QuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

EXHIBIT 10.1  


 
 

THE 2003 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN    
    
    OF    
    
    COGENT COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.    
    



        Cogent Communications Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, has adopted the 2003 Incentive Award Plan of Cogent Communications Group, Inc., (the
"Plan"), effective July 31, 2003, for the benefit of its eligible employees, consultants and directors. 


        The
purposes of the Plan are as follows: 


        (1)  To
provide an additional incentive for key Employees and Consultants (as such terms are defined below) to further the growth, development and financial success of the
Company by personally benefiting through the ownership of Company stock and/or rights which recognize such growth, development and financial success. 



        (2)  To
enable the Company to obtain and retain the services of key Employees and Consultants considered essential to the long range success of the Company by offering them
an opportunity to own stock in the Company and/or rights which will reflect the growth, development and financial success of the Company. 


 
 

ARTICLE I.    
    
    DEFINITIONS    
    


        Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular
pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates. 


        1.1.  "Administrator"
shall mean the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided herein. The term "Administrator"
shall refer to the Committee unless the Board has assumed the authority for administration of the Plan generally as provided in Section 5.1. 


        1.2.  "Award"
shall mean a Restricted Stock award which may be awarded under the Plan (collectively, "Awards"). 


        1.3.  "Award
Agreement" shall mean a written agreement executed by an authorized officer of the Company and the Holder which shall contain such
terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine, consistent with the Plan. 


        1.4.  "Award
Limit" shall mean 54,001 shares of Preferred Stock, as adjusted pursuant to Section 6.3. 


        1.5.  "Board"
shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company. 


        1.6.  "Change
in Control" shall mean a change in ownership or control of the Company effected through the first to occur of any of the following
transactions: 


        (a)  A
consolidation, merger or reorganization of the Company with or into any other corporation or corporations in which the stockholders of the Company immediately before
such event shall own fifty percent (50%) or less (calculated on an as converted basis, fully diluted) of the voting securities of the surviving corporation; 


        (b)  Any
transaction or series of related transactions in which at least fifty percent (50%) of the Company's voting power is transferred; 


        (c)  The
sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; 





 



        (d)  Any
acquisition of shares of capital stock of the Company (whether through a direct issuance by the Company, negotiated stock purchase, a tender for such shares, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) by any party or group that did not beneficially own a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company immediately prior to such
purchase, the effect of which is that such party or group beneficially owns at least a majority of such voting power immediately after such event; or 


        (e)  The
Company consummates a plan of complete liquidation of the Company. 


        1.7.  "Code"
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 


        1.8.  "Committee"
shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or another committee or subcommittee of the Board, appointed as provided in
Section 5.1. 


        1.9.  "Common
Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $.001 per share. 


        1.10.  "Company"
shall mean Cogent Communications Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation. 


        1.11.  "Consultant"
shall mean any consultant or adviser if: 


        (a)  The
consultant or adviser renders bona fide services to the Company; 


        (b)  The
services rendered by the consultant or adviser are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or
indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company's securities; and 


        (c)  The
consultant or adviser is a natural person who has contracted directly with the Company to render such services. 


        1.12.  "Director"
shall mean a member of the Board. 


        1.13.  "DRO"
shall mean a domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, or the rules thereunder. 


        1.14.  "Employee"
shall mean any officer or other employee (as defined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company, or
of any corporation which is a Subsidiary. 


        1.15.  "Exchange
Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 


        1.16.  "Holder"
shall mean a person who has been granted or awarded an Award. 


        1.17.  "Independent
Director" shall mean a member of the Board who is not an Employee of the Company. 


        1.18.  "Performance
Criteria" shall mean the following business criteria with respect to the Company, any Subsidiary or any division or operating
unit: (a) net income, (b) pre-tax income, (c) operating income, (d) cash flow, (e) earnings per share, (f) return on equity, (g) return on
invested capital or assets, (h) cost reductions or savings, (i) funds from operations, (j) appreciation in the fair market value of Common Stock, and (k) earnings before
any one or more of the following items: interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization; each as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 



        1.19.  "Preferred
Stock" shall mean the Series H Participating Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, par value $.001 per share. 


        1.20.  "Restricted
Stock" shall mean Preferred Stock awarded under Article IV of the Plan. 


        1.21.  "Rule 16b-3"
shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as such Rule may be amended
from time to time. 


2





 



        1.22.  "Section 162(m)
Participant" shall mean any key Employee designated by the Administrator as a key Employee whose compensation for
the fiscal year in which the key Employee is so designated or a future fiscal year may be subject to the limit on deductible compensation imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code. 


        1.23.  "Securities
Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 


        1.24.  "Subsidiary"
shall mean any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations other
than the last corporation in the unbroken chain then owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in
such chain. 


        1.25.  "Termination
of Consultancy" shall mean the time when the engagement of a Holder as a Consultant to the Company or a Subsidiary is
terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, but not by way of limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where there is a simultaneous
commencement of employment with the Company or any Subsidiary. The Administrator, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Termination of
Consultancy, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a Termination of Consultancy resulted from a discharge for good cause, and all questions of whether a particular leave of
absence constitutes a Termination of Consultancy. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company or any Subsidiary has an absolute and unrestricted right to terminate a Consultant's
service at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in writing. 


        1.26.  "Termination
of Employment" shall mean the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Holder and the Company or any Subsidiary
is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but excluding
(a) terminations where there is a simultaneous reemployment or continuing employment of a Holder by the Company or any Subsidiary, (b) at the discretion of the Administrator,
terminations which result in a temporary severance of the employee-employer relationship, and (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, terminations which are followed by the simultaneous
establishment
of a consulting relationship by the Company or a Subsidiary with the former employee. The Administrator, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to
Termination of Employment, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a Termination of Employment resulted from a discharge for good cause, and all questions of whether a
particular leave of absence constitutes a Termination of Employment. 


 
 

ARTICLE II.    
    
    SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN    
    


        2.1.  Shares
Subject to Plan. 



        (a)  The
shares of stock subject to Awards shall be Preferred Stock. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 6.3, the aggregate number of such shares which may be
issued upon any such Awards under the Plan shall not exceed 54,001 shares. The shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon any such awards may be either previously authorized but unissued shares or
treasury shares. 


        (b)  The
maximum number of shares which may be subject to Awards granted under the Plan to any individual in any fiscal year shall not exceed the Award Limit. 




        2.2.  Add-back
of Restricted Stock.  If any shares of Restricted Stock are surrendered by the Holder or repurchased by
the Company pursuant to Section 4.5 or 4.6 hereof, such shares may again be awarded hereunder, subject to the limitations of Section 2.1. 


3





 
 
 

ARTICLE III.    
    
    GRANTING OF AWARDS    
    


        3.1.  Award
Agreement.  Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Award Agreements evidencing Awards intended to qualify
as performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of
Section 162(m) of the Code. 


        3.2.  Provisions
Applicable to Section 162(m) Participants. 



        (a)  The
Committee, in its discretion, may determine whether an Award is to qualify as performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code. 



        (b)  Notwithstanding
anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may grant an Award to a Section 162(m) Participant the restrictions with respect to which
lapse upon the attainment of performance goals which are related to one or more of the Performance Criteria. 


        (c)  To
the extent necessary to comply with the performance-based compensation requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, with respect to any Award granted
under Article IV which may be granted to one or more Section 162(m) Participants, no later than the earlier of (1) ninety (90) days following the commencement of any fiscal
year in question or any other designated fiscal period or period of service (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code) and (2) one day prior to
the expiration of 25% of such designated period of service, the Committee shall, in writing, (i) designate one or more Section 162(m) Participants, (ii) select the Performance
Criteria applicable to the fiscal year or other designated fiscal period or period of service, (iii) establish the various performance targets, in terms of an objective formula or standard, and
amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such fiscal year or other designated fiscal period or period of service, and (iv) specify the relationship between Performance
Criteria and the performance targets and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Section 162(m) Participant for such fiscal year or other designated fiscal period or
period of service. Following the completion of each fiscal year or other designated fiscal period or period of service, the Committee shall certify in writing whether the applicable performance
targets have been achieved for such fiscal year or other designated fiscal period or period of service. In determining the amount earned by a Section 162(m) Participant, the Committee shall
have the right to reduce (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem
relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the fiscal year or other designated fiscal period or period of service. 


        (d)  Furthermore,
notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award which is granted to a Section 162(m) Participant and is intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, any such Award shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code
(including any amendment to Section 162(m) of the Code) or any regulations or rulings issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as performance-based compensation as described in
Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, and the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements. 




        3.3.  Limitations
Applicable to Section 16 Persons.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award
granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under
Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent
permitted by 


4





 

applicable
law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule. 


        3.4.  Consideration.  In
consideration of the granting of an Award under the Plan, the Holder shall agree, in the Award Agreement, to
remain in the employ of (or to consult for) the Company or any Subsidiary for a period of at least one year (or such shorter period as may be fixed in the Award Agreement or by action of the
Administrator following grant of the Award) after the Award is granted. 


        3.5.  At-Will
Employment.  Nothing in the Plan or in any Award Agreement hereunder shall confer upon any Holder any right
to continue in the employ of, or as a Consultant for, the Company or any Subsidiary, or as a director of the Company, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and any
Subsidiary, which are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Holder at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written
employment agreement between the Holder and the Company and any Subsidiary. For the avoidance of doubt, Awards granted under the Plan shall not guarantee employment or service for the length of any
portion of the vesting schedule. 


 
 

ARTICLE IV.    
    
    AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK    
    


        4.1.  Eligibility.  Subject
to the Award Limit, Restricted Stock may be awarded to any Employee who the Committee determines is a key
Employee or any Consultant who the Committee determines should receive such an Award. 


        4.2.  Award
of Restricted Stock. 



        (a)  The
Committee may from time to time, in its absolute discretion: 



        (i)  Determine
which Employees are key Employees and select from among the key Employees or Consultants (including Employees or Consultants who have previously received other
awards under the Plan) such of them as in its opinion should be awarded Restricted Stock; and 


        (ii)  Determine
the purchase price, if any, and other terms and conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock, consistent with the Plan. 




        (b)  The
Committee shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided,
however, that such purchase price shall be no less than the par value of the Preferred Stock to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by applicable state law. In all
cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock. 



        (c)  Upon
the selection of a key Employee or Consultant to be awarded Restricted Stock, the Committee shall instruct the Secretary of the Company to issue such Restricted
Stock and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock as it deems appropriate. 




        4.3.  Rights
as Stockholders.  Subject to Section 4.4, upon delivery of the shares of Restricted Stock to the escrow holder
pursuant to Section 4.7, the Holder shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, all the rights of a stockholder with respect to said shares, subject to the restrictions in his
or her Award Agreement, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the shares; provided,
however, that in the discretion of the Committee, any extraordinary distributions with respect to the Preferred Stock shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in
Section 4.4. 


        4.4.  Restriction.  All
shares of Restricted Stock issued under the Plan (including any shares received by holders thereof with
respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall, in the terms of each individual Award 


5





 



Agreement,
be subject to such restrictions as the Committee shall provide, which restrictions may include, without limitation, restrictions concerning voting rights and transferability and
restrictions based on duration of employment with the Company, Company performance and individual performance; provided, however, that, except
with respect to shares of Restricted Stock granted to Section 162(m) Participants, by action taken after the Restricted Stock is issued, the Committee may, on such terms and conditions as it
may determine to be appropriate, remove any or all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of the Award Agreement. Restricted Stock may not be sold or encumbered until all restrictions are terminated
or expire. 


        4.5.  Forfeiture.



        If
no consideration is paid by the Holder upon issuance of the Restricted Stock, a Holder's rights in unvested Restricted Stock shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall be
surrendered to the Company without consideration, upon Termination of Employment or, if applicable, upon Termination of Consultancy with the Company; provided,
however, that the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that such rights shall not lapse in the event of a Termination of Employment following a Change
in Control of the Company or because of the Holder's death or disability; provided, further, except with respect to shares of Restricted Stock
granted to Section 162(m) Participants, the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that no such lapse or surrender shall occur in the event of a Termination of Employment, or
a Termination of Consultancy, without cause or because of the Holder's retirement, or otherwise. 


        4.6.  Repurchase
of Restricted Stock.  If cash consideration is paid by the Holder in exchange for the issuance of the Restricted
Stock, the Committee shall provide in the terms of each individual Award Agreement that the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Holder the Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions
under the Award Agreement immediately upon a Termination of Employment or, if applicable, upon a Termination of Consultancy between the Holder and the Company, at a cash price per share equal to the
price paid by the Holder for such Restricted Stock; provided, however, that the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that
no such right of repurchase shall exist in the event of a Termination of Employment following a Change in Control of the Company or because of the Holder's death or disability;
provided, further, that, except with respect to shares of Restricted Stock granted to Section 162(m) Participants, the Committee in its
sole and absolute discretion may provide that no such right of repurchase shall exist in the event of a
Termination of Employment or a Termination of Consultancy without cause or because of the Holder's retirement, or otherwise. 


        4.7.  Escrow.  The
Secretary of the Company or such other escrow holder as the Committee may appoint shall retain physical custody of
each certificate representing Restricted Stock until all of the restrictions imposed under the Award Agreement with respect to the shares evidenced by such certificate expire or shall have been
removed. 


        4.8.  Legend.  In
order to enforce the restrictions imposed upon shares of Restricted Stock hereunder, the Committee shall cause a
legend or legends to be placed on certificates representing all shares of Restricted Stock that are still subject to restrictions under Award Agreements, which legend or legends shall make appropriate
reference to the conditions imposed thereby. 


        4.9.  Section 83(b)
Election.  If a Holder makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, or any successor section
thereto, to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Stock as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Holder would otherwise be taxable under
Section 83(a) of the Code, the Holder shall deliver a copy of such election to the Company immediately after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service. 


6





 


 
 

ARTICLE V.    
    
    ADMINISTRATION    
    


        5.1.  Compensation
Committee.  The Compensation Committee (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions
of the Committee under the Plan) shall consist solely of two or more Independent Directors appointed by and holding office at the pleasure of the Board, each of whom is both a
"non-employee director" as defined by Rule 16b-3 and an "outside director" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Appointment of Committee members shall be
effective upon acceptance of appointment. Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Board. Vacancies in the Committee may be filled by the Board. 


        5.2.  Duties
and Powers of Committee.  It shall be the duty of the Committee to conduct the general administration of the Plan in
accordance with its provisions. The Committee shall have the authority, subject to the terms of the Plan, to select Employees and Consultants to whom Awards may be granted, the number of shares
covered by each Award and the terms and conditions of each Award. The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan and the Award Agreements, and to adopt such rules for the administration,
interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend any Award Agreement provided that the rights or obligations of the
Holder of the Award that is the subject of any such Award Agreement are not affected adversely. Any such grant or award under the Plan need not be the same with respect to each Holder. In its absolute
discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan except with respect to matters which under
Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) of the Code, or any regulations or rules issued thereunder, are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. 


        5.3.  Majority
Rule; Unanimous Written Consent.  The Committee shall act by a majority of its members in attendance at a meeting at
which a quorum is present or by a memorandum or other written instrument signed by all members of the Committee. 


        5.4.  Compensation;
Professional Assistance; Good Faith Actions.  Members of the Committee shall receive such compensation, if any,
for their services as members as may be determined by the Board. All expenses and liabilities which members of the Committee incur in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be borne by
the Company. The Committee may, with the approval of the Board, employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers or other persons. The Committee, the Company and the Company's officers
and Directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee or the Board in
good faith shall be final and binding upon all Holders, the Company and all other interested persons. No members of the Committee or Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or
interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or Awards, and all members of the Committee and the Board shall be fully protected by the Company in respect of any such action,
determination or interpretation. 


        5.5.  Delegation
of Authority to Grant Awards.  The Committee may, but need not, delegate from time to time some or all of its
authority to grant Awards under the Plan to a committee consisting of one or more members of the Committee or of one or more officers of the Company; provided,
however, that the Committee may not delegate its authority to grant Awards to individuals (a) who are subject on the date of the grant to the reporting rules under
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, (b) who are Section 162(m) Participants, or (c) who are officers of the Company who are delegated authority by the Committee hereunder.
Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Committee specifies at the time of such delegation of authority and may be rescinded at any time by the Committee. At
all times, any committee appointed under this Section 5.5 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Committee. 


7





 


 
 

ARTICLE VI.    
    
    MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS    
    


        6.1.  Not
Transferable.  No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or
the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed. No Award or interest
or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Holder or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation,
pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or
equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding
sentence. 


        6.2.  Amendment,
Suspension or Termination of the Plan.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6.2, the Plan may be
wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator. However, without approval of the Company's stockholders given within
12 months before or after the action by the Administrator, no action of the Administrator may, except as provided in Section 6.3, increase the limits imposed in Section 2.1 on the
maximum number of shares which may be issued under the Plan or materially modify the terms of the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.2(d), no amendment, suspension or termination
of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Holder, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides.
No Awards may be granted or awarded during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan. 


        6.3.  Changes
in Common Stock or Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other Corporate Events. 



        (a)  Subject
to Section 6.3(e), in the event that the Administrator determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock,
other securities or other property), recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off,
combination, repurchase, liquidation, dissolution, or sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or exchange of Common Stock or other
securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event, in the Administrator's
sole discretion, affects the Preferred Stock such that an adjustment is determined by the Administrator to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to an Award, then the Administrator shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of: 



        (i)  The
number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted or awarded (including, but not limited to,
adjustments of the limitations in Section 2.1 on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued and adjustments of the Award Limit); and 


        (ii)  The
number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; and/or 


        (iii)  Such
other equitable adjustments as it may determine to be appropriate in its sole discretion. 




8





 






        (b)  Subject
to Sections 6.3(b)(vi) and 6.3(e), in the event of any transaction or event described in Section 6.3(a) or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions
or events affecting the Company, any affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, the
Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such
transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Holder's request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action
is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate
such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles: 



        (i)  To
provide for either the purchase of any such Award for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been attained upon the realization of the Holder's rights
had such Award been fully vested or the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion; 


        (ii)  To
provide that the Award cannot vest after such event; 


        (iii)  To
provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar rights or
awards covering the stock of the
successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices; and 



        (iv)  To
make adjustments in the number and type of shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of
outstanding Restricted Stock and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant price), and the criteria included in, outstanding rights and awards and rights and awards which may be granted
in the future. 


        (v)  To
provide that, for a specified period of time prior to such event, the restrictions imposed under an Award Agreement upon some or all shares of Restricted Stock may be
terminated and some or all shares of such Restricted Stock may cease to be subject to repurchase under Section 4.6 or forfeiture under Section 4.5 after such event. 



        (vi)  Notwithstanding
any other provision of the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding Award shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the
Change in Control, automatically become fully exercisable for all of the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to such rights and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully-vested
shares of Common Stock. 




        (c)  Subject
to Sections 6.3(d), 3.2 and 3.3, the Administrator may, in its discretion, include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or
certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company. 


        (d)  With
respect to Awards which are granted to Section 162(m) Participants and are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m)(4)(C), no adjustment or action described in this Section 6.3 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would
cause such Award to fail to so qualify under Section 162(m)(4)(C), or any successor provisions thereto. Furthermore, no such adjustment or action shall be authorized to the extent such
adjustment or action would result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 unless the Administrator determines that
the Award is not to comply with such exemptive 



9





 




conditions.
The number of shares of Preferred Stock subject to any Award shall always be rounded to the next whole number. 


        (e)  The
existence of the Plan, the Award Agreement and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the
shareholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company's capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the
Company, any issue of stock or of options,
warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Preferred Stock or Common Stock or the rights thereof or
which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other
corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise. 




        6.4.  Approval
of Plan by Stockholders.  The Plan will be submitted for the approval of the Company's stockholders within
12 months after the date of the Board's initial adoption of the Plan. Awards may be granted or awarded prior to such stockholder approval, provided that such Awards shall not vest prior to the
time when the Plan is approved by the stockholders, and provided further that if such approval has not been obtained at the end of said twelve-month period, all Awards previously granted or awarded
under the Plan shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void. In addition, if the Board determines that Awards which may be granted to Section 162(m) Participants should continue to be
eligible to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, the Performance Criteria must be disclosed to and approved by the Company's stockholders no later
than the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the Company's stockholders previously approved the Performance Criteria. 


        6.5.  Tax
Withholding.  The Company shall be entitled to require payment in cash or deduction from other compensation payable to each
Holder of any sums required by federal, state or local tax law to be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting or payment of any Award. 


        6.6.  Forfeiture
Provisions.  Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards under the
Plan, the Administrator shall have the right to provide, in the terms of Awards made under the Plan, or to require a Holder to agree by separate written instrument, that (a)(i) any proceeds,
gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Holder upon any receipt or exercise of the Award, or upon the receipt or resale of any Preferred Stock underlying the Award,
must be paid to the Company, and (ii) the Award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of the Award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (b)(i) a Termination of Employment
or Termination of Consultancy occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the Award, or (ii) the Holder at any time, or during a
specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Company, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, as further defined by the Administrator or
(iii) the Holder incurs a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy for cause. 


        6.7.  Effect
of Plan Upon Options and Compensation Plans.  The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or
incentive plans in effect for the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or
compensation for Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (b) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection
with any proper corporate purpose including but not by way of limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise,
of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association. 


        6.8.  Compliance
with Laws.  The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance and delivery of shares of
Preferred Stock and the payment of money under the Plan or under 


10





 



Awards
granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to state and federal securities law and
federal margin requirements) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection
therewith. Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and
representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and
Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. 



        6.9.  Titles.  Titles
are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of
the Plan. 


        6.10.  Governing
Law.  The Plan and any agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws
of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws thereof. 


*
* * 


        I
hereby certify that the foregoing Plan was duly adopted by the Company's Board of Directors on June 12, 2003 and by its stockholders on June 26, 2003. 


        Executed
on this 31st day of July, 2003 



	

 	
 	

 
	

 	
 	

 
	 	 	/s/  RIED ZULAGER      
 Secretary




11









QuickLinks


THE 2003 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN OF COGENT COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

ARTICLE II. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN

ARTICLE III. GRANTING OF AWARDS

ARTICLE IV. AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK

ARTICLE V. ADMINISTRATION

ARTICLE VI. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS