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): July 20, 2017

 

 

Crown Castle International Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001–16441   76-0470458

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

1220 Augusta Drive, Suite 600

Houston, TX

  77057
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 570-3000

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


ITEM 1.01. ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.

Offering of Common Stock

On July 20, 2017, Crown Castle International Corp. (“Company”) entered into an underwriting agreement (“Common Stock Underwriting Agreement”) with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named on Schedule I thereto (“Common Stock Underwriters”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Common Stock Underwriters an aggregate of 36,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), in a registered public offering (“Common Stock Offering”) pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration File No. 333-203074) (“Shelf Registration Statement”). Pursuant to the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted the Common Stock Underwriters an option to purchase an additional 3,650,000 shares of Common Stock, which option was exercised in full on July 21, 2017. For a complete description of the terms and conditions of the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement, please refer to the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Offering of 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A

On July 20, 2017, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (“Preferred Stock Underwriting Agreement”) with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as the representatives of the several underwriters named on Schedule I thereto (“Preferred Stock Underwriters”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Preferred Stock Underwriters an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of its 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, liquidation preference $1,000.00 per share, par value $0.01 per share (“Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”), in a registered public offering pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement (“Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering”). Pursuant to the Preferred Stock Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted the Preferred Stock Underwriters an option to purchase an additional 150,000 shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, which option was exercised in full on July 21, 2017. For a complete description of the terms and conditions of the Preferred Stock Underwriting Agreement, please refer to the Preferred Stock Underwriting Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 1.2 hereto, and is incorporated herein by reference.

On July 26, 2017, the Company closed the Common Stock Offering and the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering.

ITEM 3.03. MATERIAL MODIFICATION TO RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

On July 26, 2017, the Company filed a Certificate of Designations (“Certificate of Designations”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to establish the preferences, limitations and relative rights of its Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The Certificate of Designations became effective upon filing, and a copy is filed as Exhibit 3.2 hereto, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Subject to certain exceptions, so long as any Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock remains outstanding, no dividend or distribution shall be declared or paid on the shares of the Common Stock or any other class or series of junior stock, and no Common Stock or any other class or series of junior stock shall be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends for all preceding dividend periods have been declared and paid upon, or a sufficient sum of cash or number of shares of the Common Stock has been set apart for the payment of such dividends upon, all outstanding shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

In addition, upon the Company’s voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, each holder of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a liquidation preference in the amount of $1,000.00 per share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid dividends on the shares to but excluding the date fixed for liquidation, winding-up or dissolution to be paid out of the Company’s assets legally available for distribution to the Company’s stockholders, after satisfaction of liabilities to the Company’s creditors and holders of shares of any senior stock and before any payment or distribution is made to holders of junior stock (including the Common Stock).


The terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, including such restrictions, are more fully described in the Certificate of Designations.

ITEM 5.03. AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR.

On July 26, 2017, the Company filed the Certificate of Designations with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to establish the preferences, limitations and relative rights of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The Certificate of Designations became effective upon filing, and a copy is filed as Exhibit 3.2 hereto, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Prior to filing the Certificate of Designations establishing the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, the Company filed a Certificate of Elimination (“Certificate of Elimination”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 20, 2017. The Certificate of Elimination eliminated from the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation all matters set forth in the Certificate of Designations of the 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, dated October 28, 2013. No shares of preferred stock were issued or outstanding at the time of the filing of the Certificate of Elimination. A copy of the Certificate of Elimination is filed as Exhibit 3.3 hereto, and is incorporated herein by reference.

After filing the Certificate of Elimination and prior to filing the Certificate of Designations, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a Restated Certificate of Incorporation solely to remove all provisions relating to the 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company. A copy of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company is filed as Exhibit 3.1 hereto, and is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 8.01. OTHER EVENTS.

In connection with the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering, the Company is filing the Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Dividends on Preferred Stock and Losses on Purchases of Preferred Stock for each of the five years ended December 31, 2016 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as Exhibit 12.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

On July 26, 2017, the Company issued a press release announcing it has closed the Common Stock Offering and the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering. The Common Stock Offering and the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering generated net proceeds of approximately $3.755 billion and $1.606 billion, respectively, in each case after underwriting discounts and offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company’s press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

1.1    Underwriting Agreement relating to the Common Stock, dated July 20, 2017, among Crown Castle International Corp. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters
1.2    Underwriting Agreement relating to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, dated July 20, 2017, among Crown Castle International Corp. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters
3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Crown Castle International Corp., dated July 20, 2017
3.2    Certificate of Designations of the 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, of Crown Castle International Corp., filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and effective July 26, 2017
3.3    Certificate of Elimination of Certificate of Designations of the 4.50% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of Crown Castle International Corp., dated October 28, 2013
5.1    Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, relating to the Company’s Common Stock (including the consent required with respect thereto)
5.2    Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, relating to the Company’s 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (including the consent required with respect thereto)
8.1    Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP as to certain tax matters relating to the Company’s Common Stock (including the consent required with respect thereto)
8.2    Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP as to certain tax matters relating to the Company’s 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (including the consent required with respect thereto)
8.3    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to certain tax matters relating to the Company’s Common Stock (including the consent required with respect thereto)
8.4    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to certain tax matters relating to the Company’s 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (including the consent required with respect thereto)
12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Dividends on Preferred Stock and Losses on Purchases of Preferred Stock
23.1    Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2    Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2)
23.3    Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1)
23.4    Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 8.2)
23.5    Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 8.3)
23.6    Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 8.4)
99.1    Press release relating to the closing of the concurrent offerings of the Company’s common stock and Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, dated July 26, 2017


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.

 

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.

By:

 

/s/ Kenneth J. Simon

  Name:   Kenneth J. Simon
  Title:   Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Date: July 26, 2017


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

1.1    Underwriting Agreement relating to the Common Stock, dated July 20, 2017, among Crown Castle International Corp. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters
1.2    Underwriting Agreement relating to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, dated July 20, 2017, among Crown Castle International Corp. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters
3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Crown Castle International Corp., dated July 20, 2017
3.2    Certificate of Designations of the 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, of Crown Castle International Corp., filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and effective July 26, 2017
3.3    Certificate of Elimination of Certificate of Designations of the 4.50% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of Crown Castle International Corp., dated October 28, 2013
5.1    Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, relating to the Company’s Common Stock (including the consent required with respect thereto)
5.2    Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, relating to the Company’s 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (including the consent required with respect thereto)
8.1    Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP as to certain tax matters relating to the Company’s Common Stock (including the consent required with respect thereto)
8.2    Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP as to certain tax matters relating to the Company’s 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (including the consent required with respect thereto)
8.3    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to certain tax matters relating to the Company’s Common Stock (including the consent required with respect thereto)
8.4    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to certain tax matters relating to the Company’s 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (including the consent required with respect thereto)
12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Dividends on Preferred Stock and Losses on Purchases of Preferred Stock
23.1    Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2    Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2)
23.3    Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1)
23.4    Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 8.2)
23.5    Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 8.3)
23.6    Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 8.4)
99.1    Press release relating to the closing of the concurrent offerings of the Company’s common stock and Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, dated July 26, 2017

Exhibit 1.1

Execution Version

36,500,000 Shares

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.

COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

July 20, 2017


July 20, 2017

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

1585 Broadway

New York, NY 10036

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10179

as Representatives for the Underwriters

 named in Schedule I hereto

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes to issue and sell to you, the several underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “ Underwriters ”), for whom you are acting as representatives (“ Representatives ”), 36,500,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Firm Shares ”). The Company also proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters not more than an additional 3,650,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Additional Shares ”), if and to the extent that you, as Representatives of the offering, shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of the Underwriters, the right to purchase such shares of common stock granted to the Underwriters in Section 2 hereof. The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Shares .” The shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sales contemplated hereby are hereinafter referred to as the “ Common Stock .”

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement, including a prospectus, on Form S-3 (No. 333-203074), relating to securities (the “ Shelf Securities ”), including the Shares, to be issued from time to time thereunder by the Company. The registration statement, as amended to the date of this Agreement, including the information (if any) deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 430B under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), is hereinafter referred to as the “ Registration Statement ,” and the related prospectus covering the Shelf Securities dated March 27, 2015, in the form first used to confirm sales of the Shares (or in the form first made available to the Underwriters by the


Company to meet requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Basic Prospectus .” The Basic Prospectus, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Shares in the form first used to confirm sales of the Shares (or in the form first made available to the Underwriters by the Company to meet requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Prospectus ,” and the term “ preliminary prospectus ” means any preliminary form of the Prospectus. For purposes of this Agreement, “ free writing prospectus ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, “ Time of Sale Prospectus ” means the documents set forth opposite the caption “Time of Sale Prospectus” in Schedule II hereto and the information identified on Schedule II-A hereto, and “ road show ” means a “bona fide electronic road show” as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) under the Securities Act. As used herein, the terms “Registration Statement,” “Basic Prospectus,” “preliminary prospectus,” “Time of Sale Prospectus” and “Prospectus” shall include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein. The terms “ supplement ,” “ amendment ,” and “ amend ” as used herein with respect to the Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus, any free writing prospectus or the Prospectus shall include all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), that are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein.

1. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that:

(a) The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission. The Registration Statement is an automatic shelf registration statement as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, and the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) eligible to use the Registration Statement as an automatic shelf registration statement, and the Company has not received notice that the Commission objects to the use of the Registration Statement as an automatic shelf registration statement.

(b) (i) Each document, if any, filed or to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus complied or will comply when so filed in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (ii) each part of the Registration Statement, when such part became effective, did not contain, and each such part, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (iii) the Registration Statement does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (iv) the Registration Statement, as of the date hereof, complies, and the Prospectus, as of its date, will comply, and the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will comply, as of the Closing Date (as defined in Section 4), in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (v) the Time of Sale Prospectus does not, and at the time of each sale of the Shares in connection with the offering when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and at the Closing Date, the Time of Sale Prospectus, as then amended or

 

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supplemented by the Company, if applicable, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (vi) each road show, if any, when considered together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (vii) the Prospectus, as of its date, will not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph do not apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, which is set forth in Section 9(b) hereof.

(c) The Company is not an “ineligible issuer” in connection with the offering pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433 under the Securities Act. Any free writing prospectus that the Company is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act has been, or will be, filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Each free writing prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, in connection with the offering of Shares pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or that was prepared by or on behalf of or used or referred to by the Company complies, or will comply, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Except for the free writing prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule II hereto forming part of the Time of Sale Prospectus, and road shows, if any, each furnished to you before first use, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without your prior consent, prepare, use or refer to, any free writing prospectus.

(d) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained, since the date of the latest audited financial statements incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus, any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus or as would not reasonably be expected, in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below); and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there has not been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, except such as are described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus or such as would not be reasonably expected, in the aggregate, to result in a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of the Company and the Material Subsidiaries (as defined below), taken as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”). As of the date hereof, each subsidiary of the Company that constitutes a “ significant subsidiary ,” as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, is a “ Material Subsidiary ” and, collectively, comprise the “ Material Subsidiaries .”

 

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(e) (i) The Company and each of its subsidiaries have (1) good and marketable fee or leasehold title, as applicable, to all real property owned or leased by them and (2) good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them; and (ii) any other personal property leased or held by the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to any licenses, easements, management agreements, other contracts or occupancy agreements or otherwise is leased or held under valid, subsisting and enforceable agreements, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus or would not reasonably be expected, in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(f) The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and is duly registered and qualified to conduct its business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction or place where the nature of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such registration or qualification, except where the failure so to register or qualify or to be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and each Material Subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated or formed, as the case may be, and is validly existing as a corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity in good standing or the equivalent under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, as the case may be.

(g) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and all the shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to the issuance of the Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and conform to the description of the Common Stock contained in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each Material Subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims, except as set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(h) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their respective affiliates, has taken any action which is designed to or which has constituted or which might have been reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company in connection with the offering of the Shares.

(i) No “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act) has imposed any condition (financial or otherwise) on the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to any rating assigned to the Company or any such subsidiary or to any securities of the Company or any such subsidiary.

(j) The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights.

 

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(k) The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement will not conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, any of the terms or provisions of or, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, constitute a default under (A) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other 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 or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (B) the provisions of the charter, by-laws or other constitutive documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (C) any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets except in the cases of clause (A) or (C), such breaches, violations or defaults that in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except where the failure to obtain or make such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(l) (A) Neither the Company nor any of its Material Subsidiaries is in violation of its charter, by-laws or other constitutive documents, (B) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in default, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject or (C) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any law, ordinance, governmental rule, regulation or court decree to which it or its property or assets may be subject or has failed to obtain any material license, permit, certificate, franchise or other governmental authorization or permit necessary to the ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business, except for, in the cases of clause (B) or (C), such defaults, violations or failures to obtain that in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(m) The statements contained in (A) the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Description of Capital Stock” and “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” and (B) the Prospectus under the caption “Underwriting,” insofar as they are descriptions of contracts, agreements or other legal documents, or refer to statements of law or legal conclusions, are accurate in all material respects and present fairly the information purported to be described therein.

(n) Other than as set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others.

 

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(o) Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

(p) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(q) There has been no storage, disposal, generation, manufacture, refinement, transportation, handling or treatment of toxic wastes, medical wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their predecessors in interest) at, upon or from any of the property now or previously owned or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which would require remedial action under any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, except for any violation or remedial action which would not have, or could not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; there has been no material spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release of any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such property of any toxic wastes, medical wastes, solid wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances due to or caused by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has knowledge, except for any such spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release which would not have or would not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and the terms “hazardous wastes,” “toxic wastes,” “hazardous substances” and “medical wastes” shall have the meanings specified in any applicable local, state, federal and foreign laws or regulations with respect to environmental protection.

(r) Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company or to require the Company to include such securities with the Shares registered pursuant to the Registration Statement.

(s) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public accountants with respect to the Company as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

(t) To the knowledge of the Company, Deloitte & Touche LLP, who has certified the consolidated financial statements of LTS Group Holdings LLC (“ Target ”) as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016 incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, were independent public accountants with respect to Target as defined by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

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(u) To the knowledge of the Company, the Consolidated Statement of Income of the Target fairly presents the revenues and certain expenses relating to the Target for the respective periods indicated, in each case in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied throughout such periods.

(v) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to otherwise perform its obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(w) The Company’s consolidated historical financial statements, together with the related notes thereto, incorporated by reference into the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act. Such consolidated historical financial statements fairly present the financial position of the Company at the respective dates indicated and the results of operations and cash flows for the respective periods indicated, in each case in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied throughout such periods. The other financial and statistical information and data incorporated or included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (other than the estimated financial and statistical information and data related to the Lightower Acquisition (as defined in the Time of Sale Prospectus and Prospectus)) is, in all material respects, fairly presented and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements and the books and records of the Company. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated or included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus fairly presents the information called for and is prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidance applicable thereto, in each case, in all material respects. The estimated financial and statistical information and data relating to the Lightower Acquisition included in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus were prepared in good faith, are reasonable in the good faith judgment of the Company and are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable for the purpose of preparing such estimates.

(x) The Company and each of the Material Subsidiaries has such permits, licenses, franchises, registrations and other approvals or authorizations of any governmental or regulatory authority (“ Permits ”), including, without limitation, any permits required by the Federal Communications Commission (“ FCC ”) or the Federal Aviation Administration, as are necessary under applicable law to own their respective properties and to conduct their respective businesses in the manner described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to have such Permits would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and the Material Subsidiaries have fulfilled and performed, in all material respects, all of their respective obligations with respect to the Permits, and no event has occurred which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any other impairment of the rights of, or imposition of a penalty on, the holder of any such Permit, subject in each case to such qualification as may be set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and except to the extent that any such revocation, termination, impairment or penalty would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, none of the Permits contains any restriction that has not previously been satisfied and that is materially burdensome to the Company or any of the Material Subsidiaries.

 

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(y) For each existing tower of the Company not yet registered with the FCC where registration will be required, the FCC’s grant of an application for registration of such tower will not have a significant environmental effect as defined under Section 1.1307(a) or (b) of the FCC’s rules.

(z) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not cause any third party to have any rights of first refusal with respect to the acquisition of towers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any agreement filed as an exhibit to any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (the “ Material Agreements ”) that has not already been described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus as to which the Company and any of the Material Subsidiaries or any of their property or assets may be subject.

(aa) The Company and each of the Material Subsidiaries owns or possesses all patents, trademarks, trademark registrations, service marks, service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets and rights described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus as being owned by any of them or necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any of the Material Subsidiaries is aware of any claim to the contrary or any challenge by any other person to the rights of the Company or any of the Material Subsidiaries with respect to such rights that, if determined adversely to the Company or any such Material Subsidiary, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

(bb) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is involved in any strike, job action or labor dispute with any group of employees, and, to the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, no such action or dispute is threatened.

(cc) The Company and each of its subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ ERISA ”); no “reportable event” (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any “pension plan” (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company would have any liability; the Company has not incurred and does not expect to incur liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “pension plan” or (ii) Sections 412 or 4971 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the “ Code ”); and each “pension plan” for which the Company would have any liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.

(dd) The Company and each of its subsidiaries have filed all federal, state and local income and franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof and have paid all taxes required to be paid to the extent due and payable, except to the extent any such taxes are currently being contested in good faith, and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor does the Company or any of its subsidiaries have any knowledge of any tax deficiency, except where such failure to file such tax return or pay such tax deficiency (if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries) would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(ee) The Company operates in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a “real estate investment trust” (a “ REIT ”) under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code; and the method of operation for the Company and its subsidiaries as described in the Prospectus will enable the Company to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code.

(ff) The Company (i) makes and keeps accurate books and records and (ii) maintains a system of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets, (C) access to its financial assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (D) the reported accountability for its assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences and (E) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated or included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus is, in all material respects, prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

(gg) The Company and each of the Material Subsidiaries carry, or are covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as is adequate for the conduct of its businesses and the value of its properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries.

(hh) The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities, and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to perform the functions for which they were established; the Company’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors have been advised of: (A) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data; and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls; any material weaknesses in internal controls have been identified for the Company’s auditors; and since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

(ii) There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company and any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith.

 

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(jj) Neither the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ FCPA ”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the FCPA, or any applicable law or regulation implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or committed an offence under the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law; or (iv) made, offered, agreed, requested or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe or provided an unlawful benefit, including, without limitation, any rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment or benefit. The Company and its subsidiaries have instituted, maintain and enforce, and reasonably expect to continue to maintain and enforce, policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.

(kk) The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Company or any of its subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Anti-Money Laundering Laws ”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(ll) Neither the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is currently the subject or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. government (including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “ Sanctions ”), nor is any of the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or target of Sanctions, including, without limitation, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria (each, a “ Sanctioned Country ”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Securities hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or conduct business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or target of Sanctions or (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or conduct business in any Sanctioned Country.

 

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2. Agreements to Sell and Purchase . The Company hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company at $93.60 a share (the “ Purchase Price ”) the number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter.

On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters the Additional Shares, and the Underwriters shall have the right to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to 3,650,000 Additional Shares at the Purchase Price, provided, however, that the amount per share paid by the Underwriters for any Additional Shares shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on such Additional Shares. The Representatives may exercise this right on behalf of the Underwriters in whole or from time to time in part by giving written notice not later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement. Any exercise notice shall specify the number of Additional Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and the date on which such shares are to be purchased. Each purchase date must be at least one business day after the written notice is given and may not be earlier than the closing date for the Firm Shares nor later than ten business days after the date of such notice. Additional Shares may be purchased as provided in Section 4 hereof. On each day, if any, that Additional Shares are to be purchased (an “ Option Closing Date ”), each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Additional Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as you may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date as the number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares.

The Company also covenants with each Underwriter that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period ending 60 days after the date of the Prospectus, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (3) file any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock.

The restrictions contained in the preceding paragraph shall not apply to (a) the Common Stock to be sold hereunder, (b) the issuance by the Company of Common Stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof of which the Underwriters have been advised in writing or which has been disclosed in the Time of Sale Prospectus, (c) the issuance by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of equity awards

 

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pursuant to employee benefit plans described in the Time of Sale Prospectus (including Common Stock issued under any such equity awards upon vesting), (d) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of Common Stock, provided that (i) such plan does not provide for the transfer of Common Stock during the 60-day restricted period and (ii) to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is required of or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the Company regarding the establishment of such plan, such announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of Common Stock may be made under such plan during the 60-day restricted period, (e) the filing of one or more registration statements on Form S-8 with the Commission with respect to the Common Stock issued or issuable under any employee benefit plan described in the Time of Sale Prospectus, (f) the issuance by the Company of 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”), and the issuance, if any, of Common Stock upon the conversion of any of the Preferred Stock, or (g) the issuance of securities in connection with joint ventures, commercial relationships or other strategic transactions; provided that, in the case of this clause (g), (i) the aggregate number of shares of the Common Stock to be issued in all such transactions referenced in this clause (g) does not exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Stock immediately following the offering and (ii) the recipient thereof enters into a lock-up letter substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto with respect to the remaining 60-day restricted period.

3. Public Offering . The Company is advised by you that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Shares as soon after this Agreement has become effective as in your judgment is advisable. The Company is further advised by you that the Shares are to be offered to the public upon the terms set forth in the Prospectus.

4. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Firm Shares shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Firm Shares for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on July 26, 2017, or at such other time on the same or such other date, not later than August 2, 2017, as shall be designated in writing by you. The time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as the “ Closing Date .”

Payment for any Additional Shares shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Additional Shares for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date specified in the corresponding notice described in Section 2 or at such other time on the same or on such other date, in any event not later than August 25, 2017, as shall be designated in writing by the Representatives.

The Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as you shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be. The Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be delivered to you on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the transfer of the Shares to the Underwriters duly paid, against payment of the Purchase Price therefor.

 

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5. Conditions . (I) The obligations of the Company to sell the Shares to the Underwriters and the several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Shares on the Closing Date are subject to the condition that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, in relation to the Shares, shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period described for such filing by the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, and as of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect or shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission; and no notice objecting to its use pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) shall have been issued and no proceeding for such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act shall have been instituted or threatened.

The several obligations of the Underwriters are subject to the following further conditions:

(a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date:

(i) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any of the securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act; and

(ii) there shall not have occurred any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus as of the date of this Agreement that, in the Underwriters’ judgment, is material and adverse and that makes it, in the Underwriters’ judgment, impracticable to market the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus.

(b) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, to the effect set forth in Section 5(I)(a)(i) above and to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Company has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date.

Any officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.

(c) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion, including an opinion with regard to the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT, and a negative assurance letter of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, outside counsel for the Company, each dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters.

 

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(d) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, tax counsel for the Company, with regard to the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters.

(e) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of the General Counsel or Associate General Counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters.

(f) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion and a negative assurance letter of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, each dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters.

(g) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than three business days prior to the Closing Date.

(h) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants to Target, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Target as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016 contained in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than three business days prior to the Closing Date.

(i) The “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, between you and the officers and directors of the Company listed in Exhibit B hereto relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Common Stock or certain other securities, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date.

(j) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from Daniel K. Schlanger, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

(k) The Shares shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (“ NYSE ”), subject only to official notice of issuance.

(l) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

 

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(m) The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date.

(II) The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional Shares hereunder are subject to the delivery to you on the applicable Option Closing Date of the following:

(a) a certificate, dated the Option Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, confirming that the certificate delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5(I)(b) hereof remains true and correct as of such Option Closing Date;

(b) an opinion, including an opinion with regard to the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT, and a negative assurance letter of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, outside counsel for the Company, dated the Option Closing Date, relating to the Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(I)(c) hereof;

(c) an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, tax counsel for the Company, with regard to the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT, dated the Option Closing Date, relating to the Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(I)(d) hereof;

(d) an opinion of the General Counsel or Associate General Counsel to the Company, dated the Option Closing Date, relating to the Additional Shares to be purchased on such Options Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(I)(e);

(e) an opinion and a negative assurance letter of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, each dated the Option Closing Date, relating to the Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(I)(f) hereof;

(f) a letter dated the Option Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Underwriters pursuant to Section 5(I)(g) hereof; provided that the letter delivered on the Option Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than three business days prior to such Option Closing Date;

(g) a letter dated the Option Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Underwriters pursuant to Section 5(I)(h) hereof; provided that the letter delivered on the Option Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than three business days prior to such Option Closing Date;

(h) such other documents as you may reasonably request with respect to the good standing of the Company, the due authorization and issuance of the Additional Shares to be sold on such Option Closing Date and other matters related to the issuance of such Additional Shares; and

 

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(i) The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct on and as of the Option Closing Date.

6. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) To furnish to you, without charge, a signed copy of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein) and to deliver to each of the Underwriters during the period mentioned in Section 6(e) or 6(f) below, as many copies of the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, any documents incorporated by reference therein and any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may reasonably request. The Company will promptly advise the Underwriters of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any notice objecting to its use or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act or of the receipt by the Company of any notice of objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act.

(b) Prior to the completion of this offering, before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object promptly after receipt thereof, provided that, if in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Company, any such amendment or supplement shall be required by law or regulation to be used, that the Company shall be permitted to file such amendment or supplement after taking into account such comments as you may reasonably make on the content, form or other aspects of such amendment or supplement, and to file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.

(c) To furnish to you a copy of each proposed free writing prospectus to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and not to use or refer to any proposed free writing prospectus to which you reasonably object, provided that, if in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Company, any such amendment or supplement shall be required by law or regulation to be used, that the Company shall be permitted to file such amendment or supplement after taking into account such comments as you may reasonably make on the content, form or other aspects of such amendment or supplement.

(d) Not to take any action that would result in an Underwriter being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of the Underwriter that the Underwriter otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.

(e) If the Time of Sale Prospectus is being used to solicit offers to buy the Shares at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, not misleading, or if any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which the Time of Sale

 

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Prospectus conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement then on file, or if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which Shares may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters, either amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Prospectus so that the statements in the Time of Sale Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Time of Sale Prospectus is delivered to a prospective purchaser, be misleading or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will no longer conflict with the Registration Statement, or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law.

(f) If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Shares as in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which Shares may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law.

(g) To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall reasonably request; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

(h) To apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described in each of the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds.”

(i) To make generally available to the Company’s security holders and to you as soon as practicable an earnings statement covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the date of this Agreement which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

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(j) If the third anniversary of the initial effective date of the Registration Statement occurs before all the Shares have been sold by the Underwriters, prior to the third anniversary to file a new shelf registration statement and to take any other action necessary to permit the public offering of the Shares to continue without interruption; references herein to the Registration Statement shall include the new registration statement declared effective by the Commission.

(k) If requested by the Representatives, to prepare a final term sheet relating to the offering of the Shares, containing only information that describes the final terms of the Shares or the offering in a form consented to by the Representatives, and to file such final term sheet within the period required by Rule 433(d)(5)(ii) under the Securities Act following the date the final terms have been established for the offering of the Shares.

(l) To not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of Shares.

(m) To use its commercially reasonable efforts to list the Shares, subject to official notice of issuance, on the NYSE.

7. Expenses . Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid all reasonable expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s accountants in connection with the registration and delivery of the Shares under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including the filing fees payable to the Commission relating to the Shares (within the time required by Rule 456 (b)(1), if applicable), all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Shares to the Underwriters, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the cost of printing or producing any Blue Sky or legal investment memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares under state securities laws and all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 6(g) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky or legal investment memorandum, (iv) all filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters incurred in connection with the review and qualification of the offering of the Shares by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, (v) all costs and expenses incident to listing the Shares on the NYSE, (vi) the cost of, if any, printing certificates representing the Shares, (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and

 

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lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, (ix) the document production charges and expenses associated with printing this Agreement, (x) all expenses in connection with any offer and sale of the Shares outside of the United States, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with offers and sales outside of the United States and (xi) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. It is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section, Section 9 entitled “Indemnity and Contribution,” and the last paragraph of Section 11 below, the Underwriters will pay all of their costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of their counsel, stock transfer taxes payable on resale of any of the Shares by them and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

8. Covenants of the Underwriters . Each Underwriter severally covenants with the Company not to take any action that would result in the Company being required to file with the Commission under Rule 433(d) a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter that otherwise would not be required to be filed by the Company thereunder, but for the action of the Underwriter.

9. Indemnity and Contribution. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each affiliate of any Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred 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 the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act, any Company information that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters consists of the information described in clause (b) below.

(b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the directors of the Company, the officers of the Company who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred 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 the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities

 

19


Act, any Company information that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Securities Act, or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only with reference to information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any issuer free writing prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information in the seventh, ninth and tenth paragraphs of the Underwriting section in the preliminary prospectus and the 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 Section 9(a) or 9(b), 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 respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (i) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to one local counsel in each jurisdiction) for all Underwriters and all persons, if any, who control any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act or who are affiliates of any Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act and (ii) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to one local counsel in each jurisdiction) for the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either such Section, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Underwriters and such control persons and affiliates of any Underwriters, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Representatives. In the case of any such separate firm for the Company, and such directors, officers and control persons of the Company, such firm shall be designated in writing 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 any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless (i) such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of an indemnified party.

 

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(d) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 9(a) or 9(b) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, 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 (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 9(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 9(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters 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 benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters bear to the aggregate price at which the Shares are offered to the public, as set forth in the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several in proportion to the respective number of Shares they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.

(e) The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 9(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in Section 9(d) 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 9, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 9 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.

 

21


(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 9 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the Company contained in this Agreement 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 any Underwriter, any person controlling any Underwriter or any affiliate of any Underwriter or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares.

10. Termination . The Underwriters may terminate this Agreement by notice given by you to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on, or by, as the case may be, any of the NYSE or the NASDAQ Global Market, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred, (iv) any moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by Federal or New York State authorities or (v) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and which, singly or together with any other event specified in this clause (v), makes it, in your judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus.

11. Effectiveness; Defaulting Underwriters . This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

If, on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares that it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number of Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of the Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally in the proportions that the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule I bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may specify, to purchase the Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date; provided that in no event shall the number of Shares that any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this Agreement be increased pursuant to this Section 11 by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such number of Shares without the written consent of such Underwriter. If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Shares which it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date and the aggregate number of Firm Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm Shares to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to you and the Company for the purchase of such Firm Shares are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company. In any such case either you or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement, in the Time of Sale Prospectus, in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. If, on

 

22


an Option Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Additional Shares and the aggregate number of Additional Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the option to (i) terminate their obligation hereunder to purchase the Additional Shares to be sold on such Option Closing Date or (ii) purchase not less than the number of Additional Shares that such non-defaulting Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase in the absence of such default. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel) reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.

12. Entire Agreement . (a) This Agreement, together with any contemporaneous written agreements and any prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement) that relate to the offering of the Shares, represents the entire agreement between the Company and the Underwriters with respect to the preparation of any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, the conduct of the offering, and the purchase and sale of the Shares.

(b) The Company acknowledges that in connection with the offering of the Shares: (i) the Underwriters have acted at arm’s length, are not agents of, and owe no fiduciary duties to, the Company or any other person, (ii) the Underwriters owe the Company only those duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement and prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement), if any, and (iii) the Underwriters may have interests that differ from those of the Company. The Company waives to the full extent permitted by applicable law any claims it may have against the Underwriters arising from an alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the offering of the Shares.

13. Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

14. Applicable Law . This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

15. Headings . The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.

 

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16. Compliance with USA Patriot Act . In accordance with the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), each of the Underwriters is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies its clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of its clients, as well as other information that will allow each of the Underwriters to properly identify its clients.

17. Notices . All communications hereunder shall be in writing and effective only upon receipt and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered, mailed or sent to you at the address set forth in Schedule II hereto; and if to the Company shall be delivered, mailed or sent to the address set forth in Schedule II hereto.

[signature pages follow]

 

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Very truly yours,

 

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.

By:  

/s/ Daniel K. Schlanger

  Name:   Daniel K. Schlanger
  Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

[Signature page to Crown Castle International Corp. Underwriting Agreement]


Accepted as of the date hereof:
By:   MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC
By:  

/s/ James Watts

  Name: James Watts
  Title: Vice President

[Signature page to Crown Castle International Corp. Underwriting Agreement]


Accepted as of the date hereof:
By:  

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

                             INCORPORATED

By:  

/s/ Daniel Kelly

  Name: Daniel Kelly
  Title: Managing Director

[Signature page to Crown Castle International Corp. Underwriting Agreement]


Accepted as of the date hereof:
By:   J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
By:  

/s/ Gregor Feige

  Name: Gregor Feige
  Title: Managing Director

[Signature page to Crown Castle International Corp. Underwriting Agreement]

Exhibit 1.2

Execution Version

1,500,000 Shares

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.

6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A

PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

July 20, 2017


July 20, 2017

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

1585 Broadway

New York, NY 10036

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10179

as Representatives for the Underwriters

named in Schedule I hereto

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes to issue and sell to you, the several underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “ Underwriters ”), for whom you are acting as representatives (“ Representatives ”), 1,500,000 shares of its 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Firm Shares ”). The Company also proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters not more than an additional 150,000 shares of its 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Additional Shares ”), if and to the extent that you, as Representatives of the offering, shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of the Underwriters, the right to purchase such shares granted to the Underwriters in Section 2 hereof. The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Shares .” The 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company are hereinafter referred to as the “ Preferred Shares .” The Preferred Shares will be convertible into a variable number of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company. Such shares of common stock into which the Shares are convertible are hereinafter referred to as the “ Conversion Shares ” and the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, generally, of the Company are hereinafter referred to as “ Common Stock .”

The terms of the Preferred Shares will be set forth in a Certificate of Designations (the “ Certificate of Designations ”) to be filed by the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.


The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement, including a prospectus, on Form S-3 (No. 333-203074), relating to securities (the “ Shelf Securities ”), including the Shares, to be issued from time to time thereunder by the Company. The registration statement, as amended to the date of this Agreement, including the information (if any) deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 430B under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), is hereinafter referred to as the “ Registration Statement ,” and the related prospectus covering the Shelf Securities dated March 27, 2015, in the form first used to confirm sales of the Shares (or in the form first made available to the Underwriters by the Company to meet requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Basic Prospectus .” The Basic Prospectus, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Shares in the form first used to confirm sales of the Shares (or in the form first made available to the Underwriters by the Company to meet requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Prospectus ,” and the term “ preliminary prospectus ” means any preliminary form of the Prospectus. For purposes of this Agreement, “ free writing prospectus ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, “ Time of Sale Prospectus ” means the documents set forth opposite the caption “Time of Sale Prospectus” in Schedule II hereto and the information identified on Schedule II-A hereto, and “ road show ” means a “bona fide electronic road show” as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) under the Securities Act. As used herein, the terms “Registration Statement,” “Basic Prospectus,” “preliminary prospectus,” “Time of Sale Prospectus” and “Prospectus” shall include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein. The terms “ supplement ,” “ amendment ,” and “ amend ” as used herein with respect to the Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus, any free writing prospectus or the Prospectus shall include all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), that are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein.

1. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that:

(a) The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission. The Registration Statement is an automatic shelf registration statement as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, and the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) eligible to use the Registration Statement as an automatic shelf registration statement, and the Company has not received notice that the Commission objects to the use of the Registration Statement as an automatic shelf registration statement.

(b) (i) Each document, if any, filed or to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus complied or will comply when so filed in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (ii) each part of the Registration Statement, when such part became effective, did not contain, and each such part, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (iii) the

 

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Registration Statement does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (iv) the Registration Statement, as of the date hereof, complies, and the Prospectus, as of its date, will comply, and the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will comply, as of the Closing Date (as defined in Section 4), in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (v) the Time of Sale Prospectus does not, and at the time of each sale of the Shares in connection with the offering when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and at the Closing Date, the Time of Sale Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented by the Company, if applicable, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (vi) each road show, if any, when considered together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (vii) the Prospectus, as of its date, will not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph do not apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, which is set forth in Section 9(b) hereof.

(c) The Company is not an “ineligible issuer” in connection with the offering pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433 under the Securities Act. Any free writing prospectus that the Company is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act has been, or will be, filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Each free writing prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, in connection with the offering of Shares pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or that was prepared by or on behalf of or used or referred to by the Company complies, or will comply, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Except for the free writing prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule II hereto forming part of the Time of Sale Prospectus, and road shows, if any, each furnished to you before first use, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without your prior consent, prepare, use or refer to, any free writing prospectus.

(d) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained, since the date of the latest audited financial statements incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus, any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus or as would not reasonably be expected, in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below); and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there has not been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company

 

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or any of its subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, except such as are described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus or such as would not be reasonably expected, in the aggregate, to result in a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of the Company and the Material Subsidiaries (as defined below), taken as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”). As of the date hereof, each subsidiary of the Company that constitutes a “ significant subsidiary ,” as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, is a “ Material Subsidiary ” and, collectively, comprise the “ Material Subsidiaries .”

(e) (i) The Company and each of its subsidiaries have (1) good and marketable fee or leasehold title, as applicable, to all real property owned or leased by them and (2) good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them; and (ii) any other personal property leased or held by the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to any licenses, easements, management agreements, other contracts or occupancy agreements or otherwise is leased or held under valid, subsisting and enforceable agreements, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus or would not reasonably be expected, in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(f) The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and is duly registered and qualified to conduct its business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction or place where the nature of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such registration or qualification, except where the failure so to register or qualify or to be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and each Material Subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated or formed, as the case may be, and is validly existing as a corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity in good standing or the equivalent under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, as the case may be.

(g) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and all the shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to the issuance of the Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and conform to the description of the Common Stock contained in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each Material Subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims, except as set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(h) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their respective affiliates, has taken any action which is designed to or which has constituted or which might have been reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company in connection with the offering of the Shares.

 

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(i) No “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act) has imposed any condition (financial or otherwise) on the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to any rating assigned to the Company or any such subsidiary or to any securities of the Company or any such subsidiary.

(j) The Certificate of Designations, the proposed form of which has been furnished to you, has been duly authorized by the Company and will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on or prior to the Closing Date. The Certificate of Designations sets forth the rights, powers, preferences and designations of the Shares.

(k) The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will have the rights, powers, preferences and designations as set forth in the Certificate of Designations, and the issuance of such Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights.

(l) The form of certificate used to evidence the Shares complies in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the law of the State of Delaware, the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”) and the Company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws, and has been duly authorized and approved by the board of directors of the Company.

(m) The Shares will be convertible into the Conversion Shares in accordance with the terms of the Preferred Shares set forth in the Certificate of Designations; a number of Conversion Shares (the “ Maximum Number of Conversion Shares ”) equal to the product of (A) the sum of (i) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the maximum conversion rate for the Preferred Shares and (ii) to the extent so elected by the Company in connection with any such conversion, the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable by the Company upon conversion in respect of dividends payable upon conversion of the Shares (whether or not declared) (assuming the Company elects to issue and deliver, in respect of accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared), the maximum number of shares of Common Stock in connection with any such conversion), multiplied by (B) the aggregate number of Shares, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designations, has been and will be duly authorized and reserved for issuance by the Company and such Conversion Shares, when issued upon such conversion or delivery (as the case may be) in accordance with the terms of the Preferred Shares set forth in the Certificate of Designations, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights.

(n) The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement and the Certificate of Designations, including the issuance and sale of the Shares and the issuance of a number of Conversion Shares equal to the Maximum Number of Conversion Shares issuable by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designations, will not conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, any of the terms or provisions of or, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, constitute a default under (A) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which

 

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the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (B) the provisions of the charter, by-laws or other constitutive documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (C) any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets except in the cases of clause (A) or (C), such breaches, violations or defaults that in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement and the Certificate of Designations, including the issuance and sale of the Shares and the issuance of a number of Conversion Shares equal to the Maximum Number of Conversion Shares issuable by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designations, except where the failure to obtain or make such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(o) (A) Neither the Company nor any of its Material Subsidiaries is in violation of its charter, by-laws or other constitutive documents, (B) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in default, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject or (C) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any law, ordinance, governmental rule, regulation or court decree to which it or its property or assets may be subject or has failed to obtain any material license, permit, certificate, franchise or other governmental authorization or permit necessary to the ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business, except for, in the cases of clause (B) or (C), such defaults, violations or failures to obtain that in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(p) The statements contained in (A) the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock” and “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” and (B) the Prospectus under the caption “Underwriting,” insofar as they are descriptions of contracts, agreements or other legal documents, or refer to statements of law or legal conclusions, are accurate in all material respects and present fairly the information purported to be described therein.

(q) Other than as set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others.

(r) Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

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(s) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(t) There has been no storage, disposal, generation, manufacture, refinement, transportation, handling or treatment of toxic wastes, medical wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their predecessors in interest) at, upon or from any of the property now or previously owned or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which would require remedial action under any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, except for any violation or remedial action which would not have, or could not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; there has been no material spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release of any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such property of any toxic wastes, medical wastes, solid wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances due to or caused by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has knowledge, except for any such spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release which would not have or would not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and the terms “hazardous wastes,” “toxic wastes,” “hazardous substances” and “medical wastes” shall have the meanings specified in any applicable local, state, federal and foreign laws or regulations with respect to environmental protection.

(u) Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company or to require the Company to include such securities with the Shares registered pursuant to the Registration Statement.

(v) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public accountants with respect to the Company as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

(w) To the knowledge of the Company, Deloitte & Touche LLP, who has certified the consolidated financial statements of LTS Group Holdings LLC (“ Target ”) as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016 incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, were independent public accountants with respect to Target as defined by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

(x) To the knowledge of the Company, the Consolidated Statement of Income of the Target fairly presents the revenues and certain expenses relating to the Target for the respective periods indicated, in each case in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied throughout such periods.

 

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(y) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to otherwise perform its obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(z) The Company’s consolidated historical financial statements, together with the related notes thereto, incorporated by reference into the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act. Such consolidated historical financial statements fairly present the financial position of the Company at the respective dates indicated and the results of operations and cash flows for the respective periods indicated, in each case in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied throughout such periods. The other financial and statistical information and data incorporated or included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (other than the estimated financial and statistical information and data related to the Lightower Acquisition (as defined in the Time of Sale Prospectus and Prospectus)) is, in all material respects, fairly presented and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements and the books and records of the Company. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated or included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus fairly presents the information called for and is prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidance applicable thereto, in each case, in all material respects. The estimated financial and statistical information and data relating to the Lightower Acquisition included in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus were prepared in good faith, are reasonable in the good faith judgment of the Company and are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable for the purpose of preparing such estimates.

(aa) The Company and each of the Material Subsidiaries has such permits, licenses, franchises, registrations and other approvals or authorizations of any governmental or regulatory authority (“ Permits ”), including, without limitation, any permits required by the Federal Communications Commission (“ FCC ”) or the Federal Aviation Administration, as are necessary under applicable law to own their respective properties and to conduct their respective businesses in the manner described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to have such Permits would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and the Material Subsidiaries have fulfilled and performed, in all material respects, all of their respective obligations with respect to the Permits, and no event has occurred which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any other impairment of the rights of, or imposition of a penalty on, the holder of any such Permit, subject in each case to such qualification as may be set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and except to the extent that any such revocation, termination, impairment or penalty would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, none of the Permits contains any restriction that has not previously been satisfied and that is materially burdensome to the Company or any of the Material Subsidiaries.

(bb) For each existing tower of the Company not yet registered with the FCC where registration will be required, the FCC’s grant of an application for registration of such tower will not have a significant environmental effect as defined under Section 1.1307(a) or (b) of the FCC’s rules.

 

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(cc) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not cause any third party to have any rights of first refusal with respect to the acquisition of towers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any agreement filed as an exhibit to any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (the “ Material Agreements ”) that has not already been described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus as to which the Company and any of the Material Subsidiaries or any of their property or assets may be subject.

(dd) The Company and each of the Material Subsidiaries owns or possesses all patents, trademarks, trademark registrations, service marks, service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets and rights described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus as being owned by any of them or necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any of the Material Subsidiaries is aware of any claim to the contrary or any challenge by any other person to the rights of the Company or any of the Material Subsidiaries with respect to such rights that, if determined adversely to the Company or any such Material Subsidiary, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

(ee) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is involved in any strike, job action or labor dispute with any group of employees, and, to the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, no such action or dispute is threatened.

(ff) The Company and each of its subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ ERISA ”); no “reportable event” (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any “pension plan” (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company would have any liability; the Company has not incurred and does not expect to incur liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “pension plan” or (ii) Sections 412 or 4971 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the “ Code ”); and each “pension plan” for which the Company would have any liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.

(gg) The Company and each of its subsidiaries have filed all federal, state and local income and franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof and have paid all taxes required to be paid to the extent due and payable, except to the extent any such taxes are currently being contested in good faith, and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor does the Company or any of its subsidiaries have any knowledge of any tax deficiency, except where such failure to file such tax return or pay such tax deficiency (if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries) would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(hh) The Company operates in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a “real estate investment trust” (a “ REIT ”) under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code; and the method of operation for the Company and its subsidiaries as described in the Prospectus will enable the Company to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code.

(ii) The Company (i) makes and keeps accurate books and records and (ii) maintains a system of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets, (C) access to its financial assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (D) the reported accountability for its assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences and (E) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated or included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus is, in all material respects, prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

(jj) The Company and each of the Material Subsidiaries carry, or are covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as is adequate for the conduct of its businesses and the value of its properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries.

(kk) The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities, and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to perform the functions for which they were established; the Company’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors have been advised of: (A) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data; and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls; any material weaknesses in internal controls have been identified for the Company’s auditors; and since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

(ll) There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company and any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith.

 

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(mm) Neither the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ FCPA ”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the FCPA, or any applicable law or regulation implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or committed an offence under the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law; or (iv) made, offered, agreed, requested or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe or provided an unlawful benefit, including, without limitation, any rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment or benefit. The Company and its subsidiaries have instituted, maintain and enforce, and reasonably expect to continue to maintain and enforce, policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.

(nn) The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Company or any of its subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Anti-Money Laundering Laws ”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(oo) Neither the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is currently the subject or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. government (including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “ Sanctions ”), nor is any of the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or target of Sanctions, including, without limitation, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria (each, a “ Sanctioned Country ”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Securities hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or conduct business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or target of Sanctions or (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or conduct business in any Sanctioned Country.

 

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2. Agreements to Sell and Purchase . The Company hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company at $975.00 a share (the “ Purchase Price ”) the number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter.

On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters the Additional Shares, and the Underwriters shall have the right to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to 150,000 Additional Shares solely to cover overallotments, if any, at the Purchase Price, provided, however, that the amount per share paid by the Underwriters for any Additional Shares shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on such Additional Shares. The Representatives may exercise this right on behalf of the Underwriters in whole or from time to time in part by giving written notice not later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement. Any exercise notice shall specify the number of Additional Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and the date on which such shares are to be purchased. Each purchase date must be at least one business day after the written notice is given and may not be earlier than the closing date for the Firm Shares nor later than ten business days after the date of such notice. Additional Shares may be purchased as provided in Section 4 hereof. On each day, if any, that Additional Shares are to be purchased (an “ Option Closing Date ”), each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Additional Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as you may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date as the number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares.

The Company also covenants with each Underwriter that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period ending 60 days after the date of the Prospectus, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Preferred Shares or Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Preferred Shares or Common Stock or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Preferred Shares or Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Preferred Shares or Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (3) file any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of Preferred Shares or Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Preferred Shares or Common Stock.

The restrictions contained in the preceding paragraph shall not apply to (a) the Preferred Shares to be sold hereunder (including the conversion thereof), shares of Common Stock issued in connection with the payment of dividends with respect thereto or the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion thereof, (b) the issuance by the Company of Common Stock upon the

 

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exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof of which the Underwriters have been advised in writing or which has been disclosed in the Time of Sale Prospectus, (c) the issuance by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of equity awards pursuant to employee benefit plans described in the Time of Sale Prospectus (including Common Stock issued under any such equity awards upon vesting), (d) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of Common Stock, provided that (i) such plan does not provide for the transfer of Common Stock during the 60-day restricted period and (ii) to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is required of or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the Company regarding the establishment of such plan, such announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of Common Stock may be made under such plan during the 60-day restricted period, (e) the filing of one or more registration statements on Form S-8 with the Commission with respect to the Common Stock issued or issuable under any employee benefit plan described in the Time of Sale Prospectus, (f) the issuance by the Company of up to 36,500,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the Representatives, as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule I thereto (the “ Common Stock Offering ”), or (g) the issuance of securities in connection with joint ventures, commercial relationships or other strategic transactions; provided that, in the case of this clause (g), (i) the aggregate number of shares of the Common Stock to be issued in all such transactions referenced in this clause (g) does not exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Stock immediately following the Common Stock Offering and (ii) the recipient thereof enters into a lock-up letter substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto with respect to the remaining 60-day restricted period.

3. Public Offering . The Company is advised by you that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Shares as soon after this Agreement has become effective as in your judgment is advisable. The Company is further advised by you that the Shares are to be offered to the public upon the terms set forth in the Prospectus.

4. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Firm Shares shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Firm Shares for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on July 26, 2017, or at such other time on the same or such other date, not later than August 2, 2017, as shall be designated in writing by you. The time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as the “ Closing Date .”

Payment for any Additional Shares shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Additional Shares for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date specified in the corresponding notice described in Section 2 or at such other time on the same or on such other date, in any event not later than August 25, 2017, as shall be designated in writing by the Representatives.

The Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as you shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be. The Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be delivered to you on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the transfer of the Shares to the Underwriters duly paid, against payment of the Purchase Price therefor.

 

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5. Conditions . (I) The obligations of the Company to sell the Shares to the Underwriters and the several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Shares on the Closing Date are subject to the condition that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, in relation to the Shares, shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period described for such filing by the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, and as of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect or shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission; and no notice objecting to its use pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) shall have been issued and no proceeding for such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act shall have been instituted or threatened.

The several obligations of the Underwriters are subject to the following further conditions:

(a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date:

(i) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any of the securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act; and

(ii) there shall not have occurred any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus as of the date of this Agreement that, in the Underwriters’ judgment, is material and adverse and that makes it, in the Underwriters’ judgment, impracticable to market the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus.

(b) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, to the effect set forth in Section 5(I)(a)(i) above and to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Company has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date.

Any officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.

 

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(c) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion, including an opinion with regard to the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT, and a negative assurance letter of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, outside counsel for the Company, each dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters.

(d) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, tax counsel for the Company, with regard to the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters.

(e) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of the General Counsel or Associate General Counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters.

(f) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion and a negative assurance letter of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, each dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters.

(g) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than three business days prior to the Closing Date.

(h) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants to Target, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Target as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016 contained in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than three business days prior to the Closing Date.

(i) The “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, between you and the officers and directors of the Company listed in Exhibit B hereto relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Preferred Shares and Common Stock or certain other securities, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date.

(j) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from Daniel K. Schlanger, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

 

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(k) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Certificate of Designations shall have been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and become effective and the Company shall have delivered a copy thereof, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, to the Representatives.

(l) The Company shall have filed the requisite listing application with the NYSE for the listing of the Shares and a number of Conversion Shares equal to the Maximum Number of Conversion Shares on the NYSE.

(m) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(n) The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date.

(II) The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional Shares hereunder are subject to the delivery to you on the applicable Option Closing Date of the following:

(a) a certificate, dated the Option Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, confirming that the certificate delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5(I)(b) hereof remains true and correct as of such Option Closing Date;

(b) an opinion, including an opinion with regard to the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT, and a negative assurance letter of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, outside counsel for the Company, dated the Option Closing Date, relating to the Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(I)(c) hereof;

(c) an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, tax counsel for the Company, with regard to the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT, dated the Option Closing Date, relating to the Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(I)(d) hereof;

(d) an opinion of the General Counsel or Associate General Counsel to the Company, dated the Option Closing Date, relating to the Additional Shares to be purchased on such Options Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(I)(e);

(e) an opinion and a negative assurance letter of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, each dated the Option Closing Date, relating to the Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(I)(f) hereof;

(f) a letter dated the Option Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Underwriters pursuant to Section 5(I)(g) hereof; provided that the letter delivered on the Option Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than three business days prior to such Option Closing Date;

 

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(g) a letter dated the Option Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Underwriters pursuant to Section 5(I)(h) hereof; provided that the letter delivered on the Option Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than three business days prior to such Option Closing Date;

(h) such other documents as you may reasonably request with respect to the good standing of the Company, the due authorization and issuance of the Additional Shares to be sold on such Option Closing Date and other matters related to the issuance of such Additional Shares; and

(i) The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct on and as of the Option Closing Date.

6. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) To furnish to you, without charge, a signed copy of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein) and to deliver to each of the Underwriters during the period mentioned in Section 6(e) or 6(f) below, as many copies of the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, any documents incorporated by reference therein and any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may reasonably request. The Company will promptly advise the Underwriters of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any notice objecting to its use or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act or of the receipt by the Company of any notice of objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act.

(b) Prior to the completion of this offering, before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object promptly after receipt thereof, provided that, if in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Company, any such amendment or supplement shall be required by law or regulation to be used, that the Company shall be permitted to file such amendment or supplement after taking into account such comments as you may reasonably make on the content, form or other aspects of such amendment or supplement, and to file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.

(c) To furnish to you a copy of each proposed free writing prospectus to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and not to use or refer to any proposed free writing prospectus to which you reasonably object, provided that, if in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Company, any such amendment or supplement shall be required by law or regulation to be used, that the Company shall be permitted to file such amendment or supplement after taking into account such comments as you may reasonably make on the content, form or other aspects of such amendment or supplement.

 

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(d) Not to take any action that would result in an Underwriter being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of the Underwriter that the Underwriter otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.

(e) If the Time of Sale Prospectus is being used to solicit offers to buy the Shares at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, not misleading, or if any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which the Time of Sale Prospectus conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement then on file, or if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which Shares may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters, either amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Prospectus so that the statements in the Time of Sale Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Time of Sale Prospectus is delivered to a prospective purchaser, be misleading or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will no longer conflict with the Registration Statement, or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law.

(f) If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Shares as in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which Shares may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law.

(g) To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall reasonably request; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

 

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(h) To apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described in each of the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds.”

(i) To make generally available to the Company’s security holders and to you as soon as practicable an earnings statement covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the date of this Agreement which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

(j) If the third anniversary of the initial effective date of the Registration Statement occurs before all the Shares have been sold by the Underwriters, prior to the third anniversary to file a new shelf registration statement and to take any other action necessary to permit the public offering of the Shares to continue without interruption; references herein to the Registration Statement shall include the new registration statement declared effective by the Commission.

(k) If requested by the Representatives, to prepare a final term sheet relating to the offering of the Shares, containing only information that describes the final terms of the Shares or the offering in a form consented to by the Representatives, and to file such final term sheet within the period required by Rule 433(d)(5)(ii) under the Securities Act following the date the final terms have been established for the offering of the Shares.

(l) To not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of Shares.

(m) To use its commercially reasonable efforts to list the Shares and a number of Conversion Shares equal to the Maximum Number of Conversion Shares, subject to official notice of issuance, on the NYSE.

(n) To reserve and keep available at all times during the period from and including the Closing Date through and including August 1, 2020, free of preemptive or similar rights, a number of Conversion Shares equal to the Maximum Number of Conversion Shares less the aggregate number of Conversion Shares issued in connection with the conversion of Preferred Shares during such period.

(o) During the period from and including the date hereof through and including the earlier of (a) the purchase by the Underwriters of all of the Additional Shares and (b) the expiration of the Underwriters’ option to purchase Additional Shares, not to do or authorize or cause any act or thing that would result in an adjustment of the conversion rate of the Preferred Shares.

7. Expenses . Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid all reasonable expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s accountants in connection with the registration and delivery of the Shares under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company

 

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and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including the filing fees payable to the Commission relating to the Shares (within the time required by Rule 456 (b)(1), if applicable), all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Shares to the Underwriters, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the cost of printing or producing any Blue Sky or legal investment memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares under state securities laws and all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 6(g) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky or legal investment memorandum, (iv) all filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters incurred in connection with the review and qualification of the offering of the Shares by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, (v) all fees and expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the Preferred Shares, if applicable, and all costs and expenses incident to listing the Shares and the Conversion Shares on the NYSE, (vi) the cost of, if any, printing certificates representing the Shares and the Conversion Shares, (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, (ix) the document production charges and expenses associated with printing this Agreement, (x) all expenses in connection with any offer and sale of the Shares outside of the United States, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with offers and sales outside of the United States and (xi) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. It is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section, Section 9 entitled “Indemnity and Contribution,” and the last paragraph of Section 11 below, the Underwriters will pay all of their costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of their counsel, stock transfer taxes payable on resale of any of the Shares by them and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

8. Covenants of the Underwriters . Each Underwriter severally covenants with the Company not to take any action that would result in the Company being required to file with the Commission under Rule 433(d) a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter that otherwise would not be required to be filed by the Company thereunder, but for the action of the Underwriter.

9. Indemnity and Contribution. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each affiliate of any Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any

 

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legal or other expenses reasonably incurred 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 the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act, any Company information that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters consists of the information described in clause (b) below.

(b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the directors of the Company, the officers of the Company who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred 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 the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act, any Company information that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Securities Act, or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only with reference to information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any issuer free writing prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information in the seventh, ninth and tenth paragraphs of the Underwriting section in the preliminary prospectus and the 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 Section 9(a) or 9(b), 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

 

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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 respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (i) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to one local counsel in each jurisdiction) for all Underwriters and all persons, if any, who control any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act or who are affiliates of any Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act and (ii) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to one local counsel in each jurisdiction) for the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either such Section, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Underwriters and such control persons and affiliates of any Underwriters, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Representatives. In the case of any such separate firm for the Company, and such directors, officers and control persons of the Company, such firm shall be designated in writing 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 any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless (i) such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of an indemnified party.

(d) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 9(a) or 9(b) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, 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 (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 9(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 9(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters 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 benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters bear to the aggregate price at which the Shares are offered to the public, as set forth in the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to

 

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information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several in proportion to the respective number of Shares they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.

(e) The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 9(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in Section 9(d) 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 9, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 9 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.

(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 9 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the Company contained in this Agreement 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 any Underwriter, any person controlling any Underwriter or any affiliate of any Underwriter or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares.

10. Termination . The Underwriters may terminate this Agreement by notice given by you to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on, or by, as the case may be, any of the NYSE or the NASDAQ Global Market, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred, (iv) any moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by Federal or New York State authorities or (v) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and which, singly or together with any other event specified in this clause (v), makes it, in your judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus.

 

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11. Effectiveness; Defaulting Underwriters . This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

If, on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares that it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number of Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of the Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally in the proportions that the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule I bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may specify, to purchase the Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date; provided that in no event shall the number of Shares that any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this Agreement be increased pursuant to this Section 11 by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such number of Shares without the written consent of such Underwriter. If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Shares which it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date and the aggregate number of Firm Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm Shares to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to you and the Company for the purchase of such Firm Shares are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company. In any such case either you or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement, in the Time of Sale Prospectus, in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. If, on an Option Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Additional Shares and the aggregate number of Additional Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the option to (i) terminate their obligation hereunder to purchase the Additional Shares to be sold on such Option Closing Date or (ii) purchase not less than the number of Additional Shares that such non-defaulting Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase in the absence of such default. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel) reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.

12. Entire Agreement . (a) This Agreement, together with any contemporaneous written agreements and any prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement) that relate to the offering of the Shares, represents the entire agreement between the Company and the Underwriters with respect to the preparation of any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, the conduct of the offering, and the purchase and sale of the Shares.

 

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(b) The Company acknowledges that in connection with the offering of the Shares: (i) the Underwriters have acted at arm’s length, are not agents of, and owe no fiduciary duties to, the Company or any other person, (ii) the Underwriters owe the Company only those duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement and prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement), if any, and (iii) the Underwriters may have interests that differ from those of the Company. The Company waives to the full extent permitted by applicable law any claims it may have against the Underwriters arising from an alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the offering of the Shares.

13. Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

14. Applicable Law . This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

15. Headings . The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.

16. Compliance with USA Patriot Act . In accordance with the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), each of the Underwriters is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies its clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of its clients, as well as other information that will allow each of the Underwriters to properly identify its clients.

17. Notices . All communications hereunder shall be in writing and effective only upon receipt and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered, mailed or sent to you at the address set forth in Schedule II hereto; and if to the Company shall be delivered, mailed or sent to the address set forth in Schedule II hereto.

[signature pages follow]

 

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Very truly yours,

 

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.

By:  

/s/ Daniel K. Schlanger

  Name:   Daniel K. Schlanger
  Title:  

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

[Signature page to Crown Castle International Corp. Underwriting Agreement]


Accepted as of the date hereof:
By:   MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC
By:  

/s/ James Watts

  Name: James Watts
  Title: Vice President

[Signature page to Crown Castle International Corp. Underwriting Agreement]


Accepted as of the date hereof:
By:   MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ Daniel Kelly

  Name: Daniel Kelly
  Title: Managing Director

[Signature page to Crown Castle International Corp. Underwriting Agreement]


Accepted as of the date hereof:
By:   J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
By:  

/s/ Gregor Feige

  Name: Gregor Feige
  Title: Managing Director

[Signature page to Crown Castle International Corp. Underwriting Agreement]

Exhibit 3.1

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.

The present name of the corporation is Crown Castle International Corp. The corporation was incorporated under the name “Crown Castle REIT Inc.” by the filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 27, 2014, which certificate was amended and restated on December 15, 2014 (such certificate, as subsequently amended, the “ Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation ”). This Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation only restates and integrates and does not further amend the provisions of the corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as theretofore amended or supplemented, and there is no discrepancy between the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as theretofore amended and supplemented and the provisions of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation is hereby integrated and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of the corporation (which is hereinafter referred to as the “ Corporation ”) is:

Crown Castle International Corp.

ARTICLE II

Address

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE III

Purpose

The purpose of the Corporation shall be to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in such lawful acts or activities which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to qualify for taxation under Sections 856 through 860, or any successor sections, of the Code (as defined in Article  IV , Section  C ), as a “real estate investment trust” (hereinafter referred to as a “ REIT ”)) for which corporations may be organized and incorporated under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (hereinafter referred to as the “ DGCL ”).


ARTICLE IV

Capitalization

The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is six hundred twenty million (620,000,000), consisting of twenty million (20,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (hereinafter referred to as “ Preferred Stock ”), and six hundred million (600,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (hereinafter referred to as “ Common Stock ”).

The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the person in whose name any share of its stock is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such share on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have notice thereof, except as expressly provided by applicable law.

A. Undesignated Preferred Stock . The undesignated Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “ Board of Directors ”) is hereby authorized to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in series and, by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware (hereinafter referred to as a “ Preferred Stock Designation ”), to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:

1. The designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title.

2. The number of shares of the series, which number the Board of Directors may thereafter (except where otherwise provided in the Preferred Stock Designation) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding).

3. The amounts payable on, and the preferences, if any, of shares of the series in respect of dividends, and whether such dividends, if any, shall be cumulative or noncumulative.

4. Dates at which dividends, if any, shall be payable.

5. The redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series.

6. The terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series.

7. The amounts payable on, and the preferences, if any, of shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.


8. Whether the shares of the series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of the Corporation or any other corporation, and, if so, the specification of such other class or series or such other security, the conversion or exchange price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates at which such shares shall be convertible or exchangeable and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange may be made.

9. Restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series.

10. The voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the series.

B. Common Stock .

1. General . The holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share upon all questions presented to the stockholders. The holders of the shares of Common Stock shall at all times, except as otherwise provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or as required by applicable law, vote together with the holders of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation accorded such general voting rights, as one class.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by applicable law, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or pursuant to the DGCL.

2. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up . In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment of all preferential amounts required to be paid to the holders of Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock then outstanding shall share ratably in any distribution of the remaining assets and funds of the Corporation.

C. Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of Shares of Stock .

1. Definitions . For the purpose of this Article  IV , Section  C , the following terms shall have the following meanings (unless otherwise specified, references to sections shall be to the sections of this Article  IV , Section  C ):

Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit . The term “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8 percent in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section  2(8) .

Beneficial Ownership . The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.


Business Day . The term “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capital Stock . The term “Capital Stock” shall mean all classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

Charitable Beneficiary . The term “Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section  3(6) , provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

Code . The term “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder, all as from time to time in effect, or any successor law, regulations and rulings, and any reference to any statutory, regulatory or ruling provision shall be deemed to be a reference to any successor statutory, regulatory or ruling provision.

Common Stock Ownership Limit . The term “Common Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8 percent (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section  2(8) .

Constructive Ownership . The term “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns,” “Constructively Owning” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Excepted Holder . The term “Excepted Holder” shall mean a Person for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by this Article  IV , Section  C or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section  2(8) .

Excepted Holder Limit . The term “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board of Directors for such Excepted Holder pursuant to Section  2(8) and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section  2(8) , the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section  2(8) .

Exchange Act . The term “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


Initial Date . The term “Initial Date” shall mean the effective time of the merger of Crown Castle International Corp. with and into the Corporation pursuant to that Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 19, 2014, by and between Crown Castle International Corp. and the Corporation.

Market Price . The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such Capital Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of such Capital Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors.

NYSE . The term “NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

Person . The term “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.

Prohibited Owner . The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of this Article  IV , Section  C , would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section  2(1) , and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares of Capital Stock that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

Restriction Termination Date . The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Corporation determines pursuant to the final paragraph of Article  VII of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with any or all of the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required for REIT qualification and taxation.


Transfer . The term “Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, redemption, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event or change in circumstances (including, without limitation, any change in the value of any shares of Capital Stock and any redemption of any shares of Capital Stock) that causes any Person to acquire or possess beneficial ownership (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Capital Stock or the right to vote (other than revocable proxies or consents given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations of the Exchange Act) or receive dividends on Capital Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in beneficial ownership (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, beneficially owned (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

Trust . The term “Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section  3(1) .

Trustee . The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Trust, or any successor trustee.

2. Capital Stock .

(1) Ownership Limitations . During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section  4 :

(A) Basic Restrictions .

(i) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

(ii) No Person shall Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year).


(iii) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would otherwise result in the Corporation failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Corporation actually owning or Constructively Owning an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Corporation from such tenant would cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code).

(iv) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock could result in the Corporation failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code.

(v) Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock that, if effective, would result in the shares of Capital Stock being beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

The number and value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock (or any class or series thereof) Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by any Person shall be determined by the Board of Directors, which determination shall be final and conclusive for all purposes hereof. For purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Capital Stock (or any class or series thereof) by any Person, shares of Capital Stock that may be acquired upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any securities of the Corporation directly or Constructively held by such Person, but not shares of Capital Stock issuable with respect to the conversion, exchange or exercise of securities for the Corporation held by other Persons, shall be deemed to be outstanding prior to conversion, exchange or exercise.

(B) Transfer in Trust . If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock occurs on or after the Initial Date which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section  2(1)(A)(i) - (iv) ,

(i) then that number of shares of Capital Stock, the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section  2(1)(A)(i) - (iv) (rounded up to the nearest whole share), shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section  3 , effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer (or if a Transfer results in a transfer to a Trust pursuant to this Section  2(1)(B) on the Initial Date, effective as of the close of business on the Initial Date), and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; or


(ii) if the transfer to the Trust described in clause (i) of this Section  2(1)(B) would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section  2(1)(A)(i) - (iv) , then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section  2(1)(A)(i) - (iv) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

(iii) Subject to Section  2(6) , in determining which shares of Capital Stock are to be transferred to a Trust in accordance with this Section  2(1)(B) and Section  3 hereof, shares shall be so transferred to a Trust in such manner that minimizes the aggregate value of the shares that are transferred to the Trust (except to the extent that the Board of Directors determines that the shares transferred to the Trust shall be those directly or indirectly held or Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by a Person or Persons that caused or contributed to the application of this Section  2(1)(B) ), and to the extent not inconsistent therewith, on a pro rata basis.

(iv) To the extent that, upon a transfer of shares of Capital Stock pursuant to this Section  2(1)(B) , a violation of any provision of this Article  IV , Section  C would nonetheless be continuing (for example where the ownership of shares of Capital Stock by a single Trust would violate the 100 stockholder requirement applicable to REITs), then shares of Capital Stock shall be transferred to that number of Trusts, each having a distinct Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of this Article  IV , Section  C .

(2) Remedies for Breach . If the Board of Directors shall at any time determine that a Transfer has taken place that results in a violation of Section  2(1) or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section  2(1) (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors shall be entitled to take such action as it deems necessary, appropriate or desirable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer; provided , however , that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section  2(1) shall automatically result in the transfer to a Trust described above and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors.

(3) Notice of Restricted Transfer . Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section  2(1)(A) or any Person who held or would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to a Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section  2(1)(B) shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15


days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may from time to time request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit.

(4) Owners Required to Provide Information . From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(A) every owner of five percent or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the U.S. Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder) in number or value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of Capital Stock Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit; and

(B) each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit.

(5) Remedies Not Limited . Subject to the final paragraph of Article  VII of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, nothing contained in this Article  IV , Section  C shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary, appropriate or desirable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

(6) Application of Remedies . Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Directors (which the Board of Directors may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section  2(2) ) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock in violation of Section  2(1) , such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the shares of Capital Stock that, but for such remedies, would have been actually owned by such Person, and second to shares of Capital Stock that, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such shares of Capital Stock based upon the relative number of the shares of Capital Stock held by each such Person. In addition, any approvals, determinations or other actions which may be taken by the Board of Directors pursuant to this Article  IV , Section  C may, to the extent permissible under the DGCL and applicable law, be delegated by the Board of Directors to any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors or other designee of the Board of Directors.


(7) Ambiguity . In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of, or any definition contained in, this Article  IV , Section  C , the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of, or definitions contained in, this Article  IV , Section  C with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Article  IV , Section  C requires an action by the Board of Directors and this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Article  IV , Section  C and the final paragraph of Article  VII .

(8) Exceptions .

(A) Subject to Section  2(1)(A)(ii) - (v) , the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit (prospectively or retroactively) for such Person if the Corporation obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as the Board of Directors determines are reasonably necessary to determine that:

(i) no Person’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of such shares of Capital Stock will violate Section  2(1)(A)(ii) - (v) ; and

(ii) such Person does not and will not own, actually or Constructively, an interest in a tenant of the Corporation (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) that would cause the Corporation to own, actually or Constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant (for this purpose, a tenant shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation if the Corporation (or an entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue from such tenant such that, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT).

Any violation or attempted violation of any such representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in Sections  2(1) through 2(7) ) will result in such shares of Capital Stock being automatically transferred to a Trust in accordance with Sections  2(1)(B) and 3 .

(B) Prior to granting any exemption or establishing or increasing any Excepted Holder Limit pursuant to Section  2(8)(A) , the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary, appropriate or desirable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems necessary, appropriate or desirable in connection with granting such exemption or establishing or increasing any Excepted Holder Limit.


(C) Subject to Section  2(1)(A)(ii) - (v) , an underwriter or placement agent that participates in a public offering or a private placement of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, the Common Stock Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

(D) The Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit applicable to any Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment or increase of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or the Common Stock Ownership Limit, as the case may be.

(9) Increase or Decrease in Aggregate Stock Ownership and Common Stock Ownership Limits . Subject to Section  2(1)(A)(ii) - (v) , the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its sole discretion, increase the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit for one or more Persons and/or decrease the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit for all other Persons; provided , however , that the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership in Common Stock is in excess of such decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or whose percentage ownership in Capital Stock is in excess of such decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, until such time as such Person’s percentage ownership of Common Stock equals or falls below the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or such Person’s percentage ownership of Capital Stock equals or falls below the decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, but any further acquisition of Capital Stock in excess of such percentage ownership of Common Stock and/or Capital Stock by such person will be in violation of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, and, provided further , that the new Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock.

(10) Legend . Each certificate for shares of Capital Stock, if certificated, or the notice in lieu of a certificate, if such shares are to be uncertificated, shall bear, in addition to any other legend required by law, substantially the following legend:


The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on beneficial ownership (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”)), Beneficial Ownership and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Corporation’s maintenance of its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust under the Code. Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (“Charter”), (i) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock that would result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code; (iv) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock that would otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Corporation actually owning or Constructively Owning an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Corporation from such tenant would cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code); (v) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock that could result in the Corporation failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” under Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code; and (vi) no Person may Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code). Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts or intends to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock which cause or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation. If any of the restrictions on transfer or ownership provided in (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above are violated, the shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may redeem shares if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, if the ownership restriction provided in (vi) above would be violated, or upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio . All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings given to them in the Charter, as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.


Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate or notice may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on ownership and transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge.

3. Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust .

(1) Ownership in Trust . Upon any purported Transfer described in Section  2(1)(B) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer that results in the transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section  2(1)(B) ; provided , however , if a Transfer results in a transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section  2(1)(B) on the Initial Date, such transfer shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Initial Date. The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section  3(6) .

(2) Status of Shares Held by the Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall continue to be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Trust.

(3) Dividend and Voting Rights . The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to the Trustee upon demand, and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary and, when received, shall be promptly distributed to the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust and, subject to the laws of the State of Delaware, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided , however , that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article  IV , Section  C , until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its stock transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.


(4) Sale of Shares by Trustee . Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust shall sell the shares held in the Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section  2(1)(A) . Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section  3(4) . The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust ( e.g. , in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust and (2) the price received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. The Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section  3(3) of this Article  IV , Section  C . Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be promptly paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section  3(4) , such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand and, when received, shall be promptly distributed to the Charitable Beneficiary.

(5) Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust ( e.g. , in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust and (ii) the Market Price of the shares on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section  3(3) of this Article  IV , Section  C . The Corporation shall pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section  3(4) . Upon such a sale to the Corporation, or its designee, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and any dividends or other distributions held by the Trustee shall be paid to the Charitable Beneficiary.


(6) Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries . By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries of the interest in the Trust such that (i) the shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section  2(1)(A) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code. Neither the failure of the Corporation to make such designation nor the failure of the Corporation to appoint the Trustee before the automatic transfer provided in Section  2(1)(B) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Corporation thereafter makes such designation and appointment.

4. Transactions . Nothing in this Article  IV , Section  C shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article  IV , Section  C and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article  IV , Section  C .

5. Enforcement . The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article  IV , Section  C .

6. Non-Waiver . No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right under this Article  IV , Section  C shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

7. Severability . If any provision of this Article  IV , Section  C or any application of any such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other applications of such provisions shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.

ARTICLE V

By-laws

In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the powers conferred by law and subject to the other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized and empowered:

(1) to adopt, amend or repeal the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “ By-laws ”); provided , however , that the By-laws adopted by the Board of Directors under the powers hereby conferred may be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders having voting


power with respect thereto; provided , further , that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock (as hereinafter defined), voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders to alter, amend or repeal any provision of the By-laws or to adopt any additional By-law;

(2) from time to time to determine whether and to what extent, and at what times and places, and under what conditions and regulations, the accounts and books of the Corporation, or any of them, shall be open to inspection of stockholders; and, except as so determined or as expressly provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or in any Preferred Stock Designation, no stockholder shall have any right to inspect any account, book or document of the Corporation other than such rights as may be conferred by applicable law; and

(3) to manage and direct the business and affairs of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VI

Action of Stockholders

Except as otherwise specified with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing in lieu of a meeting of such stockholders.

ARTICLE VII

Board of Directors

Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors of the Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “ Directors ”) under specified circumstances, the number of Directors shall initially be 11 and may hereafter be changed from time to time solely by the Board of Directors. At 11:55 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 15, 2014 (the “ Effective Time ”), the Board of Directors shall initially be composed of the directors of Crown Castle International Corp. then in office as of the Effective Time.

Unless and except to the extent that the By-laws shall so require, the election of Directors need not be by written ballot.

The Directors elected by the stockholders of Crown Castle International Corp. at the 2013 annual meeting of the stockholders of Crown Castle International Corp. (the “ Class  III Directors ”) shall hold office for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation that occurs after the Effective Time, with each such Director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. Directors elected by the stockholders of Crown Castle International Corp. (other than the Class III Directors) shall hold office for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation that occurs after the Effective Time, with each such Director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. Commencing with the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time, the foregoing classification of the Board of Directors


shall cease. At each annual meeting of stockholders, Directors (other than those Directors who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock) elected by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be elected at such meeting to hold office for a term expiring at the first succeeding annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation after their election, with each Director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors, though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. Each such Director so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring (1) at the next annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which he or she has been elected expires or (2) following cessation of the classification of the Board of Directors in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, at the next annual meeting of stockholders held after his or her election as Director, and, in each case, until such Director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized Directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.

Except for such additional Directors, if any, as are elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any Director may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, except that each of (a) the Directors elected by the stockholders of Crown Castle International Corp. at the 2012 annual meeting of the stockholders of Crown Castle International Corp. and (b) the Class III Directors may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class.

The Corporation shall seek to elect and maintain its status and taxation as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860, or any successor sections, of the Code (as defined in Article  IV , Section  C ). In furtherance of the foregoing, the Board of Directors shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary, and may take such actions as in its sole judgment and discretion are desirable, to preserve the qualification of the Corporation as a REIT. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a majority of the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interest of the Corporation to attempt to, or to continue to, qualify as a REIT, the Board of Directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election. The Board of Directors may also determine that compliance with any or all of the restrictions and limitations on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Article  IV , Section  C is no longer required for REIT qualification and taxation.


ARTICLE VIII

Indemnification

Each person who is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation shall be indemnified by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or any other applicable laws as presently or hereafter in effect. The Corporation may, by action of the Board of Directors, provide indemnification to other employees and agents of the Corporation, to directors, officers, employees or agents of a subsidiary, and to each person serving as a director, officer, partner, member, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, at the request of the Corporation, with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of Directors and officers of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify any person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors or is a proceeding to enforce such person’s claim to indemnification pursuant to the rights granted by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise by the Corporation. Without limiting the generality of the effect of the foregoing, the Corporation may enter into one or more agreements with any person which provide for indemnification greater or different than that provided in this Article  VIII . Any amendment or repeal of this Article  VIII shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

ARTICLE IX

Directors’ Liability

A Director shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except for liability (1) for any breach of the Director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (4) for any transaction from which the Director derived an improper personal benefit. Any amendment or repeal of this Article  IX shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

If the DGCL shall be amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the liability of Directors, then a Director of the Corporation, in addition to the circumstances in which he is not liable immediately prior to such amendment, shall be free of liability to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

ARTICLE X

Stockholder Rights Issuances

The Board of Directors is hereby authorized to create and issue, whether or not in connection with the issuance and sale of any of its stock or other securities or property, rights entitling the holders of securities of the Corporation to purchase from the Corporation shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any other corporation, recognizing that, under certain circumstances, the creation and issuance of such rights could have the effect of discouraging third parties from seeking, or impairing their ability to seek, to acquire a significant portion of the outstanding securities of the Corporation, to engage in any transaction which might result in a change of control of the Corporation or to enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding with another party to accomplish the foregoing or for the purpose


of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any securities of the Corporation. The times at which and the terms upon which such rights are to be issued will be determined by the Board of Directors and set forth in the contracts or instruments that evidence such rights. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to such rights shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:

(A) The initial purchase price per share or other unit of the stock or other securities or property to be purchased upon exercise of such rights.

(B) Provisions relating to the times at which and the circumstances under which such rights may be exercised or sold or otherwise transferred, either together with or separately from, any other stock or other securities of the Corporation.

(C) Provisions which adjust the number or exercise price of such rights or amount or nature of the stock or other securities or property receivable upon exercise of such rights in the event of a combination, split or recapitalization of any stock of the Corporation, a change in ownership of the Corporation’s stock or other securities or a reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other occurrence relating to the Corporation or any stock of the Corporation, and provisions restricting the ability of the Corporation to enter into any such transaction absent an assumption by the other party or parties thereto of the obligations of the Corporation under such rights.

(D) Provisions which deny the holder of the specified percentage of the outstanding stock or other securities of the Corporation the right to exercise such rights and/or cause the rights held by such holder to become void.

(E) Provisions which permit the Corporation to redeem or exchange such rights, which redemption or exchange may be within the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, if the Board of Directors reserves such right to itself.

(F) The appointment of a rights agent with respect to such rights.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, in addition to any other vote required by applicable law, the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend, repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with this Article  X .

ARTICLE XI

Amendments

Except as may be expressly provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or a Preferred Stock Designation, and any other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein or by applicable law, and all rights, preferences and privileges of


whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, Directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article  XI ; provided , however , that any amendment or repeal of Article  VIII or Article  IX of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing thereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment, alteration, change or repeal, and provided further that no Preferred Stock Designation shall be amended after the issuance of any shares of series of Preferred Stock created thereby, except in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Stock Designation and the requirements of applicable law.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, and in addition to approval by the Board of Directors and any other vote of stockholders required by applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend, repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with paragraph (1) of Article  V , Article  VI , Article  VII , Article  X or this second paragraph of this Article  XI . For the purposes of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, “ Voting Stock ” shall mean the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in a general vote of stockholders of the Corporation as a single class with shares of Common Stock.

*        *        *         *        *

This Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall become effective at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 20, 2017.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by Kenneth J. Simon, its Senior Vice President and General Counsel, this 20th day of July, 2017.

 

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.
By:  

/s/ Kenneth J. Simon

Name:   Kenneth J. Simon
Title:  

Senior Vice President and

General Counsel

Exhibit 3.2

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

OF

6.875% MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES A

OF

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.

(Pursuant to Section 151 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)

Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), hereby certifies that, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 103, 141 and 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, (a) on July 11, 2017 and on July 16, 2017 the board of directors of the Corporation (the “ Board of Directors ”), pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as such may be amended, modified or restated from time to time, the “ Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation ” or “ Charter ”), appointed a special committee (the “ Pricing Committee ”) and authorized the Pricing Committee to create, designate, authorize and provide for the issuance of shares of a new series of the Corporation’s undesignated preferred stock, to be designated the “6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A”, and to establish the number of shares to be included in such series, and to fix the powers, preferences and rights of the shares of such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof; and (b) on July 20, 2017, the Pricing Committee adopted the resolution set forth immediately below, which resolution is now, and at all times since its date of adoption, has been in full force and effect:

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (which authorizes 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”)), and the authority vested in the Board of Directors, a series of Preferred Stock be, and it hereby is, created, and that the designation and number of shares of such series, and the voting and other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof are as set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and this Certificate of Designations, as it may be amended from time to time (the “ Certificate of Designations ”) as follows:

Part 1. Designation and Number of Shares . Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, there is hereby created out of the authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock of the Corporation a series of Preferred Stock consisting of 1,650,000 shares designated as the “6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A” (the “ Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock ”). Such number of shares may be decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors, subject to the terms and conditions hereof and the requirements of applicable law; provided that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to a number less than the number of such shares then outstanding.

Part 2. Standard Provisions . The Standard Provisions contained in Annex A attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Certificate of Designations to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Designations to be signed by Kenneth J. Simon, its Senior Vice President and General Counsel, this 26th day of July, 2017.

 

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.
By:  

/s/ Kenneth J. Simon

  Name:   Kenneth J. Simon
  Title:   Senior Vice President and General Counsel

[ Certificate of Designations—6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock ]


ANNEX A

STANDARD PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. General Matters; Ranking. Each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be identical in all respects to every other share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend rights and distribution rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation, shall rank (i) senior to each class or series of Junior Stock, (ii) on parity with each class or series of Parity Stock, (iii) junior to each class or series of Senior Stock and (iv) junior to the Corporation’s existing and future indebtedness.

SECTION 2. Standard Definitions. As used herein with respect to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock:

Accumulated Dividend Amount ” means, with respect to any Fundamental Change Conversion, the aggregate amount of undeclared, accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, for Dividend Periods prior to the Effective Date for the relevant Fundamental Change, including for the partial Dividend Period, if any, from, and including, the Dividend Payment Date immediately preceding such Effective Date to, but excluding, such Effective Date, subject to the proviso in Section 9(a).

Acquisition ” means the acquisition by the Corporation of all of the outstanding equity interests in Lightower in a series of related transactions in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

Acquisition Termination Conversion Rate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

Acquisition Termination Dividend Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

Acquisition Termination Event ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

Acquisition Termination Make-whole Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

Acquisition Termination Market Value ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).

Acquisition Termination Redemption ” means a redemption of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock on the Acquisition Termination Redemption Date as set forth in Section 5.

Acquisition Termination Redemption Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).

 

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Acquisition Termination Share Price ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

ADRs ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.

Agent Members ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22.

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Applicable Market Value ” means the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the 20 consecutive Trading Day period (the “ Settlement Period ”) beginning on, and including, the 22nd Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Mandatory Conversion Date.

Average Price ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(c).

Average VWAP ” means the average of the VWAPs for each Trading Day in the relevant period.

Board of Directors ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

By-laws ” means the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Corporation, as they may be amended or restated from time to time.

Certificate of Designations ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Clause I Distribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(iv).

Clause II Distribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(iv).

Clause IV Distribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(iv).

Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation.

Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent ” means Computershare Inc., the Corporation’s duly appointed conversion and dividend disbursing agent for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, and any successor appointed under Section 15.

Conversion Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

Corporation ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

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Current Market Price ” per share of Common Stock (or, in the case of Section 13(a)(iv), per share of Common Stock and capital stock or equity interests of the subsidiary or other business unit being distributed, as applicable) on any date means for the purposes of determining an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates:

(i) for purposes of any adjustment pursuant to Section 13(a)(ii), Section 13(a)(iv) (but only in the event of an adjustment thereunder not relating to a Spin-Off), or Section 13(a)(v), the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Date with respect to the issuance or distribution requiring such computation;

(ii) for purposes of any adjustment pursuant to Section 13(a)(iv) relating to a Spin-Off, the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock, capital stock or equity interests of the subsidiary or other business unit being distributed, as applicable, over the first 10 consecutive Trading Days commencing on and including the fifth Trading Day immediately following the effective date of such distribution; and

(iii) for purposes of any adjustment pursuant to Section 13(a)(vi), the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date of the relevant tender offer or exchange offer.

Depositary ” means DTC or its nominee or any successor appointed by the Corporation.

Dividend Payment Date ” means February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year commencing on November 1, 2017 to and including the Mandatory Conversion Date.

Dividend Period ” means the period from, and including, a Dividend Payment Date to, but excluding, the next Dividend Payment Date, except that the initial Dividend Period shall commence on, and include, the Initial Issue Date and shall end on, and exclude, the November 1, 2017 Dividend Payment Date.

Dividend Rate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Corporation.

Early Conversion ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).

Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(b).

Early Conversion Additional Share Number ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(b).

Early Conversion Average Price ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(b).

Early Conversion Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(b).

 

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Early Conversion Settlement Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(b).

Effective Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Exchange Property ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.

Ex-Date ,” when used with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first date on which shares of Common Stock trade without the right to receive such issuance or distribution.

Expiration Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(vi).

Fair Market Value ” means the fair market value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof), whose determination shall be final.

Fixed Conversion Rates ” means the Maximum Conversion Rate and the Minimum Conversion Rate.

Floor Price ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(e).

A “ Fundamental Change ” shall be deemed to have occurred, at such time after the Initial Issue Date, upon: (i) the consummation of any transaction or event (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, recapitalization or otherwise) in connection with which 90% or more of the Common Stock is exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or constitutes solely the right to receive, consideration 10% or more of which (excluding cash payments for fractional shares or pursuant to appraisal rights) is not common stock that is listed on, or immediately after the transaction or event will be listed on, the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Select Market or the NASDAQ Global Market; (ii) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, whether or not applicable), other than the Corporation, any of the Corporation’s majority-owned subsidiaries or any of the Corporation’s or the Corporation’s majority-owned subsidiaries’ employee benefit plans, files a Schedule TO or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act disclosing that such person or group has become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power in the aggregate of all classes of capital stock then outstanding entitled to vote generally in elections of the Corporation’s directors or the Corporation otherwise becomes aware of such beneficial ownership; or (iii) the Common Stock (or, following a Reorganization Event, any common stock, depositary receipts or other securities representing common equity interests into which the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock becomes convertible in connection with such Reorganization Event) ceases to be listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Select Market or the NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors) or another United States national securities exchange (each, a “ Qualifying Market ”). For the purposes of this definition of “Fundamental Change”, any transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change under both clause (i) and clause (ii) above will be deemed to constitute a Fundamental Change solely under clause (i) of this definition of “Fundamental Change”.

 

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Fundamental Change Conversion ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).

Fundamental Change Conversion Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(c).

Fundamental Change Conversion Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).

Fundamental Change Conversion Rate ” means, for any Fundamental Change Conversion, the conversion rate set forth in the table below for the Effective Date and the Share Price applicable to such Fundamental Change:

 

     Share price on effective date  

Effective date

   $20.00      $40.00      $65.00      $96.00      $100.00      $110.00      $115.20      $125.00      $145.00      $175.00      $225.00      $300.00      $400.00  

July 26, 2017

     7.2995        7.7528        8.4380        8.4955        8.4618        8.3577        8.3011        8.2065        8.0983        8.0950        8.1891        8.2948        8.3750  

August 1, 2018

     8.2125        8.5953        9.0765        8.9404        8.8705        8.6735        8.5715        8.4070        8.2586        8.2777        8.3501        8.4217        8.4756  

August 1, 2019

     9.2480        9.4795        9.7577        9.4558        9.3287        8.9708        8.8005        8.5718        8.4459        8.4728        8.5138        8.5501        8.5773  

August 1, 2020

     10.4167        10.4167        10.4167        10.4167        10.0000        9.0909        8.6806        8.6806        8.6806        8.6806        8.6806        8.6806        8.6806  

If the Share Price falls between two Share Prices set forth in the table above, or if the Effective Date falls between two Effective Dates set forth in the table above, the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be determined by straight-line interpolation between the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates set forth for the higher and lower Share Prices and the earlier and later Effective Dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day year.

If the Share Price is in excess of $400.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as adjustments are made to the Share Price in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(c)(iv)), then the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be the Minimum Conversion Rate (subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 13). If the Share Price is less than $20.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as adjustments are made to the Share Price in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(c)(iv)), then the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be the Maximum Conversion Rate (subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 13).

The Share Prices in the column headings in the table above are subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(c)(iv). The Fundamental Change Conversion Rates set forth in the table above are each subject to adjustment in the same manner as each Fixed Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 13.

Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).

Fundamental Change Notice ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(b).

Global Preferred Shares ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22.

 

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Holder ” means each Person in whose name shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are registered, who shall be treated by the Corporation and the Registrar as the absolute owner of those shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for the purpose of making payment and settling conversions and for all other purposes.

Initial Dividend Threshold ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(v).

Initial Issue Date ” means July 26, 2017, the first original issue date of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

Initial Price ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b)(ii).

Junior Stock ” means (i) the Common Stock and (ii) each other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation established after the Initial Issue Date the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series ranks senior to or on parity with the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and distribution rights upon the Corporation’s liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.

Lightower ” means LTS Group Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Liquidation Dividend Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

Liquidation Preference ” means, as to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, $1,000.00 per share.

Mandatory Conversion ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).

Mandatory Conversion Additional Conversion Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(c).

Mandatory Conversion Date ” means August 1, 2020.

Mandatory Conversion Rate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b).

Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock ” shall have the meaning set forth in Part 1 of this Certificate of Designations.

Maximum Conversion Rate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b)(iii).

Merger Agreement ” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July 18, 2017, among (i) Lightower, (ii) Berkshire Fund VII-A (LTS) Acquisition Partners, a Delaware general partnership, (iii) Berkshire Fund VIII-A (LTS) Acquisition Partners, a Delaware general partnership, (iv) LTS Berkshire Fund VII-A Blocker Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (v) LTS Berkshire Fund VIII-A Blocker Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (vi) LTS Co-Invest Blocker LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (vii) LTS Co-Invest Blocker II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (viii) LTS Rollover Blocker LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (ix) LTS BF VII-A Blocker Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (x) LTS BF VIII-A Blocker Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (xi) LTS Co-Invest Blocker

 

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Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (xii) LTS Co-Invest Blocker II Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (xiii) LTS Rollover Blocker Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (xiv) LTS Group Holdings Merger Sub, Inc., (xv) the Corporation and (xvi) BSR LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Minimum Conversion Rate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b)(i).

Nonpayment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b)(i).

Nonpayment Remedy ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b)(iii).

Officer ” means the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Corporation.

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate of the Corporation, signed by any duly authorized Officer of the Corporation.

Qualifying Preferred Stock ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(c).

Parity Stock ” means each class or series of capital stock of the Corporation established after the Initial Issue Date the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series shall rank on parity with the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and distribution rights upon the Corporation’s liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.

Person ” means any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.

Preferred Stock ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Preferred Stock Directors ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b)(i).

Pricing Committee ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Prospectus Supplement ” means the preliminary prospectus supplement dated July 19, 2017, as supplemented by the related pricing term sheet dated July 20, 2017, relating to the offering and sale of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

Record Date ” means, with respect to any Dividend Payment Date, the January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 immediately preceding the applicable February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 Dividend Payment Date, respectively. These Record Dates shall apply regardless of whether a particular Record Date is a Business Day.

Record Holder ” means, with respect to any Dividend Payment Date, a Holder of record of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as such Holder appears on the stock register of the Corporation at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the related Record Date.

 

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Reference Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

Registrar ” initially means Computershare Inc., the Corporation’s duly appointed registrar for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any successor appointed under Section 15.

Reorganization Event ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.

Scheduled Trading Day ” means any day that is scheduled to be a Trading Day.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Senior Stock ” means each class or series of capital stock of the Corporation established after the Initial Issue Date the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series shall rank senior to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and distribution rights upon the Corporation’s liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.

“Share Dilution Amount” means the increase in the number of diluted shares outstanding (determined in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, and as measured from the Initial Issue Date) resulting from the grant, vesting or exercise of equity-based compensation to directors, employees and agents and equitably adjusted for any stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar transaction.

Share Price ” means, for any Fundamental Change, (i) if the holders of Common Stock receive only cash in such Fundamental Change, the amount of cash paid in such Fundamental Change per share of Common Stock, and (ii) if the holders of Common Stock receive any property other than cash in such Fundamental Change, the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day preceding the Effective Date.

Shelf Registration Statement ” means a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the issuance of or resales of shares of Common Stock issued as payment of a dividend, including dividends paid in connection with a conversion.

Spin-Off ” means a distribution by the Corporation to all holders of Common Stock consisting of capital stock of, or similar equity interests in, or relating to a subsidiary or other business unit of the Corporation.

Threshold Appreciation Price ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b)(i).

Trading Day ” means a day on which the Common Stock:

(a) is not suspended from trading, and on which trading in Common Stock is not limited, on any national or regional securities exchange or association or over-the-counter market during any period or periods aggregating one half-hour or longer; and

 

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(b) has traded at least once on the national or regional securities exchange or association or over-the-counter market that is the primary market for the trading of Common Stock;

provided that if the Common Stock is not traded on any such exchange, association or market, “ Trading Day ” means any Business Day.

Transfer Agent ” shall initially mean Computershare Inc., the Corporation’s duly appointed transfer agent for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any successor appointed under Section 15.

Trigger Event ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(a)(iv).

Unit of Exchange Property ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.

Voting Preferred Stock ” means any series of Preferred Stock, in addition to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, ranking equally with the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock either as to dividends or to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights for the election of directors have been conferred and are exercisable.

VWAP ” per share of Common Stock on any Trading Day means the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed on Bloomberg page “CCI <Equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day; or, if such price is not available, “ VWAP ” means the market value per share of Common Stock on such Trading Day as determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained by the Corporation for this purpose.

SECTION 3. Dividends. (a)  Rate . Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking senior to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, Holders shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) out of funds of the Corporation legally available for payment, cumulative dividends at the rate per annum of 6.875% on the Liquidation Preference per share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (the “ Dividend Rate ”) (equivalent to $68.75 per annum per share), payable in cash, by delivery of shares of Common Stock or by delivery of any combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion (subject to the limitations set forth below). Declared dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be payable quarterly on each Dividend Payment Date at such annual rate, and dividends shall accumulate from the most recent date as to which dividends shall have been paid or, if no dividends have been paid, from the Initial Issue Date, whether or not in any Dividend Period or Dividend Periods there have been funds legally available for the payment of such dividends. Declared dividends shall be payable on the relevant Dividend Payment Date to Record Holders on the immediately preceding Record Date, whether or not the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock held by such Record Holders on such Record Date are converted after such Record Date and on or prior to the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date. If a Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, without any interest or other payment in lieu of interest accruing with respect to this delay.

 

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The amount of dividends payable on each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for each full Dividend Period (after the initial Dividend Period) shall be computed by dividing the Dividend Rate by four. Dividends payable on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for any period other than a full Dividend Period, including the initial Dividend Period, shall be computed based upon the actual number of days elapsed during such period over a 360-day year (consisting of 12 30-day months). Accumulations of dividends on shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not bear interest.

No dividend shall be declared or paid upon, or any sum of cash or number of shares of Common Stock set apart for the payment of dividends upon, any outstanding shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock with respect to any Dividend Period unless all dividends for all preceding Dividend Periods have been declared and paid upon, or a sufficient sum of cash or number of shares of Common Stock has been set apart for the payment of such dividends upon, all outstanding shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

Except as described in this Section 3(a), dividends on shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock converted to Common Stock shall cease to accumulate on the Acquisition Termination Redemption Date, the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Fundamental Change Conversion Date or the Early Conversion Date (each, a “ Conversion Date ”), as applicable.

(b) Priority of Dividends . So long as any share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock remains outstanding, no dividend or distribution shall be declared or paid on Common Stock or any other Junior Stock, and no Common Stock or any other Junior Stock shall be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends for all preceding Dividend Periods have been declared and paid upon, or a sufficient sum of cash or number of shares of Common Stock has been set apart for the payment of such dividends upon, all outstanding shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) any dividend or distribution payable in shares of Common Stock or other Junior Stock; (ii) purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of Common Stock or other Junior Stock in connection with the administration of any benefit or other incentive plan, including any employment contract, in the ordinary course of business (including purchases to offset the Share Dilution Amount pursuant to a publicly announced repurchase plan); provided that any purchases to offset the Share Dilution Amount shall in no event exceed the Share Dilution Amount; (iii) any dividends or distributions of rights in connection with a stockholders’ rights plan or any redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant to any stockholders’ rights plan; (iv) purchases of Common Stock or other Junior Stock pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy Common Stock or other Junior Stock existing prior to the preceding Dividend Period, including under a contractually binding stock repurchase plan; or (v) the deemed purchase or acquisition of fractional interests in shares of Common Stock or other Junior Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such shares or the security being converted or exchanged.

 

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When dividends on shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (A) have not been declared and paid in full on any Dividend Payment Date or (B) have been declared but a sum of cash or number of shares of Common Stock sufficient for payment thereof has not been set aside for the benefit of the Holders thereof on the applicable Record Date, no dividends may be declared or paid on any Parity Stock unless dividends are declared on the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock such that the respective amounts of such dividends declared on the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock shall bear the same ratio to each other as all accumulated dividends and all declared and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock bear to each other; provided that any unpaid dividends will continue to accumulate.

Subject to the foregoing, and not otherwise, such dividends (payable in cash, securities or other property) as may be determined by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may be declared and paid on any securities, including Common Stock, from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and Holders shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividends.

(c) Method of Payment of Dividends . (i) Subject to the limitations set forth below, any declared dividend (or any portion of any declared dividend) on the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, whether for a current Dividend Period or any prior Dividend Period (including in connection with the payment of declared and unpaid dividends pursuant to Section 7 and Section 9 hereof), may be paid by the Corporation, as determined in the Corporation’s sole discretion:

(A) in cash;

(B) by delivery of shares of Common Stock; or

(C) by delivery of any combination of cash and shares of Common Stock.

(ii) Each payment of a declared dividend on the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be made in cash, except to the extent the Corporation timely elects to make all or any portion of such payment in shares of Common Stock. The Corporation shall give notice to Holders of any such election and the portions of such payment that will be made in cash and in shares of Common Stock no later than 10 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Dividend Payment Date for such dividend, provided that if the Corporation does not provide timely notice of this election, the Corporation will be deemed to have elected to pay the relevant dividend in cash.

(iii) If the Corporation elects to make any such payment of a declared dividend, or any portion thereof, in shares of Common Stock, such shares shall be valued for such purpose, in the case of any dividend payment or portion thereof, at 97% of the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period beginning on and including the seventh Scheduled Trading Day prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date (the “ Average Price ”).

 

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(d) No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be delivered by the Corporation to Holders in payment or partial payment of a dividend. A cash adjustment shall instead be paid by the Corporation to each Holder that would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Common Stock based on the Average Price with respect to such dividend.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered in connection with any declared dividend, including any declared dividend payable in connection with a conversion, exceed a number equal to the total dividend payment divided by $33.60, subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 13(c)(ii) (such dollar amount, as adjusted, the “ Floor Price ”). To the extent that the amount of any declared dividend exceeds the product of the number of shares of Common Stock delivered in connection with such declared dividend and 97% of the Average Price, the Corporation shall, if it is legally able to do so, pay such excess amount in cash.

(f) To the extent that the Corporation, in its reasonable judgment, determines that a Shelf Registration Statement is required in connection with the issuance of, or for resales of, shares of Common Stock issued as payment of a dividend on the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, including dividends paid in connection with a conversion, the Corporation shall, to the extent such a Shelf Registration Statement is not currently filed and effective, use its commercially reasonable efforts to file and maintain the effectiveness of such a Shelf Registration Statement until the earlier of such time as all such shares of Common Stock have been resold thereunder and such time as all such shares would be freely tradable without registration by holders thereof that are not “affiliates” of the Corporation for purposes of the Securities Act. To the extent applicable, the Corporation shall also use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such shares of Common Stock qualified or registered under applicable U.S. state securities laws, if required, and approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (or if the Common Stock is not listed on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed).

SECTION 4. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. (a) In the event of any liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, each Holder shall be entitled to receive the Liquidation Preference per share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, plus an amount (the “ Liquidation Dividend Amount ”) equal to accumulated and unpaid dividends on such shares to (but excluding) the date fixed for liquidation, winding-up or dissolution to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to its stockholders, after satisfaction of liabilities owed to the Corporation’s creditors and holders of shares of any Senior Stock and before any payment or distribution is made to holders of any Junior Stock, including, without limitation, Common Stock.

(b) If, upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation, the amounts payable with respect to (1) the Liquidation Preference plus the Liquidation Dividend Amount on the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and (2) the liquidation preference of, and the amount of accumulated and unpaid dividends (to, but excluding, the date fixed for liquidation, winding up or dissolution) on, all Parity Stock are not paid in full, the Holders and all holders of any such Parity Stock shall share equally and ratably in any distribution of the Corporation’s assets in proportion to the respective liquidation preferences and amounts equal to the accumulated and unpaid dividends to which they are entitled.

 

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(c) After the payment to any Holder of the full amount of the Liquidation Preference and the Liquidation Dividend Amount for each of such Holder’s shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, such Holder as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation.

(d) Neither the sale of all or substantially all of Corporation’s assets, nor its merger or consolidation into or with any other Person, shall be deemed to be the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation.

SECTION 5. Acquisition Termination Redemption; No Sinking Fund.

(a) Within ten Business Days following the earlier of (a) the date on which an Acquisition Termination Event occurs and (b) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on June 29, 2018, if the Acquisition has not closed on or prior to such time on such date, the Corporation shall be entitled, but not required, in its sole discretion, to mail a notice of Acquisition Termination Redemption to the Holders (provided that, if the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is held in the form of Global Preferred Securities through DTC, the Corporation may give such notice in any manner permitted by DTC). If the Corporation shall send notice of Acquisition Termination Redemption to Holders, then, on the Acquisition Termination Redemption Date, the Corporation shall be required to redeem the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, at a redemption amount per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock equal to the Acquisition Termination Make-Whole Amount.

Acquisition Termination Event ” means either (1) the Merger Agreement is terminated or (2) the Corporation shall determine in its reasonable judgment that the Acquisition will not occur.

Acquisition Termination Make-whole Amount ” means, for each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, an amount in cash equal to $1,000.00 plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to the Acquisition Termination Redemption Date (whether or not declared); provided , however , that if the Acquisition Termination Share Price exceeds the Initial Price, the Acquisition Termination Make-whole Amount will equal the Reference Amount.

Acquisition Termination Share Price ” means the average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day preceding the date on which the Corporation provides notice of Acquisition Termination Redemption.

Reference Amount ” means, for each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts:

(i) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Acquisition Termination Conversion Rate; plus

(ii) cash in an amount equal to the Acquisition Termination Dividend Amount;

 

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provided that the Corporation may pay cash in lieu of delivering all or any portion of the shares of Common Stock set forth in clause (i) above, and the Corporation may deliver shares of Common Stock in lieu of paying all or any portion of the cash amount set forth in clause (ii) above, in each case, as set forth in this Section 5.

Acquisition Termination Conversion Rate ” means a rate equal to the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate assuming for such purpose that the date on which the Corporation shall provide notice of Acquisition Termination Redemption is the Effective Date and that the Share Price is the Acquisition Termination Share Price.

Acquisition Termination Dividend Amount ” means an amount of cash equal to the sum of (x) the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and (y) the Accumulated Dividend Amount, assuming in each case, for such purpose that the date on which the Corporation shall provide notice of Acquisition Termination Redemption is the Effective Date.

(b) If the Acquisition Termination Share Price shall exceed the Initial Price, the Corporation may pay cash in lieu of delivering all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Acquisition Termination Conversion Rate. If the Corporation makes such an election, it shall pay cash in an amount equal to such number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the Corporation shall have made this election multiplied by the Acquisition Termination Market Value.

(c) If the Acquisition Termination Share Price shall exceed the Initial Price, the Corporation may deliver shares of Common Stock in lieu of paying cash for some or all of the Acquisition Termination Dividend Amount. If the Corporation makes such an election, it shall deliver a number of shares of Common Stock equal to such portion of the Acquisition Termination Dividend Amount to be paid by delivery of shares of Common Stock divided by the greater of the Floor Price and 97% of the Acquisition Termination Market Value; provided that, if the Acquisition Termination Dividend Amount or portion thereof in respect of which shares of Common Stock are delivered exceeds the product of such number of shares of Common Stock multiplied by 97% of the Acquisition Termination Market Value, the Corporation shall, if it is legally able to do so, declare and pay such excess amount in cash.

Acquisition Termination Market Value ” means the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the 20 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on and including the third Trading Day following the date on which the Corporation provides notice of Acquisition Termination Redemption.

Acquisition Termination Redemption Date ” means the date specified by the Corporation in its notice of Acquisition Termination Redemption that is not less than 30 nor more than 60 days following the date on which the Corporation shall provide notice of such Acquisition Termination Redemption; provided , that, if (a) the Acquisition Termination Share Price is greater than the Initial Price and (b)(i) the Corporation shall elect to pay cash in lieu of delivering all or any portion of the shares of Common Stock equal to the Acquisition Termination Conversion Rate, or (ii) the Corporation shall elect to deliver shares of Common Stock in lieu of paying all or any portion of the Acquisition Termination Dividend Amount in cash, then the Acquisition Termination Redemption Date shall be also not earlier than the third Business Day following the last Trading Day of the 20 consecutive Trading Day period used to determine the Acquisition Termination Market Value.

 

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(d) The notice of Acquisition Termination Redemption shall specify:

(i) the Acquisition Termination Make-whole Amount;

(ii) if the Acquisition Termination Share Price exceeds the Initial Price, the number of shares of Common Stock and the amount of cash comprising the Reference Amount per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (before giving effect to any election to pay or deliver, with respect to each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, cash in lieu of all or a portion of the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Acquisition Termination Conversion Rate or shares of Common Stock in lieu of all or a portion of cash in respect of the Acquisition Termination Dividend Amount);

(iii) if applicable, whether the Corporation shall pay cash in lieu of delivering all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Acquisition Termination Conversion Rate comprising a portion of the Reference Amount (specifying, if applicable, the number of such shares of Common Stock in respect of which cash will be delivered);

(iv) if applicable, whether the Corporation shall deliver shares of Common Stock in lieu of paying cash for all or any portion of the Acquisition Termination Dividend Amount comprising a portion of the Reference Amount (specifying, if applicable, the percentage of the Acquisition Termination Dividend Amount in respect of which shares of Common Stock will be delivered in lieu of cash); and

(v) the Acquisition Termination Redemption Date.

(e) If any portion of the Acquisition Termination Make-whole Amount is to be paid by delivery of shares of Common Stock, no fractional shares of Common Stock will be delivered to the Holders. The Corporation shall instead, to the extent it is legally permitted to do so, pay a cash amount to each Holder that would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of Common Stock based on the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the seventh Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Acquisition Termination Redemption Date. If the Acquisition Termination Redemption Date occurs on or prior to the last Trading Day of such five consecutive Trading Day period, payment of the cash payable in lieu of delivery of fractional shares of Common Stock shall be deferred until the Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of such five consecutive Trading Day period. If more than one share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is to be redeemed from a Holder, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with the payment of the Reference Amount shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock so redeemed. The provisions with respect to delivery of Common Stock in lieu of cash set forth in Section 3(f) shall apply to any delivery of shares of Common Stock upon an Acquisition Termination Redemption.

 

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(f) All cash payments to which a Holder is entitled in connection with an acquisition termination redemption will be rounded to the nearest cent.

(g) Other than pursuant to the Acquisition Termination Redemption provisions set forth above, the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be subject to any redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions.

SECTION 6. Voting Rights .

(a) General . Holders shall not have any voting rights except as set forth in this Section 6 and as otherwise from time to time specifically required by Delaware law.

(b) Right to Elect Two Directors Upon Nonpayment . (i) Whenever dividends on any shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (A) have not been declared and paid, or (B) have been declared but a sum of cash or number of shares of Common Stock sufficient for payment thereof has not been set aside for the benefit of the Holders on the applicable Record Date, for the equivalent of six or more Dividend Periods, whether or not for consecutive Dividend Periods (a “ Nonpayment ”), the authorized number of directors of the Board of Directors shall, at the next annual meeting of the stockholders or at a special meeting of stockholders as provided below, automatically be increased by two and Holders, voting together as a single class with holders of any and all other series of Voting Preferred Stock then outstanding, shall be entitled, at the Corporation’s next annual meeting or at a special meeting of stockholders, to fill such newly created directorships by electing two additional members of the Board of Directors (the “ Preferred Stock Directors ”); provided that the election of any such directors will not cause the Corporation to violate the corporate governance requirements of the New York Stock Exchange (or any other exchange or automated quotation system on which the Corporation’s securities may be listed or quoted) that requires listed or quoted companies to have a majority of independent directors; and provided further that the Board of Directors shall, at no time, include more than two Preferred Stock Directors. In the event of a Nonpayment, the holders of record of at least 25% of the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any other series of Voting Preferred Stock may request that a special meeting of stockholders be called to elect such Preferred Stock Directors (provided, however, that if the next annual or a special meeting of stockholders is scheduled to be held within 90 days of the receipt of such request, the election of such Preferred Stock Directors, to the extent otherwise permitted by the By-laws, shall be included in the agenda for and shall be held at such scheduled annual or special meeting of stockholders). The Preferred Stock Directors will stand for reelection annually, and at each subsequent annual meeting of the stockholders, so long as the Holders continue to have such voting rights. At any meeting at which the Holders are entitled to elect Preferred Stock Directors, the holders of record of a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and all other series of Voting Preferred Stock, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum and the vote of the holders of a majority of such shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and other Voting Preferred Stock so present or represented by proxy at any such meeting at which there shall be a quorum shall be sufficient to elect the Preferred Stock Directors. Whether a plurality, majority or other portion in voting power of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any other Voting Preferred Stock have been voted in favor of any matter shall be determined by reference to the respective liquidation preference amounts of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and such other Voting Preferred Stock voted.

 

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(ii) Any request to call a special meeting for the initial election of the Preferred Stock Directors after a Nonpayment shall be made by written notice, signed by the requisite holders of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or other series of Voting Preferred Stock then outstanding, and delivered to the Corporation in such manner as provided for in Section 17 below, or as may otherwise be required by law.

(iii) If and when all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock have been paid in full (a “ Nonpayment Remedy ”), the Holders shall immediately and, without any further action by the Corporation, be divested of the foregoing voting rights, subject to the revesting of such rights in the event of each subsequent Nonpayment. If such voting rights for the Holders and all other holders of Voting Preferred Stock shall have terminated, the term of office of each Preferred Stock Director so elected shall terminate at such time and the authorized number of directors on the Board of Directors shall automatically decrease by two.

(iv) Any Preferred Stock Director may be removed at any time, with cause as provided by law or without cause by the holders of record of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any other series of Voting Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class), when they have the voting rights set forth above. In the event that a Nonpayment shall have occurred and there shall not have been a Nonpayment Remedy, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Stock Director (other than prior to the initial election of Preferred Stock Directors after a Nonpayment) may be filled by the written consent of the Preferred Stock Director remaining in office or, if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders of record of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and any other series of Voting Preferred Stock then outstanding (voting together as a single class) when they have the voting rights set forth above; provided that the filling of each vacancy will not cause the Corporation to violate the corporate governance requirements of the New York Stock Exchange (or any other exchange or automated quotation system on which the Corporation’s securities may be listed or quoted) that requires listed or quoted companies to have a majority of independent directors. Any such vote of stockholders to remove, or to fill a vacancy in the office of, a Preferred Stock Director may be taken only at a special meeting of such stockholders, called as provided above for an initial election of Preferred Stock Directors after a Nonpayment (provided that such request is received at least 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of stockholders, failing which such election shall be included in the agenda for and shall be held at the next scheduled annual or special meeting of stockholders). The Preferred Stock Directors shall each be entitled to one vote per director on any matter that shall come before the Board of Directors for a vote. Each Preferred Stock Director elected at any special meeting of stockholders or by written consent of the other Preferred Stock Director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders if such office shall not have previously terminated and such Preferred Stock Director shall not have been removed from such office, in each case as above provided.

 

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(c) Other Voting Rights . So long as any shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by law or by the Charter, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and all other series of Voting Preferred Stock (subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6(c)) at the time outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at an annual or special meeting of such stockholders, shall be necessary for effecting or validating:

(i) Authorization of Senior Stock . Any amendment or alteration of the Charter or this Certificate of Designations so as to authorize or create, or increase the authorized amount of, any class or series of Senior Stock;

(ii) Amendment of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock . Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the Charter or this Certificate of Designations so as to adversely affect the special rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock; or

(iii) Share Exchanges, Reclassifications, Mergers and Consolidations . Any consummation of a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, or of a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another entity, unless in each case (x) the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock remain outstanding or, in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which the Corporation is not the surviving or resulting entity (or the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is otherwise exchanged or reclassified), are converted or reclassified into or exchanged for preferred stock of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (y) such shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock that remain outstanding or such shares of preferred stock, as the case may be, have rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers that, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, taken as a whole, of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction (any such preferred stock being referred to herein as “ Qualifying Preferred Stock ”);

provided , however, that for all purposes of this Section 6(c), (1) any increase in the amount of the Corporation’s authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, (2) any increase in the amount of the Corporation’s authorized Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or the issuance of any additional shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or (3) the authorization or creation of any class or series of Parity Stock or Junior Stock, any increase in the amount of authorized but unissued shares of such class or series of Parity Stock or Junior Stock or the

 

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issuance of additional shares of such class or series of Parity Stock or Junior Stock shall be deemed not to adversely affect (or to otherwise cause to be materially less favorable) the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, and shall not require the affirmative vote of the Holders.

If any amendment, alteration, repeal, share exchange, reclassification, merger or consolidation specified in this Section 6(c) would adversely affect one or more but not all series of Voting Preferred Stock, then only the series of Voting Preferred Stock adversely affected and entitled to vote shall vote as a class in lieu of all other series of Voting Preferred Stock.

Without the consent of the Holders, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and so long as such action does not adversely affect the special rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, and limitations and restrictions thereof, the Corporation may amend, alter, supplement, or repeal any terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, including by way of amendment to this Certificate of Designations, for the following purposes:

(i) to cure any ambiguity or mistake, or to correct or supplement any provision contained in this Certificate of Designations establishing the terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained in such Certificate of Designations;

(ii) to make any provision with respect to matters or questions relating to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock that is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Charter or this Certificate of Designations; or

(iii) to waive any of the Corporation’s rights with respect thereto;

provided that any such amendment, alteration, supplement or repeal of any terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock effected in order to conform the terms thereof to the description of the terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock set forth under “Description of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock” in the Prospectus Supplement shall be deemed not to adversely affect the special rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

(d) Procedures for Voting and Consents . The rules and procedures for calling and conducting any meeting of the Holders (including, without limitation, the fixing of a record date in connection therewith), the solicitation and use of proxies at such a meeting, the obtaining of written consents and any other procedural aspect or matter with regard to such a meeting or such consents shall be governed by any rules the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may adopt from time to time, which rules and procedures shall conform to the requirements of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws, applicable law and the rules of any national securities exchange or other trading facility on which the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is listed or traded at the time.

SECTION 7. Mandatory Conversion on the Mandatory Conversion Date. (a) Each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall automatically convert (unless previously converted at the option of the Holder in accordance with Section 8 or Section 9 or previously redeemed in accordance with Section 5) on the Mandatory Conversion Date (“ Mandatory Conversion ”), into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Mandatory Conversion Rate.

 

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(b) The “ Mandatory Conversion Rate ” shall, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 7(c), be as follows:

(i) if the Applicable Market Value is greater than $115.20 (the “ Threshold Appreciation Price ”), then the Mandatory Conversion Rate shall be equal to 8.6806 shares of Common Stock per share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (the “ Minimum Conversion Rate ”);

(ii) if the Applicable Market Value is less than or equal to the Threshold Appreciation Price but greater than or equal to $96.00 (the “ Initial Price ”), then the Mandatory Conversion Rate per share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be equal to the Liquidation Preference divided by the Applicable Market Value; or

(iii) if the Applicable Market Value is less than the Initial Price, then the Mandatory Conversion Rate shall be equal to 10.4167 shares of Common Stock per share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (the “ Maximum Conversion Rate ”).

provided that the Fixed Conversion Rates, the Threshold Appreciation Price, the Initial Price and the Applicable Market Value are each subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.

(c) If on or prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date the Corporation has not declared all or any portion of the accumulated dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Mandatory Conversion Rate shall be adjusted so that Holders receive an additional number of shares of Common Stock equal to the amount of such undeclared, accumulated and unpaid dividends (“ Mandatory Conversion Additional Conversion Amount ”) divided by the greater of the Floor Price and 97% of the Average Price. To the extent that the Mandatory Conversion Additional Conversion Amount exceeds the product of such number of additional shares and 97% of the Average Price, the Corporation shall, if the Corporation is legally able to do so, declare and pay such excess amount in cash pro rata to the Holders.

(d) If the Corporation declares a dividend for the Dividend Period ending on the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Corporation shall pay such dividend to the Record Holders as of the immediately preceding Record Date in accordance with Section 3.

SECTION 8. Early Conversion at the Option of the Holder. (a) Other than during a Fundamental Change Conversion Period, the Holders shall have the right to convert their Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, in whole or in part (but in no event less than one share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock), at any time prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date (“ Early Conversion ”), into shares of Common Stock at the Minimum Conversion Rate, subject to adjustment as described in Section 13 and to satisfaction of the conversion procedures set forth in Section 10.

 

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(b) If, as of any Early Conversion Date, the Corporation has not declared all or any portion of the accumulated and unpaid dividends for all full Dividend Periods ending on a Dividend Payment Date prior to such Early Conversion Date, the Minimum Conversion Rate shall be adjusted, with respect to the relevant Early Conversion, so that the Holders converting their Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock at such time receive an additional number of shares of Common Stock (the “ Early Conversion Additional Share Number ”) equal to the amount of undeclared, accumulated and unpaid dividends for such prior Dividend Periods (such amount of undeclared, accumulated and unpaid dividends, the “ Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount ”), divided by the greater of the Floor Price and the Average VWAP per share of the Common Stock over the 20 consecutive Trading Day period (the “ Early Conversion Settlement Period ”) commencing on, and including, the 22nd Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Early Conversion Date (such average being referred to as the “ Early Conversion Average Price ”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Certificate of Designations, to the extent that the Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount exceeds the value of the product of the Early Conversion Additional Share Number and the Early Conversion Average Price, the Corporation shall not have any obligation to pay the shortfall in cash. Except as described in the first sentence of this Section 8(b), upon any Early Conversion of any shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends on such shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, unless such Early Conversion Date occurs after the Record Date for a declared dividend and on or prior to the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date, in which case the Corporation shall pay such dividend on such Dividend Payment Date to the Record Holder of the converted shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as of such Record Date, in accordance with Section 3.

SECTION 9. Fundamental Change Conversion. (a) If a Fundamental Change occurs on or prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Holders shall have the right to (i) convert their shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, in whole or in part (but in no event less than one share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock) (any such conversion pursuant to this Section 9(a) being a “ Fundamental Change Conversion ”) at any time during the period (the “ Fundamental Change Conversion Period ”) that begins on the effective date of such Fundamental Change (the “ Effective Date ”) and ends at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is 20 calendar days after the Effective Date (or, if earlier, the Mandatory Conversion Date) into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate per share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, (ii) with respect to such converted shares, receive an amount equal to the present value, calculated using a discount rate of 3.25% per annum, of all dividend payments on such shares (excluding any Accumulated Dividend Amount) for all the remaining Dividend Periods (including any partial Dividend Period) from and including such Effective Date to but excluding the Mandatory Conversion Date (the “ Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount ”); and (iii) with respect to such converted shares, receive the Accumulated Dividend Amount, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) to the Corporation’s right to deliver shares of Common Stock in lieu of all or part of such amounts as set forth in Section 9(d) below and subject to the limitations with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock set forth in Section 9(d) below; provided that, notwithstanding clauses (ii) and (iii) above, if such Effective Date falls during a Dividend Period for which the Corporation has declared a dividend, the Corporation shall pay such dividend on the relevant Dividend Payment Date to the Record Holders as of the immediately preceding

 

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Record Date, in accordance with Section 3, and the amount of such dividend shall not be included in the Accumulated Dividend Amount, and the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount shall not include the present value of such dividend. Holders who do not submit their shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for conversion during the Fundamental Change Conversion Period shall not be entitled to convert their Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock at the relevant Fundamental Change Conversion Rate or to receive the relevant Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount or the relevant Accumulated Dividend Amount.

(b) On or before the 20th calendar day prior to the anticipated Effective Date or, if such prior notice is not practicable, no later than the second Business Day immediately following the actual Effective Date, a written notice (the “ Fundamental Change Notice ”) shall be sent by or on behalf of the Corporation to the Holders. Such notice shall state:

(i) the event causing the Fundamental Change;

(ii) the anticipated Effective Date or actual Effective Date, as the case may be;

(iii) that Holders shall have the right to effect a Fundamental Change Conversion in connection with such Fundamental Change during the Fundamental Change Conversion Period;

(iv) the Fundamental Change Conversion Period; and

(v) the instructions a Holder must follow to effect a Fundamental Change Conversion in connection with such Fundamental Change.

If the Corporation notifies Holders of a Fundamental Change later than the 20th calendar day prior to the Effective Date, the Fundamental Change Conversion Period shall be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days from, and including, the 20th calendar day prior to the Effective Date to, but excluding, the date of such notice; provided that the Fundamental Change Conversion Period shall not be extended beyond the Mandatory Conversion Date.

(c) Not later than the second Business Day following the Effective Date (or, if the Corporation provides notice to Holders of the Fundamental Change prior to the anticipated Effective Date, on the date the Corporation gives Holders notice of the anticipated Effective Date), the Corporation shall notify Holders of:

(i) the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate;

(ii) the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and whether the Corporation will pay such amount in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof, specifying the combination, if applicable; and

(iii) the Accumulated Dividend Amount as of the Effective Date and whether the Corporation will pay such amount in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof, specifying the combination, if applicable.

 

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(d) (i) For any shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock that are converted during the Fundamental Change Conversion Period, in addition to the Common Stock issued upon conversion at the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate, the Corporation shall at its option:

(A) pay the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount in cash, to the extent the Corporation is legally permitted to do so;

(B) increase the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued on conversion by a number equal to (x) the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount divided by (y) the greater of the Floor Price and 97% of the Share Price; or

(C) pay the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount through any combination of cash and shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of clauses (A) and (B) above.

(ii) In addition, to the extent that the Accumulated Dividend Amount exists as of the Effective Date of the Fundamental Change, the converting Holder shall be entitled to receive such Accumulated Dividend Amount upon such Fundamental Change Conversion. The Corporation shall, at its option, pay the Accumulated Dividend Amount:

(A) in cash, to the extent the Corporation is legally permitted to do so;

(B) in an additional number of shares of Common Stock equal to (x) the Accumulated Dividend Amount divided by (y) the greater of the Floor Price and 97% of the Share Price; or

(C) in a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of clauses (A) and (B) above.

(iii) The Corporation shall pay the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount and the Accumulated Dividend Amount in cash, except to the extent the Corporation elects on or prior to the second Business Day following the relevant Effective Date to make all or any portion of such payments in Common Stock. In addition, if the Corporation elects to deliver Common Stock in respect of all or any portion of the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount or the Accumulated Dividend Amount, to the extent that the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount or the Accumulated Dividend Amount or the dollar amount of any portion thereof paid in Common Stock exceeds the product of the number of additional shares the Corporation delivers in respect thereof and 97% of the Share Price, the Corporation shall, if it is legally able to do so, pay such excess amount in cash.

(iv) No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be delivered by the Corporation to converting Holders in respect of the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount or the Accumulated Dividend Amount. A cash adjustment shall instead be paid by the Corporation to each converting Holder that would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Common Stock based on the Average VWAP per share of Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the seventh Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Conversion Date.

 

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SECTION 10. Conversion Procedures. (a) Pursuant to Section 7, on the Mandatory Conversion Date, any outstanding shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall automatically convert into shares of Common Stock. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon mandatory conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be treated as the record holder(s) of such shares of Common Stock as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Mandatory Conversion Date. Except as provided under Section 13(c)(iii), prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be outstanding for any purpose and Holders shall have no rights with respect to such Common Stock, including voting rights, rights to respond to tender offers and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on the Common Stock, by virtue of holding the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. A certificate representing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be issued and delivered to the converting Holder or, if the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock being converted is in the form of Global Preferred Shares, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be delivered to the converting Holder through book-entry transfer through the facilities of the Depositary, in each case together with delivery by the Corporation to the converting Holder of any cash to which the converting Holder is entitled, on the later of (i) the third Business Day immediately succeeding the Mandatory Conversion Date and (ii) the third Business Day immediately succeeding the last day of the Settlement Period.

(b) To effect an Early Conversion pursuant to Section 8, a Holder who

(i) holds a beneficial ownership interest in a Global Preferred Share must deliver to DTC the appropriate instruction form for conversion pursuant to DTC’s conversion program and, if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes or duties, if any; or

(ii) holds shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock in definitive, certificated form must:

(A) complete and manually sign the conversion notice on the back of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate or a facsimile of such conversion notice;

(B) deliver the completed conversion notice and the certificated shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to be converted to the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent;

(C) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents; and

(D) if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes or duties, if any.

 

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The Early Conversion shall be effective on the date on which a Holder has satisfied the foregoing requirements, to the extent applicable (“ Early Conversion Date ”). A Holder shall not be required to pay any transfer or similar taxes or duties relating to the issuance or delivery of Common Stock if such Holder exercises its conversion rights, but such Holder shall be required to pay any transfer or similar tax or duty that may be payable relating to any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of Common Stock in a name other than the name of such Holder. A certificate representing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be issued and delivered to the converting Holder or, if the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock being converted is in the form of Global Preferred Shares, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be delivered to the converting Holder through book-entry transfer through the facilities of the Depositary, in each case together with delivery by the Corporation to the converting Holder of any cash to which the converting Holder is entitled, on the latest of (i) the third Business Day immediately succeeding the Early Conversion Date, (ii) the third Business Day immediately succeeding the last day of the Early Conversion Settlement Period, and (iii) the Business Day after the Holder has paid in full all applicable taxes and duties, if any.

The Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon Early Conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder(s) of such shares of Common Stock as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Early Conversion Date. Except as set forth in Section 13(c)(iii), prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time on such applicable Early Conversion Date, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose, and Holders shall have no rights with respect to such shares of Common Stock, including voting rights, rights to respond to tender offers for the Common Stock and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on the Common Stock, by virtue of holding shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

In the event that an Early Conversion is effected with respect to shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock representing less than all the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock held by a Holder, upon such Early Conversion the Corporation shall execute and instruct the Registrar and Transfer Agent to countersign and deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Corporation, a certificate evidencing the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as to which Early Conversion was not effected, or, if the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is held in book-entry form, the Corporation shall cause the Transfer Agent and Registrar to reduce the number of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by the global certificate by making a notation on Schedule I attached to the global certificate or otherwise notate such reduction in the register maintained by such Transfer Agent and Registrar.

(c) To effect a Fundamental Change Conversion pursuant to Section 9, a Holder who

(i) holds a beneficial ownership interest in a Global Preferred Share must deliver to DTC the appropriate instruction form for conversion pursuant to DTC’s conversion program and, if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes or duties, if any; or

 

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(ii) holds shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock in definitive, certificated form must:

(A) complete and manually sign the conversion notice on the back of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate or a facsimile of such conversion notice;

(B) deliver the completed conversion notice and the certificated shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to be converted to the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent;

(C) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents; and

(D) if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes or duties, if any.

The Fundamental Change Conversion shall be effective on the date on which a Holder has satisfied the foregoing requirements, to the extent applicable (the “ Fundamental Change Conversion Date ”). A Holder shall not be required to pay any transfer or similar taxes or duties relating to the issuance or delivery of Common Stock if such Holder exercises its conversion rights, but such Holder shall be required to pay any transfer or similar tax or duty that may be payable relating to any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of Common Stock in a name other than the name of such Holder. A certificate representing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be issued and delivered to the converting Holder or, if the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock being converted is in book-entry form, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be delivered to the converting Holder through book-entry transfer through the facilities of the Depositary, in each case together with delivery by the Corporation to the converting Holder of any cash to which the converting Holder is entitled, on the later of (i) the third Business Day immediately succeeding the Fundamental Change Conversion Date and (ii) the Business Day after the Holder has paid in full all applicable taxes and duties, if any.

The Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such Fundamental Change Conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder(s) of such shares of Common Stock as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Fundamental Change Conversion Date. Except as set forth in Section 13(c)(iii), prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time on such applicable Fundamental Change Conversion Date, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be outstanding for any purpose, and Holders shall have no rights with respect to the Common Stock, including voting rights, rights to respond to tender offers for the Common Stock and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on the Common Stock, by virtue of holding shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

In the event that a Fundamental Change Conversion is effected with respect to shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock representing less than all the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock held by a Holder, upon such Fundamental Change Conversion the Corporation shall execute and instruct the Registrar and Transfer Agent to countersign and

 

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deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Corporation, a certificate evidencing the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as to which Fundamental Change Conversion was not effected, or, if the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is held in book-entry form, the Corporation shall cause the Transfer Agent and Registrar to reduce the number of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by the global certificate by making a notation on Schedule I attached to the global certificate or otherwise notate such reduction in the register maintained by such Transfer Agent and Registrar.

(d) In the event that a Holder shall not by written notice designate the name in which shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock should be registered or, if applicable, the address to which the certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock should be sent, the Corporation shall be entitled to register such shares, and make such payment, in the name of the Holder as shown on the records of the Corporation and, if applicable, to send the certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock to the address of such Holder shown on the records of the Corporation.

(e) Shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall cease to be outstanding on the applicable Conversion Date, subject to the right of Holders of such shares to receive shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and other amounts and shares of Common Stock, if any, to which they are entitled pursuant to Sections 7, 8 or 9, as applicable and, if the applicable Conversion Date occurs after the Record Date for a declared dividend and prior to the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date, subject to the right of the Record Holders of such shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred on such Record Date to receive payment of such declared dividend on such Dividend Payment Date pursuant to Section 3.

SECTION 11. Reservation of Common Stock. (a) The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as herein provided, free from any preemptive or other similar rights, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of the Maximum Conversion Rate then in effect and the number of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock then outstanding. For purposes of this Section 11(a), the number of shares of Common Stock that shall be deliverable upon the conversion of all outstanding shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be computed as if at the time of computation all such outstanding shares were held by a single Holder.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall be entitled to deliver upon conversion of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, as herein provided, shares of Common Stock reacquired and held in the treasury of the Corporation (in lieu of the issuance of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock), so long as any such treasury shares are free and clear of all liens, charges, security interests or encumbrances (other than liens, charges, security interests and other encumbrances created by the Holders).

(c) All shares of Common Stock delivered upon conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests and other encumbrances (other than liens, charges, security interests and other encumbrances created by the Holders).

 

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(d) Prior to the delivery of any securities that the Corporation shall be obligated to deliver upon conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all federal and state laws and regulations thereunder requiring the registration of such securities with, or any approval of or consent to the delivery thereof by, any governmental authority.

(e) The Corporation hereby covenants and agrees that, if at any time the Common Stock shall be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or any other national securities exchange or automated quotation system, the Corporation shall, if permitted by the rules of such exchange or automated quotation system, list and keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or automated quotation system, all Common Stock issuable upon conversion of, or issuable in respect of the payment of dividends, the Accumulated Dividend Amount or the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-whole Amount on, the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock; provided , however, that if the rules of such exchange or automated quotation system permit the Corporation to defer the listing of such Common Stock until the first conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock into Common Stock in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Corporation covenants to list such Common Stock issuable upon the first conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock in accordance with the requirements of such exchange or automated quotation system at such time.

SECTION 12. Fractional Shares. (a) No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued to Holders as a result of any conversion of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

(b) In lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable in respect of any Acquisition Termination Redemption pursuant to Section 5, any mandatory conversion pursuant to Section 7 or a conversion at the option of the Holder pursuant to Section 8 or Section 9, the Corporation shall pay an amount in cash (computed to the nearest cent) equal to the product of (i) that same fraction and (ii) the Average VWAP of the Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the seventh Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Acquisition Termination Redemption Date, Mandatory Conversion Date, Early Conversion Date or Fundamental Change Conversion Date, as applicable. If the Acquisition Termination Redemption Date, Mandatory Conversion Date, Early Conversion Date or Fundamental Change Conversion Date, as applicable, occurs on or prior to the last Trading Day of such five consecutive Trading Day period, payment of the cash payable in lieu of delivery of fractional shares of Common Stock shall be deferred until the Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of such five consecutive Trading Day period.

(c) If more than one share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is surrendered for conversion at one time by or for the same Holder, the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock so surrendered.

SECTION 13. Anti-Dilution Adjustments to the Fixed Conversion Rates. (a) Each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be subject to the following adjustments:

 

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(i) Stock Dividends and Distributions . If the Corporation issues shares of Common Stock to all holders of Common Stock as a dividend or other distribution, each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution shall be divided by a fraction:

(A) the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for such determination; and

(B) the denominator of which is the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for such determination and the total number of shares of Common Stock constituting such dividend or other distribution.

Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (i) shall become effective immediately after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for such determination. If any dividend or distribution described in this clause (i) is declared but not so paid or made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) publicly announces its decision not to pay or make such dividend or distribution, to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. For the purposes of this clause (i), the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for such determination shall not include shares held in treasury by the Corporation but shall include any shares issuable in respect of any scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Corporation shall not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in treasury by the Corporation.

(ii) Issuance of Stock Purchase Rights . If the Corporation issues to all holders of shares of Common Stock rights or warrants (other than rights or warrants issued pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan or share purchase plan or other similar plans) entitling such holders, for a period of up to 45 calendar days from the date of issuance of such rights or warrants, to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the Current Market Price, each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such rights or warrants shall be increased by multiplying such Fixed Conversion Rate by a fraction:

(A) the numerator of which is the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for such determination and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights or warrants; and

 

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(B) the denominator of which is the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for such determination and the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of the aggregate offering price payable to exercise such rights or warrants divided by the Current Market Price.

Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (ii) shall become effective immediately after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for such determination. In the event that such rights or warrants described in this clause (ii) are not so issued, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) publicly announces its decision not to issue such rights or warrants, to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such issuance had not been declared. To the extent that such rights or warrants are not exercised prior to their expiration or shares of Common Stock are otherwise not delivered pursuant to such rights or warrants upon the exercise of such rights or warrants, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment made upon the issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the basis of the delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. In determining whether any rights or warrants entitle the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than the Current Market Price, and in determining the aggregate offering price payable to exercise such rights or warrants, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights or warrants and the value of such consideration (if other than cash, to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof, which determination shall be final). For the purposes of this clause (ii), the number of shares of Common Stock at the time outstanding shall not include shares held in treasury by the Corporation but shall include any shares issuable in respect of any scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Corporation shall not issue any such rights or warrants in respect of shares of Common Stock held in treasury by the Corporation.

(iii) Subdivisions and Combinations of the Common Stock . If outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock or combined into a lesser number of shares of Common Stock, each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the effective date of such subdivision or combination shall be multiplied by a fraction:

(A) the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding immediately after, and solely as a result of, such subdivision or combination; and

(B) the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision or combination.

 

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Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (iii) shall become effective immediately after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the effective date of such subdivision or combination.

(iv) Debt or Asset Distribution . (A) If the Corporation distributes to all holders of Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness, shares of capital stock, securities, rights to acquire shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, cash or other assets (excluding (1) any dividend or distribution covered by Section 13(a)(i), (2) any rights or warrants covered by Section 13(a)(ii), (3) any dividend or distribution covered by Section 13(a)(v) and (4) any Spin-Off to which the provisions set forth in Section 13(a)(iv)(B) apply), each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution shall be multiplied by a fraction:

(1) the numerator of which is the Current Market Price; and

(2) the denominator of which is the Current Market Price minus the Fair Market Value, on such date fixed for determination, of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, securities, rights to acquire shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, cash or other assets so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock.

(B) In the case of a Spin-Off, each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution shall be multiplied by a fraction:

(1) the numerator of which is the sum of the Current Market Price of the Common Stock and the Fair Market Value of the portion of those shares of capital stock or similar equity interests so distributed that is applicable to one share of Common Stock as of the 15th Trading Day after the effective date for such distribution (or, if such shares of capital stock or equity interests are listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, the Current Market Price of such securities); and

(2) the denominator of which is the Current Market Price of the Common Stock.

Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (iv) shall become effective immediately after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for the determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution. In the event that such distribution described in this clause (iv) is not so made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date

 

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the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) publicly announces its decision not to make such distribution, to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared. If an adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate is required under this clause (iv) during any Settlement Period or Early Conversion Settlement Period in respect of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock that have been tendered for conversion, delivery of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be delayed to the extent necessary in order to complete the calculations provided for in this clause (iv).

For purposes of this clause (iv) (and subject in all respects to clause (ii)), rights, options or warrants distributed by the Corporation to all holders of its Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, including Common Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“ Trigger Event ”): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of the Common Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of the Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this clause (iv) (and no adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates under this clause (iv) shall be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Fixed Conversion Rates shall be made under this clause (iv). If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants distributed prior to the Initial Issue Date, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and the date fixed for the determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution with respect to new rights, options or warrants with such rights (in which case the existing rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to terminate and expire on such date without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the immediately preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates under this clause (iv) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or purchased without exercise by any holders thereof, upon such final redemption or purchase (x) the Fixed Conversion Rates shall be readjusted as if such rights, options or warrants had not been issued and (y) the Fixed Conversion Rates shall then again be readjusted to give effect to such distribution, deemed distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or purchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or purchase, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Fixed Conversion Rates shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had not been issued.

 

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For purposes of clause (i), clause (ii) and this clause (iv), if any dividend or distribution to which this clause (iv) is applicable includes one or both of:

(C) a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock to which clause (i) is applicable (the “ Clause I Distribution ”); or

(D) an issuance of rights or warrants to which clause (ii) is applicable (the “ Clause II Distribution ”),

then (1) such dividend or distribution, other than the Clause I Distribution, if any, and the Clause II Distribution, if any, shall be deemed to be a dividend or distribution to which this clause (iv) is applicable (the “ Clause IV Distribution ”) and any Fixed Conversion Rate adjustment required by this clause (iv) with respect to such Clause IV Distribution shall then be made, and (2) the Clause I Distribution, if any, and Clause II Distribution, if any, shall be deemed to immediately follow the Clause IV Distribution and any Fixed Conversion Rate adjustment required by clause (i) and clause (ii) with respect thereto shall then be made, except that, if determined by the Corporation (I) the date fixed for determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive any Clause I Distribution or Clause II Distribution shall be deemed to be the date fixed for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive the Clause IV Distribution and (II) any shares of Common Stock included in any Clause I Distribution or Clause II Distribution shall be deemed not to be “outstanding at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for such determination” within the meaning of clauses (i) and (ii).

(v) Cash Distributions . If the Corporation pays or makes a dividend or other distribution consisting exclusively of cash to all holders of Common Stock other than a regular, quarterly cash dividend that does not exceed $0.95 per share of the Common Stock (the “ Initial Dividend Threshold ”)(excluding (1) any cash that is distributed in a Reorganization Event to which Section 14 applies, (2) any dividend or other distribution in connection with the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and (3) any consideration payable as part of a tender or exchange offer by the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation covered by Section 13(a)(vi)), each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution shall be multiplied by a fraction:

(1) the numerator of which is the Current Market Price minus the Initial Dividend Threshold ( provided that if the distribution is not a regular quarterly cash dividend, the Initial Dividend Threshold will be deemed to be zero), and

 

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(2) the denominator of which is the Current Market Price minus the amount per share of Common Stock of such dividend or other distribution.

The Initial Dividend Threshold is subject to adjustment in a manner inversely proportional to adjustments to the Fixed Conversion Rates; provided that no adjustment will be made to the Initial Dividend Threshold for any adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates under this clause (v).

Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (v) shall become effective immediately after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for the determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution. In the event that any dividend or other distribution described in this clause (v) is not so paid or made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) publicly announces its decision not to pay such dividend or make such other distribution, to such Fixed Conversion Rate which would then be in effect if such dividend or other distribution had not been declared.

(vi) Self Tender Offers and Exchange Offers . If the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation successfully completes a tender or exchange offer pursuant to a Schedule TO or registration statement on Form S-4 for Common Stock (excluding any securities convertible or exchangeable for Common Stock), where the cash and the value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of Common Stock exceeds the Current Market Price, each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of expiration of the tender or exchange offer (the “ Expiration Date ”) shall be multiplied by a fraction:

(A) the numerator of which shall be equal to the sum of:

(1) the aggregate cash and Fair Market Value on the Expiration Date of any other consideration paid or payable for shares of Common Stock purchased in such tender or exchange offer; and

(2) the product of (x) the Current Market Price and (y) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the time such tender or exchange offer expires, less any purchased shares; and

(B) the denominator of which shall be equal to the product of:

(1) the Current Market Price; and

(2) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the time such tender or exchange offer expires, including any purchased shares.

 

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Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (vi) shall become effective immediately after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the 10th Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date but will be given effect as of the open of business on the Expiration Date. In the event that the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries is obligated to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but the Corporation or such subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then each Fixed Conversation Rate shall be readjusted to be such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender offer or exchange offer had not been made. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, if the application of this clause (vi) to any tender offer or exchange offer would result in a decrease in each Fixed Conversation Rate, no adjustment shall be made for such tender offer or exchange offer under this clause (vi). If an adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate is required pursuant to this clause (vi) during any Settlement Period or Early Conversion Settlement Period in respect of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock that have been tendered for conversion, delivery of the related conversion consideration shall be delayed to the extent necessary in order to complete the calculations provided for in this clause (vi).

(vii) Fair Market Value in Excess of Current Market Price . Except with respect to a Spin-Off, in cases where the Fair Market Value of the evidences of the Corporation’s indebtedness, shares of capital stock, securities, rights to acquire shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, cash or other assets as to which Section 13(a)(iv) or Section 13(a)(v) apply, applicable to one share of Common Stock, distributed to holders of Common Stock equals or exceeds the Current Market Price (as determined for purposes of calculating the conversion rate adjustment pursuant to such Section 13(a)(iv) or Section 13(a)(v)), rather than being entitled to an adjustment in each Fixed Conversion Rate, Holders shall be entitled to receive upon conversion, in addition to a number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable on the applicable Conversion Date, the kind and amount of the evidences of the Corporation’s indebtedness, shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, securities, rights to acquire shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, cash or other assets comprising the distribution that such Holder would have received if such Holder had owned, immediately prior to the record date for determining the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive the distribution, for each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Maximum Conversion Rate in effect on the date of such distribution.

(viii) Rights Plans . To the extent that the Corporation has a rights plan in effect with respect to the Common Stock on any Conversion Date, upon conversion of any shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, converting Holders shall receive, in addition to the Common Stock, the rights under such rights plan, unless, prior to such Conversion Date, the rights have separated from the Common Stock, in which case each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be adjusted at the time of separation of such rights as if the Corporation made a distribution to

 

35


all holders of the Common Stock as described in Section 13(a)(iv), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights. Any distribution of rights or warrants pursuant to a rights plan that would allow Holders to receive upon conversion, in addition to any shares of Common Stock, the rights described therein (unless such rights or warrants have separated from Common Stock) shall not constitute a distribution of rights or warrants that would entitle Holders to an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates.

(b) Adjustment for Tax Reasons . The Corporation may make such increases in each Fixed Conversion Rate, in addition to any other increases required by this Section 13, as the Corporation deems advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of the Common Stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock (or issuance of rights or warrants to acquire shares of Common Stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes or for any other reason; provided that the same proportionate adjustment must be made to each Fixed Conversion Rate.

(c) Calculation of Adjustments; Adjustments to Threshold Appreciation Price, Initial Price and Share Price . (i) All adjustments to each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be calculated to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share of Common Stock. Prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, no adjustment in a Fixed Conversion Rate shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent therein. If any adjustment by reason of this Section 13(c)(i) is not required to be made, such adjustment shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment; provided , however, that on the earliest of the Mandatory Conversion Date, an Acquisition Termination Redemption Date, an Early Conversion Date and the Effective Date, adjustments to each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be made with respect to any such adjustment carried forward that has not been taken into account before such date.

(ii) If an adjustment is made to the Fixed Conversion Rates pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 13(b), (x) an inversely proportional adjustment shall also be made to the Threshold Appreciation Price and the Initial Price solely for purposes of determining which of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 7(b) shall apply on the Mandatory Conversion Date and (y) an inversely proportional adjustment will also be made to the Floor Price. Such adjustment shall be made by dividing each of the Threshold Appreciation Price and the Initial Price by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be either Fixed Conversion Rate immediately after such adjustment pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 13(b) and the denominator of which shall be such Fixed Conversion Rate immediately before such adjustment. Whenever any provision of this Certificate of Designations requires the Corporation to calculate the VWAP per share of the Common Stock over a span of multiple days, the Corporation shall make appropriate adjustments (including, without limitation, to the Applicable Market Value, the Early Conversion Average Price, the Current Market Price and the Average Price (as the case may be)) to account for any adjustments, pursuant to Section 13(a) or 13(b), to the Initial Price, the Threshold Appreciation Price, the Floor Price and the Fixed Conversion Rates (as the case may be) that become effective, or any event that would require such an adjustment if the Ex-Date, effective date or Expiration Date (as the case may be) of such event occurs, during the relevant period used to calculate such prices or values (as the case may be).

 

36


(iii) If:

(A) the record date for a dividend or distribution on shares of the Common Stock occurs after the end of the 20 consecutive Trading Day period used for calculating the Applicable Market Value and before the Mandatory Conversion Date; and

(B) such dividend or distribution would have resulted in an adjustment of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable to the Holders had such record date occurred on or before the last Trading Day of such 20-trading day period,

then the Corporation shall deem the Holders to be holders of record, for each share of their Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Mandatory Conversion Rate for purposes of that dividend or distribution.

(iv) If an adjustment is made to the Fixed Conversion Rates pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 13(b), a proportional adjustment shall be made to each Share Price column heading set forth in the table included in the definition of “Fundamental Change Conversion Rate” as of the day on which the Fixed Conversion Rates are so adjusted. Such adjustment shall be made by multiplying each Share Price included in such table, applicable immediately prior to such adjustment, by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Minimum Conversion Rate immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise to such Share Price adjustment, and the denominator of which is the Minimum Conversion Rate as so adjusted.

(v) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates shall be made if Holders may participate, at the same time, upon the same terms and otherwise on the same basis as holders of Common Stock and solely as a result of holding Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, in the transaction that would otherwise give rise to an adjustment as if they held, for each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Maximum Conversion Rate then in effect. The Corporation shall notify Holders, in the event they may so participate, at the same time it notifies holders of Common Stock of their participation in such transaction. In addition, the Fixed Conversion Rates shall not be adjusted:

(A) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Corporation’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any plan;

 

37


(B) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or rights or warrants to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future benefit or other incentive plan or program of or assumed by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries;

(C) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security outstanding as of the Initial Issue Date;

(D) for a change in the par value of the Common Stock;

(E) for stock repurchases that are not tender offers, including structured or derivative transactions;

(F) as a result of a tender offer solely to holders of fewer than 100 shares of Common Stock;

(G) as a result of a tender or exchange offer by a person other than the Corporation or one or more of its subsidiaries; or

(H) for accumulated dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, except as provided under Sections 5, 7, 8 and 9.

(d) Notice of Adjustment . Whenever the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates set forth in the table in the definition of “Fundamental Change Conversion Rate” are to be adjusted, the Corporation shall:

(i) compute such adjusted Fixed Conversion Rates and Fundamental Change Conversion Rates and prepare and transmit to the Transfer Agent an Officer’s Certificate setting forth such adjusted Fixed Conversion Rates and Fundamental Change Conversion Rates, the method of calculation thereof in reasonable detail and the facts requiring such adjustment and upon which such adjustment is based;

(ii) within 10 Business Days following the occurrence of an event that requires an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates, provide, or cause to be provided, a written notice to the Holders of the occurrence of such adjustment; and

(iii) as soon as practicable following the determination of such adjusted Fixed Conversion Rates and Fundamental Change Conversion Rates provide, or cause to be provided, to the Holders a statement setting forth in reasonable detail the method by which the adjustments to each of the Fixed Conversion Rates and Fundamental Change Conversion Rates were determined and setting forth such adjusted Fixed Conversion Rates and Fundamental Change Conversion Rates.

SECTION 14. Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of Common Stock. In the event of:

 

38


(i) any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another Person (other than a merger or consolidation in which the Corporation is the surviving corporation and in which the Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the merger or consolidation is not exchanged for cash, securities or other property of the Corporation or another Person);

(ii) any sale, transfer, lease or conveyance to another Person of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation;

(iii) any reclassification of Common Stock into securities including securities other than Common Stock; or

(iv) any statutory exchange of securities of the Corporation with another Person (other than in connection with a merger or acquisition),

in each case, as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, securities, cash or property (each, a “ Reorganization Event ”), each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization Event shall, without the consent of the Holders, become convertible into the kind of securities, cash and other property that such Holder would have been entitled to receive if such Holder had converted its Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock into Common Stock immediately prior to such Reorganization Event (such securities, cash and other property, the “ Exchange Property ,” with each “ Unit of Exchange Property ” meaning the kind and amount of such Exchange Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock is entitled to receive), and, at the effective time of such Reorganization Event, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation may amend this Certificate of Designations without the consent of the Holders to provide for such change in the convertibility of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. For purposes of the foregoing, the type and amount of Exchange Property in the case of any Reorganization Event that causes the Common Stock to be converted into the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election) shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of Common Stock that affirmatively make such an election (or of all holders of Common Stock if none makes an election). The Corporation shall notify Holders of the weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made. The number of Units of Exchange Property for each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock converted or subject to Acquisition Termination Redemption following the effective date of such Reorganization Event shall be determined as if references in Section 7, Section 8 and Section 9 to shares of Common Stock were to Units of Exchange Property (without any interest thereon and without any right to dividends or distributions thereon which have a record date that is prior to such Conversion Date, except as provided in Section 13(c)(iii)). For the purpose of determining which of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 7(b) shall apply upon Mandatory Conversion, and for the purpose of calculating the Mandatory Conversion Rate if clause (ii) of Section 7(b) is applicable, the value of a Unit of Exchange Property shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof (which determination will be final), except that if a Unit of Exchange Property includes common stock or American Depositary Receipts (“ ADRs ”) that are traded on a U.S. national securities exchange, the value of such common stock or ADRs shall be the average over the 20 consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the 22nd Scheduled Trading Day immediately

 

39


preceding the Mandatory Conversion Date of the volume weighted average prices for such common stock or ADRs, as displayed on the applicable Bloomberg screen (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof (which determination will be final)); or, if such price is not available, the average market value per share of such common stock or ADRs over such period as determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained by the Corporation for this purpose.

The above provisions of this Section 14 shall similarly apply to successive Reorganization Events and the provisions of Section 13 shall apply to any shares of capital stock or ADRs of the Corporation (or any successor thereto) received by the holders of Common Stock in any such Reorganization Event.

The Corporation (or any successor thereto) shall, as soon as reasonably practicable (but in any event within 20 calendar days) after the occurrence of any Reorganization Event, provide written notice to the Holders of such occurrence and of the kind and amount of the cash, securities or other property that constitute the Exchange Property. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the operation of this Section 14.

In connection with any adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates described in this Section 14, the Corporation shall also adjust the Initial Dividend Threshold based on the number of shares of common stock or other equity interests comprising the Exchange Property and (if applicable) the value of any non-stock consideration comprising the Exchange Property.

SECTION 15. Transfer Agent, Registrar, and Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent. The duly appointed Transfer Agent, Registrar and Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be Computershare Inc. The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, remove the Transfer Agent, Registrar or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent in accordance with the agreement between the Corporation and the Transfer Agent, Registrar or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent, as the case may be; provided that if the Corporation removes Computershare Inc., the Corporation shall appoint a successor transfer agent, registrar or conversion and dividend disbursing agent, as the case may be, who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal. Upon any such removal or appointment, the Corporation shall send notice thereof to the Holders.

SECTION 16. Record Holders. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation and the Transfer Agent may deem and treat the Holder of any shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes.

SECTION 17. Notices. All notices or communications in respect of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be sufficiently given if given in writing and delivered in person or by first class mail, postage prepaid, or if given in such other manner as may be permitted in this Certificate of Designations, in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws and by applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are represented by Global Preferred Shares, such notices may also be given to the Holders in any manner permitted by DTC or any similar facility used for the settlement of transactions in the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

 

40


SECTION 18. No Preemptive Rights. The Holders shall have no preemptive or preferential rights to purchase or subscribe for any stock, obligations, warrants or other securities of the Corporation of any class.

SECTION 19. Other Rights. The shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not have any rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth herein or in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or as provided by applicable law.

SECTION 20. Stock Certificates .

(a) Shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall initially be represented by stock certificates substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A hereto.

(b) Stock certificates representing shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be signed by two authorized Officers of the Corporation, in accordance with the By-laws and applicable Delaware law, by manual or facsimile signature.

(c) A stock certificate representing shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be valid until manually countersigned by an authorized signatory of the Transfer Agent and Registrar. Each stock certificate representing shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be dated the date of its countersignature.

(d) If any Officer of the Corporation who has signed a stock certificate no longer holds that office at the time the Transfer Agent and Registrar countersigns the stock certificate, the stock certificate shall be valid nonetheless.

SECTION 21. Replacement Certificates .

(a) If physical certificates are issued, and any of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificates shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Corporation shall, at the expense of the Holder, issue, in exchange and in substitution for and upon cancellation of the mutilated Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate, or in lieu of and substitution for the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate lost, stolen or destroyed, a new Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent Liquidation Preference of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock certificate and indemnity, if requested, reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation and the Transfer Agent.

(b) The Corporation is not required to issue any certificate representing the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock on or after the Mandatory Conversion Date. In lieu of the delivery of a replacement certificate following the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Transfer Agent, upon delivery of the evidence and indemnity described above, shall deliver the shares of Common Stock issuable and any cash deliverable pursuant to the terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock formerly evidenced by the certificate.

 

41


SECTION 22. Book Entry Form .

(a) The Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be issued in global form (“ Global Preferred Shares ”) eligible for book-entry settlement with the Depositary, represented by one or more stock certificates in global form registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary bearing the form of global securities legend set forth in Exhibit A. The aggregate number of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented by each stock certificate representing Global Preferred Shares may from time to time be increased or decreased by a notation by the Registrar and Transfer Agent on Schedule I attached to the stock certificate.

(b) Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Certificate of Designations, with respect to any Global Preferred Shares, and the Depositary shall be treated by the Corporation, the Registrar and any agent of the Corporation or the Registrar as the absolute owner of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Corporation, the Registrar or any agent of the Corporation or the Registrar from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial ownership interest in any shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The Holders may grant proxies or otherwise authorize any Person to take any action that a Holder is entitled to take pursuant to the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, this Certificate of Designations or the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

(c) Transfers of a Global Preferred Share shall be limited to transfers of such Global Preferred Share in whole, but not in part, to nominees of the Depositary or to a successor of the Depositary or such successor’s nominee.

(d) If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Preferred Shares or DTC ceases to be registered as a “clearing agency” under the Exchange Act, and in either case a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Corporation within 90 days, the Corporation shall issue certificated shares in exchange for the Global Preferred Shares. In any such case, the Global Preferred Shares shall be exchanged in whole for definitive stock certificates, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, representing an equal aggregate Liquidation Preference. Such definitive stock certificates shall be registered in the name or names of the Person or Persons specified by DTC in a written instrument to the Registrar.

SECTION 23. Miscellaneous. (a) The Corporation shall pay any and all stock transfer and documentary stamp taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or shares of Common Stock or other securities issued on account of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant hereto or certificates representing such shares or securities. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock or other securities in a name other than that in which the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock with respect to which such shares or other securities are issued or delivered were registered, and shall not be required to make any such issuance or delivery unless and until the Person otherwise entitled to such issuance or delivery has paid to the Corporation the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

 

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(b) The Liquidation Preference and the Dividend Rate each shall be subject to equitable adjustment whenever there shall occur a stock split, combination, reclassification or other similar event involving the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. Such adjustments shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) and submitted by the Board of Directors (or such authorized committee thereof) to the Transfer Agent.

 

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Exhibit A

[FORM OF FACE OF MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES A

CERTIFICATE]

[INCLUDE FOR GLOBAL PREFERRED SHARES]

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“ DTC ”), TO THE CORPORATION OR THE TRANSFER AGENT NAMED ON THE FACE OF THIS CERTIFICATE, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS 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 IN AS MUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO. HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN. TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE.

THE CORPORATION SHALL FURNISH A FULL STATEMENT ABOUT CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFERABILITY TO A STOCKHOLDER UPON REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE.

 

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Certificate Number [                ]    [Initial] Number of Shares of Mandatory

Convertible Preferred Stock [            ]

CUSIP: 22822V 309

ISIN: US22822V3096

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.

6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A

(par value $0.01 per share)

(Liquidation Preference as specified below)

Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), hereby certifies that [                ] (the “ Holder ”), is the registered owner of [                ] [the number shown on Schedule I hereto of] fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Corporation’s designated 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, with a par value of $0.01 per share and a Liquidation Preference of $1,000.00 per share (the “ Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock ”). The shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are transferable on the books and records of the Registrar, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock represented hereby are and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Designations of 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A of Crown Castle International Corp. dated July 26, 2017 as the same may be amended from time to time (the “ Certificate of Designations ”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Certificate of Designations. The Corporation will provide a copy of the Certificate of Designations to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Corporation at its principal place of business.

Reference is hereby made to the provisions of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock set forth on the reverse hereof and in the Certificate of Designations, which provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Upon receipt of this executed certificate, the Holder is bound by the Certificate of Designations and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

Unless the Transfer Agent and Registrar have properly countersigned, these shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Certificate of Designations or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this certificate has been executed on behalf of the Corporation by two Officers of the Corporation this [        ] of [            ] [        ].

 

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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COUNTERSIGNATURE

These are shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock referred to in the within-mentioned Certificate of Designations.

Dated: [            ], [        ]

Computershare Inc., as Registrar and Transfer Agent

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

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[FORM OF REVERSE OF CERTIFICATE FOR MANDATORY

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK]

Cumulative dividends on each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be payable at the applicable rate provided in the Certificate of Designations.

The shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock shall be convertible in the manner and accordance with the terms set forth in the Certificate of Designations.

The Corporation shall furnish without charge to each Holder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class or series of stock of the Corporation and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

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NOTICE OF CONVERSION

(To be Executed by the Holder

in order to Convert the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock)

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to convert (the “ Conversion ”) 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (the “ Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock ”), of Crown Castle International Corp. (hereinafter called the “ Corporation ”), represented by stock certificate No(s). [                ] (the “ Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Certificates ”), into common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the “ Common Stock ”) according to the conditions of the Certificate of Designations of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (the “ Certificate of Designations ”), as of the date written below. If Common Stock is to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned shall pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto, if any. Each Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Certificate (or evidence of loss, theft or destruction thereof) is attached hereto.

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in or pursuant to the Certificate of Designations.

Date of Conversion:     

Applicable Conversion Rate:     

Shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to be Converted:     

Shares of Common Stock to be Issued: *     

Signature:     

Name:     

Address: **     

Fax No.:     

 

 

*   The Corporation is not required to issue Common Stock until the original Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Certificate(s) (or evidence of loss, theft or destruction thereof) to be converted are received by the Corporation or the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent.
**   Address where Common Stock and any other payments or certificates shall be sent by the Corporation.

 

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ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock evidenced hereby to:

 

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or taxpayer identification number, if any)

 

 

(Insert address and zip code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoints:

 

 

as agent to transfer the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock evidenced hereby on the books of the Transfer Agent. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date:

 
Signature:    

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Certificate)

Signature Guarantee:  

 

 

(Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Transfer Agent, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“ STAMP ”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Transfer Agent in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

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Schedule I 1

Crown Castle International Corp.

Global Preferred Share

6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A

Certificate Number:

The number of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock initially represented by this Global Preferred Share shall be [                ]. Thereafter the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall note changes in the number of shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock evidenced by this Global Preferred Share in the table set forth below:

 

Amount of Decrease in Number of Shares Represented by this Global Preferred Share    Amount of Increase in Number of Shares Represented by this Global Preferred Share    Number of Shares Represented by this Global Preferred Share following Decrease or Increase    Signature of Authorized Officer of Transfer Agent and Registrar
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

 

 

1   Attach Schedule I only to Global Preferred Shares.

 

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Exhibit 3.3

CERTIFICATE OF ELIMINATION OF THE 4.50% MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE

PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES A

OF

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.

Pursuant to Section 151(g)

of the General Corporation Law

of the State of Delaware

Crown Castle International Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 151(g) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

1. That, pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and authority granted in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as theretofore amended and restated, the Board of Directors of the Company, by resolution duly adopted, authorized the issuance of a series of 9,775,000 shares of 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), and established the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating and other rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and, on December 15, 2014, filed a Certificate of Designation with respect to such Preferred Stock in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (which was subsequently incorporated into a Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company which integrated, but did not amend, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as theretofore amended and restated).

2. That no shares of said Preferred Stock are outstanding and no shares thereof will be issued subject to said Certificate of Designation.

3. That the Board of Directors of the Company has adopted the following resolutions:

WHEREAS, by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company and by a Certificate of Designation (the “Certificate of Designation”) filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 15, 2014 (which was subsequently incorporated into a Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company which integrated, but did not amend, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as theretofore amended and restated), the Company authorized the issuance of a series of 9,775,000 shares of 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Preferred Stock”) and established the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating and other rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof; and


WHEREAS, all 9,775,000 shares of such Preferred Stock were issued by the Company and all such shares have been converted into Common Stock of the Company as of the date hereof; and

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no shares of such Preferred Stock are outstanding and no shares of such Preferred Stock will be issued subject to said Certificate of Designation; and

WHEREAS, it is desirable that all matters set forth in the Certificate of Designation with respect to such Preferred Stock be eliminated from the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT HEREBY IS

RESOLVED, that all matters set forth in the Certificate of Designation with respect to such Preferred Stock be eliminated from the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company; and it is further

RESOLVED, that the officers of the Company be, and hereby are, authorized and directed to file a Certificate with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware setting forth a copy of these resolutions whereupon all matters set forth in the Certificate of Designation with respect to such Preferred Stock shall be eliminated from the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

4. That, accordingly, all matters set forth in the Certificate of Designation with respect to the Preferred Stock be, and hereby are, eliminated from the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned duly authorized officer of the Company has executed this Certificate on this 20th day of July, 2017.

 

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.
By:  

/s/ Kenneth J. Simon

Name:   Kenneth J. Simon
Office:   Senior Vice President and
  General Counsel

 

3

Exhibit 5.1

[Letterhead of]

CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP

[New York Office]

July 26, 2017

Crown Castle International Corp.

Registration Statement on Form S-3

40,150,000 Shares of Common Stock

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with (i) the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-203074) (the “ Registration Statement ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), and (ii) the Prospectus Supplement, dated July 21, 2017 (the “ Prospectus Supplement ”), of the Company, filed with the Commission and relating to the issuance and sale by the Company of an aggregate of 40,150,000 shares of common stock (the “ Shares ”), par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement, dated July 20, 2017 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), among Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as Representatives of the several Underwriters listed on Schedule I thereto (the “Underwriters”), and the Company.

In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion, including: (a) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company; (b) the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company; (c) the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on July 11, 2017 and July 16, 2017, and the Pricing Committee of the Board of Directors on July 20, 2017; and (d) the Registration Statement. As to various questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied upon representations of officers or directors of the Company and documents furnished to us by the Company without independent verification of their accuracy.


In rendering this opinion, we have assumed, with your consent and without independent investigation or verification, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as duplicates or copies.

Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth herein and subject to compliance with applicable state securities laws, we are of opinion that the Shares, when issued and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We are admitted to practice in the State of New York, and we express no opinion as to matters governed by any laws other than the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Federal laws of the United States of America.

We are aware that we are referred to under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. We hereby consent to such use of our name therein and to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2017, and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion into the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

Crown Castle International Corp.

1220 Augusta Drive, Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77057-2261

O

Exhibit 5.2

[Letterhead of]

CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP

[New York Office]

July 26, 2017

Crown Castle International Corp.

Registration Statement on Form S-3

1,650,000 Shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with (i) the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-203074) (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and (ii) the Prospectus Supplement, dated July 21, 2017 (the “Prospectus Supplement”), of the Company, filed with the Commission and relating to the issuance and sale by the Company of an aggregate of 1,650,000 shares of 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”), par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement, dated July 20, 2017 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), among Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as Representatives of the several Underwriters listed on Schedule I thereto (the “Underwriters”), and the Company. Pursuant to the Certificate of Designations (as defined below), shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Conversion Shares”).

In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion, including: (a) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company; (b) the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company; (c) resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on July 11, 2017 and July 16, 2017, and by the Pricing Committee of the


 

2

 

Board of Directors on July 20, 2017; (d) the Registration Statement; and (e) the Certificate of Designations establishing the preferences, limitations and relative rights of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”). As to various questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied upon representations of officers or directors of the Company and documents furnished to us by the Company without independent verification of their accuracy.

In rendering this opinion, we have assumed, with your consent and without independent investigation or verification, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as duplicates or copies.

Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth herein and subject to compliance with applicable state securities laws, we are of opinion that the shares of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, when issued and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth herein and subject to compliance with applicable state securities laws, we are of opinion that the Conversion Shares issuable upon the conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, when issued and delivered in the manner provided in the Certificate of Designations, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We are admitted to practice in the State of New York, and we express no opinion as to matters governed by any laws other than the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Federal laws of the United States of America.

We are aware that we are referred to under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. We hereby consent to such use of our name therein and to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2017, and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion into the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

Crown Castle International Corp.

1220 Augusta Drive, Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77057-2261

O

Exhibit 8.1

[Letterhead of]

CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP

[New York Office]

July 26, 2017

Tax Opinion Regarding Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the offering (the “ Offering ”) by the Company of shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated July 20, 2017 (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), by and between the Company and the representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule I thereto. You have requested our opinion in connection with this Offering. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Underwriting Agreement.

In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, public filings, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion, including (a) the Prospectus Supplement, dated July 21, 2017, as amended or supplemented to the date hereof, filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and Rule 430B of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act and (b) the Underwriting Agreement. In addition, we have examined and, with the Company’s consent, are relying upon the accuracy of a certificate (the “ Officers’ Certificate ”), dated July 26, 2017, and executed by duly appointed officers of the Company containing certain factual representations and covenants relating to the operation of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

We have not made an independent investigation of all of the facts, statements, representations and covenants set forth in the items listed above, including the Officers’ Certificate. Our opinion is conditioned on the continuing accuracy and completeness of such statements, representations and covenants. Any material change or inaccuracy in the facts, statements, representations and covenants set forth in the Officers’ Certificate may affect our opinion.


 

2

In addition, we have assumed, with your consent, that: (i) all signatures are genuine, all natural persons are of legal capacity, all other documents submitted to us are authentic originals, or if submitted as duplicates or certified or conformed copies that they faithfully reproduce the originals thereof; (ii) all such documents have been or will be duly executed to the extent required in the form presented to us; and (iii) all obligations imposed by any such document on the parties thereto have been or will be performed or satisfied in accordance with their terms.

Our opinion is based on statutory, regulatory and judicial authority existing as of the date hereof, any of which may be changed at any time with retroactive effect. Accordingly, a change in applicable law may affect our opinion. In addition, our opinion is based solely on the documents that we have examined and the facts and assumptions set forth herein. Our opinion cannot be relied upon if any of our assumptions are inaccurate in any material respect. We assume no responsibility to inform you of any subsequent changes in the matters stated or represented in the documents described above or assumed herein or in statutory, regulatory and judicial authority and interpretations thereof. Further, our opinion is not binding upon the Internal Revenue Service or the courts, and there is no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service or a court will not take a contrary position. We express our opinion herein only as to those matters specifically set forth below, and no opinion has been expressed or should be inferred with respect to any state, local or foreign laws or with respect to other areas of U.S. Federal taxation. We are members of the Bar of the State of New York, and we express no opinion as to any law other than the Federal law of the United States of America.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of opinion that, commencing with its taxable year ending on December 31, 2014, the Company has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (“ REIT ”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and its actual method of operation through the date hereof has enabled, and its proposed method of operation will enable, it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. The Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon its ability to meet, through actual operating results, certain requirements relating to the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, its distribution levels and the diversity of its stock ownership, and various other qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which will not be reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operation for any one taxable year will satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Code.

We are aware that we are referred to under the headings “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. We hereby consent to such use of our name therein and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2017, and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion into the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.


Very truly yours,

/s/ Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

Crown Castle International Corp.

1220 Augusta Drive, Suite 600

Houston, TX 77057-2261

O

 

3

Exhibit 8.2

[Letterhead of]

CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP

[New York Office]

July 26, 2017

Tax Opinion Regarding Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the offering (the “ Offering ”) by the Company of shares of its 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated July 20, 2017 (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), by and between the Company and the representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule I thereto. You have requested our opinion in connection with this Offering. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Underwriting Agreement.

In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, public filings, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion, including (a) the Prospectus Supplement, dated July 21, 2017, as amended or supplemented to the date hereof, filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and Rule 430B of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act and (b) the Underwriting Agreement. In addition, we have examined and, with the Company’s consent, are relying upon the accuracy of a certificate (the “ Officers’ Certificate ”), dated July 26, 2017, and executed by duly appointed officers of the Company containing certain factual representations and covenants relating to the operation of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

We have not made an independent investigation of all of the facts, statements, representations and covenants set forth in the items listed above, including the Officers’ Certificate. Our opinion is conditioned on the continuing accuracy and completeness of such statements, representations and covenants. Any material change or inaccuracy in the facts, statements, representations and covenants set forth in the Officers’ Certificate may affect our opinion.


 

2

In addition, we have assumed, with your consent, that: (i) all signatures are genuine, all natural persons are of legal capacity, all other documents submitted to us are authentic originals, or if submitted as duplicates or certified or conformed copies that they faithfully reproduce the originals thereof; (ii) all such documents have been or will be duly executed to the extent required in the form presented to us; and (iii) all obligations imposed by any such document on the parties thereto have been or will be performed or satisfied in accordance with their terms.

Our opinion is based on statutory, regulatory and judicial authority existing as of the date hereof, any of which may be changed at any time with retroactive effect. Accordingly, a change in applicable law may affect our opinion. In addition, our opinion is based solely on the documents that we have examined and the facts and assumptions set forth herein. Our opinion cannot be relied upon if any of our assumptions are inaccurate in any material respect. We assume no responsibility to inform you of any subsequent changes in the matters stated or represented in the documents described above or assumed herein or in statutory, regulatory and judicial authority and interpretations thereof. Further, our opinion is not binding upon the Internal Revenue Service or the courts, and there is no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service or a court will not take a contrary position. We express our opinion herein only as to those matters specifically set forth below, and no opinion has been expressed or should be inferred with respect to any state, local or foreign laws or with respect to other areas of U.S. Federal taxation. We are members of the Bar of the State of New York, and we express no opinion as to any law other than the Federal law of the United States of America.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of opinion that, commencing with its taxable year ending on December 31, 2014, the Company has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (“ REIT ”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and its actual method of operation through the date hereof has enabled, and its proposed method of operation will enable, it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. The Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon its ability to meet, through actual operating results, certain requirements relating to the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, its distribution levels and the diversity of its stock ownership, and various other qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which will not be reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operation for any one taxable year will satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Code.

We are aware that we are referred to under the headings “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. We hereby consent to such use of our name therein and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2017, and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion into the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.


Very truly yours,

/s/ Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

Crown Castle International Corp.

1220 Augusta Drive, Suite 600

Houston, TX 77057-2261

O

 

3

Exhibit 8.3

 

S KADDEN , A RPS , S LATE , M EAGHER  & F LOM LLP
   155 NORTH WACKER DRIVE    FIRM/AFFILIATE
   CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606–1720    OFFICES
                          
                   BOSTON
      HOUSTON
   TEL: (312) 407-0700    LOS ANGELES
   FAX: (312) 407-0411    NEW YORK
   www.skadden.com    PALO ALTO
      WASHINGTON,
      D.C.
      WILMINGTON
                          
      BEIJING
      BRUSSELS
   July 26, 2017    FRANKFURT
      HONG KONG
      LONDON
      MOSCOW

Crown Castle International Corp.

1220 Augusta Drive, Suite 600

Houston, TX 77057

 

  Re: Certain United States Federal Income Tax Matters

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special U.S. federal income tax counsel to Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Crown Castle ”), in connection with the offering (the “ Offering ”) of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Crown Castle as described in the prospectus supplement, dated July 21, 2017 (the “ Prospectus Supplement ”), to the registration statement filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on Form S-3ASR (File No. 333-203074) (the “ Registration Statement ,” and together with the Prospectus Supplement, the “ Offering Documents ”). You have requested our opinion regarding Crown Castle’s qualification as a real estate investment trust (a “ REIT ”) commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2014.

In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Offering Documents and such other documentation and information provided to us by Crown Castle as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth herein. In addition, Crown Castle has provided us with, and we are relying upon, a certificate containing certain factual statements, factual representations and covenants of officers of Crown Castle (the “ Officers Certificate ”) relating to, among other things, the actual and proposed operations of Crown Castle and the entities in which it holds, or has held, a direct or indirect interest (collectively, the “ Company ”). For purposes of our opinion, we have not independently verified all of the facts, statements,


Crown Castle International Corp.

July 26, 2017

Page 2

 

representations and covenants set forth in the Officers’ Certificate, the Offering Documents or in any other document. In particular, we note that the Company may engage in transactions in connection with which we have not provided legal advice, and have not reviewed, and of which we may be unaware. Consequently, we have relied on Crown Castle’s representation that the facts, statements, representations and covenants presented in the Officers’ Certificate and other documents, or otherwise furnished to us, accurately and completely describe all material facts and matters addressed in the Officers’ Certificate. We have assumed that all such facts, statements, representations and covenants are true without regard to any qualification as to knowledge, belief, intent or materiality. Our opinion is conditioned on the continuing accuracy and completeness of such facts, statements, representations and covenants. We are not aware of any facts inconsistent with the statements in the Officers’ Certificate. Any material change or inaccuracy in the facts, statements, representations, and covenants referred to, set forth, or assumed herein or in the Officers’ Certificate may affect our conclusions set forth herein.

In our review of certain documents in connection with our opinion as expressed below, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic, or electronic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. Where documents have been provided to us in draft form, we have assumed that the final executed versions of such documents will not differ materially from such drafts.

Our opinion is also based on the correctness of the following assumptions: (i) Crown Castle and each of the entities comprising the Company has been and will continue to be operated in accordance with the laws of the jurisdictions in which each was formed and in the manner described in the relevant organizational documents, (ii) there will be no changes in the applicable laws of the State of Delaware or of any other jurisdiction under the laws of which any of the entities comprising the Company have been formed, and (iii) each of the written agreements to which the Crown Castle is a party has been and will be implemented, construed and enforced in accordance with its terms.

In rendering our opinion, we have considered and relied upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), the regulations promulgated thereunder (“ Regulations ”), administrative rulings and other Treasury interpretations of the Code and the Regulations by the courts and the Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS ”), all as they exist at the date hereof. It should be noted that the Code, Regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases for our opinion could affect our conclusions set forth herein. In this regard, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue represents counsel’s best judgment as to the outcome on the merits with respect to such issue, is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position if asserted by the IRS.


Crown Castle International Corp.

July 26, 2017

Page 3

 

Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, commencing with Crown Castle’s taxable year ending on December 31, 2014, Crown Castle has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and its actual method of operation through the date hereof has enabled, and its proposed method of operation will enable, it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. As noted in the Offering Documents, Crown Castle’s qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon its ability to meet, through actual operating results, certain requirements relating to the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, its distribution levels and the diversity of its stock ownership, and various other qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which are not reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of Crown Castle’s operations for any one taxable year will satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Code.

This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the Offering Documents. We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K, which will be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, and to the reference to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP under the headings “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We express no opinion with respect to the matters addressed in this opinion except as set forth above. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise our opinion to reflect any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof, or the impact of any information, document, certificate, record, statement, representation, covenant, or assumption relied upon herein that becomes incorrect or untrue.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Exhibit 8.4

 

S KADDEN , A RPS , S LATE , M EAGHER  & F LOM LLP
   155 NORTH WACKER DRIVE    FIRM/AFFILIATE
   CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606–1720    OFFICES
                          
                   BOSTON
      HOUSTON
   TEL: (312) 407-0700    LOS ANGELES
   FAX: (312) 407-0411    NEW YORK
   www.skadden.com    PALO ALTO
      WASHINGTON,
      D.C.
      WILMINGTON
                          
      BEIJING
      BRUSSELS
   July 26, 2017    FRANKFURT
      HONG KONG
      LONDON
      MOSCOW

Crown Castle International Corp.

1220 Augusta Drive, Suite 600

Houston, TX 77057

 

  Re: Certain United States Federal Income Tax Matters

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special U.S. federal income tax counsel to Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Crown Castle ”), in connection with the offering (the “ Offering ”) of shares of 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share, of Crown Castle as described in the prospectus supplement, dated July 21, 2017 (the “ Prospectus Supplement ”), to the registration statement filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on Form S-3ASR (File No. 333-203074) (the “ Registration Statement ,” and together with the Prospectus Supplement, the “ Offering Documents ”). You have requested our opinion regarding Crown Castle’s qualification as a real estate investment trust (a “ REIT ”) commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2014.

In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Offering Documents and such other documentation and information provided to us by Crown Castle as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth herein. In addition, Crown Castle has provided us with, and we are relying upon, a certificate containing certain factual statements, factual representations and covenants of officers of Crown Castle (the “ Officers Certificate ”) relating to, among other things, the actual and proposed operations of Crown Castle and the entities in which it holds, or has held, a direct or indirect interest (collectively, the “ Company ”). For purposes of our opinion, we have not independently verified all of the facts, statements,


Crown Castle International Corp.

July 26, 2017

Page 2

 

representations and covenants set forth in the Officers’ Certificate, the Offering Documents or in any other document. In particular, we note that the Company may engage in transactions in connection with which we have not provided legal advice, and have not reviewed, and of which we may be unaware. Consequently, we have relied on Crown Castle’s representation that the facts, statements, representations and covenants presented in the Officers’ Certificate and other documents, or otherwise furnished to us, accurately and completely describe all material facts and matters addressed in the Officers’ Certificate. We have assumed that all such facts, statements, representations and covenants are true without regard to any qualification as to knowledge, belief, intent or materiality. Our opinion is conditioned on the continuing accuracy and completeness of such facts, statements, representations and covenants. We are not aware of any facts inconsistent with the statements in the Officers’ Certificate. Any material change or inaccuracy in the facts, statements, representations, and covenants referred to, set forth, or assumed herein or in the Officers’ Certificate may affect our conclusions set forth herein.

In our review of certain documents in connection with our opinion as expressed below, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic, or electronic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. Where documents have been provided to us in draft form, we have assumed that the final executed versions of such documents will not differ materially from such drafts.

Our opinion is also based on the correctness of the following assumptions: (i) Crown Castle and each of the entities comprising the Company has been and will continue to be operated in accordance with the laws of the jurisdictions in which each was formed and in the manner described in the relevant organizational documents, (ii) there will be no changes in the applicable laws of the State of Delaware or of any other jurisdiction under the laws of which any of the entities comprising the Company have been formed, and (iii) each of the written agreements to which the Crown Castle is a party has been and will be implemented, construed and enforced in accordance with its terms.

In rendering our opinion, we have considered and relied upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), the regulations promulgated thereunder (“ Regulations ”), administrative rulings and other Treasury interpretations of the Code and the Regulations by the courts and the Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS ”), all as they exist at the date hereof. It should be noted that the Code, Regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases for our opinion could affect our conclusions set forth herein. In this regard, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue represents counsel’s best judgment as to the outcome on the merits with respect to such issue, is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position if asserted by the IRS.


Crown Castle International Corp.

July 26, 2017

Page 3

 

Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, commencing with Crown Castle’s taxable year ending on December 31, 2014, Crown Castle has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and its actual method of operation through the date hereof has enabled, and its proposed method of operation will enable, it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. As noted in the Offering Documents, Crown Castle’s qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon its ability to meet, through actual operating results, certain requirements relating to the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, its distribution levels and the diversity of its stock ownership, and various other qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which are not reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of Crown Castle’s operations for any one taxable year will satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Code.

This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the Offering Documents. We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K, which will be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, and to the reference to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP under the headings “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We express no opinion with respect to the matters addressed in this opinion except as set forth above. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise our opinion to reflect any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof, or the impact of any information, document, certificate, record, statement, representation, covenant, or assumption relied upon herein that becomes incorrect or untrue.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

EXHIBIT 12.1

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND

EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

 

     Three
Months
Ended
March 31,
    Years Ended December 31,  
     2017     2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  

Computation of earnings:

            

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ 123,507     $ 373,854     $ 473,829     $ 335,070     $ 251,001     $ 64,853  

Add:

            

Fixed charges (as computed below)

     194,802       748,001       750,968       791,386       752,241       717,672  

Subtract:

            

Interest capitalized

     (2,193     (7,010     (4,805     (2,985     (1,832     (2,335
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 316,116     $ 1,114,845     $ 1,219,992     $ 1,123,471     $ 1,001,410     $ 780,190  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Computation of fixed charges and combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends and losses on purchases of preferred stock:

            

Interest expense

   $ 129,935     $ 495,945     $ 487,355     $ 491,581     $ 491,041     $ 491,184  

Amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness

     4,495       19,087       39,773       81,710       98,589       109,860  

Interest capitalized

     2,193       7,010       4,805       2,985       1,832       2,335  

Interest component of operating lease expense

     58,179       225,959       219,035       215,110       160,779       114,293  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed charges

     194,802       748,001       750,968       791,386       752,241       717,672  

Dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock

     —         32,991       43,988       43,988       11,363       2,629  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends and losses on purchases of preferred stock

   $ 194,802     $ 780,992     $ 794,956     $ 835,374     $ 763,604     $ 720,301  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     1.6       1.5       1.6       1.4       1.3       1.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Deficiency) excess of earnings to cover fixed charges

   $ 121,314     $ 366,844     $ 469,024     $ 332,085     $ 249,169     $ 62,518  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends and losses on purchases of preferred stock

     1.6       1.4       1.5       1.3       1.3       1.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Deficiency) excess of earnings to cover combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends and losses on purchases of preferred stock

   $ 121,314     $ 333,853     $ 425,036     $ 288,097     $ 237,806     $ 59,889  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

     

NEWS RELEASE

July 26, 2017

 

Contacts:

   Dan Schlanger, CFO
     Son Nguyen, VP & Treasurer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   Crown Castle International Corp.
     713-570-3050

CROWN CASTLE CLOSES PUBLIC OFFERINGS OF COMMON

STOCK AND MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

July 26, 2017 — HOUSTON, TEXAS — Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE: CCI) (“Crown Castle”) announced today that it has closed its concurrent offerings of 40,150,000 shares of its common stock at $96.00 per share and 1,650,000 shares of its 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, at $1,000.00 per share. The amounts sold include 3,650,000 shares of common stock and 150,000 shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of the overallotment options.

The common stock offering and the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock offering generated net proceeds of approximately $3.755 billion and $1.606 billion, respectively, in each case after issuance discounts and offering expenses payable by Crown Castle. Crown Castle expects to use the net proceeds from these offerings, together with the net proceeds from the recently announced senior notes offering and cash on hand, to finance the consideration to be paid in connection with the previously announced acquisition of LTS Group Holdings LLC (“Lightower Acquisition”) and to pay related fees and expenses. If for any reason the Lightower Acquisition does not close, then Crown Castle expects to use the net proceeds from these offerings for general corporate purposes, which may include, in the Company’s sole discretion, the redemption of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and the repurchase or repayment of indebtedness.

Morgan Stanley, BofA Merrill Lynch and J.P. Morgan acted as joint bookrunners of the offerings and representatives of the underwriters. Additionally, Barclays and RBC Capital Markets acted as joint bookrunners of the offerings.

These offerings were made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Each offering was made only by means of a prospectus supplement relating to such offering and the accompanying base prospectus, copies of which may be obtained by contacting the underwriters using the information provided below. An electronic copy of the prospectus supplement, together with the accompanying prospectus, is also available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.

 

 

 

The Foundation for a Wireless World.

CrownCastle.com


 

News Release continued:    Page 2

 

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on Crown Castle management’s current expectations. Such statements include plans, projections and estimates regarding the use of proceeds from the offerings. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including prevailing market conditions and other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. More information about potential risk factors that could affect Crown Castle and its results is included in Crown Castle’s filings with the SEC. The term “including,” and any variation thereof, means “including, without limitation.”

UNDERWRITER CONTACT INFORMATION

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

180 Varick St, 2 nd Floor

New York, NY 10014

Attn: Prospectus Department

Toll-free: (866) 718-1649

  

BofA Merrill Lynch

NC1-004-03-43

200 North College Street, 3rd floor

Charlotte, NC 28255-0001

Attn: Prospectus Department

Email: dg.prospectus_requests@baml.com

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions

1155 Long Island Avenue

Edgewood, NY 11717

Attn: Prospectus Department

Toll-free: (866) 803-9204