<PAGE>   1


                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.17


                                 [FORM OF NOTE]


               THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE OR
OTHER SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION
HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS THE
TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF
THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1)
REPRESENTS THAT (a) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE
144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (b) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT) (AN "ACCREDITED INVESTOR") OR (c) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING
THIS SECURITY IN AN "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION" PURSUANT TO RULE 903 OR 904 OF
REGULATION S, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT PRIOR TO (x) THE DATE WHICH IS TWO
YEARS (OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THEREUNDER) AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF (OR OF ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) OR THE LAST
DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS
SECURITY OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS
MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAWS (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE"),
OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (a) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY
SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (b) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN
DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES
ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY
BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING
MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (d) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S.
PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, PURSUANT TO RULE 904 OF REGULATION S, (e) TO AN
ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR
THE


                                      A-1-1


<PAGE>   2


ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH
A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN
VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND IF ACQUIRING THE SECURITIES FROM SUCH AN
ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IS ACQUIRING SECURITIES HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $250,000), OR (f) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3)
AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A
NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND; PROVIDED THAT THE COMPANY,
THE TRUSTEE, THE TRANSFER AGENT AND THE REGISTRAR SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT PRIOR TO
ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D), (e) OR (f) TO
REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER
INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING
CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATION OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE
OTHER SIDE OF THIS SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE
TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE
RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "OFFSHORE
TRANSACTION", "UNITED STATES" AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE RESPECTIVE MEANINGS
GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.


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<PAGE>   3


                                   VERIO INC.

                                -----------------


                     10-5/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2009, SERIES A


CUSIP No.
          ----------
No.                                                                    $[      ]
    -----------

               VERIO INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the
State of Delaware (herein called the "Company," which term includes any
successor corporation under this Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to ___________ or registered assigns, the
principal sum of _______________ Dollars on November 15, 2009, at the office or
agency of the Company referred to below, and to pay interest thereon on May 15
and November 15 (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), of each year, commencing on
May 15, 2000, accruing from the Issue Date or from the most recent Interest
Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, at the rate
of 10-5/8% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for.
Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

               The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided
for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture referred to
on the reverse hereof, be paid to the person in whose name this Note (or one or
more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on May 1 and
November 1 (each, a "Regular Record Date"), whether or not a Business Day, as
the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest
not so punctually paid, or duly provided for, and interest on such defaulted
interest at the then applicable interest rate borne by the Notes, to the extent
lawful, shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record
Date, and may be paid to the person in whose name this Note (or one or more
Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record
Date for the payment of such defaulted interest to be fixed by the Trustee,
notice of which shall be given to Holders of Notes not less than 10 days prior
to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful
manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on
which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such
exchange, all as more fully provided in such Indenture.

               Payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
this Note will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for
that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, State of New
York, or at such other office or agency of the Company as may be maintained for
such purpose, in such coin or currency of the United


                                      A-1-3
<PAGE>   4


States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of
public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be
made at the option of the Company by check mailed to the address of the person
entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the Note Register.

               Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note
set forth on the reverse hereof.

               Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been duly
executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature,
this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture, or be valid
or obligatory for any purpose.

                  [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]


                                      A-1-4


<PAGE>   5


               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
duly executed.

Dated:                                VERIO INC.


                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                     TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION


               This is one of the 10-5/8% Senior Notes due 2009, Series A,
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                                      U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL
                                           ASSOCIATION, as Trustee


                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Authorized Signatory


                                      A-1-5


<PAGE>   6


                                [REVERSE OF NOTE]


               1. Indenture. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of
Notes of the Company designated as its 10-5/8% Senior Notes due 2009, Series A
(herein called the "Initial Notes"). The Notes are limited (except as otherwise
provided in the Indenture referred to below) in aggregate principal amount to
$400,000,000, which may be issued under an indenture (herein called the
"Indenture") dated as of November 19, 1999, by and between the Company and U.S.
Bank Trust National Association, as trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which
term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and
all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of
the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties, obligations and immunities
thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes, and of the
terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. The
Notes include the Initial Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Unrestricted
Notes (including the Exchange Notes referred to below), issued in exchange for
the Initial Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. The Initial
Notes and the Unrestricted Notes are treated as a single class of securities
under the Indenture.

               All capitalized terms used in this Note which are defined in the
Indenture and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to
them in the Indenture.

               The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and
those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
(15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) (the "TIA"), as in effect on the date of the
Indenture. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Notes are
subject to all such terms, and Holders of Notes are referred to the Indenture
and the TIA for a statement of such terms.

               No reference herein to the Indenture and no provisions of this
Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company,
which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any,
and interest on this Note at the times, place, and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.

               2. Registration Rights. Pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement by and among the Company and the Initial Purchasers, the Company will
be obligated to consummate an exchange offer pursuant to which the Holder of
this Note shall have the right to exchange this Note for 10-5/8% Senior Notes
due 2009, Series B, of the Company (herein called the "Exchange Notes"), which
have been registered under the Securities Act, in like principal amount and
having identical terms as the Notes (other than as set forth in this paragraph).
The Holders of Notes shall be entitled to receive certain additional interest
payments in the event such exchange offer is not consummated and upon certain
other conditions, all pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the
Registration Rights Agreement.


                                      A-1-6


<PAGE>   7


               3. Redemption. The Notes will be redeemable, at the option of the
Company, in whole or in part, on or after November 15, 2004 upon not less than
30 nor more than 60 days' written notice at the redemption prices (expressed as
percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid
interest thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during
the twelve-month period beginning on November 15, of each of the years indicated
below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Year        Percentage
   ----        ----------
<S>             <C>
2004 .....      105.313%
2005 .....      103.542%
2006 .....      101.771%
2007 .....      100.000%
</TABLE>

               Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that after the Issue
Date and prior to November 15, 2002 the Company issues, in one or more
transactions, Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to
one or more Strategic Equity Investors or in any Equity Offering (an "Equity
Sale"), the Company may redeem, at its option, up to a maximum of 35% of the
initially Outstanding aggregate principal amount of Notes from the net proceeds
thereof at a redemption price equal to 110.625% of the principal amount of the
Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption;
provided that not less than $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes
is Outstanding following such redemption. Any such redemption may only be
effected once and must be effected upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days'
notice given within 180 days after such Equity Sale.

               4. Offers to Purchase. Sections 10.10 and 10.15 of the Indenture
provide that upon the occurrence of a Change of Control and following certain
Asset Sales, and subject to certain conditions and limitations contained
therein, the Company shall make an offer to purchase all or a portion of the
Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

               5. Defaults and Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the principal of all of the Outstanding Notes, plus all accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, to and including the date the Notes are paid, may be
declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in this
Indenture.

               6. Defeasance. The Indenture contains provisions (which
provisions apply to this Note) for defeasance at any time of (a) the entire
indebtedness of the Company on this Note and (b) certain restrictive covenants
and related Defaults and Events of Default, in each case upon compliance by the
Company with certain conditions set forth therein.


                                      A-1-7


<PAGE>   8


               7. Amendments and Waivers. The Indenture permits, with certain
exceptions as provided therein, the amendment thereof and the modification of
the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders under
the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the
Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
at the time Outstanding. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the
Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at
the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes, to waive
compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain
past Defaults under the Indenture and this Note and their consequences. Any such
consent or waiver by or on behalf of the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive
and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and of any
Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or
in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon
this Note.

               8. Denominations, Transfer and Exchange. The Notes are issuable
only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any
integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate
principal amount of Notes of a different authorized denomination, as requested
by the Holder surrendering the same.

               As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable on the Note Register
of the Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the
office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan in The City of New York, State of New York, or at such other office or
agency of the Company as may be maintained for such purpose, duly endorsed by,
or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes, of authorized
denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the
designated transferee or transferees.

               No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer
or exchange or redemption of Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith.

               9. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to and at the time of due
presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee
and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the person in whose name
this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not
this Note shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent
shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

               10. GOVERNING LAW. THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND ANY GUARANTEE SET
FORTH BELOW SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED


                                      A-1-8


<PAGE>   9


IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

               The Company will furnish to any Holder of a Note upon written
request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:
Verio Inc., 8005 South Chester Street, Suite 200, Englewood, Colorado 80112.


                                      A-1-9


<PAGE>   10


                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM


If you the holder want to assign this Note, fill in the form below and have your
signature guaranteed:


I or we assign and transfer this Note to

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Insert assignee's social security or tax ID number)
                                                    ----------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code) and irrevocably appoint

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may
substitute another to act for such agent.

               In connection with any transfer of this Note occurring prior to
the date which is the earlier of (i) the date of the declaration by the SEC of
the effectiveness of a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), covering resales of this Note (which
effectiveness shall not have been suspended or terminated at the date of the
transfer) and (ii) the date two years (or such shorter period of time as
permitted by Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any successor provision
thereunder) after the later of the original issuance date appearing on the face
of this Note (or any Predecessor Note) or the last date on which the Company or
any Affiliate of the Company was the owner of this Note (or any Predecessor
Note), the undersigned confirms that it has not utilized any general
solicitation or general advertising in connection with the transfer and that:

                                   [Check One]

[ ]  (a)    this Note is being transferred in compliance with the exemption from
            registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A
            thereunder.

                                       or


                                     A-1-10


<PAGE>   11


[ ]  (b) this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (a) above
         and documents, including (i) a transferee certificate substantially in
         the form of Exhibit C to the Indenture in the case of a transfer to
         non-QIB Accredited Investors or (ii) a transferor certificate
         substantially in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture in the case of
         a transfer pursuant to Regulation S, are being furnished which comply
         with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the
         Indenture.

If none of the foregoing boxes is checked and, in the case of (b) above, if the
appropriate document is not attached or otherwise furnished to the Trustee, the
Trustee or Registrar shall not be obligated to register this Note in the name of
any person other than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any
such transfer of registration set forth herein and in Section 3.17 of the
Indenture shall have been satisfied.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:                       Your signature:
       -----------------                   -------------------------------------

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

                                           By:
                                              ----------------------------------

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           NOTICE:  To be executed
                                           by an executive officer


Signature Guarantee:
                    --------------------------------------


                                     A-1-11


<PAGE>   12


              TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED

               The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing
this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises
sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act
and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the
undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A (including the information
specified in Rule 144A(d)(4)) or has determined not to request such information
and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned's
foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration
provided by Rule 144A.

Dated:
      --------------------              ----------------------------------------
                                        NOTICE:  To be executed by an executive
                                        officer


                                     A-1-12


<PAGE>   13


                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE


               If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant
to Section 10.10 or 10.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box:

               Section 10.10 [ ]                Section 10.15 [ ]

               If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 10.10 or 10.15 of the Indenture, state the amount:

                                $
                                 --------------


Date:                    Your signature:
     ----------------                   ----------------------------------------
                                        (Sign exactly as your name appears on
                                        the other side of this Note)

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           NOTICE:  To be executed by an
                                           executive officer


Signature Guarantee:
                    -----------------------------------


                                     A-1-13