , “Trade Names; Organizational Identification Numbers; Chief Executive Offices”, Schedule 8 , “Owned Real Property”, Schedule 9 , “List of Uniform Commercial Code Filing Jurisdictions” attached hereto supplement Schedule 1 , Schedule 2 , Schedule 3 , Schedule 4 , Schedule 5 , Schedule 6 , Schedule 7 , Schedule 8 and Schedule 9 , respectively, to the Security Agreement and shall be deemed a part thereof for all purposes of the Security Agreement. Each reference to a “Grantor” in the Security Agreement shall be deemed to include each New Grantor. The Security Agreement is incorporated herein by reference.

2. Each New Grantor represents and warrants to the Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly executed and delivered by such New Grantor and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).


3. This Supplement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such separate counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of a counterpart hereof by facsimile transmission or by other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Security Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

5. This Supplement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

[remainder of page left blank intentionally]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each New Grantor and the Collateral Agent have duly executed this Supplement to the Security Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

        NEW GRANTORS: [Name of New Grantor]
By:

 

Name:
Title:
[Name of New Grantor]
By:

 

Name:
Title:
        COLLATERAL AGENT: SUNTRUST BANK
By:

 

Name:
Title:


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

This COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “ Copyright Security Agreement ”) is made as of this [              ] day of [              ], 20[      ], among the Grantors listed on the signature pages hereof (collectively, jointly and severally, the “ Grantors ” and each individually a “ Grantor ”), and SUNTRUST BANK, in its capacity as the collateral agent for the Secured Parties (together with its successors, “ Collateral Agent ”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, Refinanced, in whole or in part, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among Zayo Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Administrative Borrower ”), Zayo Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Zayo Capital ”; and together with the Administrative Borrower, each, individually a “ Borrower ” and, collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), the Persons party thereto from time to time as Guarantors (the “ Guarantors ”), the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lenders (the “ Lenders ”), Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc, as Administrative Agent for the term loan facility under the Credit Agreement, SunTrust Bank, as the Administrative Agent for the revolving loan facility under the Credit Agreement, SunTrust Bank, as the Issuing Bank, SunTrust Bank, as the Collateral Agent, and the other persons party thereto, the Lender Group is willing to make certain financial accommodations available to the Borrower from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of June 28, 2012 (the “ Base Indenture ”), by and between Zayo Escrow Corporation, as issuer (“ Escrow Corp ”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as indenture trustee for the holders of the Senior Secured Notes (as defined below) (the “ Trustee ”; together with the Lender Group, the Collateral Agent, and holders from time to time of the Senior Secured Notes, and any Additional Loan and Notes Secured Parties (as defined below) (the “ Secured Parties ”) Escrow Corp issued $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8.125% Senior Secured First-Priority Notes due 2020 (the “Senior Secured Notes”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 2, 2012 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ”, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), by and among the Borrowers, the Guarantors, and the Trustee, pursuant to which the Borrowers assumed Escrow Corp’s obligations under the Indenture and the Senior Secured Notes and the Guarantors guaranteed such obligations under the Indenture and the Senior Secured Notes;

WHEREAS, the Secured Parties are willing to make the financial accommodations to the Borrower as provided for in the Credit Agreement and the Indenture, but only upon the condition, among others, that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that certain Security Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, (including all annexes, exhibits or schedules thereto, as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Security Agreement ”); and


WHEREAS, pursuant to the Security Agreement, the Grantors are required to execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, this Copyright Security Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Grantors hereby agree as follows:

1. DEFINED TERMS . All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement.

2. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN COPYRIGHT COLLATERAL . Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a continuing first priority security interest in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following, whether presently existing or hereafter created or acquired (collectively, the “ Copyright Collateral ”):

(a) all of such Grantor’s Copyrights and Copyright Intellectual Property Licenses to which it is a party including those referred to on Schedule I hereto;

(b) all reissues, continuations or extensions of the foregoing; and

(c) all proceeds of the foregoing, including any claim by such Grantor against third parties for past, present or future infringement or dilution of any Copyright or any Copyright licensed under any Intellectual Property License.

3. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS . This Copyright Security Agreement and the Security Interest created hereby secures the payment and performance of all the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or arising hereafter. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Copyright Security Agreement secures the payment of all amounts which constitute part of the Obligations and the Senior Secured Notes and would be owed by the Grantors, or any of them, to the Collateral Agent, the Secured Parties, or any of them, whether or not they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Grantor.

4. SECURITY AGREEMENT . The security interests granted pursuant to this Copyright Security Agreement are granted in conjunction with the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Agreement. Each Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent with respect to the security interest in the Copyright Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein.

5. AUTHORIZATION TO SUPPLEMENT . The Grantors shall give the Collateral Agent prompt notice in writing of any additional United States copyright registrations or applications therefor after the date hereof. Without limiting the Grantors’ obligations under this


Section 5 , the Grantors hereby authorize the Collateral Agent unilaterally to modify this Agreement by amending Schedule I to include any future United States registered copyrights or applications therefor of the Grantors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure to so modify this Copyright Security Agreement or amend Schedule I shall in any way affect, invalidate or detract from the Collateral Agent’s continuing security interest in all Collateral, whether or not listed on Schedule I.

6. COUNTERPARTS . This Copyright Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such separate counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. In proving this Copyright Security Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document in any judicial proceedings, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by the party against whom such enforcement is sought. Any signatures delivered by a party by facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission shall be deemed an original signature hereto.

7. CONSTRUCTION . Unless the context of this Copyright Security Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Copyright Security Agreement refer to this Copyright Security Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Copyright Security Agreement. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Copyright Security Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Copyright Security Agreement, in any other Loan Document or in any other Senior Note Document to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein). Any reference herein to the satisfaction or repayment in full of the Obligations and the Senior Secured Notes shall mean the repayment in full in cash (or cash collateralization in accordance with the terms hereof) of all Obligations and Senior Secured Notes other than unasserted contingent indemnification Obligations and Senior Secured Notes. Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns. Any requirement of a writing contained herein, in any other Loan Document or in any other Senior Note Document shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record and any Record so transmitted shall constitute a representation and warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained therein.

[remainder of page left blank intentionally]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Copyright Security Agreement to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

GRANTORS: [                              ]
By:

 

Name:
Title:
ACCEPTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY : SUNTRUST BANK , as Collateral Agent
By:

 

Name:
Title:


SCHEDULE I

TO

COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

C OPYRIGHT R EGISTRATIONS

 

Grantor

 

  

Country

 

  

Copyright

 

  

Registration No.

 

  

Registration Date

 

                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     

Copyright Licenses


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

This PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “ Patent Security Agreement ”) is made as of this [      ] day of [              ], 2012 among the Grantors listed on the signature pages hereof (collectively, jointly and severally, the “ Grantors ” and each individually a “ Grantor ”), and SUNTRUST BANK, in its capacity as the collateral agent for the Secured Parties (together with its successors, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, Refinanced, in whole or in part, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among Zayo Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Administrative Borrower ”), Zayo Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Zayo Capital ”; and together with the Administrative Borrower, each, individually a “ Borrower ” and, collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), the Persons party thereto from time to time as Guarantors (the “ Guarantors ”), the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lenders (the “ Lenders ”), Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc, as Administrative Agent for the term loan facility under the Credit Agreement, SunTrust Bank, as the Administrative Agent for the revolving loan facility under the Credit Agreement, SunTrust Bank, as the Issuing Bank, SunTrust Bank, as the Collateral Agent, and the other persons party thereto, the Lender Group is willing to make certain financial accommodations available to the Borrower from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of June 28, 2012 (the “ Base Indenture ”), by and between Zayo Escrow Corporation, as issuer (“ Escrow Corp ”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as indenture trustee for the holders of the Senior Secured Notes (as defined below) (the “ Trustee ”; together with the Lender Group, the Collateral Agent, and holders from time to time of the Senior Secured Notes, and any Additional Loan and Notes Secured Parties (as defined below) (the “ Secured Parties ”) Escrow Corp issued $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8.125% Senior Secured First-Priority Notes due 2020 (the “Senior Secured Notes”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 2, 2012 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ”, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), by and among the Borrowers, the Guarantors, and the Trustee, pursuant to which the Borrowers assumed Escrow Corp’s obligations under the Indenture and the Senior Secured Notes and the Guarantors guaranteed such obligations under the Indenture and the Senior Secured Notes;

WHEREAS, the Secured Parties are willing to make the financial accommodations to the Borrower as provided for in the Credit Agreement and the Indenture, but only upon the condition, among others, that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that certain Security Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (including all annexes, exhibits or schedules thereto, as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Security Agreement ”); and


WHEREAS, pursuant to the Security Agreement, the Grantors are required to execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured parties, this Patent Security Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Grantors hereby agree as follows:

1. DEFINED TERMS . All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement.

2. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL . Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a continuing first priority security interest in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following, whether presently existing or hereafter created or acquired (collectively, the “ Patent Collateral ”):

(a) all of its Patents and Patent Intellectual Property Licenses to which it is a party including those referred to on Schedule I hereto;

(b) all reissues, continuations or extensions of the foregoing; and

(c) all proceeds of the foregoing, including any claim by such Grantor against third parties for past, present or future infringement or dilution of any Patent or any Patent licensed under any Intellectual Property License.

3. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS . This Patent Security Agreement and the Security Interest created hereby secures the payment and performance of all the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or arising hereafter. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Patent Security Agreement secures the payment of all amounts which constitute part of the Obligations and the Senior Secured Notes and would be owed by the Grantors, or any of them, to the Collateral Agent, the Secured Parties, or any of them, whether or not they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Grantor.

4. SECURITY AGREEMENT . The security interests granted pursuant to this Patent Security Agreement are granted in conjunction with the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Agreement. Each Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent with respect to the security interest in the Patent Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein.

 

2


5. AUTHORIZATION TO SUPPLEMENT . If any Grantor shall obtain rights to any new patentable inventions or become entitled to the benefit of any patent application or patent for any reissue, division, or continuation, of any patent, the provisions of this Patent Security Agreement shall automatically apply thereto. The Grantors shall give prompt notice in writing to the Collateral Agent with respect to any such new patent rights. Without limiting the Grantors’ obligations under this Section 5 , the Grantors hereby authorize the Collateral Agent unilaterally to modify this Agreement by amending Schedule I to include any such new patent rights of the Grantors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure to so modify this Patent Security Agreement or amend Schedule I shall in any way affect, invalidate or detract from the Collateral Agent’s continuing security interest in all Collateral, whether or not listed on Schedule I .

6. COUNTERPARTS . This Patent Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such separate counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. In proving this Patent Security Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document in any judicial proceedings, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by the party against whom such enforcement is sought. Any signatures delivered by a party by facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission shall be deemed an original signature hereto.

7. CONSTRUCTION . Unless the context of this Patent Security Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Patent Security Agreement refer to this Patent Security Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Patent Security Agreement. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Patent Security Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Patent Security Agreement, in any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein). Any reference herein to the satisfaction or repayment in full of the Obligations and the Senior Secured Notes shall mean the repayment in full in cash (or cash collateralization in accordance with the terms hereof) of all Obligations and Senior Secured Notes other than unasserted contingent indemnification Obligations and Senior Secured Notes. Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns. Any requirement of a writing contained herein, in any other Loan Document or in any other Senior Note Document shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record and any Record so transmitted shall constitute a representation and warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained therein.

[remainder of page left blank intentionally]

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Patent Security Agreement to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

GRANTORS: [                                           ]
By:

 

Name:
Title:
ACCEPTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY: SUNTRUST BANK, as Collateral Agent
By:

 

Name:
Title:


SCHEDULE I

to

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

P ATENT R EGISTRATIONS

 

Grantor   Country   Patent    Registration No.    Registration
Date
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   

Patent Licenses


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF PLEDGED INTERESTS ADDENDUM

This Pledged Interests Addendum, dated as of [              ] [      ], 20[      ], is delivered pursuant to Section 6 of the Security Agreement referred to below. The undersigned hereby agrees that this Pledged Interests Addendum may be attached to that certain Security Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Security Agreement ”), made by the undersigned, together with the other Grantors named therein, to SUNTRUST BANK, as the Collateral Agent. Initially capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, the Credit Agreement (as defined in the Security Agreement). The undersigned hereby agrees that the additional interests listed on this Pledged Interests Addendum as set forth below shall be and become part of the Pledged Interests pledged by the undersigned to the Collateral Agent in the Security Agreement and any pledged company set forth on this Pledged Interests Addendum as set forth below shall be and become a “Pledged Company” under the Security Agreement, each with the same force and effect as if originally named therein.

The undersigned hereby certifies that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 of the Security Agreement of the undersigned are true and correct as to the Pledged Interests listed herein on and as of the date hereof.

 

[                                                       ]
By:

 

Name:
Title:


Name of Pledgor   Name of Pledged
Company
  Number of
Shares/Units
  

Class of

Interests

  

Percentage

of Class

Owned

  

Certificate

Nos.

                        
                        


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

This TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “ Trademark Security Agreement ”) is made as of this second day of July, 2012, among the Grantors listed on the signature pages hereof (collectively, jointly and severally, the “ Grantors ” and each individually a “ Grantor ”), and SUNTRUST BANK, in its capacity as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (together with its successors, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented, Refinanced, in whole or in part, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among Zayo Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Administrative Borrower ”), Zayo Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Zayo Capital ”; and together with the Administrative Borrower, each, individually a “ Borrower ” and, collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), the Persons party thereto from time to time as Guarantors (the “ Guarantors ”), the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lenders (the “ Lenders ”), Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc, as Administrative Agent for the term loan facility under the Credit Agreement, SunTrust Bank, as the Administrative Agent for the revolving loan facility under the Credit Agreement, SunTrust Bank, as the Issuing Bank, SunTrust Bank, as the Collateral Agent, and the other persons party thereto, the Lender Group is willing to make certain financial accommodations available to the Borrower from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of June 28, 2012 (the “ Base Indenture ”), by and between Zayo Escrow Corporation, as issuer (“ Escrow Corp ”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as indenture trustee for the holders of the Senior Secured Notes (as defined below) (the “ Trustee ”; together with the Lender Group, the Collateral Agent, and holders from time to time of the Senior Secured Notes, and any Additional Loan and Notes Secured Parties (as defined below) (the “ Secured Parties ”) Escrow Corp issued $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8.125% Senior Secured First-Priority Notes due 2020 (the “Senior Secured Notes”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 2, 2012 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ”, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), by and among the Borrowers, the Guarantors, and the Trustee, pursuant to which the Borrowers assumed Escrow Corp’s obligations under the Indenture and the Senior Secured Notes and the Guarantors guaranteed such obligations under the Indenture and the Senior Secured Notes;

WHEREAS, the Secured Parties are willing to make the financial accommodations to the Borrower as provided for in the Credit Agreement and the Indenture, but only upon the condition, among others, that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that certain Security Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, (including all annexes, exhibits or schedules thereto, as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Security Agreement ”); and


WHEREAS, pursuant to the Security Agreement, the Grantors are required to execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured parties, this Trademark Security Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Grantors hereby agree as follows:

1. DEFINED TERMS . All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement.

2. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN TRADEMARK COLLATERAL . Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a continuing first priority security interest in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following, whether presently existing or hereafter created or acquired (collectively, the “ Trademark Collateral ”):

(a) all of its Trademarks (other than any intent-to-use United States Trademark application for which an amendment to allege use or statement of use has not been filed and accepted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office) and Trademark Intellectual Property Licenses to which it is a party including those referred to on Schedule I hereto;

(b) all goodwill, trade secrets, proprietary or confidential information, technical information, procedures, formulae, quality control standards, designs, operating and training manuals, customer lists, and other General Intangibles with respect to the foregoing;

(c) all reissues, continuations or extensions of the foregoing;

(d) all goodwill of the business connected with the use of, and symbolized by, each Trademark and each Trademark Intellectual Property License; and

(e) all proceeds of the foregoing, including any claim by such Grantor against third parties for past, present or future (i) infringement or dilution of any Trademark or any Trademark licensed under any Intellectual Property License or (ii) injury to the goodwill associated with any Trademark or any Trademark licensed under any Intellectual Property License.

3. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS . This Trademark Security Agreement and the Security Interest created hereby secures the payment and performance of all the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or arising hereafter. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Trademark Security Agreement secures the payment of all amounts which constitute part of the Obligations and the Senior Secured Notes and would be owed by the Grantors, or any of them, to the Collateral Agent, the Secured Parties, or any of them, whether or not they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Grantor.

 

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4. SECURITY AGREEMENT . The security interests granted pursuant to this Trademark Security Agreement are granted in conjunction with the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Agreement. Each Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent with respect to the security interest in the Trademark Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein.

5. AUTHORIZATION TO SUPPLEMENT . If any Grantor shall obtain rights to any new trademarks, the provisions of this Trademark Security Agreement shall automatically apply thereto. The Grantors shall give prompt notice in writing to the Collateral Agent with respect to any such new trademarks or renewal or extension of any trademark registration. Without limiting the Grantors’ obligations under this Section 5 , the Grantors hereby authorize the Collateral Agent unilaterally to modify this Agreement by amending Schedule I to include any such new trademark rights of the Grantors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure to so modify this Trademark Security Agreement or amend Schedule I shall in any way affect, invalidate or detract from the Collateral Agent’s continuing security interest in all Collateral, whether or not listed on Schedule I .

6. COUNTERPARTS . This Trademark Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such separate counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. In proving this Trademark Security Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document in any judicial proceedings, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by the party against whom such enforcement is sought. Any signatures delivered by a party by facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission shall be deemed an original signature hereto.

7. CONSTRUCTION . Unless the context of this Trademark Security Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other Senior Note Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Trademark Security Agreement refer to this Trademark Security Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Trademark Security Agreement. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Trademark Security Agreement, in any other Loan Document, or in any other Senior Note Document to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein). Any reference herein to the satisfaction or repayment in full of the Obligations and the Senior Secured Notes shall mean the repayment in full in cash (or cash collateralization in accordance with the terms hereof) of all Obligations and Senior Secured Notes other than unasserted contingent indemnification Obligations and Senior Secured Notes.

 

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Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns. Any requirement of a writing contained herein, in any other Loan Document or in any other Senior Note Document shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record and any Record so transmitted shall constitute a representation and warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained therein.

[remainder of page left blank intentionally]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Trademark Security Agreement to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

GRANTORS: [                                           ]
By:

 

Name:
Title:
ACCEPTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY: SUNTRUST BANK, as Collateral Agent
By:

 

Name:
Title:


SCHEDULE I

to

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

Trademark Registrations/Applications

 

Grantor   Country   Mark    Application/
Registration No.
   App/Reg Date
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   

Trade Names

Common Law Trademarks

Trademarks Not Currently In Use

Trademark Licenses

Exhibit 10.2

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into on May 6, 2015, between Zayo Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), Zayo Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Co-Issuer ” and together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), the subsidiary guarantors party hereto (the “ Guarantors ”) and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representative (the “ Representative ”) of the several initial purchasers (the “ Initial Purchasers ”) set forth in Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement.

This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement dated May 1, 2015, between the Issuers, the certain Guarantors party thereto and the Initial Purchasers (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), which provides for the sale by the Issuers to the Initial Purchasers of an aggregate of $350,000,000 principal amount of the Issuers’ 6.375% Senior Notes Due 2025 (the “ Notes ”), which will be guaranteed by the Guarantors under the Indenture, as defined herein (the “ Guarantees ”). The Notes and the Guarantees attached thereto are herein referred to as the “ Securities ”. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and for good and valuable consideration to the Holders of the Securities, the Issuers have agreed to provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery 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 1934, as amended from time to time.

Beneficial Owner ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the 1934 Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the 1934 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 correlative meanings.

Closing Date ” shall mean the Closing Date as defined in the Purchase Agreement.

Co-Issuer ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Co-Issuer’s successors.

Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Company’s successors.


Exchange Dates ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii).

Exchange Offer ” shall mean an exchange offer by the Issuers of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer Registration ” shall mean a registration under the 1933 Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) 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, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

Exchange Securities ” shall mean securities issued by the Issuers under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities (except that (i) interest thereon shall accrue from the last date on which interest was paid on the Notes or, if no such interest has been paid, from May 6, 2015 and (ii) the Exchange Securities will not contain restrictions on transfer) and to be offered to Holders of Securities in exchange for Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Free Writing Prospectus ” shall mean each free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) prepared by or on behalf of any Issuer or Guarantor or used by any Issuer or Guarantor in connection with a Shelf Registration.

Guarantor ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include each Guarantor’s successors.

Holder ” shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own any Registrable Securities, and each of their respective successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who become registered owners of Registrable Securities under the Indenture, including any Person that acquired any Registrable Securities prior to the date hereof; provided that for purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the term “Holder” shall include Participating Broker-Dealers (as defined in Section 4(a)).

Indenture ” shall mean the Indenture relating to the Notes dated as of the Closing Date among the Issuers, the Guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as trustee, and as the same may be supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Initial Purchasers ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Issuers ” 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 Registrable Securities; provided that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder,

 

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Registrable Securities held by any Issuer or Guarantor or any of their affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) (other than the Initial Purchasers or subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities if such subsequent Holders are deemed to be such affiliates solely by reason of their holding of such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage or amount.

Notes ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Participating Broker-Dealer ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

Person ” shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

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 a 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 such prospectus, and in each case including all material incorporated or deemed by securities laws to be incorporated by reference therein.

Purchase Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Registrable Securities ” shall mean the Securities; provided , however , that the Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) when a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities shall have been declared effective under the 1933 Act and either (a) such Securities are exchanged for Exchange Securities in the Exchange Offer or (b) such securities were not tendered by the Holder thereof in the Exchange Offer (provided that the Exchange Offer was conducted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including with respect to periods during which Notes may be exchanged), (ii) when a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities shall have been declared effective under the 1933 Act and such Securities shall have been disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (iii) when such Securities have been sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule 144(A)) under the 1933 Act or (iv) when such Securities shall have ceased to be outstanding.

Registration Default ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d).

Registration Expenses ” shall mean any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Issuers and the Guarantors with this Agreement, including without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or Financial Industry Regulatory Authority registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (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), (iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and

 

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distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements and other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees and disbursements relating to the qualification of the Indenture under applicable securities laws, (vi) the fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel and any depositary for book-entry Securities, (vii) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and the Guarantors and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Majority Holders and which counsel may also be counsel for the Initial Purchasers) and (viii) the fees and disbursements of the independent public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary, any other certified public accountant of the Co-Issuer and any subsidiary of the Issuers, or of any business acquired by any Issuer for which financial statements and financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement), including the expenses of any special audits or “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance, but excluding fees and expenses of counsel to the underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth in clause (ii) above) or the Holders and 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 Issuers and the Guarantors that 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 or deemed by securities laws to be incorporated by reference therein.

SEC ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Shelf Registration ” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement ” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement of the Issuers and the Guarantors pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(b) of this Agreement which covers all of the Registrable Securities (but no other securities unless approved by the Holders whose Registrable Securities are covered by such Shelf Registration Statement) 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 or deemed by securities law to be incorporated by reference therein.

Staff ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.

Trustee ” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.

Underwriter ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.

 

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Underwritten Registration ” or “ Underwritten Offering ” shall mean a registration in which Registrable Securities are sold to an Underwriter for reoffering to the public.

2. Registration Under the 1933 Act .

(a) To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable interpretation of the Staff, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall (i) file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering the offer by the Issuers to the Holders to exchange all of the Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities and (ii) use their reasonable best efforts to have the Exchange Offer Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as promptly as practicable after such Registration Statement has been filed. The Issuers shall commence the Exchange Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC. The Issuers shall commence the Exchange Offer by mailing the related exchange offer Prospectus and accompanying documents to each Holder stating, in addition to such other disclosures as are required by applicable law:

(i) that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this Registration Rights Agreement and that all Registrable Securities validly tendered will be accepted for exchange;

(ii) the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a period of at least 20 business days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “ Exchange Dates ”);

(iii) that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest, but will not retain any rights under this Registration Rights Agreement;

(iv) that Holders electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be required to surrender such Registrable Security, together with the enclosed letters of transmittal, to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the last Exchange Date; provided, however, that, if any of the Registrable Securities are in book-entry form, such Prospectus and accompanying documents shall also specify how the surrender is to be effected in accordance with applicable book-entry procedures; and

(v) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election, not later than the close of business on the last Exchange Date, by sending to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) 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 his election to have such Securities exchanged.

As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Issuers shall:

(i) accept for exchange Registrable Securities or portions thereof tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and

(ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the Issuers and the Guarantors

 

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and issue, and cause the Trustee to promptly authenticate and mail to each Holder, an Exchange Security equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities surrendered by such Holder; provided that if any of the Registrable Securities are in book-entry form, the Issuers shall, in co-operation with the Trustee, effect the exchange of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable book-entry procedures.

The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as provided above and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the Staff. The Issuers shall, if requested by the Initial Purchasers, use their reasonable efforts to 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, subject to applicable law, to contact such Holders and otherwise facilitate the tender of Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer.

(b) In the event that (i) the Issuers and the Guarantors are not permitted to consummate the Exchange Offer provided for in Section 2(a) above because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the Staff, (ii) for any reason, the Exchange Offer is not consummated on or before May 6, 2016, or (iii) any Beneficial Owner of Registrable Securities notifies the Issuers that (A) it is prohibited by law or SEC policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, (B) it may not resell the Exchange Securities acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales; or (C) it is a broker-dealer and owns Securities acquired directly from the Company or an affiliate of the Company, then the Issuers and the Guarantors shall file after such determination date or notice is given to the Issuers, as the case may be, a Shelf Registration Statement providing for the sale by the Holders of all of the Registrable Securities and to use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as promptly as possible after the obligation to file such shelf registration statement arises. In the event the Issuers are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement solely as a result of the matters referred to in clause (iii)(B) of the preceding sentence, the Issuers and Guarantors shall use their best efforts to file and have declared effective by the SEC both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by the Initial Purchasers after completion of the Exchange Offer. The Issuers and the Guarantors agree to use their reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the earlier of (i) two years from the Closing Date and (ii) the date on which all Registrable Securities registered thereunder are disposed of in accordance therewith. The Issuers and the Guarantors further agree to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Issuers and the Guarantors for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the 1933 Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder for shelf registration or if reasonably requested by a Holder with respect to information relating to such Holder, and to use their best efforts to cause any such amendment to become effective and such Shelf Registration Statement to become usable as soon as thereafter practicable. The Issuers agree 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.

 

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(c) The Issuers shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the registration pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b). Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.

(d) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) 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 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. In the event (1) the Issuers and the Guarantors fail to consummate the Exchange Offer on or before May 6, 2016; or (2) the Shelf Registration Statement or the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective but thereafter ceases to be effective or usable in connection with resales or exchanges of Registrable Securities during the periods specified in this Agreement (each such event referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above, a “ Registration Default ”), then with respect to the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of the first Registration Default, the interest rate on the Securities will be increased by 0.25% per annum on the principal amount of Securities held by such Holder. The amount of additional interest will increase by an additional 0.25% per annum on the principal amount of Securities with respect to each 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to maximum amount of additional interest for all Registration Defaults of 1.0% per annum.

All accrued additional interest will be paid by the Issuers or the Guarantors on each interest payment date to the Holder of a global note by wire transfer of immediately available funds or by federal funds check and to Holders of certificated notes by wire transfer to the accounts specified by them or by mailing checks to their registered addresses if no such accounts have been specified.

Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of additional interest will cease.

(e) Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Issuers and the Guarantors acknowledge that any failure by any Issuer or Guarantor to comply with their respective obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) 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 will 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 obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof.

3. Registration Procedures .

In connection with the obligations of the Issuers and Guarantors with respect to the Registration Statements pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall as expeditiously as possible:

 

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(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the appropriate form under the 1933 Act, which form (x) shall be selected by the Company and (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and (z) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith, and use its best 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 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 under the 1933 Act; to keep each Prospectus current during the period described under Section 4(3) and Rule 174 under the 1933 Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with respect to the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities;

(c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, to counsel for the Holders 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, in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities; and the Issuers and Guarantors consent to the use of such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and any such Underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner described in such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law;

(d) use their best 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 shall reasonably request in writing by the time the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, to cooperate with such Holders in connection with any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holder to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided , however , that no Issuer or Guarantor shall 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), (ii) file any general consent to service of process or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not so subject;

(e) in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of Registrable Securities, counsel for the Holders and counsel for the Initial Purchasers promptly and, if requested by any such Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in writing (i) when a Registration

 

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Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendment thereto has been filed and becomes effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for 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) 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 Issuers and 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 or if any Issuer or Guarantor receives any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any event 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 and (vi) of any determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate;

(f) make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest possible moment and provide immediate notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of any such order;

(g) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);

(h) 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 may reasonably request at least one business day prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;

(i) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(e)(v) hereof, use their best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or post-effective amendment to a 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, such Prospectus will not contain 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. The Company agrees to notify the Holders to suspend use of the Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and the Holders hereby agree to suspend use of the Prospectus until the Issuers and Guarantors have amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission;

 

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(j) 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, provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders and their counsel) and make such of the representatives of the Issuers and Guarantors as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders or their counsel) available for discussion of such document, and shall not at any time file or make any amendment to the Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any amendment of or supplement to a Registration Statement or a Prospectus or any document which is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or a Prospectus, of which the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders and their counsel) shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy or to which the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders or their counsel) shall reasonably object;

(k) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement;

(l) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ TIA ”), in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, 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 execute, and use their best 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;

(m) in the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for inspection by a representative of the Holders of the Registrable Securities, any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, and attorneys and accountants designated by the Holders, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, all financial and other records, pertinent documents and properties of the Issuers and Guarantors, and cause the respective officers, directors and employees of the Issuers and Guarantors to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement;

(n) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use their best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by any Issuer or Guarantor are then listed if requested by the Majority Holders, to the extent such Registrable Securities satisfy applicable listing requirements;

(o) use their best efforts to cause the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, to be rated by two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (as such term is defined in Rule 436(g)(2) under the 1933 Act);

 

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(p) if reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, (i) promptly incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such Holder as such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and (ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as the Company has received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such filing; and

(q) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary agreements and take all such other actions in connection therewith (including those requested by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold) in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities including, but not limited to, an Underwritten Offering and in such connection, (i) to the extent possible, make such representations and warranties to the Holders and any Underwriters of such Registrable Securities with respect to the business of the Issuers and their subsidiaries, the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings and confirm the same if and when requested, (ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the Issuers and Guarantors (which counsel and opinions, in form, scope and substance, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Holders and such Underwriters and their respective counsel) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings, (iii) obtain “comfort” letters from the independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary, any other certified public accountant of the Co-Issuer and any subsidiary of the Issuers, or of any business acquired by the Issuers for which financial statements and financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings, and (iv) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold or the Underwriters, and which are customarily delivered in underwritten offerings, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Issuers and the Guarantors made pursuant to clause (i) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in an underwriting agreement.

In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Issuers may require each Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Issuers such information regarding the Holder and the proposed distribution by such Holder of such Registrable Securities as the Issuers may from time to time reasonably request in writing.

In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from any Issuer or Guarantor of the happening of any event 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 Holder’s receipt of the copies of the

 

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supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(i) hereof, and, if so directed by the Issuers, such Holder will deliver to the Issuers (at its expense) all copies in its possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. If any Issuer shall give any such notice to suspend the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Issuers shall extend the period during which the Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Holders shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions. The Issuer, in total, may give any such notice only twice during any 365 day period and any such suspensions may not exceed 30 days for each suspension and there may not be more than four suspensions in effect during any 365 day period.

The Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers (the “ Underwriters ”) that will administer the offering will be selected by the Majority Holders of the Registrable Securities included in such offering.

4. Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer.

(a) The staff of the SEC (the “ Staff ”) has taken the position that any broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities (a “ Participating Broker-Dealer ”), may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the 1933 Act and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

The Issuers and the Guarantors understand that it is the Staff’s position that if the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities, without naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the 1933 Act in connection with resales of Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the requirements of the 1933 Act.

(b) In light of the above, notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors agree that the provisions of this Agreement as they relate to a Shelf Registration shall also apply to an Exchange Offer Registration to the extent, and with such reasonable modifications thereto as may be, reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or by one or more Participating Broker-Dealers, in each case as provided in clause (ii) below, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers consistent with the positions of the Staff recited in Section 4(a) above; provided that:

(i) the Issuers and the Guarantors shall not be required to amend or supplement the

 

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Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as would otherwise be contemplated by Section 3(i), for a period exceeding 180 days after the last Exchange Date (as such period may be extended pursuant to the penultimate paragraph of Section 3 of this Agreement) and Participating Broker-Dealers shall not be authorized by the Issuers or the Guarantors to deliver and shall not deliver such Prospectus after such period in connection with the resales contemplated by this Section 4; and

(ii) the application of the Shelf Registration procedures set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement to an Exchange Offer Registration, to the extent not required by the positions of the Staff of the SEC or the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, will be in conformity with the reasonable request to the Issuers and the Guarantors by the Initial Purchasers or with the reasonable request in writing to the Issuers and the Guarantors by one or more broker-dealers who certify to the Initial Purchasers, on one hand, and the Issuers and the Guarantors, on the other hand, in writing that they anticipate that they will be Participating Broker-Dealers; and provided further that, in connection with such application of the Shelf Registration procedures set forth in Section 3 to an Exchange Offer Registration, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall be obligated (x) to deal only with one entity representing the Participating Broker-Dealers, which shall be Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC unless it elects not to act as such representative, (y) to pay the fees and expenses of only one counsel representing the Participating Broker-Dealers, which shall be counsel to the Initial Purchasers unless such counsel elects not to so act and (z) to cause to be delivered only one, if any, “comfort” letter from the independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary, one “comfort” letter from each of the other certified public accountants of the Co-Issuer and any subsidiary of the Issuers, or of any business acquired by the Issuers for which financial statements and financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement) with respect to the Prospectus in the form existing on the last Exchange Date and with respect to each subsequent amendment or supplement, if any, effected during the period specified in clause (i) above.

(c) The Initial Purchasers shall have no liability to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any Holder with respect to any request that they may make pursuant to Section 4(b) above.

 

  5. Indemnification and Contribution .

(a) The Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchasers and their affiliates, each Holder and each Person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser or any Holder within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, from and against all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Initial Purchasers or any of their affiliates, any Holder or any such controlling or affiliated Person in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) pursuant to which Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities were registered under the 1933 Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated

 

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therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Issuers or the Guarantors shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any Free Writing Prospectus taken together with the Prospectus or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to any Initial Purchaser or any Holder furnished to the Company in writing through Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC or any selling Holder expressly for use therein. In connection with any Underwritten Offering permitted by Section 3, the Issuers and the Guarantors will also, jointly and severally, indemnify the Underwriters, if any, selling brokers, dealers and similar securities industry professionals participating in the distribution, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such Persons (within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders, if requested in connection with any Registration Statement.

(b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Initial Purchasers and their affiliates, and the other selling Holders, and each of their respective directors, officers who sign the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Issuers, the Guarantors, any Initial Purchaser and any other selling Holder within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Issuers and the Guarantors to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, but only with reference to information relating to such Holder furnished to the Company in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Free Writing Prospectus.

(c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) above, such Person (the “ indemnified party ”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “ indemnifying party ”) in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (a) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Initial Purchasers and all Persons, if any, who control any Initial Purchaser within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, (b) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Issuers and the Guarantors and

 

14


their respective directors and officers who sign the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Issuers or the Guarantors within the meaning of either such Section and (c) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Holders and all Persons, if any, who control any Holder within the meaning of either such Section, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In such case involving the Initial Purchasers and Persons who control the Initial Purchasers, such firm shall be designated in writing by Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. In such case involving the Holders and such Persons who control Holders, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Majority Holders. In all other cases, such firm shall be designated by the Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent but, if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which such indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this Section 5 is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified party or parties on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Issuers and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuers and the Guarantors, on the one hand, or by the Holders, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Holders’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5(d) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Registrable Securities of such Holder that were registered pursuant to a Registration Statement.

(e) The Issuers and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and each Holder, on the other hand, agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, no Holder shall be required to indemnify or contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which Registrable Securities were sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such

 

15


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. The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.

The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 5 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers or any of their affiliates, any Holder or any Person controlling any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, or by or on behalf of any Issuer or Guarantor or their respective officers or directors or any Person controlling the Issuers or Guarantors, (iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and (iv) any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

6. Miscellaneous .

(a) No Inconsistent Agreements . The Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, represent, warrant and agree that neither the Issuers nor any Guarantor has entered into, and on or after the date of this Agreement will not enter into, any agreement which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, represent, warrant and agree that the rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not and will not in any way conflict with and are and will not be not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the other issued and outstanding securities of any Issuer or Guarantor under any such agreements.

(b) 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 Issuers 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 consent; provided , however , that no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder.

(c) 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, electronic mail or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) 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 6(c), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial Purchasers, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and (ii) if to the Issuers or Guarantors, initially at the Company’s address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c).

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied or emailed; and on the next business day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

 

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Copies of all such notices, demands, or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the address specified in the Indenture.

(d) Successors 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. 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 and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof. The Initial Purchasers (in their capacity as Initial Purchasers) shall have no liability or obligation to the Issuers or Guarantors with respect to any failure by a Holder to comply with, or any breach by any Holder of, any of the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement.

(e) Purchases and Sales of Securities . The Company shall not, and shall use its best efforts to cause its affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) not to, purchase and then resell or otherwise transfer any Securities.

(f) Third Party Beneficiary . The Holders shall be third party beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Issuers 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 or the rights of Holders hereunder.

(g) 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.

(h) Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(i) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

(j) 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 the date first written above.

 

ZAYO GROUP, LLC
By: /s/ Ken desGarennes
Name: Ken desGarennes
Title: Chief Financial Officer
ZAYO CAPITAL, INC.
By: /s/ Ken desGarennes
Name: Ken desGarennes
Title: Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


ABOVENET COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
ACCESS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
COLO FACILITIES ATLANTA, LLC
FIBERLINK, LLC
FIBERNET TELECOM, INC.
IDEATEK SYSTEMS, INC.
LATISYS SPV, INC.
LATISYS-ASHBURN, LLC
LATISYS-ASHBURN HOLDINGS CORP.
LATISYS-CHICAGO, LLC
LATISYS-CHICAGO HOLDINGS CORP.
LATISYS CORP.
LATISYS-DENVER, LLC
LATISYS HOLDINGS CORP.
LATISYS-IRVINE, LLC
LATISYS-IRVINE PROPERTIES, LLC
LOCAL FIBER, LLC
USCARRIER, LLC
ZAYO COLOCATION, LLC
ZAYO CORELINK ACQUISITION SUB, LLC
ZAYO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC
By: /s/ Ken desGarennes
Name: Ken desGarennes
Title: Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


Confirmed and accepted as of

the date first above written:

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

By: /s/ Reagan C. Phillip
Name: Reagan C. Phillip
Title: Authorized Signatory

As Representative of the several Initial Purchasers

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

Exhibit 99.1

Zayo Group, LLC Announces Proposed Senior Notes Offering and Term Loan Amendment

 

 

BOULDER, Colo. – May 1, 2015 – Zayo Group, LLC (“Zayo”), a subsidiary of Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ZAYO) and international provider of Bandwidth Infrastructure services, announced today that it intends to offer, subject to market and other conditions, $350 million of Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Senior Notes”).

Concurrent with the closing of the 2025 Senior Notes offering, Zayo expects to enter into an amendment and restatement of its Credit Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), which is anticipated to reduce Zayo’s interest expense, extend the maturity of the term loan facility (the “Term Loan”) to 2021, align certain covenants with Zayo’s recently issued 6.00% Senior Notes due 2023, and add additional covenant flexibility. However, the terms of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are not yet final and are subject to change. We can give no assurance regarding the final terms of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement or that the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement will be completed.

Zayo intends to use the net proceeds from the 2025 Senior Notes offering to repay approximately $345 million of Term Loan borrowings.

The 2025 Senior Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and are being offered and sold in the United States only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to certain non-U.S. persons in transactions outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. Prospective purchasers that are qualified institutional buyers are hereby notified that the sellers of the 2025 Senior Notes may be relying on the exemption from the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Zayo’s plans, intentions and expectations. Such statements are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks include, but are not limited to, market conditions and


other factors that could affect Zayo’s ability to complete the proposed debt offering. A more extensive discussion of the risk factors that could impact these areas and Zayo’s overall business and financial performance can be found in Zayo’s reports and other filings filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these concerns, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

About Zayo Group

Based in Boulder, Colo., Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZAYO) is a publicly traded company that provides comprehensive Bandwidth Infrastructure services in over 300 markets throughout the US and Europe. Zayo delivers a suite of dark fiber, mobile infrastructure, and cloud & connectivity services to wireline and wireless customers, datacenters, Internet content providers, high-bandwidth enterprises, and government agencies across its robust 82,000 route mile network. Zayo also offers 45 carrier-neutral datacenter facilities across the US and France. Zayo was the first to offer bandwidth shopping and buying in under 2 minutes through Tranzact.

 

2

Exhibit 99.2

Zayo Group, LLC Prices $350M Senior Notes Offering and Finalizes $1.65B Term Loan Amendment

 

 

Boulder, Colo. – May 1, 2015  – Zayo Group, LLC (“Zayo”), a subsidiary of Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ZAYO) and international provider of Bandwidth Infrastructure services, announced today the pricing of its offering of $350 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Senior Notes”) and the finalizing of the amendment of its Credit Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”). The note offering and the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are expected to close on or about May 6, 2015, subject to the satisfaction of various customary closing conditions.

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement will reduce Zayo’s interest expense, extend the maturity of the term loan facility (the “Term Loan”) to 2021, align certain covenants with Zayo’s recently issued 6.00% Senior Notes due 2023, and add additional covenant flexibility.

Zayo intends to use the net proceeds from the 2025 Senior Notes offering to repay approximately $345 million of Term Loan borrowings.

The 2025 Senior Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and are being offered and sold in the United States only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to certain non-U.S. persons in transactions outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Zayo’s plans, intentions and expectations. Such statements are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks include, but are not limited to, market conditions and other factors that could affect Zayo’s ability to complete the proposed debt offering. A more extensive discussion of the risk factors that could impact these areas and Zayo’s overall business and financial performance can be found in Zayo’s reports and other filings filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these concerns, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.


About Zayo Group

Based in Boulder, Colo., Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZAYO) is a publicly traded company that provides comprehensive Bandwidth Infrastructure services in over 320 markets throughout the US and Europe. Zayo delivers a suite of dark fiber, mobile infrastructure, and cloud & connectivity services to wireline and wireless customers, datacenters, Internet content providers, high-bandwidth enterprises, and government agencies across its robust 84,000 route mile network. The company also offers 45 carrier-neutral datacenter facilities across the US and France. Zayo was the first to offer bandwidth shopping and buying in under 2 minutes through Tranzact.

 

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Exhibit 99.3

Zayo Group, LLC Closes $350 Million Senior Notes Offering and $1.65 Billion Term Loan Amendment

Boulder, Colo. – May 6, 2015 – Zayo Group, LLC (“Zayo”), a subsidiary of Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZAYO) and international provider of Bandwidth Infrastructure services, announced today that it has closed its previously announced offering of $350 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Senior Notes”) and completed the amendment of its Credit Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) pursuant to an Amendment and Restatement Agreement.

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement reduces Zayo’s interest expense, extends the maturity of the term loan facility (the “Term Loan”) to 2021, aligns certain covenants with Zayo’s recently issued 6.00% Senior Notes due 2023, and adds additional covenant flexibility.

Zayo has applied the net proceeds from the offering to repay approximately $345 million of Term Loan borrowings.

The 2025 Senior Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and are being offered and sold in the United States only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to certain non-U.S. persons in transactions outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Zayo’s plans, intentions and expectations. Such statements are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks include, but are not limited to, market conditions and other factors that could affect Zayo’s ability to complete the proposed debt offering. A more extensive discussion of the risk factors that could impact these areas and Zayo’s overall business and financial performance can be found in Zayo’s reports and other filings filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these concerns, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

About Zayo Group

Based in Boulder, Colo., Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZAYO) is a publicly traded company that provides comprehensive Bandwidth Infrastructure services in over 320 markets throughout the US and Europe. Zayo delivers a suite of dark fiber, mobile infrastructure, and cloud & connectivity services to wireline and wireless customers, datacenters, Internet content providers, high-bandwidth enterprises, and government agencies across its robust 84,000 route mile network. The company also offers 45 carrier-neutral datacenter facilities across the US and France. Zayo was the first to offer bandwidth shopping and buying in under 2 minutes through Tranzact.