Document:

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                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                  CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of October 8, 1999 (as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this "AGREEMENT"), among
FLAG ATLANTIC LIMITED, a company organized and existing under the laws of
Bermuda (the "COMPANY"), the Lenders (as defined herein), BARCLAYS CAPITAL, as
lead arranger (in such capacity, the "LEAD ARRANGER"), WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK
GIROZENTRALE, NEW YORK BRANCH, as syndication agent (in such capacity, the
"SYNDICATION AGENT"), DRESDNER BANK AG, NEW YORK AND GRAND CAYMAN BRANCHES, as
documentation agent (in such capacity, the "DOCUMENTATION AGENT") and BARCLAYS
BANK PLC as administrative agent for the Lenders and as security agent for the
Secured Parties (in such capacities, the "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT").

                             W I T N E S S E T H :

                  WHEREAS, capitalized terms used in these recitals shall have
the meanings ascribed thereto in Section 1.1;

                  WHEREAS, the Company proposes to develop, construct, own,
provide, operate and sell Capacity on a 12,000 kilometer, six fiber pair,
submarine fiber optic cable system connecting the United States to Europe,
together with backhaul systems (some of which may be leased from existing
systems) related thereto (collectively, the "PROJECT");

                  WHEREAS, in order to finance project costs associated with the
design, engineering, construction and installation of the Project, the Sponsors
have severally agreed to make cash equity contributions to the Company in the
aggregate amount of U.S. $200,000,000, and to fund or otherwise to obtain
Sponsor Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments in the aggregate amount of U.S.
$300,000,000;

                  WHEREAS, in order (a) to finance the remaining project costs
associated with the design, engineering, construction and installation of the
Project, (b) to pay transaction, legal, financing (including interest expense
and fees) and other related costs, (c) to fund operating and maintenance costs
and expenses and working capital requirements and (d) to the extent of any
remaining availability, to fund the Reserve Accounts, the Company has requested
that the Lenders provide certain extensions of credit hereunder to the Company
consisting of Construction Loan Commitments in an aggregate principal amount of
up to $575,000,000;

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                  WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Lenders make
Revolving Credit Commitments in an aggregate principal amount of up to
$25,000,000; and

                  WHEREAS, in order to secure and support the Company's
obligations to the Lenders under the Financing Documents, the Company, its
Subsidiaries, and the Sponsors will enter into the Security Documents;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties
hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

                  SECTION 1.1. DEFINED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein
shall have the meanings assigned to them as follows (such definitions to be
equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined).
Any term defined by reference to an agreement, instrument or other document
shall have the meaning so assigned to it whether or not such agreement,
instrument or other document is in effect.

                  "ABR" when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers
to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing
interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

                  "ACCEPTANCE" shall mean any of Acceptance (Phase 1) or
Acceptance (Phase 2).

                  "ACCEPTANCE (PHASE 1)" means the earlier to occur of (i) the
tendering by the Company to the Contractor (with the consent of the Independent
Engineer) of the Certificate of Commercial Acceptance (Phase 1) or (ii) the
provision of the Certificate of Provisional Acceptance (Phase 1).

                  "ACCEPTANCE (PHASE 2)" means the earlier to occur of (i) the
tendering by the Company to the Contractor (with the consent of the Independent
Engineer) of the Certificate of Commercial Acceptance (Phase 2) or (ii) the
provision of the Certificate of Provisional Acceptance (Phase 2).

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                  "ACCOUNTS" shall be the collective reference to the Revenue
Account, the Current Account, the Construction Account, the Equity Proceeds
Account, the Pre-Sale Proceeds Account, the Debt Proceeds Account, the Debt
Reserve Account, the Operating Reserve Account, the Insurance Proceeds Account,
the Special Payment Account, the Sales and Issuances Proceeds Account, the
Maintenance Reserve Account, the Excess Revenue Account, the Permitted Sources
Account, the VAT Account, the Capacity Upgrades Reserve Account and each other
account established and maintained pursuant to Article VIII.

                  "ADDITIONAL BORROWING AMOUNT" shall mean as defined in Section
4.2(b).

                  "ADDITIONAL CONTRACT" shall mean each contract entered into by
the Company or any Subsidiary thereof after the Closing Date (other than
Capacity Sales Agreements, employment contracts and contracts involving payments
by or to the Company of less than $1,000,000 annually).

                  "ADJUSTED LIBO RATE" shall mean, with respect to any
Eurodollar Loan for any INTEREST PERIOD, an interest rate per annum (rounded
upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO RATE for
such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the STATUTORY RESERVE RATE.

                  "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto
in the preamble hereof, together with each of its successors hereunder.

                  "AFFILIATE" shall mean, with respect to a specified Person,
another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person
specified.

                  "ALCATEL" shall mean Alcatel, a corporation organized under
the laws of France.

                  "ALTERNATE BASE RATE" shall mean, for any day, a rate per
annum equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (b)
the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. If for
any reason the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination
shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the
Federal Funds Effective Rate for any reason, the Alternate Base Rate shall be
determined without regard to clause (b) of the preceding sentence until such
time as the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist. Any
change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the

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Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective from and including the effective
date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate,
respectively.

                  "APPLICABLE LAWS" shall mean all Requirements of Law, all
Governmental Actions and all applicable laws, statutes, treaties, rules, codes,
ordinances, regulations (including all export laws and regulations related
thereto), certificates, orders, interpretations, licenses and permits of any
Governmental Authority and judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs, orders or
like action of any court, arbitrator or other administrative, judicial or
quasi-judicial tribunal or agency of competent jurisdiction (including those
pertaining to health, safety or the environment).

                  "APPLICABLE MARGIN" shall mean, for any day, with respect to
any ABR Loan or Eurodollar Loan, the applicable rate per annum set forth in PART
I OF SCHEDULE 1.1.(VIII) annexed hereto.

                  "APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE" shall mean, with respect to (i) the
Revolving Credit Commitment, if any, of any Lender at any time of determination,
the percentage of the total unused Revolving Credit Commitments and outstanding
Revolving Credit Loans represented by such Lender's unused Revolving Credit
Commitment and outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, and (ii) the Construction
Loan Commitment of any Lender at any time of determination, the percentage of
the total unused Construction Loan Commitments and outstanding Construction
Loans represented by such Lender's unused Construction Loan Commitment and
outstanding Construction Loans. To the extent applicable, if either of the
Commitments has terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be
determined based upon the applicable Commitments most recently in effect, giving
effect to any assignments.

                  "APPROVED FUND" shall mean, with respect to any Lender that is
a fund that invests in commercial loans, any other fund that invests in
commercial loans and is managed by the same investment advisor as such Lender or
by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

                  "ASSIGNED DOCUMENTS" shall be the collective reference to each
agreement which is being assigned by the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the relevant Security Document.

                  "ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE" shall mean any assignment and
acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee, and accepted by the
Administrative Agent in

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accordance with Section 10.4, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT A or any
other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

                  "BACKHAUL AGREEMENTS" means those agreements described in
Subsection 3.4.2 of the Shareholders Agreement.

                  "BACKHAUL ELEMENTS" means, collectively, the European Backhaul
Element and the U.S. Backhaul Element.

                  "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System of the United States of America.

                  "BORROWING" shall mean Loans of the same Class and Type, made,
converted or continued on the same date and (in the case of Eurodollar Loans) as
to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

                  "BORROWING DATE" shall mean (a) with respect to Construction
Loans only, prior to the Conversion Date, initially, the Closing Date, and
thereafter, the last Business Day of each month, unless another Business Day is
otherwise specified to be the Borrowing Date for any calendar month by the
Company in a written notice at least thirty (30) days prior to such newly
specified Business Day, in which case such specified Business Day shall be the
Borrowing Date for that calendar month for all purposes of the Financing
Documents (including the making of Construction Loans under this Agreement) and
(b) with respect to Revolving Credit Loans only, the date specified in a
Borrowing Notice delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.3.

                  "BORROWING NOTICE" shall mean a notice from the Company,
executed by a Responsible Officer of the Company, substantially in the form of
EXHIBIT B.

                  "BUDGET CATEGORY" shall mean each of the categories under the
Project Budget.

                  "BUDGET CATEGORY AMOUNT" shall mean the maximum aggregate
amount which may be drawn down under the Construction Funding Facilities in
respect of any Budget Category.

                  "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday,
Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or
required by law to remain closed; PROVIDED that, when used in connection with a
Eurodollar Loan, the term

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"BUSINESS DAY" shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for
dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

                  "CAPACITY" shall mean the service offered by the Project
consisting of the right of use of a defined portion of the Project for
telecommunication (including sales of fiber pairs (or capacity thereon)), or,
where the context so requires, the fraction of total capacity for
telecommunication service available on the Project on the relevant segment of
the Project referred to in the context of which the term is used.

                  "CAPACITY COMMITMENTS" shall mean the aggregate amount of the
cash payments in Dollars that the Sponsors, Capacity Purchasers or other Persons
are obligated to make to the Company or its Subsidiaries for the purchase of
Capacity pursuant to Capacity Sales Agreements.

                  "CAPACITY PURCHASER" shall mean any international
telecommunications entity or other Person which commits to purchase or lease or
otherwise acquire rights with respect to Capacity pursuant to a Capacity Sales
Agreement.

                  "CAPACITY SALES AGREEMENTS" shall mean all agreements for the
sale, lease or other disposition of Capacity entered into in accordance with
Section 6.13 in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "CAPACITY UPGRADES" shall mean (a) any and all physical
additions, improvements or upgrades to the Project that are contemplated by the
Construction Contract or the System Configuration to upgrade Capacity in
increments of at least 40 gigabits per second, and (b) any other physical
additions, improvements or upgrades to the Project that the Independent Engineer
certifies to the Administrative Agent will add to the overall value of the
Project, PROVIDED that in the case of (b), such addition, improvement or upgrade
(i) could not reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect (other than a
temporary or minor adverse effect) on the normal use or operation of the
Project, (ii) will not require the Company to enter into any Additional Contract
or otherwise amend any Project Document, except as permitted by Sections 6.10
and 6.12, (iii) will not otherwise result in a Default or Event of Default and
(iv) could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  "CAPACITY UPGRADES RESERVE ACCOUNT" shall mean the special
account designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant
to Article VIII.

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                  "CAPACITY UPGRADES RESERVE REQUIRED BALANCE" shall mean, as of
any date of determination, an amount equal to the product of (i) in the case of
the first upgrade of the Project to be done by the Company, (x) $147,000 (or
such lesser amount as the Company and the Independent Engineer agree represents
the then per unit cost of upgrading 1024 STM-1's) times the first 615 STM-1's
sold by the Company in respect of which cash proceeds shall have been received
in full PLUS (y) $88,000 (or such lesser amount as the Company and the
Independent Engineer shall agree is the then per unit cost of upgrading 1024
STM-1's) TIMES any subsequent STM-1's sold by the Company in respect of which
cash proceeds shall have been received in full and (ii) in the case of any
subsequent upgrade of the Project, $88,000 (or such lesser amount as the Company
and the Independent Engineer shall agree is the then per unit cost of upgrading
1024 STM-1's) TIMES any subsequent STM-1's sold by the Company in respect of
which cash proceeds shall have been received in full by the Company, in each
case LESS the aggregate amount of expenditure with regard to the relevant
upgrade of Capacity from September 30, 1999; PROVIDED, that sales of fiber pairs
shall be excluded for the purposes of this calculation.

                  "CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS" of any Person, shall mean the
obligation to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement
conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof,
which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital
leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such
obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance
with GAAP.

                  "CAPITAL STOCK" shall mean any and all shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a
corporation, and any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other
than a corporation) and any and all warrants or options to purchase any of the
foregoing.

                  "CASH EQUITY CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT" shall mean $200,000,000.

                  "CASH EQUITY CONTRIBUTIONS" shall mean the cash equity
contributions required to be made by the Sponsors to the Company pursuant to the
Equity Contribution Agreements, including any such amounts on deposit in a cash
collateral account or the Equity Proceeds Account.

                  "CASH OPERATING EXPENSES" shall mean, for any period, the sum
(without duplication) of the following for the Company and its Subsidiaries: (a)
all salaries, employee benefits and other compensation paid during such period,
PLUS (b) insurance

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premiums paid during such period, PLUS (c) the costs of operating and
maintaining the Project paid during such period, PLUS (d) property and other
taxes (except income taxes) paid during such period, PLUS (e) fees for
accounting, legal and other professional services paid during such period, PLUS
(f) all selling, general and administrative expenses paid during such period,
PLUS (g) all other cash expenditures relating to operation, maintenance and
administrative costs of the Project paid during such period.

                  "CASUALTY PROCEEDS" shall mean all payments and proceeds of
each insurance policy maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof (or
with respect to which the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is the named
insured, a co-insured or a loss payee) and all compensation, awards, damages or
other payments or relief in respect of any taking of, or in respect of casualty
to or loss of, property, but excluding business interruption insurance and
payments in respect of liability policies.

                  "CASUALTY PROCEEDS DEPOSITS" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Section 8.17(a).

                  "CERTIFICATE OF COMMERCIAL ACCEPTANCE" shall have the meaning
ascribed thereto in the Construction Contract.

                  "CERTIFICATE OF COMMERCIAL ACCEPTANCE (PHASE 1)" shall mean
the Certificate of Commercial Acceptance issued in connection with commercial
acceptance of Phase 1 pursuant to the terms of the Construction Contract.

                  "CERTIFICATE OF COMMERCIAL ACCEPTANCE (PHASE 2)" shall mean
the Certificate of Commercial Acceptance issued in connection with commercial
acceptance of Phase 2 pursuant to the terms of the Construction Contract.

                  "CERTIFICATE OF PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE" shall have the meaning
ascribed thereto in the Construction Contract.

                  "CERTIFICATE OF PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE (PHASE 1)" shall mean
the Certificate of Provisional Acceptance issued in connection with the
Provisional Acceptance Date (Phase 1).

                  "CERTIFICATE OF PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE (PHASE 2)" shall mean
the Certificate of Provisional Acceptance issued in connection with the
Provisional Acceptance Date (Phase 2).

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                  "CERTIFICATE OF RESOLUTIONS AND INCUMBENCY" shall mean, with
respect to any Person, a certificate of a Responsible Officer and, in the case
of (b) below, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person, certifying
(a) that the resolutions of the Board of Directors (or similar governing body)
of such Person (copies of which shall be attached to such certificate) that
authorize the execution, delivery and performance by such Person of each
Transaction Document to which it is or is to become a party and authorize such
Person to enter into the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are in
full force and effect and have not been amended, modified or supplemented since
the date of their adoption, and (b) the incumbency of the Person or Persons
authorized to execute and deliver such documents on its behalf, together with
exemplary signatures thereof.

                  "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall mean and shall be deemed to have
occurred if any of the following occurs: (a) FLAG Telecom Holdings Limited shall
cease to directly or indirectly own at least 50% of the issued and outstanding
voting stock of FLAG Atlantic Holdings; or (b) GTS Carrier Services, Inc. shall
cease to directly or indirectly own at least 50% of the issued and outstanding
voting stock of GTS TransAtlantic Holdings; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no "Change
of Control" shall be deemed to occur if (i) a successor or transferee of any of
the foregoing stock is a person (or whose (direct or indirect) 100% parent is a
person) whose debt is rated at least "investment grade" by S&P and Moody's (or,
if rated by one only of S&P and Moody's, by such rating agency) or as a result
of any transaction entered into in accordance with Section 6.7 or 6.8 or (ii)
there shall occur any change in the relative ownership levels of the Sponsors
(or any permitted successor or assignee thereof) solely in connection with a
change in the respective shareholdings of the Sponsors (or any permitted
successor or assignee thereof) under Section 14.3 of the Shareholders Agreement.

                  "CHANGE IN LAW" shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, rule
or regulation after the Closing Date, (b) any change in any law, rule or
regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority after the Closing Date or (c) compliance by any Lender or any parent
of any Lender with any request, guideline or directive of any Governmental
Authority made or issued after the Closing Date (whether or not having the force
of law).

                  "CHARGE OVER BUSINESS AGREEMENT" shall mean the charge over
the business (NANTISSEMENT DE FONDS DE COMMERCE) substantially in the form set
out in Exhibit L to be entered into between the Administrative Agent and FLAG
Atlantic France S.A.R.L.

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                  "CLASS" when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing,
refers to whether such Loan is part of, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing
are, Revolving Credit Loans, Construction Loans or Term Loans and, when used in
reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving
Credit Commitment or a Construction Loan Commitment.

                  "CLOSING DATE" shall mean the date of this Agreement.

                  "CO-ARRANGERS" means Barclays Capital as Lead Arranger,
Dresdner Bank AG, New York and Grand Cayman Branches, as Documentation Agent and
Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, New York Branch, as Syndication Agent.

                  "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time.

                  "COLLATERAL" shall be the collective reference to (a) the
"Collateral" as such term is defined in any Security Agreement, (b) the
"Security" as such term is defined in any Security Agreement, (c) the Pledged
Stock and (d) all other property, if any, in which a Lien is, or is purported to
be, granted to secure the Obligations (or any portion thereof).

                  "COMMITMENTS" shall mean the Revolving Credit Commitments or
the Construction Loan Commitments, or a combination thereof (as the context
requires).

                  "COMMONLY CONTROLLED ENTITY" shall mean, as to any Person, an
entity, whether or not incorporated, which is under common control with such
Person within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group which
includes such Person and which is treated as a single employer under Section 414
of the Code.

                  "COMPANY" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the
preamble hereof.

                  "COMPANY'S EXCESS CASH FLOW ACCOUNT" shall have the meaning
ascribed thereto in Section 6.24.

                  "COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENTS" shall mean the collective
reference to the Company Security Agreement (U.S.), the Company Security
Agreement (England), the Company Security Agreements (France) and the Company
Security Agreement (Bermuda).

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                  "COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT (BERMUDA)" shall mean the Security
Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT
E-4, made by the Company in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit
of the Secured Parties, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENTS (FRANCE)" shall mean the Security
Agreements, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the forms of EXHIBITS
E-3A and E-3B, made by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries in France in
favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with
the terms hereof.

                  "COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT (ENGLAND)" shall mean the Security
Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT
E-2A, EXHIBIT E-2B, EXHIBIT E-2C, made by the Company in England in favor of the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the
terms hereof.

                  "COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT (U.S.)" shall mean the Security
Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT
E-1, made by the Company and any of its Subsidiaries in the U.S. in favor of the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the
terms hereof.

                  "CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Section 10.16.

                  "CONSENTS" shall be the collective reference to the Guarantor
Consent, the Contractor Consent and each other consent to assignment, in the
form of EXHIBIT G as the case may be, to be executed and delivered by each party
(other than the Company) to any Additional Contract which are required to be
obtained and delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section
6.12 or the Security Agent in accordance with the Security Documents.

                  "CONSOLIDATED ADJUSTED EBITDA" shall mean without duplication,
for any period, Cumulative Capacity Sales Revenues (with respect to the Interest
Coverage Ratio, calculation, for the four-fiscal quarter period then ended) PLUS
other revenues received in cash at any date of determination for such period
from continuing operations, MINUS Cash Operating Expenses.

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                  "CONSOLIDATED CASH INTEREST EXPENSE" shall mean, for any
period, Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, excluding any amounts not
payable in Cash.

                  "CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE" shall mean, for any period,
the amount of interest expense, both expensed and capitalized, of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP
for such period on the aggregate principal amount of their Indebtedness
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account
designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Article VIII.

                  "CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT" shall mean the FLAG Atlantic Fibre
Optic Cable System Contract, dated as of September 20, 1999, between the Company
its Subsidiaries and the Contractor (including all schedules and appendices
thereto), as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing
Date and as the same may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT GUARANTY" shall mean the Guaranty,
dated on or before the date hereof, made by Alcatel in favor of the Company, as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing Date and as the
same may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "CONSTRUCTION FUNDING FACILITIES" shall mean, collectively,
and without duplication, the following:

                                    (a) all funds on deposit in the Equity
                  Proceeds Account (or any cash collateral account into which
                  the equity proceeds are otherwise paid) and the Debt Proceeds
                  Account;

                                    (b) all amounts available to be funded under
                  this Agreement, the Limited Guarantee Agreements and the
                  Equity Contribution Agreements;

                                    (c) all amounts available under (i) the
                  Sponsor Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments, (ii) Qualifying
                  Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments to the extent such amounts are
                  payable prior to the Conversion Date and (iii) any other

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                  Capacity Commitments, to the extent such amounts are received
                  prior to the Conversion Date;

                                    (d) all other funds which are available for
                  the payment of Project Costs from a source and on terms
                  acceptable in all respects to the Administrative Agent; and

                                    (e) to the extent not included in (a)
                  through (c) above, all other amounts on deposit in the
                  Construction Account or the Pre-Sale Proceeds Account.

                  "CONSTRUCTION LOAN COMMITMENT" shall mean, as to any
Construction Loan Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make Construction
Loans to the Company in an aggregate amount not to exceed, at any one time
outstanding, the amount set forth opposite such Construction Loan Lender's name
on SCHEDULE 1.1(II) under the heading "Construction Loan Commitment" or, in the
case of any Construction Loan Lender that is an assignee, the amount of the
assigning Construction Loan Lender's Construction Loan Commitment assigned to
such assignee pursuant to Section 10.4, in each case as such amount may be
adjusted or reduced from time to time as provided herein.

                  "CONSTRUCTION LOAN COMMITMENT PERIOD" shall mean the period
from and including the Closing Date to and including the Construction Loan
Commitment Termination Date.

                  "CONSTRUCTION LOAN COMMITMENT TERMINATION DATE" shall mean the
earliest of (a) the date on which the then outstanding Construction Loans equal
the Construction Loan Commitments then in effect, (b) the Conversion Date and
(c) the date on which the Commitments shall terminate under the terms of the
Financing Documents.

                  "CONSTRUCTION LOAN LENDERS" shall mean, at any time of
determination, Lenders having outstanding Construction Loans or unused
Construction Loan Commitments.

                  "CONSTRUCTION LOAN NOTES" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Section 2.7(f).

                  "CONSTRUCTION LOANS" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto
in Section 2.1(a)(i).

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                  "CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS" shall mean, collectively,
(i) the Construction Management Agreement, dated on or before the date hereof
between the Company and GTS Carrier Services Inc. to provide for the management
of construction of the U.S. and European Backhaul Elements and (ii) the
Construction Management Agreement, dated on or before the date hereof between
the Company and FLAG Telecom Group Services Ltd. to provide for management of
construction of the Subsea Element, as each may be further amended, supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.

                  "CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS REPORT" shall mean a report to be
submitted by the Company to the Administrative Agent no later than fifteen days
prior to the applicable Borrowing Date in relation to Construction Loans, or
prior to a proposed Equity Withdrawal under Section 4.5, providing (a) an
assessment by the Company of the overall construction progress and cost of the
Project since the date of the last such report and since the Closing Date,
together with an assessment of how such progress and cost compare to the Plan of
Work, the Project Timetable and the Project Budget (including, without
limitation, the Additional Borrowing Amount), (b) a detailed description of any
and all material problems (including, but not limited to, actual and anticipated
cost overruns or delays, if any) encountered or anticipated in connection with
the Project since the date of the last such report, together with an assessment
of any impact of any such problems on the Plan of Work, the Project Timetable
and the Project Budget, (c) a detailed description of the proposed solutions to
the problems referred to in clause (b) above, (d) a statement as to the
anticipated delivery dates of major equipment or Supplies for the Project,
together with an assessment of how such delivery dates will impact the Project
Timetable and (e) an analysis of such other matters relating to the Project as
the Administrative Agent or the Independent Engineer shall request.

                  "CONSULTANTS" shall be the collective reference to the
Independent Engineer and the Market Consultant.

                  "CONTEST" shall mean, with respect to any tax, Lien, claim or
obligation, a contest with respect thereto pursued in good faith and by
appropriate and timely proceedings diligently conducted, so long as (a) no Lien
(other than Permitted Liens) shall have been filed in connection therewith or
any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) filed in connection therewith shall have
been fully removed from the record by the bonding thereof, (b) except with
respect to any Lien that has been removed from the record by the bonding thereof
in accordance with clause (a), adequate reserves (which shall be in cash unless
the Administrative Agent otherwise agrees) shall have been established with
respect to such tax, Lien, claim or obligation, (c) during the period of such
contest the

                                       14

<PAGE>

enforcement of any contested item is effectively stayed, (d) such contest could
not reasonably be expected to involve any material danger of the sale,
forfeiture or loss of any of the Pledged Stock or any material part of the other
Collateral or the Project, title thereto or any interest therein and will not
cause a material interference with any Project Activity and (e) the failure to
pay such tax, Lien, claim or obligation during the pendency of such contest
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  "CONTINUATION/CONVERSION NOTICE" shall mean a notice in the
form of EXHIBIT F, which may be contained in the Borrowing Notice or otherwise,
and which shall be executed by a Responsible Officer of the Company.

                  "CONTRACT VARIATION" shall mean any amendment, supplement or
other modification to the Construction Contract and shall include any "Contract
Variation" as such term is defined in the Construction Contract.

                  "CONTRACTOR" shall mean Alcatel Submarine Networks, Alcatel
Submarine Networks Inc. and Alcatel Submarine Networks Limited each a direct or
indirect Subsidiary of Alcatel.

                  "CONTRACTOR CONSENT" shall mean the consent to and notice of
assignment, in the form of EXHIBIT G, made by the Contractor in favor of the
Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

                  "CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION" shall mean, as to any Person, any
provision of any security issued by such Person or any agreement, instrument,
judgment, order, decree or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or
by which it or any of its property is bound.

                  "CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS" means all representations, covenants,
guarantees, indemnities and other contractual provisions in favour of the
Administrative Agent (other than any such made or granted solely for its own
benefit) made or granted in or pursuant to any of the Financing Documents.

                  "CONTROL" shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly,
of (a) the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies
of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract
or otherwise and/or (b) the ownership of 25% or more of the securities having
ordinary voting power for the election of directors of a Person. "CONTROLLED"
shall have the meaning correlative thereto.

                                       15

<PAGE>

                  "CONVERSION DATE" shall mean the date on which the conditions
precedent set forth in Section 4.4 have been satisfied and the Construction
Loans are converted into Term Loans in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "CRITICAL TIMETABLE EVENT" shall mean each event set forth in
the Project Timetable under the heading "Critical Timetable Event".

                  "CUMULATIVE CAPACITY SALES REVENUE" shall mean, for any
period, (a) the aggregate cash amount of Capacity Commitments received from
September 30, 1999, up to and including the end of such period in respect of the
sale, lease and/or other disposition of Capacity which are not subject to return
to the applicable Capacity Purchaser (net of any amount received which is
subject to a rebate obligation) LESS (b) that portion of the aggregate cash
amount referred to in the preceding clause (a) which is in respect of the
Sponsor Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments.

                  "CURRENT ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account designated by
that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Article VIII.

                  "DEBT PROCEEDS ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account
designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Article VIII.

                  "DEBT RESERVE ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account
designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Article VIII.

                  "DEBT RESERVE REQUIRED BALANCE" shall mean, as of any date of
determination, an amount (not less than zero) equal to the difference between
(a) the Gross Debt Reserve Required Amount at such time and (b) the aggregate
amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect.

                  "DEFAULT" shall mean any event or condition which constitutes
an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless
cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

                  "DESIGN DOCUMENTS" shall mean any document submitted by the
Company and requested by the Independent Engineer as justification that the
design and/or installation of the Project (or any portion thereof) meets the
requirements and specifications set forth in the Construction Contract and the
Backhaul Agreements.

                                       16

<PAGE>

                  "DESIGNATED EVENT" shall mean, as of any date of
determination, the failure of the Company and its Subsidiaries to be in
compliance with Section 6.28, 6.29 or 6.30 as of such date, as set forth in the
certificate delivered by the Company to the Administrative Agent in accordance
with Section 5.3(b), or the failure of the Company to deliver such certificate
when required.

                  "DOCUMENTATION AGENT" as defined in the preamble hereto.

                  "DOLLARS" or "$" refers to lawful money of the United States
of America.

                  "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" shall mean any and all international,
national, state, local or municipal treaties, laws, rules, orders, regulations,
statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, permits or requirements of any
Governmental Authority relating to the protection of the environment, natural
resources or human health, including, but not limited to, those relating to
emissions, discharge, Releases or threatened Releases of Hazardous Materials
into the environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water,
groundwater or land, or relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution,
use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials,
as now or hereafter in effect.

                  "ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY" shall mean any liability, contingent
or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental
remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Company or any Subsidiary
thereof directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) a violation of
any Environmental Law or (b) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous
Materials into the environment.

                  "EOL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Section 5.20(a).

                  "EQUITY CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS" shall mean the Equity
Contribution Agreement made by each Sponsor in favor of the Company and the
Administrative Agent, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of
EXHIBIT H, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "EQUITY CONTRIBUTION LETTERS OF CREDIT" shall mean the
irrevocable standby letters of credit issued or confirmed by financial
institutions which constitute Qualifying Banks (as of the date of such issuance
or confirmation) in favor of the Administrative Agent, supporting the
obligations of the Sponsors under, and in accordance with the terms of,

                                       17

<PAGE>

the Equity Contribution Agreements, as the same may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "EQUITY PROCEEDS ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account
designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Article VIII.

                  "EQUITY WITHDRAWAL" shall mean the making of transfers out of
the Equity Proceeds Account.

                  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended from time to time.

                  "ERISA AFFILIATE" shall mean any entity (whether or not
incorporated) that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer
under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302
of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under
Section 414 of the Code.

                  "ERISA EVENT" means (a) any "reportable event", as defined in
Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a
Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived under
applicable PBGC regulations); (b) the failure to make a required contribution to
any Plan sufficient to give rise to a lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA; (c)
the existence with respect to any Plan of an "accumulated funding deficiency"
(as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not
waived; (d) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d)
of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with
respect to any Plan; (e) the taking of any steps by the Company or any of its
ERISA Affiliates to terminate any Plan, if such termination could result in any
liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to such Plan; (f) the receipt by
the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any
notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a
trustee to administer any Plan; (g) the incurrence by the Company or any of its
ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial
withdrawal, within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA, from any
multiple-employer Plan; or (h) the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate
of any notice from any Multiemployer Plan concerning the imposition of
Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is
expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV
of ERISA.

                                       18

<PAGE>

                  "EURODOLLAR" when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing,
refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing
interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

                  "EUROPEAN BACKHAUL ELEMENT" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Annex 5 of the Shareholders Agreement.

                  "EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall mean the occurrence of any of the
events specified in Article VII, PROVIDED that any requirement for the giving of
notice, the lapse of time or both, or for the happening of any other condition,
has been satisfied.

                  "EVENT OF LOSS" shall mean (a) the actual or constructive
total loss (by way of condemnation, expropriation or otherwise) of all or
substantially all of the Project, (b) the loss, destruction, damage or
constructive loss of a material portion of the Project (by way of condemnation,
expropriation or otherwise), (c) the cessation or material impairment of the
operation of the Project for a period greater than 90 days or (d) the occurrence
of one or more judgments or decrees being entered in the form of an injunction
or similar form of relief requiring suspension or abandonment of a portion of
the Project and the failure of the Company to have such injunction or similar
form of relief stayed or discharged within 60 days.

                  "EXCESS CASH FLOW" shall mean, for each quarterly period
ending on a Principal Payment Date, all cash revenue received by the Company
during such period and available after the application of clauses first through
EIGHTH of Section 8.12(b) in accordance with the terms of Article VIII.

                  "EXCESS REVENUE ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account
designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Article VIII.

                  "EXCLUDED TAXES" shall mean, with respect to the
Administrative Agent the Lead Arranger or any Lender (a) income or franchise
taxes imposed on (or incurred by) its net income by the United States of
America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is
organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any
Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch
profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed
by any other jurisdiction in which such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as
the case may be, is located and (c) in the case of a Lender, any withholding Tax
that is attributable to such Lender's failure to comply with Section 2.15(e).

                                       19

<PAGE>

                  "EXPENSE CERTIFICATE" shall mean a certificate of the Company
substantially in the form of EXHIBIT J.

                  "FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT" shall mean the Facilities
Management Agreement dated on or before the date hereof among the Company, GTS
Carrier Services, Inc. and FLAG Telecom Group Services Ltd.

                  "FEDERAL FUNDS EFFECTIVE RATE" shall mean, for any day, the
weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the
rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next
succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such
rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for
such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three
Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

                  "FEE LETTER" shall mean the fee letter agreement, dated as of
the Closing Date, among the Company, the Lead Arranger and the Administrative
Agent, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "FINAL" shall, (a) as to any Governmental Action issued or
transferred to any Person, mean the status of such Governmental Action as (i)
duly issued in the name of, or validly transferred to, such Person and accepted
by such Person, (ii) in full force and effect and (iii) not then subject to any
pending judicial or administrative proceedings or (b) as to any judicial
proceeding, mean the resolution of such proceeding by a court of competent
jurisdiction from which no appeal is or can be taken.

                  "FINAL MATURITY DATE" shall mean April 30, 2007.

                  "FINANCING DOCUMENTS" shall be the collective reference to
this Agreement, the Notes, the Security Documents, the Interest Hedging
Agreements, the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreements, the Limited Guarantee
Agreements, the Equity Contribution Agreements and the Consents.

                  "FIRST AMENDMENT" means the First Amendment, dated as of
December 14, 1999, to this Agreement, by and among Company, the Lenders party
thereto, Lead Arranger, Syndication Agent, Documentation Agent and
Administrative Agent.

                                       20

<PAGE>

                  "FIRST AMENDMENT CLOSING DATE" means the "First Amendment
Closing Date", as such term is defined in the First Amendment.

                  "FLAG ATLANTIC HOLDINGS" shall mean FLAG Atlantic Holdings
Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda.

                  "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States of America, as in effect from time to time.

                  "GTS TRANSATLANTIC HOLDINGS" shall mean GTS TransAtlantic
Holdings Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda.

                  "GOVERNMENTAL ACTION" shall mean all permits, authorizations,
registrations, consents, approvals, waivers, exceptions, variances, claims,
orders, judgments and decrees, licenses, exemptions, publications, filings,
notices to and declarations of or with any Governmental Authority and shall
include, without limitation, permits, licenses, authorities and approvals for
the Company's cable to cross other telecommunications cables, pipelines, and the
like, to rest or be buried in any inland waters, territorial waters, continental
shelf, contiguous zones, Exclusive Economic Zones (as defined in the 1982
Convention on the Law of the Sea) and permissions to cross any beach or land and
all other construction, installation, siting, environmental and operating
permits and licenses that are required for the performance of the Project
Activities.

                  "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" shall mean the government of the
United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof,
whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory
body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative,
judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or
pertaining to government.

                  "GROSS DEBT RESERVE REQUIRED AMOUNT" shall mean, as of any
date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (a) 50% of all scheduled
payments of interest (based on the then current interest rates on the Loans
after giving effect to any principal prepayments made on or prior to such date)
and (b) 50% of all scheduled payments of principal (before giving effect to any
principal prepayments) on the Term Loans, in each case for the next succeeding
twelve months, PROVIDED that the amount set forth in clause (b) shall in no
event exceed the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans outstanding as of
such date.

                                       21

<PAGE>

                  "GROSS MAINTENANCE RESERVE REQUIRED AMOUNT" shall mean, as of
any date of determination, an amount (not less than zero) equal to the
difference of (a) the actual Operating Expenses for the preceding six-month
period ending on such date, LESS (b) 50% of the aggregate of all Operating
Payments received by the Company during the immediately preceding twelve-month
period ending on such date (or, for any date prior to the first anniversary of
the Conversion Date, 50% of the aggregate of all Operating Payments received by
the Company since the Conversion Date, annualized to an annual period).

                  "GUARANTOR" shall mean Alcatel and its permitted successors
and assigns.

                  "GUARANTY" of or by any Person (the "GUARANTOR") shall mean
any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having
the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any
other Person (the "PRIMARY OBLIGOR") in any manner, whether directly or
indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect,
(a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment
of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or
supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to
purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring
the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c)
to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement
condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary
obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party
in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such
Indebtedness or obligation; PROVIDED, that the term Guaranty shall not include
endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

                  "GUARANTOR CONSENT" shall mean the consent to and notice of
assignment, dated as of the Closing Date, made by Alcatel in favor of the
Administrative Agent, in the form of EXHIBIT G, as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" shall mean any petroleum or petroleum
products or any chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the
definition of "hazardous substances", "hazardous wastes", "hazardous materials",
"extremely hazardous wastes", "restricted hazardous wastes", "toxic substances",
"toxic pollutants", "contaminants" or "pollutants", or words of similar import,
under any applicable Environmental Law.

                                       22

<PAGE>

                  "HEDGING AGREEMENT" shall mean any interest rate protection
agreement, foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection
agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging
arrangement.

                  "INDEBTEDNESS" of any Person shall mean, without duplication,
(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to
deposits or advances of any kind; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that refunds or credits
which the Company may from time to time be obligated to pay or make under any
Capacity Sales Agreement shall not be considered "Indebtedness", (b) all
obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar
instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred
purchase price of property or services (excluding current trade liabilities
incurred in the ordinary course of business and payable in accordance with
customary practices), (d) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which
the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise,
to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether
or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the lesser of (x) the fair market
value of such property and (y) the amount of such Indebtedness of others, (e)
all Guaranties by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (f) all obligations of
such Person constituting Capital Lease Obligations, (g) all obligations,
contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of
letters of credit and letters of guaranty (other than trade-related letters of
credit or letters of guaranty entered into in the ordinary course of business),
(h) all net obligations of such Person under any Hedging Agreement (including
all net Interest Hedging Obligations) and (i) all obligations, contingent or
otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers' acceptances; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that for the avoidance of doubt, the Company's payment obligations under the
Project Documents shall not constitute "Indebtedness".

                  "INDEMNIFIED TAXES" shall mean Taxes other than Excluded
Taxes.

                  "INDEMNITEE" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
Section 10.3(c).

                  "INDEPENDENT ENGINEER" shall mean BT Worldwide or such other
engineer or engineering firm as may be appointed by the Administrative Agent in
accordance with Section 10.15.

                  "INITIAL PRINCIPAL PAYMENT DATE" shall mean the first
scheduled Interest Payment Date in respect of Eurodollar Loans falling after the
Conversion Date (or, in the event

                                       23

<PAGE>

that all of the Loans in existence at such time are ABR Loans, the first
scheduled Interest Payment Date in respect of ABR Loans falling after the
Conversion Date).

                  "INSURANCE ADVISOR" shall mean Hobbs Group, LLC., or any
successor thereof.

                  "INSURANCE PROCEEDS ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account
designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Article VIII.

                  "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" shall mean, with respect to any
Person, all licenses, trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents, technology,
know-how, processes and other such similar agreements and all Software.

                  "INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO" means the ratio, as of the last day
of any fiscal quarter of the Company (and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated
basis) following the fiscal quarter in which the Conversion Date occurs (but, in
any event, no earlier than the last quarter of 2001), of (i) Consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA for the four-fiscal quarter period then ended, to (ii)
Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for such four-fiscal quarter period, in each
case as set forth in the most recent certificate delivered by the Company to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.3(b) in respect of such fiscal
period; PROVIDED that for purposes of calculating the Interest Coverage Ratio as
of the last day of each of the first, second and third fiscal quarters occurring
after the fiscal quarter in which the Conversion Date occurs, such ratio shall
be determined by multiplying each of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and
Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for the period commencing on the first day of
the first full fiscal quarter following the Conversion Date, and ending as of
the end of such fiscal quarter by (i) 4, in the case of the first fiscal
quarter, (ii) 2, in the case of the second fiscal quarter, and (iii) 4/3, in the
case of the third fiscal quarter.

                  "INTEREST HEDGING AGREEMENT" means any Hedging Agreement
evidencing an Interest Hedging Transaction.

                  "INTEREST HEDGING COUNTERPARTY" shall mean (a) Barclays
Capital, any other Lender or any agency, branch or Affiliate thereof or (b) any
other financial institution whose long-term unsecured indebtedness is rated "A"
or better by S&P or "A2" or better by Moody's, at the time of such financial
institution's entry into an Interest Hedging Transaction with the Company.

                  "INTEREST HEDGING OBLIGATIONS" shall mean all indebtedness,
liabilities and obligations of the Company under any agreement or agreements
entered into by the

                                       24

<PAGE>

Company and one or more Interest Hedging Counterparties with respect to any
Interest Hedging Transaction.

                  "INTEREST HEDGING TRANSACTION" shall mean any interest rate
swap transaction, interest "cap" or "collar" transaction and/or any other
interest rate hedging transaction entered into by the Company with an Interest
Hedging Counterparty to hedge the Company's interest rate exposure with respect
to the Loans.

                  "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" shall mean (a) with respect to any ABR
Loan, the last day of each month commencing with the Closing Date (or, if any
such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) and (b)
with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period
applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a
Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months'
duration, the day that occurs three months after the first day of such Interest
Period (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day
(unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month
in which case such payment date shall fall on the next preceding Business Day)).

                  "INTEREST PERIOD" shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar
Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the
numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or
six months thereafter (or, if available as determined by the Administrative
Agent, seven (7) days) as the Company may elect in accordance with the terms
hereof; PROVIDED that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a
Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next
calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next
preceding Business Day, (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last
Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end
on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period, (c)
Interest Periods shall be selected so that sufficient funds are available
without breakage to make scheduled amortization payments on the Loans, (d) if
the Administrative Agent elects an Interest Period under Section 2.5(e), such
Interest Period may be of any period of time and is not subject to the
restriction that it shall have a duration of either one, two, three or six
months or seven (7) days, (e) any Interest Period for a Construction Loan that
would otherwise extend beyond the Construction Loan Commitment Termination Date,
shall end on the Construction Loan Commitment Termination Date, (f) any Interest
Period for a Revolving Credit Loan that would otherwise extend beyond the
Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date, shall end on the Revolving Credit

                                       25
<PAGE>

Commitment Termination Date and (g) any Interest Period that would otherwise
extend beyond the Final Maturity Date, shall end on the Final Maturity Date. For
purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which
such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most
recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

                  "LANDING LICENSE" shall mean each material license or permit
required by Applicable Law specifically for the landing and/or operating of the
Project in England, the United States and France as identified on Schedule
3.7(b) hereto, and any other country in which the Project may be situated.

                  "LEAD ARRANGER" shall mean Barclays Capital.

                  "LENDERS" shall be the collective reference to the lenders
listed on the signature pages hereto, together with their respective successors
and permitted assigns hereunder.

                  "LIBO RATE" shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar
Borrowing for any Interest Period, the rate appearing on Page 3750 of the
Telerate Service (or on any successor or substitute page of such Service, or any
successor to or substitute for such Service, providing rate quotations
comparable to those currently provided on such page of such Service, as
determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of
providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the
London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business
Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar
deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that
such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the "LIBO RATE"
with respect to such Eurodollar Borrowing for such Interest Period shall be the
average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) of the
respective rates notified to the Administrative Agent by each of the Reference
Lenders as the rate at which such Reference Lender is offered Dollar deposits at
approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period in the London interbank eurodollar market
for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period for the number of days
comprised therein and in amount comparable to the amount of its Eurodollar Loans
to be outstanding during such Interest Period.

                  "LIEN" shall mean, with respect to any asset (a) any mortgage,
assignment, deposit arrangement, deed of trust, lien (statutory or other),
pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge, expropriation (or expropriatory
claims), security interest or similar encumbrance in, on or of such asset and
(b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor

                                       26
<PAGE>

under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement
(or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of
the foregoing) relating to such asset.

                  "LIMITED GUARANTEE AGREEMENTS" shall mean, collectively, the
Limited Guarantee Agreement (FLAG) and the Limited Guarantee Agreement (GTS).

                  "LIMITED GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (FLAG)" shall mean the Guarantee
Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT
P-1, made by FLAG Atlantic Holdings in favor of the Administrative Agent, for
the benefit of the Secured Parties, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise
modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "LIMITED GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (GTS)" shall mean the Guarantee
Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT
P-2, made by GTS TransAtlantic Holdings in favor of the Administrative Agent,
for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise
modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "LOANS" shall mean, collectively, (a) at any time prior to the
Conversion Date, the Construction Loans and the Revolving Credit Loans and (b)
at any time on or after the Conversion Date, the Term Loans and the Revolving
Credit Loans.

                  "MAINTENANCE RESERVE ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account
designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Article VIII.

                  "MAINTENANCE RESERVE REQUIRED BALANCE" shall mean, as of any
date of determination, an amount (not less than zero) equal to the difference
between (a) the Gross Maintenance Reserve Required Amount at such time and (b)
the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments
at such time over the Gross Debt Reserve Required Amount at such time.

                  "MAJORITY LENDERS" shall mean, at any time of determination,
one or more Lenders having 51% or more of the aggregate of (i) (a) at any time
prior to the Conversion Date, the Construction Loan Commitments then in effect;
(b) at any time on or after the Conversion Date, the Term Loans then outstanding
and (ii)(a) at any time prior to the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination
Date, the Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect; and (b) at any time on or
after the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date, the Revolving Credit
Loans then outstanding.

                                       27
<PAGE>

                  "MARKET CONSULTANT" shall mean Arthur D. Little or such other
market consultant as may be appointed by the Administrative Agent in accordance
with Section 10.15.

                  "MARKETING AGREEMENT" shall mean the Customer Marketing
Agreement, dated on or before the date hereof among the Company, FLAG Atlantic
Holdings (or an Affiliate) and GTS TransAtlantic Holdings (or an Affiliate), as
the same may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

                  "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" shall mean a material adverse effect
on (a) the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise), or property
or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the
Project, (b) the ownership, use or operation of the Project, (c) the ability of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to perform its obligations under any
Financing Document, (d) the value, validity, perfection and enforceability of
the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent under the Security Documents, or
(e) the validity or enforceability of the Financing Documents or the Principal
Project Documents (other than any Capacity Sales Agreement) excluding Capacity
Sales Agreements entered into by Sponsors) or the availability of the remedies
of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under the Financing Documents;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that an adverse change in sales or prospective sales of
Capacity based on changes or perceived changes in external market conditions
(including as a result of increased competition or introductions or applications
of new technology) will not, in and of itself, provide a basis that an event
described above has occurred.

                  "MATERIAL INDEBTEDNESS" shall mean Indebtedness (other than
the Loans) in a principal amount exceeding $1,000,000. For purposes of
determining Material Indebtedness, the "principal amount" of the obligations of
the Company in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum
aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Company
would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time.

                  "MATERIAL REAL ESTATE ASSET" means (i) any fee-owned Real
Estate Asset (a) having a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000 as of the
date of the acquisition thereof, or (b) on which any of the landing stations or
points of presence are located, or (ii) any Leasehold Property (as defined in
SCHEDULE 5.26) (a) on which any of the landing stations or points of presence
are located or (b) (i) with respect to which the aggregate annual payments under
the lease are in excess of $500,000, (ii) that have personal property located
thereon with an aggregate value in excess of $1,000,000 or

                                       28
<PAGE>

(iii) that relate to a site the loss of which would have a material adverse
effect on the operation of the business of the Company and of its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Rights-of-Way and Real Estate Assets
with respect to which the Company (or its Subsidiaries) has a subsea permit
(each a "SUBSEA REAL ESTATE ASSET") shall be excluded from the term "Material
Real Estate Asset," in the event that the granting of a mortgage lien on such
Subsea Real Estate Asset would not be recognized or effective under applicable
law.

                  "MINIMUM CREDIT RATING" shall mean, with respect to any
Person, a rating of such Person's senior long-term debt of at least BBB or
higher by S&P and Baa2 or higher by Moody's or if only one of S&P and Moody's
rates such Person, the applicable rating specified in this definition.

                  "MOODY'S" shall mean Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

                  "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" shall mean a multiemployer plan as
defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

                  "NET CASH PROCEEDS" shall mean as follows:

                                    (a) with respect to the sale, transfer,
                  lease or other dispositions of any asset (excluding
                  dispositions of Capacity other than after the Conversion Date
                  sales of Capacity constituting the sale of fiber pairs of the
                  Project), an amount certified in reasonable detail by a
                  Responsible Officer of the Company to the Lenders as the
                  excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash received in connection
                  with such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition over (ii)
                  the sum of (A) amounts placed in escrow or held as a reserve
                  against any liabilities directly associated with such sale or
                  disposition (except that, to the extent and as of the time any
                  such amounts are released from such escrow or reserve, such
                  amounts shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds), (B) amounts paid
                  to minority interest holders of such asset and the principal
                  amount of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness under this
                  Agreement) which is secured by any such asset and which is
                  repaid in connection with the sale, transfer, lease or other
                  disposition thereof, (C) the out-of-pocket expenses incurred
                  by the Company in connection with such sale, transfer, lease
                  or other disposition and (D) provision for taxes payable by
                  the Company and which are directly attributable to such sale,
                  transfer, lease or other disposition (as estimated by the
                  Company in good faith within one month of such sale to be
                  payable by the Company, PROVIDED that to the extent such

                                       29
<PAGE>

                  estimate shall have exceeded the amount of taxes actually
                  paid, such difference shall thereupon constitute Net Cash
                  Proceeds);

                                    (b) with respect to the issuance of any
                  Capital Stock, an amount certified in reasonable detail by a
                  Responsible Officer of the Company or either Sponsor, as
                  applicable to the Lenders as the excess of (i) the sum of the
                  cash received in connection with such issuance over (ii) the
                  underwriting discounts and commissions (if any) and other
                  fees, out-of-pocket expenses and other costs incurred by the
                  Company or either Sponsor, as applicable, in connection with
                  such issuance; and

                                    (c) with respect to the incurrence of
                  Indebtedness, an amount certified in reasonable detail by a
                  Responsible Officer of the Company to the Lenders as the
                  excess of (i) the sum of the cash received in connection with
                  such incurrence of Indebtedness over (ii) the fees,
                  out-of-pocket expenses and other costs incurred by the Company
                  in connection with such incurrence of Indebtedness.

                  "NOTES" shall be the collective reference to the Revolving
Credit Notes and (i) prior to the Conversion Date, the Construction Loan Notes,
and (ii) on and after the Conversion Date, the Term Loan Notes.

                  "OBLIGATIONS" shall mean (a) all the unpaid principal amount
of, and accrued interest on, the Loans, and all other obligations of the
Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any other Person to the Secured Parties
(including, without limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate
provided for in the Financing Documents after the maturity of the Loans and
interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Financing
Documents after the filing or commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, administration (whether judicial or not) or like proceeding
relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whether or not a claim for
post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), whether
direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now
existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of or in connection
with this Agreement, the Notes or any other Financing Document, whether on
account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities,
costs, expenses (including, without limitation, all reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel) or otherwise and (b) any extension, renewal or
refunding of any indebtedness referred to in clause (a) above.

                  "OBLIGORS" shall mean the Company and the Company's
Subsidiaries.

                                       30
<PAGE>

                  "OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" shall mean, with respect to any
Person, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of such Person, which states:

                                    (a) the representations and warranties of
                  such Person contained in Article III and/or in each other
                  Financing Document to which it is a party are true and
                  accurate on and as of the date such certificate is required to
                  be delivered as though made on and as of such date except to
                  the extent that such representations and warranties relate
                  solely to an earlier date (in which case such representations
                  and warranties shall have been true and accurate on and as of
                  such earlier date);

                                    (b) the representations and warranties of
                  such Person contained in each Project Document to which it is
                  a party are true and accurate in all material respects on and
                  as of the date such certificate is required to be delivered
                  except to the extent that such representations and warranties
                  relate solely to an earlier date (in which case such
                  representations and warranties shall have been true and
                  accurate in all material respects on and as of such earlier
                  date);

                                    (c) in the case of the Officers' Certificate
                  to be provided by the Company, no event or condition has
                  occurred and is continuing, or would result from the
                  consummation of any transaction contemplated by the
                  Transaction Documents to which it is a party, which
                  constitutes a default by the Company under any of such
                  Transaction Documents or a Default or Event of Default;

                                    (d) each Transaction Document to which it is
                  a party remains in full force and effect; and

                                    (e) in the case of the Officers' Certificate
                  to be provided by the Company, there has been no material
                  adverse change in the financial condition or results of
                  operations of such Person since the date of the financial
                  statements referred to in Section 4.1(x), except as
                  specifically contemplated by the Project Budget.

                  "OPERATING BUDGET" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
Section 5.24.

                  "OPERATING EXPENSE TRANSFER DATE" shall have the meaning
ascribed thereto in Section 8.12(a).

                                       31
<PAGE>

                  "OPERATING EXPENSES" shall mean, with respect to any period,
all operation, administration and maintenance expenses with respect to such
period which are payable by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in such
period, including all selling, general and administrative expenses, all standby
and repair maintenance expenses, landing site operations expense, project
management expense, insurance expense, all commissions on dispositions of
Capacity, all sales, excise and similar taxes and all other Taxes and duties
payable by the Company (excluding income taxes) in respect of operating the
Project; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in no event shall "Operating Expenses" include (a)
any payments made by the Company to purchasers or lessees of Capacity relating
to such purchase or lease or (b) any payments made by the Company not related to
the transfer of Capacity or other Project Activities.

                  "OPERATING PAYMENTS" means all payments made to the Company or
any Subsidiary with respect to, or that are allocated to restoration services or
to maintenance and repair of the Project.

                  "OPERATING PLAN" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
Section 5.24.

                  "OPERATING PROJECTIONS" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Section 4.1(t).

                  "OPERATING RESERVE ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account
designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Article VIII.

                  "OPERATING RESERVE MAXIMUM BALANCE" shall mean $20,000,000.

                  "OPERATING YEAR" shall mean initially, the period from the
Conversion Date to the following December 31st and, thereafter, each ensuing
calendar year.

                  "OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PLAN" shall mean the plan prepared
in accordance with the Facilities Management Agreements.

                  "ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS" means (a) with respect to any
corporation, its certificate or articles of incorporation, as amended, and its
by-laws, or its memorandum and articles of association, as amended, (b) with
respect to any limited partnership, its certificate of limited partnership, as
amended, and its partnership agreement, as amended, (c) with respect to any
general partnership, its partnership agreement, as amended, (d) with respect to
any limited liability company, its articles of organization, as amended, and its
operating agreement, as amended, and (e) with respect to any US

                                       32
<PAGE>

or Bermuda entity, a good standing certificate and a certificate of compliance,
respectively. In the event any term or condition of this Agreement or any other
Financing Document requires any Organizational Document to be certified by a
secretary of state or similar governmental official, the reference to any such
"Organizational Document" shall only be to a document of a type customarily
certified by such governmental official.

                  "OTHER TAXES" shall mean any and all present or future stamp
or documentary Taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment
hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with
respect to, this Agreement or any other Financing Document.

                  "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar
functions.

                  "PARTICIPANT" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
Section 10.4(e).

                  "PERFORMANCE BOND" shall mean the letter of credit, dated
October 8, 1999 issued by Credit Commercial de France, in favor of the Company
in accordance with Section 48 of the Construction Contract, as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing Date and as the same may
be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, or replaced from time to
time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "PERMITTED INVESTMENTS" shall mean the following:

                                    (a) direct obligations of, or obligations
                  the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally
                  guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency
                  thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full
                  faith and credit of the United States of America), in each
                  case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
                  thereof;

                                    (b) investments in certificates of deposit,
                  banker's acceptances and time deposits maturing within one
                  hundred eighty (180) days from the date of acquisition thereof
                  issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and overnight sweep
                  accounts, money market deposit accounts issued or offered by,
                  (i) the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates, (ii)
                  any Lender or (iii) any other bank which has a combined
                  capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than
                  $250,000,000;

                                       33
<PAGE>

                                    (c) fully collateralized repurchase
                  agreements with a term of not more than thirty (30) days for
                  securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with
                  a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in
                  clause (b) above; and

                                    (d) investments in commercial paper maturing
                  within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and
                  having, at such date of acquisition, a credit rating of at
                  least A-2 from S&P or at least P-2 from Moody's.

                  "PERMITTED LIENS" shall mean the following:

                                    (a) Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are
                  either not yet due or that are subject to a Contest;

                                    (b) materialmen's, mechanics', workers',
                  repairmen's, employees', carriers', warehousemen's and other
                  like Liens relating to the construction of the Project or
                  otherwise arising in the ordinary course of business for
                  amounts that either are not more than sixty (60) days past due
                  or are subject to a Contest;

                                    (c) Liens of any of the types referred to in
                  clause (b) above that have been bonded for the full amount in
                  dispute (or as to which other security arrangements
                  satisfactory to the Administrative Agent have been made);

                                    (d) the rights of the Capacity Purchasers
                  with respect to portions of the Project;

                                    (e) Liens arising out of judgments or awards
                  with respect to which appeals or other proceedings for review
                  are being prosecuted in good faith, so long as such
                  proceedings have the effect of staying the execution of such
                  judgments or awards and satisfying the conditions for the
                  continuation of proceedings to contest Taxes set forth in the
                  definition of the term "Contest";

                                    (f) subordinated Liens granted by Sponsors
                  in favor of other Sponsors (or guarantors of either Sponsor)
                  on the Capital Stock of the Company on terms satisfactory to
                  the Administrative Agent;

                                    (g) subordinated Liens on the Capital Stock
                  of the Company granted by a Sponsor to the issuing bank of an
                  Equity Contribution Letter of Credit or to any other Person
                  providing financing to a Sponsor in connection with such

                                       34
<PAGE>

                  Sponsor's investment in the Company, in each case on terms
                  satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

                                    (h) [Deliberately omitted]

                                    (i) Liens created by or arising out of the
                  Security Documents;

                                    (j) pledges and deposits made in the
                  ordinary course of business in compliance with workers'
                  compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security
                  laws or regulations;

                                    (k) easements, zoning restrictions,
                  rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property
                  imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business
                  that do not interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of
                  the Company or of the Project;

                                    (l) Liens arising in connection with
                  Permitted Sale Leasebacks;

                                    (m) Liens arising in connection with Capital
                  Lease Obligations permitted under Section 6.15; and

                                    (n) any Lien over or conditional assignment
                  of the Company's rights, including without limitation the
                  right to receive payment, under a Capacity Sales Agreement, to
                  the extent that such Lien or conditional assignment is in
                  favor of a financial institution providing a letter of credit
                  supporting the relevant Capacity Purchaser's payment
                  obligations under such Capacity Sales Agreement.

                  "PERMITTED SALE LEASEBACKS" shall mean sale leasebacks of real
and personal property constituting a portion of the Project, PROVIDED that (a)
such sale leasebacks shall be undertaken for fair value pursuant to a tax
program reasonably satisfactory to the Majority Lenders and recommended by an
internationally recognized tax consultant of the Company, (b) the terms of such
sale leasebacks shall be acceptable to the Majority Lenders and (c) the Net Cash
Proceeds of any sale of assets undertaken in connection therewith shall be
applied to the prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.9.

                  "PERMITTED SOURCES" shall mean, so long as no Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, the following sources (so long as the
funds from any such

                                       35
<PAGE>

source has not been provided for or otherwise allocated to another purpose in
accordance with the terms hereof):

                                    (a) funds received by the Company after the
                  Closing Date in respect of the issuance of Capital Stock of
                  the Company which are not required to prepay the Loans in
                  accordance with Section 2.9 and are on deposit in the Sales
                  and Issuances Proceeds Account;

                                    (b) funds actually made available to the
                  Company for its sole benefit after the application of clauses
                  "first" through "eighth" of Section 8.12(b) and which are
                  being maintained on deposit in the Permitted Sources Account
                  or the Company's Excess Cash Flow Account (or, if such amounts
                  are not on deposit therein, such funds have been committed to
                  on terms and pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the
                  Administrative Agent); and

                                    (c) funds made available by parties other
                  than the Company and its Subsidiaries without any recourse to
                  the Company, its assets (other than to Capacity to the extent
                  conveyed in accordance with the terms hereof), any of its
                  Subsidiaries or their respective assets or any portion of the
                  Project and which funds are being maintained on deposit in the
                  Permitted Sources Account (or, if such amounts are not on
                  deposit therein, such funds have been committed to on terms
                  and pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the
                  Administrative Agent).

                  "PERMITTED SOURCES ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account
designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Article VIII.

                  "PERSON" shall mean any natural person, corporation, limited
liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership,
Governmental Authority or other entity.

                  "PHASE" shall mean any of Phase 1 or Phase 2.

                  "PHASE 1" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the
Construction Contract.

                  "PHASE 2" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the
Construction Contract.

                  "PLAN" means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a
Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section
412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Company or
any ERISA Affiliate is

                                       36
<PAGE>

(or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed
to be) an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

                  "PLAN OF WORK" shall mean, collectively, (i) the plan of work
in relation to the Subsea Element, as reflected in Annex 3 to the Construction
Contract and (ii) in respect of the Backhaul Element, the plans of work
contained in the Backhaul Agreements calling for the delivery, construction
and/or installation of any portion of the Backhaul Element.

                  "PLEDGED STOCK" shall mean all Capital Stock of the Company
and of each of the Company's Subsidiaries, together with all other related
"Pledged Collateral" as defined in the Shareholder Pledge Agreement and all
other related "Collateral" or "Security" as defined in the Company Security
Agreements.

                  "PRE-SALE CAPACITY AGREEMENT LETTERS OF CREDIT" shall mean the
letters of credit to be issued or confirmed by financial institutions which
constitute Qualifying Banks (as of the date of such issuance or confirmation) on
behalf of certain Capacity Purchasers to support such Capacity Purchaser's
payment obligations under the Capacity Sales Agreement to which such Capacity
Purchaser is a party, such letters of credit to be in the form of EXHIBIT M-1 or
EXHIBIT M-2, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "PRE-SALE PROCEEDS" shall mean all cash proceeds received by
the Company prior to the Conversion Date in respect of the purchase of Capacity
under any Capacity Sales Agreement.

                  "PRE-SALE PROCEEDS ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account
designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Article VIII.

                  "PRESENT VALUE COVERAGE RATIO" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto on SCHEDULE 1.1(I).

                  "PRICING SCHEDULE" shall mean the price lists for the sale,
lease or other disposition of Capacity by the Company, including any discounts
for aggregated purchases, as the same may be amended by the Company from time to
time.

                  "PRIME RATE" shall mean the rate of interest per annum
established by Barclays Bank Plc as its prime or reference or base rate in
effect at its principal office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate
shall be effective from and including the date

                                       37
<PAGE>

such change is effective. The Prime Rate is not necessarily the lowest rate of
interest charged to borrowers.

                  "PRINCIPAL PAYMENT DATE" shall mean the Initial Principal
Payment Date and each subsequent date set forth on SCHEDULE 1.1(III), or if any
such day is not a Business Day, the preceding Business Day.

                  "PRINCIPAL PROJECT DOCUMENTS" shall be the collective
reference to the following agreements (to the extent such agreements are in
effect and have not been terminated or replaced in accordance with the terms
hereof): the Construction Management Agreements, the Construction Contract, the
Construction Contract Guaranty, each Capacity Sales Agreement, the Facilities
Management Agreement, the Backhaul Agreements, the Marketing Agreement and the
Performance Bond, and any replacement of any of the foregoing in accordance with
the terms hereof.

                  "PROCEEDS" means all receipts or recoveries by the
Administrative Agent (or by any of the Obligors and paid over to the
Administrative Agent) pursuant to, and upon enforcement of, any of the rights
and all other monies which are by the terms of any of the Financing Documents to
be applied in accordance with Section 11.3, after deducting (to the extent not
already deducted or retained prior to such receipt of recovery by the
Administrative Agent):

                                    (a) all sums which are by Applicable Law or
                  contract payable to any Receiver;

                                    (b) all sums which the Administrative Agent
                  is required by the terms of any Security Document to pay to
                  any other person before distributing any such receipts or
                  recoveries to any of the Secured Parties and/or discharging
                  any of the Secured Obligations;

                                    (c) all sums which the Administrative Agent
                  is by Applicable Law required to pay to any person in priority
                  to the Secured Parties;

                                    (d) (in the case of any proceeds of
                  insurance), all sums to be applied in accordance with Section
                  5.20.

                  "PROJECT" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the
recitals hereof, as the same is modified from time to time in accordance with
the terms hereof.

                                       38
<PAGE>

                  "PROJECT ACTIVITIES" shall mean (a) the design, development,
engineering, acquisition, installation, construction, landing, completion,
disposition, financing, modification, start-up, testing, operation, ownership,
possession, maintenance and use of the Project (and any portion thereof), (b)
the sale, lease or other disposition of Capacity and (c) all activities related
or incidental to any of the foregoing.

                  "PROJECT BUDGET" shall mean the budget, substantially in the
form of SCHEDULE 1.1(IV), as it may be amended in accordance with Section 6.9.

                  "PROJECT COSTS" shall mean all costs and expenses (without
duplication) incurred or to be incurred by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with any Project Activity, including:

                                    (a) the Total Contract Price and any other
                  amounts payable by the Company pursuant to the Construction
                  Contract;

                                    (b) all costs and expenses payable by the
                  Company in connection with the performance by it of its
                  covenants in the Construction Contract;

                                    (c) all costs and expenses payable by the
                  Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the Backhaul
                  Agreements;

                                    (d) the cost of insurance;

                                    (e) program management expenses, selling,
                  general and administrative expenses, in each case to the
                  extent set forth in the Project Budget and legal, accounting,
                  engineering and financing fees and expenses;

                                    (f) interest expense;

                                    (g) other fees and expenses payable by the
                  Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent
                  and the Lenders pursuant to the Financing Documents;

                                    (h) all Taxes;

                                    (i) the cost of establishing an inventory of
                  spare parts for the Project;

                                    (j) recording and filing fees;

                                       39
<PAGE>

                                    (k) funding of the Debt Reserve Account and
                  the other accounts as provided in Section 5.12 to the extent
                  required; and

                                    (l) all other costs related to any Project
                  Activities.

                  "PROJECT DOCUMENTS" shall mean the Shareholders Agreement,
each of the Principal Project Documents, the Consents and each Additional
Contract.

                  "PROJECT REVENUES" shall, for any applicable period, mean all
revenues received by the Company and its Subsidiaries including, without
limitation, all revenues and proceeds received from (a) sales, leases or other
dispositions of Capacity (whether in respect of direct or indirect sales of
Capacity), (b) the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of any assets, (c)
any Person in connection with the performance under any Project Document, (d)
joint marketing agreements or joint venture or similar agreements and (e) any
other source (including Operating Payments, but not including Special Payments);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Project Revenues shall not, in any event, include
proceeds of the Construction Funding Facilities.

                  "PROJECT TIMETABLE" shall mean the project timetable,
substantially in the form of SCHEDULE 1.1(VI), as it may be amended with the
consent of the Independent Engineer to the extent reasonably required to be
consistent with the Plan of Work, and as it may be otherwise amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE DATE" shall mean any of Provisional
Acceptance Date (Phase 1) or Provisional Acceptance Date (Phase 2).

                  "PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE DATE (PHASE 1)" shall mean the RFPA
for Phase 1.

                  "PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE DATE (PHASE 2)" shall mean the RFPA
for Phase 2.

                  "PUBLIC DEBT RATING" shall mean, with respect to any Person
and at any time of determination, the lowest rating that has been most recently
announced at such time by either S&P or Moody's, as the case may be, for any
class of long-term senior unsecured debt issued by such Person.

                  "QUALIFYING BANK" shall mean a commercial bank with an office
for the presentation of drafts and certificates under a letter of credit located
in the City of New York or London whose long term unsecured debt securities are
rated "A" or better by

                                       40
<PAGE>

S&P and "A2" or better by Moody's (or whose credit is otherwise acceptable to
the Administrative Agent).

                  "QUALIFYING CAPACITY PURCHASERS" shall mean, at any time of
determination, (i) any Capacity Purchasers with at least a Minimum Credit Rating
at the time of entry into a Capacity Sales Agreement, PROVIDED that if such
Purchaser shall only have a BBB rating from S&P or a Baa2 rating by Moody's,
then such purchaser shall not be on "negative credit watch" of any credit rating
agency at the time of its entry into a Capacity Sales Agreement and (ii) other
Capacity Purchasers, to the extent their payment obligations under their
respective Capacity Sales Agreements are supported by a Pre- Sale Capacity
Agreement Letter of Credit issued or confirmed by a bank which constitutes a
Qualifying Bank at the time of such issuance or confirmation.

                  "QUALIFYING PRE-SALE CAPACITY COMMITMENTS" shall mean the
Dollar amount of Capacity Commitments under executed Capacity Sales Agreements
entered into with Qualifying Capacity Purchasers no later than the date which is
three (3) years after the Conversion Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that "Qualifying
Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments" shall exclude (i) Capacity Commitments by such
Persons which are used to satisfy the Sponsor Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments and
(ii) any unexercised options to purchase capacity; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that such
Qualifying Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments shall be due and payable within three
(3) years of the Conversion Date.

                  "QUALIFYING PRE-SALE CAPACITY RECEIVABLES" shall mean the
Dollar amount of Qualifying Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments (including, without
limitation, the Requisite Qualifying Pre-Sales), LESS any amount of cash paid to
the Company to satisfy Qualifying Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments, LESS any amount
of Qualifying Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments (i) deemed uncollectible by the
Company or (ii) that are in excess of 90 days past due (upon which the entire
unpaid portion of the Qualifying Pre- Sale Capacity Commitment (including,
without limitation, the unpaid portion of the Requisite Qualifying Pre-Sales) of
the relevant Capacity Purchaser (to the extent not supported by a Pre-Sale
Capacity Agreement Letter of Credit) shall be deemed uncollectible in accordance
with (i) above).

                  "RFPA" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the
Construction Contract.

                  "REAL ESTATE ASSET" means any interest in real property
(whether leasehold, fee or freehold, Right-of-Way or otherwise) or any interest
in on or over land of a third party that at any time of determination may be
owned by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof or have been granted to the
Company or any Subsidiary thereof.

                                       41
<PAGE>

                  "RECEIVER" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the
Subsidiary Debenture and the Company Security Agreement (England).

                  "REFERENCE LENDER" shall be the reference to Barclays Bank
Plc.

                  "REGISTER" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
10.4(c).

                  "RELATED PARTIES" shall mean, with respect to any specified
Person, such Person's Affiliates and Subsidiaries and the respective directors,
officers and employees of such Person.

                  "RELEASE" shall mean any release, burial, disposal, discharge,
emission, injection, spillage, leakage, seepage, leaching, dumping, pumping,
pouring, escaping, emptying or placement.

                  "REPORTABLE EVENT" shall mean any of the events set forth in
Section 4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder, other than an event for
which the 30-day notice requirement is waived under Subsections .13, .14, .16,
 .18, .19 or .20 of PBGC Regulation ss. 2615.

                  "REQUIRED APPLICABLE ACCEPTANCE DATE" shall mean (a) with
respect to Phase 1, June 30, 2001 and (b) with respect to Phase 2, September 30,
2001.

                  "REQUIRED BALANCE" shall mean, as of any Principal Payment
Date or other date of determination (a) with respect to the Debt Reserve
Account, the Debt Reserve Required Balance, (b) with respect to the Maintenance
Reserve Account, the Maintenance Reserve Required Balance and (c) with respect
to the Capacity Upgrades Reserve Account, the Capacity Upgrades Reserve Required
Balance.

                  "REQUIREMENT OF LAW" shall mean, as to any Person, the
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws (or in the case of a partnership, its
partnership agreement) or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority,
and any determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental
Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its
property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

                  "REQUISITE QUALIFYING PRE-SALES" shall mean (a) cash proceeds
under Capacity Sales Agreements received prior to the Conversion Date PLUS (b)
Capacity Commitments

                                       42
<PAGE>

under executed Capacity Sales Agreements entered into with Requisite Qualifying
Capacity Purchasers no later than the date immediately preceding the date on
which the Company draws Loans resulting in there being in excess of $190,000,000
of Loans outstanding; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that "Requisite Qualifying Pre-Sales"
shall exclude (i) Capacity Commitments by such Persons which are used to satisfy
the Sponsor Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments and (ii) any unexercised options to
purchase capacity; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that such Requisite Qualifying Pre-Sales
shall be due and payable in full by the Conversion Date.

                  "REQUISITE QUALIFYING CAPACITY PURCHASERS" shall mean, at any
time of determination, (i) any Capacity Purchasers with at least a Minimum
Credit Rating at the time of entry into a Capacity Sales Agreement, and (ii)
other Capacity Purchasers, to the extent their payment obligations under their
respective Capacity Sales Agreements are supported by a Pre-Sale Capacity
Agreement Letter of Credit issued or confirmed by a bank which constitutes a
Qualifying Bank at the time of such issuance or confirmation.

                  "RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" shall mean, with respect to any Person,
the Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, President, Treasurer or other authorized
representative of any such Person.

                  "RESTRICTED PAYMENT" shall mean (i) any dividend or
distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any
shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Company, (ii) any payment (whether
in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar
deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition,
cancellation or termination of any such shares of Capital Stock of the Company
or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such shares of Capital
Stock of the Company and (iii) any payment by the Company to a Related Party of
the Company or either Sponsor under any Project Document to which such Related
Party is also a party.

                  "REVENUE ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account designated by
that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Article VIII.

                  "REVOLVING CREDIT AVAILABILITY PERIOD" shall mean, with
respect to any Revolving Credit Loan, the period from and including the Closing
Date to but not including the Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date.

                  "REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT" shall mean, as to any Revolving
Credit Lender, the obligation of such Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving
Credit Loans to the

                                       43
<PAGE>

Company in an aggregate amount not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, the
amount set forth opposite such Revolving Credit Lender's name on SCHEDULE
1.1(II) under the heading "Revolving Credit Commitment" or, in the case of any
Revolving Credit Lender that is an assignee, the amount of the assigning
Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment assigned to such assignee
pursuant to Section 10.4, in each case as such amount may be adjusted or reduced
from time to time as provided herein.

                  "REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT TERMINATION DATE" shall mean the
earlier to occur of (a) April 30, 2006 and (b) the date on which the Commitments
shall terminate under the terms of the Financing Documents.

                  "REVOLVING CREDIT LENDERS" shall mean, to the extent
applicable, at any time of determination, Lenders having outstanding Revolving
Credit Loans or unused Revolving Credit Commitments.

                  "REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Section 2.1.

                  "REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Section 2.7(f).

                  "RIGHTS-OF-WAY" shall mean all easements, rights-of-way and
other similar real property interests and all consents required or reasonably
necessary for access to the premises where the Project is located or any Project
Activity is to be performed, and to allow the Company's cable to cross other
telecommunications cables, pipelines, and the like, to rest or be buried in any
inland waters, territorial waters, continental shelf, contiguous zones,
Exclusive Economic Zones (as defined in the 1982 Convention on the Law of the
Sea) and permissions required to enable the Company's cable to cross any beach
or land and all other construction, installation, siting, environmental and
operating permits and licenses that are required for the performance of the
Project Activities.

                  "S&P" shall mean Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division
of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor thereto.

                  "SALES AND ISSUANCES PROCEEDS ACCOUNT" shall mean the special
account designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant
to Article VIII.

                                       44
<PAGE>

                  "SCHEDULE OF SOURCES AND USES " shall mean the Schedule of
Sources and Uses as set forth on SCHEDULE 1.1(VII), as amended from time to
time.

                  "SECURED PARTIES" shall be the collective reference to the
Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Interest Hedging Counterparties
described in clause (a) of the definition thereof.

                  "SECURITY AGREEMENTS" shall be the collective reference to the
Company Security Agreement (US), the Company Security Agreement (England), the
Company Security Agreements (France), the Company Security Agreement (Bermuda)
and the Subsidiary Security Agreements.

                  "SECURITY DOCUMENTS" shall be the collective reference to the
Security Agreements, the Shareholder Pledge Agreement and any other document
pursuant to which a security interest is, or is purported to be, granted to
secure the Obligations.

                  "SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT" shall mean the Agreement, dated as of
October 7, 1999 by and between FLAG Atlantic Holdings and GTS TransAtlantic
Holdings, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing
Date and as the same may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "SHAREHOLDER PLEDGE AGREEMENT" shall mean the Pledge
Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT K,
made by FLAG Atlantic Holdings and GTS TransAtlantic Holdings in favor of the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the
terms hereof.

                  "SINGLE EMPLOYER PLAN" shall mean any Plan which is covered by
Title IV of ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan.

                  "SOFTWARE" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the
Construction Contract.

                  "SPECIAL PAYMENT ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account
designated by that name established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Article VIII.

                  "SPECIAL PAYMENTS" shall mean (a) all payments made by the
Contractor under the Construction Contract and all other payments made by the
Contractor or Alcatel in respect of any breach or failure by the Contractor to
perform its obligations under the

                                       45
<PAGE>

Construction Contract, whether as a result of any proceeding, settlement or
otherwise, and (b) all payments made under the Performance Bond.

                  "SPECIFICATIONS" shall mean the specifications for the Project
set forth in the Construction Contract and those Backhaul Agreements which call
for the delivery, construction and/or installation of any portion of the
Backhaul Element, as amended from time to time.

                  "SPECIFIED PARTICIPANT" shall be the collective reference to
the Company and at any time prior to the expiration of the Warranty Period,
Alcatel.

                  "SPONSOR PRE-SALE CAPACITY COMMITMENTS" shall mean the Dollar
amount of Capacity Commitments of each Sponsor (or its Affiliates), which
Capacity Commitments shall be in the aggregate amount of $300,000,000,
consisting of (i) $200,000,000 of Capacity Commitments by GTS TransAtlantic
Holdings and (ii) $100,000,000 of Capacity Commitments by, or arranged by, FLAG
Atlantic Holdings, which Capacity Commitments (under both (i) and (ii) above)
are as set forth on SCHEDULE 1.1(V) describing the contract purchaser, dollar
amount, dates for payment and letter of credit issuer supporting payment (if
any).

                  "SPONSORS" shall mean each of FLAG Atlantic Holdings and GTS
TransAtlantic Holdings (or any successor thereto or transferee thereof).

                  "STATUTORY RESERVE RATE" shall mean a fraction (expressed as a
decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which
is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages
(including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed
as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is
subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency
Liabilities" in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall
include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. Eurodollar Loans shall be
deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve
requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets
that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or
any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted
automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve
percentage.

                  "STM-1" means a 155.520 Mbits per second both way digital line
section between two interfaces on the Project, together with such interfaces, in
accordance with the International Telecommunications Union Telecommunications
Standardization

                                       46
<PAGE>

Sector (previously known as CCITT) recommendations and shall mean the minimum
unit in which Capacity is disposed of from time to time.

                  "STOCK OPTION PLAN" shall mean a stock option plan to be
created by the Company for the benefit of certain employees of the Company
and/or any of its Subsidiaries.

                  "SUBJECT COLLATERAL" shall mean all Collateral a security
interest in which can be perfected by the taking of action in respect of the
United States, Bermuda, England and Wales or France.

                  "SUBSEA ELEMENT" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
Annex 4 of the Shareholders Agreement.

                  "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean, as to any Person, a corporation,
partnership or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership
interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership
interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to
elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such
corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the
management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one
or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.

                  "SUBSIDIARY DEBENTURE" shall mean a debenture, substantially
in the form of EXHIBIT E-2, entered into between FLAG Atlantic UK Limited and
the Administrative Agent.

                  "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE AGREEMENT" shall mean the Subsidiary
Guarantee Agreement, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT D, made by each
Subsidiary in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured
Parties.

                  "SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENTS" shall be the collective
reference to the Subsidiary Debenture and all other security agreements entered
into by any Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to Section 4.1(c) and Section
6.23 (b), as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "SUPPLIES" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the
Construction Contract.

                  "SYNDICATION AGENT" as defined in the preamble hereto.

                                       47
<PAGE>

                  "SYSTEM CONFIGURATION" shall mean the configuration of the
Project as described on Annex 4 to the Construction Contract.

                  "TAX" OR "TAXES" shall mean any and all present or future fees
(including, without limitation, documentation, recording, license and
registration fees), taxes (including, without limitation, net income, franchise,
value added, ad valorem, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, rental,
property (personal and real, tangible and intangible) and stamp taxes), levies,
imposts, duties, deductions, charges, assessments or withholdings of any nature
whatsoever, general or special, ordinary or extraordinary, imposed or assessed
by any Governmental Authority, together with any and all penalties, fines,
additions to tax and interest thereon and including any and all liabilities,
losses, expenses and costs of any kind whatsoever that are in the nature of
taxes.

                  "TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in the Construction Contract.

                  "TERM LOAN NOTES" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
Section 2.7(f).

                  "TERM LOANS" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
Section 2.1(b)(i).

                  "TOTAL CONTRACT PRICE" shall have the meaning ascribed to the
term "Contract Sum" in the Construction Contract.

                  "TOTAL UTILIZATION OF REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENTS" means, as
at any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding
Revolving Credit Loans.

                  "TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS" shall be the collective reference to
the Financing Documents and the Project Documents.

                  "TYPE" when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers
to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such
Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate
Base Rate.

                  "VOTING STOCK" shall mean, with respect to any Person,
securities of any class or classes of Capital Stock in such Person entitling the
holders thereof to vote under ordinary circumstances in the election of members
of the board of directors or other governing body of such Person.

                                       48
<PAGE>

                  "UCC" or "UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE" shall mean the Uniform
Commercial Code or any comparable law as in effect in any applicable
jurisdiction.

                  "U.S." shall mean the United States of America.

                  "U.S. BANKRUPTCY CODE" shall mean the Bankruptcy Reform Act of
1978, as amended, as the same may be further amended, and any other Applicable
Law with respect to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization that is a successor
thereto.

                  "U.S. BACKHAUL ELEMENT" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Annex 5 of the Shareholders Agreement.

                  "VAT ACCOUNT" shall mean the special account designated by
that name established by the Collateral Trustee pursuant to Article VIII.

                  "WARRANTY PERIOD" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
the Construction Contract.

                  "WITHDRAWAL LIABILITY" shall mean liability to a Multiemployer
Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer
Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

                  "WORK" shall mean any and all services, functions, duties,
responsibilities or other obligations to be undertaken and performed by any
contractor pursuant to the Construction Contract, including, but not limited to,
all "Work" and "Services" as such terms are defined in the Construction
Contract, and the provision of all labor, material and services utilized in the
design, construction, installation, engineering, equipping and testing of the
Project.

                  "YEAR 2000 PROBLEM" shall mean any significant risk that
computer hardware, software or equipment containing embedded microchips
essential to the business or operations of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries will not, in the case of dates or time periods occurring after
December 31, 1999, function at least as effectively and reliably as in the case
of times and time periods occuring before January 1, 2000, including the making
of accurate leap year calculations.

                  SECTION 1.2. CLASSIFICATION OF LOANS AND BORROWINGS. For
purposes hereof, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (E.G., a
"Revolving Credit Loan") or by Type (e.g., a "Eurodollar Loan") or by Class and
Type (e.g., a "Eurodollar Revolving

                                       49
<PAGE>

Credit Loan"). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g.,
a "Revolving Credit Borrowing") or by Type (e.g., a "Eurodollar Borrowing") or
by Class and Type (e.g., a "Eurodollar Revolving Credit Borrowing").

                  SECTION 1.3. TERMS GENERALLY. The definitions of terms herein
shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.
Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding
masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words "include", "includes" and
"including" shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation".
The word "will" shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the
word "shall". Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or
reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be
construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as
amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time (subject to any
restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein),
(b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such
Person's successors and assigns, (c) the words "herein", "hereof" and
"hereunder", and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this
Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all
references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be
construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to,
this Agreement and (e) the words "asset" and "property" shall be construed to
have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and
intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and
contract rights.

                  SECTION 1.4. ACCOUNTING TERMS; GAAP. Except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall
be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time.

                                   ARTICLE II

                              COMMITMENTS AND LOANS

                  SECTION 2.1.  COMMITMENTS; CONVERSION DATE.

                                    (a) COMMITMENTS.

                                            (i) Subject to the terms and
                  conditions set forth herein, each Construction Loan Lender
                  severally agrees to make construction loans (collectively, the
                  "CONSTRUCTION LOANS") to the Company from time to time

                                       50
<PAGE>

                  during the Construction Loan Commitment Period in an aggregate
                  principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed
                  such Construction Loan Lender's Construction Loan Commitment
                  at such time.

Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, the Company may borrow, prepay but not reborrow any Construction Loans.

                                            (ii) During the Revolving Credit
                  Availability Period, subject to the terms and conditions
                  hereof, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make
                  Revolving Credit Loans to the Company in the aggregate amount
                  up to but not exceeding such Revolving Credit Lender's
                  Revolving Credit Commitment; PROVIDED, after giving effect to
                  the making of any Revolving Credit Loans in no event shall the
                  Total Utilization of Revolving Credit Commitments exceed the
                  aggregate amount of Revolving Credit Commitments then in
                  effect. Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.1(a)(ii)
                  may be repaid and reborrowed during the Revolving Credit
                  Commitment Period; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any amounts
                  borrowed and repaid prior to the Conversion Date may only be
                  reborrowed after the Conversion Date. Each Revolving Credit
                  Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment shall expire on the
                  Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date and all Revolving
                  Credit Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect
                  to the Revolving Credit Loans and the Revolving Credit
                  Commitments shall be paid in full no later than the Final
                  Maturity Date.

                                    (b) CONVERSION DATE.

                                            (i) Subject to the terms and
                  conditions set forth herein, on the Conversion Date all
                  Construction Loans then outstanding shall convert into
                  outstanding Term Loans (the "TERM LOANS") without any action
                  required to be taken by the Company, the Administrative Agent,
                  any Lender or any other Person. On and after the Conversion
                  Date, all references to each Construction Loan shall be a
                  reference to a Term Loan and each Lender holding outstanding
                  Construction Loans on the Conversion Date shall thereafter be
                  deemed to be holding Term Loans of the same principal amount
                  as the applicable Construction Loans. Each Term Loan as
                  converted from a Construction Loan on the Conversion Date
                  shall be subject to each of the terms and conditions hereof
                  and of each other Financing Document applicable to Term Loans.

                                       51

<PAGE>

                  SECTION 2.2. LOANS AND BORROWINGS. (a) Each Loan shall be made
as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by
the applicable Lenders ratably in accordance with their Applicable Percentage of
such Commitments of the applicable Class. The failure of any Lender to make any
Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its
obligations hereunder; PROVIDED that the Commitments of the Lenders are several
and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender's failure to make Loans
as required.

                                    (b) Subject to Section 2.12, each Borrowing
of a Class shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the
Company may request in accordance herewith. Each Lender, at its option, may make
any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch of such Lender to
make such Loan; PROVIDED that any exercise of such option shall not affect the
obligation of the Company to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms hereof
and shall not increase the cost to the Company with respect to such Loan.

                                    (c) At the commencement of each Interest
Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate
amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000,
and at the time each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an
aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than
$5,000,000; PROVIDED that any Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is
equal to the entire unused balance of the total Revolving Credit Commitments or
the total Construction Loan Commitments, as the case may be. Borrowings of more
than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; PROVIDED that there
shall not at any time be more than a total of ten (10) Eurodollar Borrowings
outstanding.

                                    (d) Notwithstanding any other provision
hereof, the Company shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or
continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto
would end after the Final Maturity Date.

                  SECTION 2.3. REQUESTS FOR BORROWINGS. To request a Borrowing,
the Company shall: (i) in the case of Construction Loans deliver a draft
Borrowing Notice to the Administrative Agent and the Independent Engineer not
later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, five (5) Business Days prior to a
proposed Borrowing Date and the Independent Engineer shall review and confirm to
the Administrative Agent and the Company, or revise and send back to the
Company, such draft Borrowing Notice not later than 11:00 a.m. New York City
time, four (4) Business Days prior to the proposed Borrowing Date (and any
failure to respond within such time shall be deemed to be a

                                       52
<PAGE>

confirmation of such draft Borrowing Notice), such review to be based on the
information provided under the Construction Progress Report delivered to the
Independent Engineer in connection with such proposed Borrowing; and (ii)
deliver a Borrowing Notice to the Administrative Agent (a) in the case of a
Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, four
Business Days before the proposed Borrowing Date or (b) in the case of an ABR
Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day
before the proposed Borrowing Date. Each such Borrowing Notice shall be
irrevocable. Each such Borrowing Notice shall specify the following information
in compliance with Section 2.2:

                                    (a) whether the requested Borrowing is to be
a Revolving Credit Borrowing and/or a Construction Loan Borrowing;

                                    (b) the aggregate amount of each requested
Borrowing;

                                    (c) the Borrowing Date of such Borrowing;

                                    (d) whether each such Borrowing is to be an
ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

                                    (e) in the case of any Eurodollar Borrowing,
the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto.

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested
Borrowing shall be a Eurodollar Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified
with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Company shall be
deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month's duration. Promptly
following receipt of a Borrowing Notice in accordance with this Section, the
Administrative Agent shall advise each applicable Lender of the details thereof
and of the amount of such Lender's Loan to be made as part of the requested
Borrowing.

                  SECTION 2.4. FUNDING OF BORROWINGS. (a) Each Lender shall make
its Applicable Percentage of the Loans to be made hereunder on the proposed date
thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, New York
City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated
by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will
make such Loans available to the Company by (i) with respect to Construction
Loans made on the Closing Date or any Revolving Loans, promptly distributing the
amounts so received, in like funds, in accordance with the instructions set
forth in the related Borrowing Notice, PROVIDED such

                                       53
<PAGE>

instructions are (in the case of such Construction Loans) consistent with the
Schedule of Sources and Uses, and (ii) with respect to all other Construction
Loans, promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to the Debt
Proceeds Account.

                                    (b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall
have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing
that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such
Lender's Applicable Percentage of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may
assume that such Lender has made such Applicable Percentage available on such
date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section 2.4 and may, in reliance
upon such assumption, make available to the Company a corresponding amount. In
such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable
Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and
the Company severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on
demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and
including the date such amount is made available to the Company to but excluding
the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such
Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by
the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank
compensation or (ii) in the case of the Company, the interest rate applicable to
ABR Revolving Credit Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the
Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender's Loan
included in such Borrowing.

                  SECTION 2.5. INTEREST ELECTIONS. (a) Each Borrowing shall be
of the Type and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial
Interest Period, as specified in the applicable Borrowing Notice. Thereafter,
the Company may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to
continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect
Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.5 or as otherwise
provided in Section 2.3. The Company may elect different options with respect to
different portions of the affected Borrowing of any Class, in which case each
such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders of such Class holding
the Loans of such Class comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each
such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

                                    (b) To make an election pursuant to this
Section, the Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by
delivering a Continuation/Conversion Notice to the Administrative Agent by the
time that a Borrowing Notice would be required under Section 2.3 if the Company
were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made
on the effective date of such election. Each such notice shall be irrevocable.

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<PAGE>

                                    (c) Each Continuation/Conversion Notice
shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.2:

                                                      (i) the Borrowing to which
                  such Continuation/Conversion Notice applies and, if different
                  options are being elected with respect to different portions
                  thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each
                  resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be
                  specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be
                  specified for each resulting Borrowing);

                                                      (ii) the effective date of
                  the election made pursuant to such Continuation/Conversion
                  Notice, which shall be a Business Day;

                                                      (iii) whether the
                  resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar
                  Borrowing; and

                                                      (iv) if the resulting
                  Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be
                  applicable thereto after giving effect to such election.

If any such Continuation/Conversion Notice requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but
does not specify an Interest Period, then the Company shall be deemed to have
selected an Interest Period of one month's duration.

                                    (d) Promptly following receipt of a
Continuation/Conversion Notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the
applicable Lenders of the details thereof and of such Lender's portion of each
resulting Borrowing.

                                    (e) Subject to Sections 2.2 and 2.12 and the
other provisions of this Section, if the Company fails to deliver a timely
Continuation/Conversion Notice with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to
the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then the Company shall be
deemed to have selected to continue such Borrowing as a Eurodollar Borrowing
with an Interest Period of one month's duration. Notwithstanding any contrary
provision hereof, if an Event of Default as described in paragraph (a) of
Article VII (or any other Event of Default if the Administrative Agent so
elects) has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent so notifies
the Company, then, so long as such Event of Default is continuing, if the
Company wishes to continue any Borrowing as, or convert any Borrowing to, a
Eurodollar Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to elect the
Interest Period for such Eurodollar Borrowing, which Interest Period may be of
any period of time and is not subject to the

                                       55
<PAGE>

restriction that it shall have the duration of either one, two, three or six
months or seven (7) days.

                  SECTION 2.6. TERMINATION AND REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS. (a)
Unless previously terminated, (i) the Construction Loan Commitments shall
terminate on the Construction Loan Commitment Termination Date, and (ii) the
Revolving Credit Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Credit Commitment
Termination Date.

                                    (b)               (i) The Company shall
notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the
Commitments under paragraph (c) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days
prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such
election and the effective date thereof.

                                                      (ii) The Company shall pay
                  Project Costs first with the cash proceeds from sales of
                  Capacity. The Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of
                  any election to pay Project Costs with any funds other than
                  those available under the Loans, the Sponsor Pre-Sale Capacity
                  Commitments and the Equity Contribution Agreements. The
                  Construction Loan Commitments shall automatically be reduced
                  by an amount equal to the amount of Project Costs being paid
                  with such funds, other than the portion thereof attributable
                  to Sponsor Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments.

                                                      (iii) Promptly following
                  receipt of any notice under clause (i) or (ii), the
                  Administrative Agent shall advise each applicable Lender of
                  the contents thereof and the resulting Construction Loan
                  Commitment amount (which amounts shall be determined as of
                  such date of reduction in the manner specified in Section
                  2.2(a)). Each notice delivered by the Company pursuant to this
                  Section shall be irrevocable. Any termination or reduction of
                  any Commitment shall be permanent. Each reduction of any
                  Commitment shall be made ratably among the applicable Lenders
                  in accordance with their respective Commitments.

                                    (c) The Company may at any time terminate,
or from time to time reduce, either or both the Revolving Credit Commitments and
the Construction Loan Commitments; PROVIDED that each reduction of the
Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000.

                  SECTION 2.7. REPAYMENT OF LOANS; EVIDENCE OF DEBT. (a) The
Company hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for
the account of

                                       56
<PAGE>

each Revolving Credit Lender, the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving
Credit Loan of such Revolving Credit Lender on the Final Maturity Date (together
with accrued interest thereon).

                                    (b) The Company hereby unconditionally
promises to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Term
Lenders, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans, in quarterly
installments on Principal Payment Dates, commencing on the Initial Principal
Payment Date, in an amount for each such Principal Payment Date as set forth in
SCHEDULE 1.1(III) under the heading "AMORTIZATION". To the extent not previously
paid, all Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Final Maturity Date. Each
repayment of Term Loan Borrowings shall be applied to repay any outstanding ABR
Term Loan Borrowings first, and then to outstanding Eurodollar Term Loan
Borrowings in the order of the remaining duration of their respective Interest
Periods (the Borrowing with the shortest remaining Interest Period to be repaid
first). Repayments of Term Loan Borrowings shall be accompanied by accrued
interest thereon.

                                    (c) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance
with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of
the Company to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender,
including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender
from time to time hereunder.

                                    (d) The Administrative Agent shall maintain
the Register pursuant to Section 10.4(c) and a subaccount therein for each
Lender, in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the
Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the
amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable
from the Company to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum
received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders
and each Lender's share thereof.

                                    (e) The entries made in the Register
maintained pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section shall constitute PRIMA
FACIE evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein;
PROVIDED that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain
such accounts pursuant to Sections 2.7(c) or (d) or any error therein shall not
in any manner affect the obligation of the Company to repay the Loans in
accordance with the terms hereof.

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<PAGE>

                                    (f) The Company agrees that, upon the
request by the Administrative Agent on behalf of any Lender, the Company will
execute and deliver to such Lender, as applicable:

                                                      (i) a promissory note of
                  the Company payable to such Lender and its registered assigns
                  evidencing the Revolving Credit Loans of such Lender and
                  substantially in the form of EXHIBIT N-1 with appropriate
                  insertions as to date and principal amount (each, a "REVOLVING
                  CREDIT NOTE");

                                                      (ii) prior to the
                  Conversion Date, a promissory note of the Company payable to
                  such Lender and its registered assigns evidencing the
                  Construction Loans of such Lender and substantially in the
                  form of EXHIBIT N-2 with appropriate insertions as to date and
                  principal amount (each, a "CONSTRUCTION LOAN NOTE"); and

                                                      (iii) on and after the
                  Conversion Date, and in exchange for the return to the Company
                  of the corresponding Construction Loan Note(s) (if any) marked
                  "canceled" by each Lender who holds such note, a promissory
                  note of the Company payable to such Lender and its registered
                  assigns evidencing the Term Loans of such Lender and
                  substantially in the form of EXHIBIT N-3, as applicable, with
                  appropriate insertions as to date and principal amount (each,
                  a "TERM LOAN NOTE").

Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by any such Note and interest thereon shall at
all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 10.4) be represented
by one or more Notes payable to the payee named therein and its registered
assigns. A Note and the obligation evidenced thereby may be assigned or
otherwise transferred in whole or in part only as part of an assignment under
this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.4 and only by registration of such
assignment or transfer of such Note and the obligation evidenced thereby in the
Register (and each Note shall expressly so provide). Any assignment or transfer
of all or part of an obligation evidenced by a Note shall be registered in the
Register only upon surrender for registration of assignment or transfer of the
Note evidencing such obligation, accompanied by an Assignment and Acceptance
duly executed by the assignor thereof, and thereupon, if requested by the
assignee, one or more new Notes shall be issued to the designated assignee and
the old Note shall be returned by the Administrative Agent to the Company marked
"canceled". No assignment of a Note and the obligation evidenced thereby shall
be effective unless it shall have been recorded in the Register by the
Administrative Agent as provided in this Section.

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<PAGE>

                  SECTION 2.8. OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS OF LOANS. (a) The Company
shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing
in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (out of funds available to the
Company after the application of clauses "first" through "eighth" of Section
8.12(b)) subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (b) of this
Section and subject to the provisions of Section 2.14.

                                    (b) The Company shall notify the
Administrative Agent in writing of any optional prepayment hereunder, not later
than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, five (5) Business Days before the date of
prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date and
amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is (i) of Construction Loans,
Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans or a combination thereof and (ii) of
Eurodollar Loans, ABR Loans or a combination thereof, and, in each case if a
combination thereof, the principal amount allocable to each Class, and shall
specify how such prepayment shall be applied to the remaining installments of
the Loans. Promptly following receipt of any such notice, the Administrative
Agent shall advise the applicable Lenders of the contents thereof. Partial
optional prepayments shall be in a minimum aggregate principal amount of
$1,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or, if less,
the Applicable Percentage of the Loans being prepaid or the entire amount of a
Borrowing for which the date of prepayment is the last day of the Interest
Period of such Borrowing. Optional prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued
interest thereon. Optional prepayments with respect to the Construction Loans or
the Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

                                    (c) Optional prepayments shall be applied to
the remaining installments of the Loans in direct order of maturity.

                  SECTION 2.9. MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS. (a) The Company shall
prepay the Construction Loans with funds available in the Pre-Sale Proceeds
Account in accordance with the terms of Section 8.8.

                                    (b) The Company shall prepay the Loans on
each Principal Payment Date in accordance with the terms of Section 8.12(b).

                                    (c) The Company shall prepay the Loans
immediately (except as provided in Sections 2.9(a) and 2.9(b)) after the receipt
of Net Cash Proceeds as follows:

                                                      (i) by an amount equal to
                  50% of the Net Cash Proceeds of any issuance on and after the
                  Closing Date of Capital Stock of the Company or

                                       59
<PAGE>

                  a Sponsor; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, so long as no Default, Event of
                  Default or Designated Event shall have occurred and be
                  continuing or may occur as a result of such issuance, (y) such
                  Sponsor shall be permitted to invest the Net Cash Proceeds of
                  its own issuance in other joint ventures or projects of such
                  Sponsor or (z) such Sponsor may apply the Net Cash Proceeds of
                  its own issuance to the collateralization, replacement,
                  refinancing or repayment (in whole or in part) of any
                  financing provided to support the payment of such Sponsor's
                  Cash Equity Contribution commitment; PROVIDED, FURTHER, such
                  Net Cash Proceeds must be committed in accordance with either
                  clause (y) or (z) above within six months upon receipt and
                  must be invested in accordance with clause (y) or (z) above
                  within twelve months. (For the avoidance of doubt in no event
                  shall less than 50% of Net Cash Proceeds of an issuance of
                  Capital Stock of the Company be used to prepay the Loans);

                                                      (ii) by an amount equal to
                  100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of any incurrence of
                  Indebtedness on and after the Closing Date by the Company or
                  by any Subsidiary of the Company in accordance with Section
                  6.1(h);

                                                      (iii) by an amount equal
                  to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of any sale, transfer or
                  other disposition of any asset of the Company or any
                  Subsidiary thereof (other than sales, transfers or
                  dispositions of Capacity (excluding (i) sales resulting from
                  the exercise by FLAG Atlantic Holdings under the Shareholders
                  Agreement of any option to acquire capacity in the Project and
                  (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, after
                  the Conversion Date Net Cash Proceeds received from sales of
                  Capacity constituting the sale of fiber pairs of the Project
                  (including, without limitation, the Net Cash Proceeds from
                  fiber pair sales made before the Conversion Date)) described
                  in clause (a) of Section 6.4 and dispositions resulting in
                  aggregate Net Cash Proceeds not exceeding $1,000,000 during
                  any fiscal year of the Company); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
                  Company shall not be required to make any such prepayment if
                  such Net Cash Proceeds are, within three months of receipt,
                  used to replace such assets disposed of with similar assets of
                  at least substantially the same value, utility and useful
                  life.

                                    (d) If an Event of Loss shall occur, unless
the affected portion of the Project is being repaired, replaced or restored in
accordance with Section 5.20, the Company shall, on the third Business Day
following the date on which insurance, condemnation or expropriation proceeds
are received with respect to such Event of Loss,

                                       60
<PAGE>

prepay the Loans in an amount equal to the insurance, condemnation and/or
expropriation proceeds received (net of any costs of collection (including
attorneys fees)).

                                    (e) The Company shall immediately prepay the
Loans with the Net Cash Proceeds received in respect of any Permitted Sale
Leaseback.

                                    (f) The proceeds of any Special Payments
(net of any costs of collection (including attorneys' fees)) shall be used to
prepay the Loans in accordance with Section 8.18; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if and
to the extent that such payments are being utilized to repair, replace or
restore any affected portion of the Project in accordance with Section 5.20 (b),
the Company shall not be required to prepay the Loans with the proceeds of such
Special Payments being so utilized.

                                    (g) The Company shall from time to time
prepay Construction Loans to the extent necessary so that the aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Construction Loans shall not at any time exceed
an amount equal to the aggregate amount of Construction Loan Commitments then in
effect.

                                    (h) The Company shall from time to time
prepay Revolving Credit Loans to the extent necessary so that the aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans shall not at any time
exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect.

                                    (i) Mandatory prepayments shall be
accompanied by accrued interest.

                                    (j) Mandatory prepayments of the Loans
pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) above shall be applied
FIRST, to the mandatory prepayment of the Construction Loans or Term Loans, as
the case may be, and SECOND, to the mandatory prepayment of the Revolving Credit
Loans (and then, unless the Revolving Credit Commitments shall have been
terminated, to the cash collateralization of the Revolving Credit Commitments on
terms and subject to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent). Mandatory prepayments of the Construction Loans or Term Loans, as the
case may be, shall be applied, 50% in direct order of maturity and 50% in
inverse order of maturity of all scheduled payments; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and otherwise in inverse
order of maturity of such scheduled payments.

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<PAGE>

                                    (k) Upon being required to make a mandatory
prepayment pursuant to this Section, the Company shall have the right first, to
prepay the ABR Loans and any and all Eurodollar Loans having Interest Period(s)
ending on the date such prepayment is required.

                  SECTION 2.10. FEES. (a) During the Construction Loan
Commitment Period, the Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for
the account of the Construction Loan Lenders, a commitment fee, calculated in
accordance with part II of SCHEDULE 1.1(VIII).

                                    (b) During the Revolving Credit Availability
Period, if applicable, the Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent,
for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders, a commitment fee calculated in
accordance with PART II OF SCHEDULE 1.1(VIII).

                                    (c) Accrued commitment fees shall be payable
in arrears on the last day of each of January, April, July and October (and,
with respect to the commitment fees payable in respect of any Commitment being
terminated or reduced, on the date of such termination or reduction) commencing
on the Closing Date (or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the
immediately preceding Business Day). All commitment fees shall be computed on
the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days and shall be payable for
the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the
last day). Upon payment by the Company of the foregoing fees, the Administrative
Agent shall promptly distribute to each Construction Loan Lender or Revolving
Credit Lender, as the case may be, its Applicable Percentage thereof.

                                    (d) The Company agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent, for its own account, an annual administration fee in the
amounts set forth in the Fee Letter and payable on the Closing Date and each
anniversary thereof prior to the Final Maturity Date, and on the Final Maturity
Date, all as set forth in the Fee Letter.

                                    (e) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid
on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent,
for distribution, in the case of commitment fees, to the relevant Lenders.

                  SECTION 2.11. INTEREST. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR
Borrowing shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base
Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

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<PAGE>

                                    (b) The Loans comprising each Eurodollar
Borrowing shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO
Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable
Margin.

                                    (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any
principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the
Company hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon
acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as
well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue
principal of or interest on any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to
such Loan as provided above or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the
highest rate applicable to the Loans as provided above.

                                    (d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be
payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan; PROVIDED that
(i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable
on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan, accrued
and unpaid interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable
on the date of such repayment or prepayment, (iii) in the event of any
conversion of any Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the current Interest
Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective
date of such conversion and (iv) all unpaid accrued interest shall be payable
upon the Final Maturity Date.

                                    (e) All interest hereunder shall be computed
on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days, except that interest
computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate
Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of
three hundred sixty five (365) days (or three hundred sixty six (366) days in a
leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days
elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable
Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be determined by the
Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.

                  SECTION 2.12. ALTERNATE RATE OF INTEREST; ILLEGALITY. (a)
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, if prior to the
commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:

                                                      (i) the Administrative
                  Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive
                  absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do
                  not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such
                  Interest Period; or

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<PAGE>

                                                      (ii) the Administrative
                  Agent is advised by the Majority Lenders that the Adjusted
                  LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and
                  fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or
                  maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such
                  Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Company and the
Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and,
until the Administrative Agent notifies the Company and the Lenders that the
circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any
Continuation/Conversion Notice that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to,
or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective
and such Borrowing shall continue as, or be converted to, as applicable, an ABR
Borrowing and (ii) if any Borrowing Notice requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such
Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

                                    (b) Notwithstanding any other provision
hereof to the contrary, if on or after the date hereof the adoption of or any
change in any applicable law or in the interpretation or application thereof
shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans as
contemplated by this Agreement, such Lender shall give telex, telecopy or
telephonic notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Company as soon as
practicable (and, with respect to any such telephonic notice, the party
delivering the same agrees to confirm such notice in writing) and (i) the
commitment of such Lender hereunder to make Eurodollar Loans and continue
Eurodollar Loans as such shall forthwith be cancelled and (ii) such Lender's
Loans then outstanding as Eurodollar Loans, if any, shall be converted
automatically to ABR Loans on the respective last days of the then current
Interest Periods with respect to such Loans or within such earlier period as
required by law.

                  SECTION 2.13. INCREASED COSTS. (a) If any Change in Law shall:

                                                      (i) impose, modify or deem
                  applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement
                  against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or
                  credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any
                  such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate);
                  or

                                                      (ii) impose on any Lender
                  or the London interbank market any other condition affecting
                  this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender;

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<PAGE>

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such
Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its
obligation to make any such Loan) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or
receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or
otherwise), then the Company will pay to such Lender such additional amount or
amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or
reduction suffered.

                                    (b) If any Lender determines that any Change
in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing
the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any holding company for such
Lender, if any, as a consequence hereof or the Loans made by such Lender, to a
level below that which such Lender or the holding company for such Lender would
have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such
Lender's or such Lender's holding company's policies with respect to capital
adequacy), then from time to time the Company will pay to such Lender or such
Lender's holding company, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts
as will compensate such Lender for any such reduction suffered.

                                    (c) If any Lender becomes entitled to claim
compensation pursuant to this Section, such Lender shall promptly notify the
Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of
which it has become so entitled. A certificate of a Lender setting forth the
amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such holding company,
as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall
be delivered to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent). The
Company shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due within ten (10) days after
receipt thereof.

                                    (d) Failure or delay on the part of any
Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a
waiver of such Lender's right to demand such compensation; PROVIDED that the
Company shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section
for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than six months prior to the
date that such Lender notifies the Company of the Change in Law giving rise to
such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender's intention to claim
compensation therefor; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that, if the Change in Law giving rise
to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period
referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect
thereof.

                                       65
<PAGE>

                  SECTION 2.14. BREAK FUNDING PAYMENTS. In the event of (a) the
payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an
Interest Period applicable thereto, (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan
other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including
in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12(b) or 2.17(b)) or (c) the
failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date
specified in any definitive Borrowing Notice, Continuation/ Conversion Notice or
prepayment notice delivered pursuant hereto, then, in any such event, the
Company shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable
to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, the loss to any Lender
attributable to any such event may include an amount determined by such Lender
to be equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that such
Lender would pay for a deposit equal to the principal amount of such Loan for
the period from the date of such payment, conversion or failure to the last day
of the then current Interest Period for such Loan (or, in the case of a failure
to borrow, convert or continue, the duration of the Interest Period that would
have resulted from such borrowing, conversion or continuation) if the interest
rate payable on such deposit were equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such
Interest Period, over (ii) the amount of interest that such Lender would earn on
such principal amount for such period if such Lender were to invest such
principal amount for such period at the interest rate that would be bid by such
Lender (or an affiliate of such Lender) for dollar deposits from other banks in
the eurodollar market at the commencement of such period. A certificate of any
Lender setting forth the details of any amount or amounts that such Lender is
entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered by such Lender
to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and shall be conclusive
absent manifest error. The Company shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due
within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

                  SECTION 2.15. TAXES. (a) Any and all payments by or on account
of any obligation of the Company hereunder shall be made free and clear of and
without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; PROVIDED that if the
Company shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from
such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that
after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent or Lender
(as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received
had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Company shall make such deductions
and (iii) the Company shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant
Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law.

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<PAGE>

                                    (b) In addition, the Company shall pay any
Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable
Law.

                                    (c) The Company shall indemnify the
Administrative Agent and each Lender, within ten (10) days after written demand
therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to
amounts payable under this Section) paid by the Administrative Agent or such
Lender, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses
arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes
or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant
Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or
liability delivered to the Company by a Lender or by the Administrative Agent on
its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.

                                    (d) As soon as reasonably practicable after
any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Company to a Governmental
Authority, the Company shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or
a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing
such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of
such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                                    (e) Any Lender that is legally entitled to
an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax which is an Indemnified Tax
with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Company (with
a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times reasonably requested
by the Company, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by
Applicable Law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or
subject to withholding at a reduced rate, PROVIDED that such Lender is legally
entitled to complete, execute and deliver such documentation and in such
Lender's reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would not
materially prejudice the legal position of such Lender.

                  SECTION 2.16. PAYMENTS GENERALLY; ETC. (a) The Company shall
make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal,
interest or fees, or under Section 2.13, 2.14 or 2.15, or otherwise) prior to
11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available
funds, without set-off or counterclaim..

                                    (b) If at any time insufficient funds are
received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts
of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied,
subject to the provisions of Article VIII, (i) first,

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<PAGE>

to pay interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled
thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such
parties, and (ii) second, to pay principal then due hereunder, ratably among the
parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to
such parties.

                                    (c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any
right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any
principal of or interest on any of its Loans resulting in such Lender receiving
payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans of a
particular Class and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by
any other Lender of such Class, then the Lender receiving such greater
proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) a participation in the Loans
of such Class of the other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit
of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with
the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective
Loans of such Class; PROVIDED that (i) if any such participation is purchased
and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such
participation shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent
of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph
shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Company pursuant to
and in accordance with the express terms hereof or any payment obtained by a
Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any
of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Company, any
Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph
shall apply). The Company consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it
may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a
participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the
Company rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as
fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Company in the amount of
such participation.

                                    (d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall
have received notice from the Company prior to the date on which any payment is
due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that
the Company will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that
the Company has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may,
in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In
such event, if the Company has not in fact made such payment, then each of the
Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on
demand the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each
day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but
excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the
Federal Funds

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<PAGE>

Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent
in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

                                    (e) If any Lender shall fail to make any
payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.4(b) or 2.16(d), then
the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion apply any amounts thereafter
received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy
such Lender's obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied
obligations are fully paid.

                  SECTION 2.17. MITIGATION OBLIGATIONS; REPLACEMENT OF LENDERS.
(a) If any Lender notifies the Company of its intent to apply Section 2.12(b)
and/or requests compensation under Section 2.13, or if the Company is required
to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the
account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, then such Lender shall use
reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or
booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to
another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such
Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would avoid the application of
Section 2.12(b), eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 or
2.15, as the case may be, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any
unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such
Lender. The Company hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses
incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

                                    (b) If any Lender notifies the Company of
its intent to apply Section 2.12(b) and such application is not being made by
the Lenders generally and/or requests compensation under Section 2.13 which is
not being requested by the Lenders generally, or if the Company is required to
pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the
account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, or if any Lender defaults in its
obligation to fund Loans hereunder, so long as no Default shall have occurred
and is continuing, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender
and the Administrative Agent, then (i) the Company may require such Lender to
assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the
restrictions contained in Section 10.4), all its interests, rights and
obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such
obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such
assignment); PROVIDED that (A) the Company shall have received the prior written
consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be
withheld or delayed, (B) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount
equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon,
accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee

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<PAGE>

(to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or
the Company (in the case of all other amounts) and (C) in the case of any such
assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.13 or
payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.15, such assignment will
result in a reduction in such compensation or payments or in the case of any
such assignment resulting from the application of Section 2.12(b), such
assignment will be to an assignee not then subject to such Section or (ii) if
the Company, after using best efforts (to the satisfaction of the Administrative
Agent), cannot procure for such Lender an assignee and delegatee in satisfaction
of clause (i) above, the Company may prepay such Lender's Loans in full out of
funds made available to the Company for its sole benefit after the application
of clauses "first" through "ninth" of Section 8.12(b) or out of funds available
in the Company's Excess Cash Flow Account, whereupon such Lender's Commitment
shall also terminate. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment
and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or
otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Company to require such assignment
and delegation cease to apply.

                                   ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  The Company represents and warrants to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders that:

                  SECTION 3.1. FINANCIAL CONDITION. Except for material
Contractual Obligations disclosed on SCHEDULE 3.19(B), the Company, as of the
Closing Date, shall have no other material liabilities.

                  SECTION 3.2. NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. Since March 31, 1999,
there has been no event, occurrence, development of facts or change which has
had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 3.3. ORGANIZATION; EXISTENCE; BUSINESS. (a) Each of
the Company and its Subsidiaries is a company duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization (and, to the
extent applicable in such jurisdiction, is in good standing under the laws of
such jurisdiction) and is duly qualified to do business in such jurisdiction and
in each other jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership
or lease of its assets requires such qualification, except in the case of

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any such other jurisdiction, where the failure to be so qualified could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                    (b) No filing, recording, publishing or
other act is necessary or appropriate in connection with the establishment of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries except those which have been duly made or
performed and except where the failure to so file, record, publish or act could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                    (c) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company
has engaged in no business other than the development, construction,
installation, maintenance and operation of the Project, the marketing and
disposition of Capacity and activities incidental thereto, and the Company has
no material obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than
those directly related to the conduct of such business and relating to
agreements that are disclosed on SCHEDULE 3.19(B).

                  SECTION 3.4. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. Each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries is in compliance with all Applicable Laws, including, without
limitation, all Environmental Laws, and all Governmental Actions except to the
extent of any non-compliance which, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 3.5. POWER AND AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABLE OBLIGATIONS.
(a) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has full corporate power and
authority to engage in all Project Activities, to conduct its business as now
conducted, to execute, deliver and perform each of this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents to which it is a party and each other document to be
executed in connection herewith, to take all action as may be necessary to
complete the transactions contemplated hereunder, including to borrow the Loans
and to grant the Liens provided for in the Security Documents to which it is a
party.

                                    (b) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries
has taken all necessary corporate and legal action to authorize the borrowings
by the Company hereunder on the terms and conditions set forth herein, to grant
the Liens provided for in the Security Documents to which it is a party and to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance hereof and of the other
Transaction Documents to which it is a party and each other document to be
executed in connection herewith.

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<PAGE>

                                    (c) Each of this Agreement and the other
Financing Documents to which the Company is a party has been duly executed and
delivered by the Company and constitutes, and each of the other Financing
Documents to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is to become a party
will, upon execution and delivery thereof by the Company or such Subsidiary, as
the case may be, and the other parties thereto (if any), constitute, a legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Company or such Subsidiary enforceable
against the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, in accordance with its
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by Applicable Laws, general
principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law) and
an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

                                    (d) Each of the Project Documents to which
the Company is a party has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and
the Company has no reason to believe that each of the Project Documents has not
been duly executed and delivered by the other parties thereto. Each of the
Project Documents constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms and the
Company has no reason to believe that each of the Project Documents does not
constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of such other parties
enforceable against such other parties in accordance with its terms, in each
case except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
affecting the rights of creditors generally, general principles of equity
(whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law) and an implied covenant of
good faith and fair dealing.

                  SECTION 3.6. CAPITAL AND CORPORATE STRUCTURE. Immediately
prior to giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, the capital
structure of the Company is as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.6. Except as set forth in
SCHEDULE 3.6, as of the Closing Date, the Company does not have any Subsidiaries
and does not hold beneficially or otherwise any ownership interest in any other
Person.

                  SECTION 3.7. GOVERNMENTAL ACTIONS, PERMITS, ETC. (a) No
Governmental Actions, Rights-of-Way or other consents or approvals are required
by the Company, its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the Company, the
Contractor under Applicable Law, in connection with (i) the participation by the
Company and its Subsidiaries in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the other Transaction Documents, (ii) the ownership and operation of the
Project by the Company and its Subsidiaries, the performance by the Company and
its Subsidiaries of any Project Activity or the use by the Company and its
Subsidiaries of the Project (including, without limitation, the sale, lease or
other disposition of Capacity) in accordance with

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<PAGE>

the applicable provisions of the Transaction Documents and in compliance with
all Applicable Laws, (iii) the validity and enforceability of the Transaction
Documents against the Company and its Subsidiaries and (iv) the execution,
delivery and performance of the Financing Documents by the Company and its
Subsidiaries, the borrowings by the Company hereunder and the grant by the
Company and its Subsidiaries of the Liens created pursuant to the Security
Documents to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party and the
validity and enforceability thereof and the perfection of and the exercise by
the Administrative Agent of its rights and remedies thereunder, except in each
case for those Governmental Actions, Rights-of-Way and consents or approvals (x)
which have been duly obtained or made, are in full force and effect and are
final (y) those which are not required to have been obtained or made by the date
on which this representation and warranty is made or deemed made or (z) where
the failure to so obtain such Governmental Actions, Rights-of-Way and consents
or approvals could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                    (b) To the best of the Company's knowledge
as of the Closing Date, SCHEDULE 3.7(B) sets forth all the material Governmental
Actions and material Rights-of- Way that are required to be obtained pursuant to
any Project Document or Applicable Law in connection with the performance by the
Company and its Subsidiaries of the construction and operation of the Project
(including, without limitation, the sale, lease or other disposition of
Capacity).

                  SECTION 3.8. NO LEGAL BAR. (a) The execution, delivery and
performance by the Company and its Subsidiaries hereof and the other Financing
Documents to which it is a party, the borrowings by the Company hereunder and
the use of the proceeds thereof, the granting of the Liens by the Company and
its Subsidiaries under the Security Documents and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (i) will not violate or result in
a breach of any Applicable Law, (ii) will not violate or result in a default
under any Contractual Obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof (which
violation or default could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect) and (iii) will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of
any Lien on any of the properties or revenues of the Company, its Subsidiaries
or the Project, except for Permitted Liens.

                                    (b) The execution, delivery and performance
by the Company and each Subsidiary thereof of the Project Documents to which it
is a party (i) will not violate or result in a breach of any Applicable Law or a
default under any material Contractual Obligation of the Company or such
Subsidiary, except for any violation,

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<PAGE>

breach or default that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) will not result in, or
require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of the properties or
revenues of the Company, its Subsidiaries or the Project, except for Permitted
Liens.

                  SECTION 3.9. NO PROCEEDING OR LITIGATION. No litigation or
proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or,
to the best of the Company's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or against or affecting any of the
properties, rights, revenues or assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or the Project or this Agreement or any other Transaction Document
or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except for such litigation
or proceedings described in SCHEDULE 3.9 and except in the case of any
litigation or proceeding occurring or arising after the Closing Date (and as to
which the Company and its Subsidiaries had no knowledge prior to the Closing
Date) which, if adversely determined, could not be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 3.10. NO DEFAULT, EVENT OF DEFAULT OR EVENT OF LOSS.
(a) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. No Event of
Loss has occurred and is continuing as of the Closing Date (and, as of any date
after the Closing Date on which representations and warranties are made or
deemed made under this Agreement, no Event of Loss has occurred and is
continuing or, if an Event of Loss has occurred and is continuing as of such
date, an EOL Compliance Certificate has been delivered by the Company to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.20(a)).

                                    (b) Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, no other party is,
(i) in material default under or with respect to any Principal Project Document
(other than any Capacity Sales Agreement so long as such default could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) or (ii) in default
under or with respect to any other Project Document except for any defaults
under such other Project Documents which could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, and no notice of default has been given to or by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Project Document with respect
to any matter which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

                  SECTION 3.11. OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY; LIENS; COMMON STOCK. (a)
As of the Closing Date (and on each date on which representations and warranties
are made or deemed made under this Agreement), the Company and its Subsidiaries
have good and valid title to (or, if applicable, valid leasehold interests or
rights of use in) the Collateral

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<PAGE>

(owned as of such date), to all of their respective assets comprising a part of
the Project and to all of their respective other assets free and clear of all
Liens except Permitted Liens. The Rights-of-Way granted to the Company are free
and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. As of the Closing Date,
SCHEDULE 3.11(A) contains a true, accurate and complete list of (i) all Real
Estate Assets, and (ii) all leases, subleases or assignments of leases (together
with all amendments, modifications, supplements, renewals or extensions of any
thereof) affecting each Real Estate Asset of the Company or any Subsidiary
thereof, regardless of whether the Company or such Subsidiary is the landlord or
tenant (whether directly or as an assignee or successor in interest) under such
lease, sublease or assignment. As of the Closing Date except as specified in
SCHEDULE 3.11(A), each agreement listed in clause (ii) of the immediately
preceding sentence is in full force and effect and the Company does not have
knowledge of any default that has occurred and is continuing thereunder that
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and each such
agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company or
such Subsidiary, as applicable, enforceable against such party in accordance
with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or
similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally, general equitable
principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law) and an implied
covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

                                    (b) All filings, recordings and other
actions, including, without limitation, the recordings, filings and other
actions shown on SCHEDULE 3.11(B), that are necessary or, in the judgment of the
Administrative Agent as applicable, desirable in order to establish, protect and
perfect the Administrative Agent's as applicable, lien on and perfected security
interest in, and the First Priority (as defined in SCHEDULE 5.26) status
thereof, all right, title, estate and interest of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, or the Sponsors, as the case may be, in and to the Collateral,
have been duly made or taken and all fees, taxes and other charges relating to
such filings and recordings and other actions have been paid in full. The
provisions of the Security Documents (together with such recordings, filings and
actions) are effective to create, in favor of the Administrative Agent as
applicable, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and
enforceable lien on and security interest in all of the Collateral and, from and
after the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent as applicable, has a legal,
valid and enforceable first lien on and prior perfected security interest in all
of the Subject Collateral (subject to exceptions as may be provided under
Applicable Law and in such schedule).

                                    (c) All of the Pledged Stock has been duly
authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable. There are no
outstanding obligations of the

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<PAGE>

Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Capital Stock (or any
security convertible into or exchangeable for the same) of the Company from
either Sponsor.

                  SECTION 3.12. TAXES. (a) Neither the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries (except for any of its Subsidiaries incorporated in France), the
Project nor any of their respective assets or revenues (including any Capacity
Commitments and Operating Payments) is subject to any Tax in any jurisdiction,
except for Taxes (other than value-added taxes relating to the sale of Capacity)
in an aggregate amount, for the Company or such Subsidiary, for any Operating
Year not exceeding 105% of the amount allocated for Taxes in respect of such
Operating Year.

                                    (b) All clearance rulings, decrees or
similar items necessary to establish the exemption from the imposition of any
Tax or similar charge (other than Taxes or other charges in an aggregate amount
not to exceed the amount referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section) upon
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is relying under the laws of
Bermuda or any other jurisdiction on its income, assets, operations or revenues
have been obtained, are in full force and effect and are Final.

                                    (c) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries
has timely filed or caused to be filed all tax returns which are required to be
filed by it, and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes shown to be due and
payable on such returns or on any assessments made against it or any of its
property and has paid or caused to be paid all other Taxes, fees or other
charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority,
except for Taxes subject to a Contest.

                  SECTION 3.13. FEDERAL REGULATIONS. Neither the Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries is engaged nor will it engage in the business of extending
credit for the purpose of "purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin stock" within
the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulations T, U and X
of the Board as now and from time to time hereafter in effect. No part of the
proceeds of the Loans will be used for "purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin
stock" as so defined or for any purpose which violates, or which would be
inconsistent with, the provisions of the Regulations of the Board.

                  SECTION 3.14. ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is
reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA
Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and no contribution failure has
occurred with respect to any Plan sufficient to give rise to a Lien under
Section 302(f) of ERISA.

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<PAGE>

                  SECTION 3.15. INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. Neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries is an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by
an "investment company", within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.

                  SECTION 3.16. FULL DISCLOSURE. All factual information (taken
as a whole) furnished in writing to the Administrative Agent or any Lender
directly or indirectly by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries was (or is)
true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such
information was (or is) dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting to
state a material fact necessary in order to make such information (taken as a
whole) not misleading in any material respect at such time inlight of the
circumstances under which such information was (or is) provided. All such
factual information (taken as a whole) shall include any information by way of
projections, estimates or other expressions of view as to future circumstances
so long as such projections, estimates or expressions were made in good faith,
based on reasonable assumptions, and fairly represent the Company's expectation
as to the matter covered thereby as of their date.

                  SECTION 3.17. PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS, ETC. As of the
Closing Date, the principal place of business and chief executive office of the
Company is located at 69 Front Street, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda and such
principal place of business shall not be changed without the prior written
consent of the Administrative Agent.

                  SECTION 3.18. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. (a) Each of the Company
and its Subsidiaries (x) owns, or has valid licenses to use, all Intellectual
Property necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted and
(y) as and when required, will own, or will have valid licenses to use, all
further Intellectual Property that will be necessary for the conduct of its
business as proposed to be conducted in the future, in each case that are
material to the condition (financial or other), business, or operations of the
Company, its Subsidiaries or the Project.

                           (b) No claim has been asserted and is pending by any
Person withrespect to the use of any such Intellectual Property in connection
with the Project or the conduct of the business of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or, to the Company's best knowledge, challenging or questioning
the validity or enforceability of any such Intellectual Property (except for any
claim or claims arising after the Closing Date which individually or in the
aggregate could not, if determined adversely to the Company or such Subsidiary,
as applicable, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) and
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries knows of any valid basis for any
such claim.

                                       77
<PAGE>

                           (c) As of the Closing Date, and to the Company's best
knowledge as of any date after the Closing Date on which representations and
warranties are made or deemed made under this Agreement, the use or contemplated
use of any such Intellectual Property by the Company and any of its Subsidiaries
does not infringe the rights of any Person except for any infringement which
individually, or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 3.19. SUFFICIENCY OF PROJECT DOCUMENTS. (a) Other than
such services, materials, property interests, license agreements and other
rights that the Company reasonably believes are readily obtainable on
commercially reasonable terms, the services to be performed, the materials to be
supplied and the property interests, license agreement(s), and other rights
granted pursuant to the Project Documents and other Contractual Obligations to
which the Company is a party comprise all of the services, materials and
property interests required to perform the Project Activities in accordance with
all Applicable Laws and the Transaction Documents.

                           (b) The Company is not, as of the Closing Date, party
to or otherwise obligated in any way under any material Contractual Obligation
other than those listed on SCHEDULE 3.19(B) and such Contractual Obligations
have not been amended or otherwise modified (by letter agreement or otherwise)
as of the Closing Date, except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.19(B). SCHEDULE
3.19(B) sets forth each Contractual Obligation of the Company and its
Subsidiaries or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, any other Person (in
either case, as of the Closing Date) which could have a Material Adverse Effect
on the validity, perfection, priority, or enforceability of the Collateral owned
as of the Closing Date or on the availability of the remedies of the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders under the Financing Documents.

                  SECTION 3.20. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. No condition or violation
of Environmental Laws exists with respect to the Project, the Company, its
Subsidiaries, any property owned or operated by the Company or its Subsidiaries
or otherwise that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 3.21. COMMERCIAL INSURANCE. All commercial insurance
policies required to be maintained pursuant to Section 5.10 are in full force
and effect and all premiums with respect thereto have been paid in full.

                  SECTION 3.22. IMMUNITY. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is entitled to claim for itself, any of its assets or the Project
(or any portion thereof)

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immunity from suit, execution, attachment or other legal process in any
proceedings in any jurisdiction in connection with any of the Financing
Documents to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party.

                  SECTION 3.23. FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT. Neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective officers,
directors, employees, or authorized agents or any of their affiliates which are
Controlled by the Company, acting on its behalf, has taken any action in
connection with the Project that violates the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of
the United States, if applicable, or any similar law of any other jurisdiction,
if applicable.

                  SECTION 3.24. FEES AND ENFORCEMENT. Other than amounts that
have been paid (or will, as and when required, have been paid) in full, no fees
or Taxes, including without limitation stamp, transaction, registration or
similar taxes, are required to be paid for the legality, validity, or
enforceability hereof or of any of the other Transaction Documents.

                  SECTION 3.25. ENFORCEMENT; PERFORMANCE. It is not necessary
solely (a) in order to execute or enforce any rights in Bermuda under this
Agreement or under any other Financing Document to which the Company is a party
or (b) by reason of the entry into or performance hereof or of any other
Financing Document to which the Company is a party, that the Administrative
Agent or any Lender be licensed, qualified or entitled to do business in
Bermuda.

                  SECTION 3.26. DISPUTES. As of the Closing Date, (a) there are
no material disputes between the Company and the Contractor with respect to
amounts owing under the Construction Contract, and (b) there are no disputes
between the Company and the Contractor with respect to the performance of any
obligations under the Construction Contract or otherwise, except those that have
been disclosed to the Independent Engineer.

                  SECTION 3.27. INDEBTEDNESS. Except pursuant to the Financing
Documents, the Company has not incurred any Indebtedness other than Indebtedness
permitted pursuant to Section 6.1.

                  SECTION 3.28. OTHER ACTS. All acts, conditions and things
required to be done, fulfilled and performed by the Company as of the Closing
Date and as of each date this representation and warranty is made or deemed made
in order to (a) enable the Company to lawfully enter into or exercise its rights
and perform its obligations under the

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Financing Documents and Project Documents, (b) ensure that the Company's
obligations under the Financing Documents and the Project Documents are legal,
valid and binding and (c) make the Financing Documents and the Project Documents
enforceable, have been done, fulfilled and performed.

                  SECTION 3.29. PROJECT COSTS. The Project Costs (and other
costs) set forth in the Project Budget reflect the Company's best estimates of
all Project Costs and other costs necessary for the design, development,
engineering, acquisition, installation,landing, construction, completion,
start-up, testing, ownership, possession and financing of the Project.

                  SECTION 3.30. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. The Company has
validly submitted to the jurisdiction of the Courts of the State of New York and
the Federal Courts for the Southern District of New York.

                  SECTION 3.31. YEAR 2000. The Company has reviewed, or will
expeditiously review, its operations and those of its Subsidiaries with a view
to assessing whether its businesses, or the businesses of any of its
Subsidiaries, will be vulnerable to a Year 2000 problem or will be vulnerable to
the effects of a Year 2000 Problem suffered by any of the Company's or any of
its Subsidiaries' major commercial counter-parties. The Company shall take all
actions necessary and commit adequate resources to assure that its
computer-based and other systems (and those of all Subsidiaries) are able to
effectively process data, including dates before, on and after January 1, 2000,
without experiencing any Year 2000 Problem that could cause a Material Adverse
Effect. At the request of the Administrative Agent, the Company will provide the
Administrative Agent with assurances and substantiations (including, but not
limited to, the results of internal or external audit reports prepared in the
ordinary course of business) reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent
as to the capability of the Company and its Subsidiaries to conduct its and
their businesses and operations before, on and after January 1, 2000 without
experiencing a Year 2000 Problem causing a Material Adverse Effect. The Company
represents and warrants that it has a reasonable basis to believe that no Year
2000 Problem will cause a Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 3.32. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All
representations and warranties of the Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the
Company's knowledge (after due inquiry), the Sponsors, contained in the Project
Documents are true and correct in all material respects. All representations and
warranties of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to the Company's knowledge
(after due inquiry), the Sponsors, contained in the Security Documents are true
and correct in all material respects.

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                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   CONDITIONS

                  SECTION 4.1. CLOSING DATE. The occurrence of the Closing Date,
and the obligation of each Lender to make available Loans on the Closing Date
or, if no Loans are made thereon, after the Closing Date, shall, in each case,
be subject to the fulfillment of, or waiver in its sole discretion by, each
Lender, of each of the following conditions precedent, together with the other
applicable conditions set forth in Sections 4.2 and 4.3:

                           (a) NOTES. The Company shall have duly issued,
executed and delivered, upon written request, to (i) each Construction Loan
Lender, a Construction Loan Note, dated the Closing Date, with appropriate
insertions and in a principal amount equal to such Lender's Construction Loan
Commitment and (ii) each Revolving Credit Lender, a Revolving Credit Note, dated
the Closing Date, with appropriate insertions and in a principal amount equal to
such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment.

                           (b) LETTERS OF CREDIT; PERFORMANCE BOND. The
Administrative Agent shall have received each Equity Contribution Letter of
Credit and the Performance Bond, together with such amendments thereto as the
Administrative Agent shall have requested.

                           (c) FINANCING DOCUMENTS. The Administrative Agent
shall have received, with a counterpart for each Lender, each of the following
documents, each duly executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto:

                                    (i)      this Agreement;

                                    (ii)     each Equity Contribution Agreement;

                                    (iii)    each Security Agreement, together
         with (A) the stock certificates representing all of the Capital Stock
         of the Subsidiaries of the Company, except for FLAG France S.A.R.L.,
         (B) undated stock powers for each stock certificate representing such
         Capital Stock, executed in blank and delivered by a duly authorized
         officer of the Company and (C) undated transfer certificates for each
         stock certificate representing such Capital Stock, executed in blank
         and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company;

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                                    (iv)     the Shareholder Pledge Agreement,
         together with (A) the stock certificates representing all of the
         Capital Stock of the Company owned by the applicable Sponsor, (B)
         undated stock powers for each stock certificate representing such
         Capital Stock, executed in blank and delivered by a duly authorized
         officer of such Sponsor and (C) undated transfer certificates for each
         stock certificate representing such Capital Stock, executed in blank
         and delivered by a duly authorized officer of such Sponsor;

                                    (v)      the Subsidiary Guarantee
         Agreements;

                                    (vi)     the Limited Guarantee Agreements;

                                    (vii)    the Notes; and

                                    (viii)   the Consents.

                           (d) PROJECT DOCUMENTS. The Administrative Agent shall
have received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a true and complete copy of
each of the following documents, duly certified by a Responsible Officer of the
Company as such on the Closing Date, and each in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

                                    (i)      the Construction Contract, together
         with each amendment and contract variation thereto;

                                    (ii)     the Backhaul Agreements which have
         been executed prior to the Closing Date;

                                    (iii)    the Construction Management
         Agreements, together with any amendment thereto;

                                    (iv)     each Capacity Sales Agreement
         executed by the Company as of the Closing Date, together with each
         original Pre-Sales Capacity Agreement Letter of Credit, if applicable;

                                    (v)      the Facilities Management
         Agreement;

                                    (vi)     the Marketing Agreement; and

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                                    (vii)    the Shareholders Agreement.

                           (e) LEGAL OPINIONS. The Administrative Agent shall
have received, with a counterpart for each Lender, the following opinions of
counsel, dated the Closing Date, each in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and addressed to each of the Secured Parties:

                                    (i)      the legal opinions of Bermuda
         counsel to the Company and the Sponsors, substantially in the forms of
         EXHIBIT O-1;

                                    (ii)     the legal opinion of New York
         counsel to the Company and the Sponsors, substantially in the form of
         EXHIBIT O-2;

                                    (iii)    the legal opinion of French counsel
         to Alcatel and the Contractor, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT
         O-3;

                                    (iv)     the legal opinion of New York
         counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, substantially in
         the form of EXHIBIT O-4;

                                    (v)      the legal opinion of English
         counsel to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent substantially in the
         form of EXHIBIT O-5; and

                                    (vi)     the legal opinion of French counsel
         to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form
         of EXHIBIT O-6.

                           (f) INDEPENDENT ENGINEER'S REPORT. The Administrative
Agent shall have received, with a copy for each Lender, a report of the
Independent Engineer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent.

                           (g) MARKET CONSULTANT'S REPORT. The Administrative
Agent shall have received, with a copy for each Lender, a report of the Market
Consultant (setting forth, without limitation, projection of revenues of the
Project), in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                           (h) INSURANCE ADVISOR'S REPORT. The Administrative
Agent shall have received, with a copy for each Lender (i) a report of the
Insurance Advisor, dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (ii) a certificate of the Insurance
Advisor, setting forth the types and amounts of insurance obtained by the
Contractor and the risks covered thereby.

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                           (i) PROJECT TIMETABLE; PLAN OF WORK. The
Administrative Agent shall have received from the Company, with a copy for each
Lender, (i) a true and complete copy of the Project Timetable, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (after consultation with the
Independent Engineer), and (ii) a true and complete copy of the Plan of Work,
each duly certified by a Responsible Officer of the Company as such as of the
Closing Date.

                           (j) PROJECT BUDGET. The Administrative Agent shall
have received from the Company, with a copy for each Lender, the Project Budget,
in form and substance satisfactory to each Lender, which sets forth all
anticipated costs to be incurred in connection with the construction and
start-up of the Project, including, without limitation, all construction and
non-construction costs, and all interest, taxes and other carrying costs, and
such other information as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request. The
Project Budget will contain an appropriate number of Budget Categories and will
detail (i) the Budget Category Amount for each Budget Category, and (ii) the
expenditures to date in each Budget Category, and such other information as the
Administrative Agent may reasonably require, together with a balanced statement
of uses and sources of proceeds, broken down as to separate construction phases
and components.

                           (k) SUFFICIENCY OF FUNDING. The Administrative Agent
shall be satisfied that the Cash Equity Contributions, together with amounts
available under the other Construction Funding Facilities, shall be sufficient
to pay all Project Costs set forth in the Project Budget.

                           (l) SPONSOR PRE-SALE CAPACITY COMMITMENTS. The
Capacity Sales Agreements relating to the Sponsor Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments
shall be in effect, and the Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of
each such Capacity Sales Agreement and each Pre-Sale Capacity Agreement Letter
of Credit relating thereto (including, without limitation, the Pre-Sale
Agreement Letter of Credit relating to the GTS Sponsor Pre-Sale Capacity
Commitment).

                           (m) DUE AUTHORIZATION. EXECUTION AND DELIVERY. Each
of the Transaction Documents contemplated to be executed on or prior to the
Closing Date shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
respective parties thereto and shall be in full force and effect on the Closing
Date (and all conditions precedent to the effectiveness thereof set forth
therein shall have been duly satisfied) without any event or condition having
occurred or existing that constitutes or, with the giving of notice or lapse of
time or both, would constitute a default thereunder or a breach thereof

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or would give any party thereto the right to terminate any thereof, and the
Administrative Agent shall have received evidence as to such authorization,
execution and delivery.

                           (n) RECORDATION AND FILING. Each of the documents and
instruments identified on SCHEDULE 3.11(B) shall have been recorded or filed in
the respective places or offices set forth in SCHEDULE 3.11(B), and all
recording and filing fees with respect thereto shall have been paid.

                           (o) TAXES. All Taxes, if any, payable or
indemnifiable by the Company on or prior to the Closing Date in connection with
the execution, delivery, performance, recording and filing of the Transaction
Documents and the documents and instruments described in SCHEDULE 3.11(B), or in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or by
the other Financing Documents, shall have been paid in full. The Administrative
Agent shall be satisfied (based on discussions with the Independent Engineer)
that adequate provision has been made in the Project Budget and the Operating
Budget for the payment of all Taxes payable or indemnifiable by the Company
arising out of the importation, ownership, use or operation of the Project or
any portion thereof within the jurisdictional limits of each Subsidiary.

                           (p) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All
representations and warranties made by the Company, each Sponsor and the
Contractor (i) in this Agreement, in any other Financing Document and in the
Construction Contract shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the
Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date and (ii) in any other
Project Document shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of
the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date.

                           (q) LITIGATION. No action, proceeding or
investigation shall have been instituted or threatened by or before any
Governmental Authority, nor shall any order judgment or decree have been issued
or proposed to be issued by any Governmental Authority, to set aside, restrain,
enjoin, limit, restrict or prevent the consummation of any of the transactions
contemplated hereby or by the other Transaction Documents.

                           (r) ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS; RESOLUTIONS;
INCUMBENCY. The Administrative Agent shall have received from each following
Person, with a counterpart for each Lender, certified copies of such Person's
Organizational Documents and a Certificate of Resolutions and Incumbency:

                                    (i)      the Company;

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                                    (ii)     each Sponsor;

                                    (iii)    the Contractor; and

                                    (iv)     Alcatel.

                           (s) OFFICERS' CERTIFICATES. The Administrative Agent
shall have received, with a counterpart for each Lender, an Officers'
Certificate with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary, each Sponsor, the
Contractor and Alcatel.

                           (t) PROJECTIONS. The Administrative Agent shall have
received from the Company with a copy for each Lender, operating projections and
analysis for the Project certified by a Responsible Officer of the Company as
being prepared in good faith in full consideration of all information known to
such officer, after due inquiry, as of the Closing Date, a copy of which is
annexed as EXHIBIT I or shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the
Administrative Agent (the "OPERATING PROJECTIONS"), and sets forth projections
of revenues, operating and other expenses and cash flows of the Project and the
Cumulative Capacity Sales Revenue, Interest Coverage Ratio and the Present Value
Coverage Ratio for each Operating Year prior to the Final Maturity Date, in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of the
projected Operating Expenses associated with the Project with respect to each
Operating Year prior to the Final Maturity Date, together with the Operating
Payments to be received by the Company from the Capacity Purchasers in respect
of operation and maintenance payments in such detail and based upon such
assumptions as shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (after
consultation with the Independent Engineer).

                           (u) NO VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE LAW. The consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Transaction Documents
shall not violate any Applicable Law.

                           (v) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Administrative Agent
shall have received, with a copy for each Lender:

                                    (i)      the audited balance sheet of FLAG
         Telecom Holdings Limited as of June 30, 1999;

                                    (ii)     the most recent annual audited
         balance sheet and related financial statements of Global Telesystems
         Group, Inc.; and

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                                    (iii)    the most recent annual audited
         balance sheet and related financial statements of the Contractor and
         Alcatel.

In addition, there shall have been no material adverse change in the financial
condition of each such Person since the date of such financial statements.

                           (w) AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS. The Administrative
Agent shall have received evidence that (i) the Company has irrevocably
appointed an agent for service of process in accordance with Sections 5.18 and
10.9, and (ii) each Sponsor has irrevocably appointed an agent for service of
process in accordance with the terms of the Equity Contribution Agreement to
which it is a party, and that each such agent has accepted the appointment and
has agreed to forward forthwith to the Company or such other Person, as the case
may be, all legal process addressed to such party received by such agent.

                           (x) FEES. The Lead Arranger and the Administrative
Agent shall have each received the fees payable thereto on the Closing Date
pursuant to the Fee Letter.

                           (y) AVAILABLE FUNDS. The Administrative Agent shall
have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that the Company has
transferred all available funds of the Company as of the Closing Date to the
Construction Account.

                           (z) OTHER MATTERS. The Administrative Agent and the
Lenders shall have each received such information, opinions, documents, evidence
and copies of such other documents as any of them or their respective counsel
may reasonably request (with a counterpart to each other Lender), which
information, opinions and documents shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to such requesting party.

                  SECTION 4.2. CONSTRUCTION LOANS. The obligation of each Lender
to make available Construction Loans on any Borrowing Date, including the
Closing Date, shall be subject to the fulfillment of, or waiver in the
discretion of the Majority Lenders, of each of the following conditions
precedent, together with the conditions as set forth in Section 4.3:

                           (a) GOVERNMENTAL ACTIONS: RIGHTS-OF-WAY, PERMITS. All
Governmental Actions and Rights-of-Way set forth in SCHEDULE 3.7(B) and any
additional Governmental Actions and Rights-of-Way which are required in
accordance with such Schedule or pursuant to Applicable Law to be obtained on or
prior to the date of such

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<PAGE>

Construction Loan, shall have been duly obtained or made, shall be in full force
and effect and shall be Final. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i)
copies of such Governmental Actions and Rights-of-Way to the extent such
Governmental Actions or Rights-of-Way are in writing or are required to be in
writing and (ii) a list of all Governmental Actions or Rights-of-Way which have
been obtained and which are not in writing, together with a certificate of a
Responsible Officer of the Company setting forth the procedure employed to
obtain such Governmental Actions and Rights- of-Way and confirming that such
items were not obtainable in writing from the issuer thereof. The Administrative
Agent (based on the advice of the Independent Engineer) shall have no reason to
believe that any of the Governmental Actions and Rights-of-Way listed in
SCHEDULE 3.7(B) which have not been obtained as of such date will not be
obtained prior to the date required in SCHEDULE 3.7(B).

                           (b) EVIDENCE OF PROJECT COSTS. (i) Except in relation
to an initial borrowing made within one month of the Closing Date, at least
fifteen (15) days prior to such Construction Loan, the Administrative Agent and
the Independent Engineer shall have received a Construction Progress Report,
together with a statement of the payments to be made pursuant to the Backhaul
Agreements and/or to the Contractor pursuant to the Construction Contract with
the proceeds of such Construction Loans, together with other documentation
reasonably requested by and satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and with
respect to all other items of Project Costs to be paid or advanced with the
proceeds of such Construction Loans.

                                    (ii)     Each Construction Progress Report
         delivered pursuant to Section 4.2(b) may provide for an additional
         amount for payments required to be made prior to the next Borrowing
         Date but which are not specified in such Construction Progress Report
         in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 per calendar month plus any
         payments of value added taxes which are expected to become payable
         prior to the next Borrowing Date and $15,000,000 in the aggregate plus
         any payments of value added taxes which are expected to become payable
         prior to the next Borrowing Date at any time (the "ADDITIONAL BORROWING
         AMOUNT") which amounts shall be placed into the Current Account;
         PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the immediately succeeding Construction
         Progress Report shall specify in reasonable detail to what payments the
         Additional Borrowing Amount has been applied.

                           (c) INDEPENDENT ENGINEER'S REPORT; CERTIFICATE.
Except in relation to an initial borrowing made within one month of the Closing
Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received, with a copy for each Lender,
a report of the Independent

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Engineer within five (5) days of the Independent Engineer's receipt of a
Construction Progress Report, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to
the Administrative Agent, to the effect that construction of the Project is
proceeding satisfactorily in accordance with the Construction Contract, the
Backhaul Agreements and within the overall Project Budget, and each of the
Critical Timetable Events set forth in the Project Timetable to be completed by
such date have been completed. The Independent Engineer's report shall also
disclose any events or changes that have occurred since the date of the last
report delivered to the Lenders that have had or could have a Material Adverse
Effect. On the date of such Construction Loan, the Administrative Agent shall
have received, with a copy for each Lender, a certificate from the Independent
Engineer, dated such date and stating that in its reasonable judgment (based
upon Contractor performance to date in achieving scheduled milestones and upon
industry-wide performance and taking into account any changes in resource
allocation and in the overall construction program), the Contractor will achieve
the next Critical Timetable Event (and similar milestones will accordingly be
achieved pursuant to the Backhaul Agreements) on or before the time required in
the Project Timetable and the next Acceptance can be expected to occur prior to
the Required Applicable Acceptance Date, and the Independent Engineer has
received the Construction Progress Report(s) delivered since the preceding
Borrowing Date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects, and,
in the reasonable judgment of the Independent Engineer, payments made pursuant
to the Backhaul Agreements have been made in accordance with the provisions of
such agreements and payments made to the Contractor have been made in accordance
with the provisions of the Construction Contract.

                           (d) PERFORMANCE BOND. The Performance Bond shall be
in full force and effect and in a stated amount equal to at least 10% of the
then Total Contract Price.

                  SECTION 4.3. EACH LOAN. The obligation of each Lender to make
available Construction Loans or Revolving Credit Loans on any Borrowing Date,
including the Closing Date, shall be subject to the fulfillment of, or waiver,
in the discretion of the Majority Lenders, of each of the following conditions
precedent:

                           (a) BORROWING NOTICE. The Administrative Agent shall
have received from the Company, four (4) Business Days (one (1) Business Day in
the case of ABR Borrowings) prior to the proposed Borrowing Date, a Borrowing
Notice, together with all schedules thereto; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the case
of Construction Loans the Company shall provide a draft Borrowing Notice to the
Administrative Agent and the Independent Engineer at least five (5) Business
Days prior to a proposed Borrowing Date.

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<PAGE>

                           (b) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All
representations and warranties made or deemed made by the Company on the
applicable Borrowing Date (other than the Closing Date, in which case Section
4.1(q) shall control) in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
material respects on and as of such date (unless any such representation or
warranty relates solely to an earlier date, in which case it shall have been
true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).

                           (c) NO DEFAULT OR EVENT OF DEFAULT. No Default or
Event of Default shall be in existence on such date, or shall occur after giving
effect to the extension of credit to be made on such date.

                           (d) NO CHANGE IN LAW. No change shall have occurred
after the Closing Date in any Applicable Law or in the interpretation thereof by
any Governmental Authority charged with the administration or interpretation
thereof (i) which would render void, voidable or invalid or require or cause the
cancellation, suspension or termination of any of the Financing Documents or any
of the Project Documents, and which would in the Administrative Agent's
reasonable discretion be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) which
would cause any of the transactions contemplated hereby to violate any
Applicable Law and which would in the Administrative Agent's reasonable
discretion be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                           (e) PERFECTION OF LIENS AND SECURITY INTEREST. All
filings, recordings and other actions that are necessary or, in the judgment of
the Administrative Agent as the case may be, desirable in order to establish,
protect and perfect the Administrative Agent's lien on and perfected security
interest in (and the First Priority (as defined in SCHEDULE 5.26) status
thereof) all right, title, estate and interest of the Company, or the Sponsors,
as the case may be, in and to the Subject Collateral, shall have been duly made
or taken and all fees, taxes and other charges relating to such filings and
recordings and other actions shall have been paid in full. The Administrative
Agent as the case may be, shall have received authenticated copies, with a copy
for each Secured Party, or other evidence of all filings, recordings and other
actions obtained or made in order to create and perfect such perfected First
Priority lien on and perfected security interest in the Subject Collateral.

                           (f) NO FORCE MAJEURE, ETC. No event of FORCE MAJEURE,
or similar event or condition shall exist which permits or requires any party to
any of the Project Documents to cancel, suspend or terminate its performance
thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof or which could reasonably be
expected to excuse any such party from liability for non-performance thereunder,
unless cancellation, suspension,

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termination or non-performance could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Affect.

                           (g) MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. No material adverse
change in the financial condition, business or operations of the Company or the
Project shall have occurred since the Closing Date, and no other event shall
have occurred since the Closing Date which could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect.

                           (h) PROJECT DOCUMENTS. Each of the Project Documents
(other than the Capacity Sales Agreements which do not constitute Sponsor
Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments) shall be in full force and effect, no party
thereto shall be in material default thereunder and no condition shall then
exist which would permit any party to terminate any such Project Document,
unless (i) the party entitled to terminate any such Project Document is the
Company and the event or default giving rise to such termination right could not
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) the Company is in
compliance with Section 6.10 and such Project Document has either been replaced
in accordance with Section 6.11, the effect of such termination could not be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or the Administrative Agent has
determined that such Project Document, if terminated, would not need to be
replaced. No party to any such Project Document shall have asserted that such
Project Document has ceased to be valid and binding and in full force and effect
or that such party is no longer obligated to perform under such Project Document
unless such assertion, in the reasonable opinion of the Company and the
Administrative Agent, has no merit or the effect of such assertion could
otherwise not be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                           (i) OTHER MATTERS. The Administrative Agent and the
Lenders shall have received such information, opinions, documents and copies of
such other materials as any of them may reasonably request, which information,
opinions, documents and materials shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to such requesting party;

PROVIDED; HOWEVER, that no Loans may be made which would result in the total
amount of Loans outstanding exceeding $190,000,000 until (i) the aggregate of
(x) cash proceeds from sales of Capacity (other than Sponsor Pre-Sales) and (y)
unpaid Capacity Commitments under executed Capacity Sales Agreements relating to
the Requisite Qualifying Pre-sales total not less than $200,000,000 and the
Company shall have provided the Administrative Agent with each such Capacity
Sales Agreement and each Pre-Sale Agreement Letter of Credit relating thereto
(if applicable); and (ii) each

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Landing License shall (a) have been obtained in the name of the Company or its
relevant Subsidiary and be in full force and effect to the satisfaction of the
Administrative Agent or (b) in the case of the French or English Landing
Licenses, the Company or its relevant Subsidiary shall have received the right
to use the correlative license of one of its Sponsors or an affiliate thereof on
terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  SECTION 4.4. CONVERSION DATE. The obligations of the
Construction Loan Lenders to convert their respective Construction Loans to Term
Loans hereunder shall be subject to the fulfillment, or waiver by the Majority
Lenders in their sole discretion, of each of the following conditions precedent,
together with each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.3:

                           (a) TERM LOAN NOTES AND RELATED CERTIFICATE. Upon
written request, each applicable Construction Loan Lender may receive a Term
Loan Note in the principal amount of such Lender's Term Loans as determined as
of the Conversion Date, and each such Note dated the Conversion Date and duly
executed and delivered by the Company, in exchange for the return to the Company
of the outstanding Construction Loan Notes held by each Lender who requested
such Term Loan Notes, each marked "Canceled". In addition, the Administrative
Agent shall have received from the Company a certificate of a Responsible
Officer setting forth the amount of the Term Loans created on the Conversion
Date, together with such additional information for the Administrative Agent to
verify the conclusions set forth therein.

                           (b) PAYMENT OF PROJECT COSTS. All Project Costs and
other costs set forth in the Project Budget scheduled to have been paid from the
proceeds of amounts to be funded under this Agreement and the Sponsor Pre-Sale
Capacity Commitments shall have been paid in full, or other support arrangements
which are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent shall have been made for the
payment thereof.

                           (c) GOVERNMENTAL ACTIONS; RIGHTS-OF-WAY. All
Governmental Actions and Rights-of-Way set forth in SCHEDULE 3.7(B) and any
additional Governmental Actions and Rights-of-Way which are required in
accordance with such Schedule or pursuant to Applicable Law to be obtained on or
prior to the Conversion Date shall have been duly obtained or made, shall be in
full force and effect and shall be Final, and a copy of each such Governmental
Action and Right-of-Way (to the extent such Governmental Action is in writing or
is required to be in writing pursuant to SCHEDULE 3.7(B)) shall have been
delivered to the Administrative Agent, together with a certificate of all
Governmental Actions which were obtained by the Company by a means other

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than in writing. The Administrative Agent (based on the advice of the
Independent Engineer) shall have no reason to believe that any of the
Governmental Actions and Rights-of-Way listed in SCHEDULE 3.7(B) which have not
been obtained as of such date will not be obtained prior to the date required in
SCHEDULE 3.7(B).

                           (d) EQUITY CONTRIBUTIONS. Cash Equity Contributions
to the Company in an amount equal to the Cash Equity Contribution Amount shall
have been made in full in cash to the Equity Proceeds Account.

                           (e) OPERATING BUDGET; REVISED OPERATING PROJECTIONS.
The Administrative Agent shall have received, with a copy for each Lender, (i)
an Operating Budget covering the first Operating Year of the Project, which
shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent (upon consultation with the Independent Engineer) and (ii) revised
Operating Projections, prepared in a manner consistent with the Operating
Projections delivered pursuant to Section 4.1(v), in each case certified by a
Responsible Officer of the Company as being prepared in good faith in full
consideration of all information known to such officer, after due inquiry, as of
the Conversion Date.

                           (f) PERFORMANCE BOND. The Performance Bond shall be
in full force and effect and in a stated amount equal to at least 5% of the
Total Contract Price.

                           (g) ACCEPTANCE (PHASE 2). Acceptance (Phase 2) shall
have occurred by the Required Applicable Acceptance Date and the Administrative
Agent shall have received by such date a duly executed Certificate of
Provisional Acceptance (Phase 2)or Certificate of Commercial Acceptance (Phase
2).

                           (h) BACKHAUL COMPLETION. The Backhaul Elements shall
be ready for service as certified by the Independent Engineer.

                           (i) CHARGE OVER BUSINESS AGREEMENT. The French
Subsidiary shall have entered into the Charge Over Business Agreement and shall
have provided a legal opinion with respect thereto in form and substance
acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

                           (j) REQUISITE QUALIFYING PRE-SALES. Requisite
Qualifying Pre-Sales shall have been obtained (at any time on or prior to the
proposed Conversion Date whether by way of Capacity Commitments or actual cash
proceeds) in the amount of not less than $200,000,000.

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                  SECTION 4.5. EQUITY WITHDRAWALS. The right of the Company to
make Equity Withdrawals shall be subject to the fulfillment of, or waiver by the
Administrative Agent of, each of the following conditions precedent:

                           (a) GOVERNMENTAL ACTIONS: RIGHTS-OF-WAY. All
Governmental Actions and Rights-of-Way set forth in SCHEDULE 3.7(B) and any
additional Governmental Actions and Rights-of-Way which are required in
accordance with such Schedule or pursuant to Applicable Law to be obtained on or
prior to such date, shall have been duly obtained or made, shall be in full
force and effect and shall be Final. The Administrative Agent shall have
received (i) copies of such Governmental Actions and Rights-of-Way to the extent
such Governmental Actions or Rights-of-Way are in writing or are required to be
in writing and (ii) a list of all Governmental Actions or Rights-of- Way which
have been obtained and which are not in writing, together with a certificate of
a Responsible Officer of the Company setting forth the procedure employed to
obtain such Governmental Actions and Rights-of-Way and confirming that such
items were not obtainable in writing from the issuer thereof. The Administrative
Agent (based on the advice of the Independent Engineer) shall have no reason to
believe that any of the Governmental Actions and Rights-of-Way listed in
SCHEDULE 3.7(B) which have not been obtained as of such date will not be
obtained prior to the date required in SCHEDULE 3.7(B).

                           (b) EVIDENCE OF PROJECT COSTS. At least fifteen (15)
days prior to such Equity Withdrawal, the Administrative Agent and the
Independent Engineer shall have received a Construction Progress Report,
together with a statement of the payments to be made pursuant to the Backhaul
Agreements and/or to the Contractor pursuant to the Construction Contract with
the proceeds of such Equity Withdrawal, together with other documentation
reasonably requested by and satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and with
respect to all other items of Project Costs to be paid or advanced with the
proceeds of such Equity Withdrawal.

                           (c) INDEPENDENT ENGINEER'S REPORT; CERTIFICATE. The
Administrative Agent shall have received, with a copy for each Lender, a report
of the Independent Engineer dated not more than ten (10) days prior to the date
of such Equity Withdrawal, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the
Administrative Agent, to the effect that construction of the Project is
proceeding satisfactorily in accordance with the Construction Contract, the
Backhaul Agreements and within the overall Project Budget, and each of the
Critical Timetable Events set forth in the Project Timetable to be completed by
such date have been completed. The Independent Engineer's report pursuant to
this clause (c) shall also disclose any events or changes that have occurred
since the date of the last report delivered to the Lenders that has had or could
have a

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Material Adverse Effect. On the date of such Equity Withdrawal, the
Administrative Agent shall have received, with a copy for each Lender, a
certificate from the Independent Engineer, dated such date and stating that in
its reasonable judgment (based upon Contractor performance to date in achieving
scheduled milestones and upon industry-wide performance and taking into account
any changes in resource allocation and in the overall construction program), the
Contractor will achieve the next Critical Timetable Event (and similar
milestones will accordingly be achieved pursuant to the Backhaul Agreements), on
or before the time required in the Project Timetable and the next Acceptance (if
any) can be expected to occur prior to the relevant Required Applicable
Acceptance Date.

                           (d) PERFORMANCE BOND. The Performance Bond shall be
in full force and effect and in a stated amount equal to at least 5% (or such
higher amount as required by the Construction Contract) of the then Total
Contract Price.

                                    ARTICLE V

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

                  Until all the Commitments have expired or been terminated and
the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other obligations
payable hereunder and under the other Financing Documents shall have been paid
in full, the Company covenants and agrees with the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders that:

                  SECTION 5.1. COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT. The Company shall
cause the Project to be duly constructed and completed in accordance with all
applicable international, national, state and local engineering, construction
and safety codes and standards and in accordance with the Specifications. The
Company shall provide to the (I) Independent Engineer a copy of each report
furnished by (a) the Contractor to the Company pursuant to the Construction
Contract, and (b) any contractor or other counterparty pursuant to the Backhaul
Agreements, and (II) to the Administrative Agent (with a copy for each Lender),
the Company's monthly Project report and shall respond, and shall cause the
Contractor and any contractor or other counterparty to a Backhaul Agreement
(including a Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof) to respond, to the Independent
Engineer's reasonable inquiries regarding such Person's performance of its work
under the Construction Contract and any Backhaul Agreement.

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                  SECTION 5.2. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION. The
Company shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, with a copy for each Lender,
the following:

                           (a) within ninety (90) days after the end of each
fiscal year of the Company, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related
consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and change in cash flow as
of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form
the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by independent public
accountants of recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent (without qualification or exception as to the scope of such
audit) to the effect that such financial statements present fairly in all
material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied;

                           (b) within forty five (45) days after the end of each
of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company
(commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 1999, a consolidated
balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such fiscal quarter and the
related consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and change in cash
flow for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year,
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding
period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of)
the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Responsible Officer of the Company
as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit
adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

                           (c) concurrently with any delivery of the financial
statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b), a certificate of a Responsible
Officer of the Company certifying to such officer's knowledge whether a Default
has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and
any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

                           (d) concurrently with any delivery of the financial
statements referred to in clause (a), a certificate of the independent public
accountants who certified such financial statements, if available from such
independent public accountants, stating that in making the examination necessary
to the audit thereof no knowledge was obtained of any Default or Event of
Default, except as specified in such certificate (which certificate may be
limited to the extent permitted by accounting rules or guidelines);

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                           (e) following the Conversion Date, simultaneously
with the delivery of any Expense Certificate in accordance with Section 8.12(a),
to the Administrative Agent only, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the
Company setting forth all Operating Expenses, capital expenditures and income
taxes paid out of the Current Account since the date of the last Expense
Certificate;

                           (f) promptly after its receipt, copies, to the extent
in writing (or, to the extent not in writing, a certificate of a Responsible
Officer of the Company setting forth each Governmental Action or Right-of-Way
obtained which is not in writing and the procedure employed for obtaining such
Governmental Action or Right-of-Way) of each Governmental Action or Right-of-Way
obtained or made by the Company, or obtained or made by the Contractor and
delivered to the Company pursuant to the Construction Contract;

                           (g) promptly after the Company's delivery thereof or
receipt thereof, as the case may be, a copy of each material notice, document,
report, demand or other communication (not to include routine correspondence)
delivered pursuant to any Project Document or otherwise, and a copy of each
financial statement of any party to a Project Document (other than the Company)
received by the Company pursuant to any Project Document; and

                           (h) such other information respecting the conditions
or operations, financial or otherwise, of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof
as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

                  SECTION 5.3. REPORTS; OTHER INFORMATION. (a) The Company shall
deliver to the Administrative Agent within thirty (30) days after the end of
each fiscal quarter (commencing with the first fiscal quarter ending after the
Closing Date) a report which sets forth (i) the aggregate proceeds received in
respect of the sale, lease or other disposition of Capacity since the end of the
previous fiscal quarter, (ii) the aggregate amount of Capacity Commitments
owing, but not yet paid, as at the end of such fiscal quarter and the date such
Capacity Commitments become (or became) due, (iii) a list of the Capacity
Purchasers who have purchased or leased Capacity and the aggregate dollar value
of Capacity acquired by each such Capacity Purchaser during such fiscal quarter,
(iv) the aggregate STM-1s disposed of during such fiscal quarter, (v) any
termination of commitments for the sale, lease or other disposition of Capacity
during such fiscal quarter, (vi) the aggregate amount of Capacity disposed of
for non-cash consideration during such fiscal quarter, and (vii) any and all
rebates or other returns of cash to Capacity Purchasers during such fiscal
quarter.

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                           (b) The Company shall deliver to the Administrative
Agent, with a copy for each Lender, within twenty (20) days after the end of
each fiscal quarter falling after the fiscal quarter in which the Conversion
Date occurs, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Company setting forth
reasonably detailed calculations of the Cumulative Capacity Sales Revenue,
Interest Coverage Ratio and Present Value Coverage Ratio, in each case
calculated as of the end of such fiscal quarter in accordance with Sections
6.28, 6.29 and 6.30, and if such calculations demonstrate that a Designated
Event shall have occurred and be continuing, a certification thereof.

                           (c) Within three Business Days prior to each
Principal Payment Date, the Company shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a
certificate setting forth the Required Balance with respect to the Debt Reserve
Account, the Maintenance Reserve Account and the Capacity Upgrades Reserve
Account, as of such Principal Payment Date.

                           (d) The Company shall deliver to the Administrative
Agent each new Pricing Schedule effective upon its adoption.

                           (e) The Company shall deliver to the Administrative
Agent each Certificate of Provisional Acceptance, or Certificate of Commercial
Acceptance each of which shall be duly endorsed by the Company and the
Independent Engineer within five (5) Business Days of the date of the applicable
Acceptance Date.

                           (f) The Company shall deliver to the Administrative
Agent no later than thirty days in advance of the Provisional Acceptance Date
(Phase 1) a true and complete copy of the Operations and Maintenance Plan, duly
certified as such by a Responsible Officer of the Company.

                  SECTION 5.4. PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS. The Company shall pay,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, at or before maturity or before
they become delinquent, as the case may be, all its obligations under the
Financing Documents and all its other material obligations of whatever nature,
except, with respect to such other material obligations, where the amount or
validity thereof is subject to a Contest.

                  SECTION 5.5. EXISTENCE. The Company shall do or cause to be
done, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to do or cause to be done, all
things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal
existence and take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and
franchises material, necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its
business except where the failure to maintain such rights,

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privileges and franchises, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 5.6. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Company shall, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply in all material respects with
all Applicable Laws (including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws and
Governmental Actions) applicable to it or its property, except where the failure
to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 5.7. PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF AGREEMENTS. The
Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, observe in all
material respects the covenants and agreements of the Company or such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, contained in each Transaction Document and all
of its other material obligations contained in each other document to which the
Company or such Subsidiary is a party. The Company shall, and shall cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, enforce in a diligent and commercially reasonable manner
all of its rights under the Transaction Documents, unless forbearance is
commercially reasonable.

                  SECTION 5.8. TAXES AND CLAIMS. (a) The Company shall, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge all Taxes lawfully
imposed on it or on its income or profits or on any of its property and all
other lawful claims prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto unless
such Tax or claim is subject to a Contest.

                                    (b) The Company shall use its best efforts
to, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to use its best efforts to,
maintain and keep in full force and effect all clearance rulings, decrees or
similar items necessary to continue the exemption of the Company or such
Subsidiary from the impositions of any Tax or similar charge on which the
Company or such Subsidiary is relying (other than, with respect to any Operating
Year, (i) value added taxes payable in connection with sales of Capacity and
(ii) any other Taxes and other charges in an aggregate amount not exceeding 105%
of the amount budgeted therefor in respect of such Operating Year).

                  SECTION 5.9. NOTICES. The Company shall, promptly after a
Responsible Officer of the Company has knowledge thereof, give written notice to
the Administrative Agent of:

                           (a) the occurrence of any Default, Event of Default
or Event of Loss;

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                           (b) any payment default under any Project Document
(i) in an amount in excess of $1,000,000 or (ii) in an amount in excess of
$500,000 if such amount is deemed uncollectible by the Company or has been
outstanding for greater than 60 days;

                           (c) any litigation or similar proceeding affecting
the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or the Project (or any portion thereof) or
concerning any Governmental Action relating to the Project (including any
Governmental Action between any Capacity Purchaser and any Governmental
Authority), which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect;

                           (d) any proceeding by or before any tax regulatory
authority contesting the tax position of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
if the resolution of such proceeding could result in an increased liability in
excess of $1,000,000;

                           (e) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that alone or
together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be
expected to result in liability in an aggregate amount in excess of $1,000,000;

                           (f) any event constituting FORCE MAJEURE under any
Principal Project Document which may have a material adverse impact on the
Project;

                           (g) the cancellation or revocation of any material
Governmental Actions, Rights-of-Way or other consents or approvals or the
failure to obtain, maintain or renew and keep in full force and effect any
material Governmental Actions, Rights- of-Way or other consents or approvals;

                           (h) any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) against any
Collateral or any portion of the Project;

                           (i) the initiation of any condemnation or
expropriation or similar proceedings against any of the Collateral or the
Project or any portion thereof;

                           (j) any proposed change or supplement to the
configuration of the Project approved by the Company's Board of Directors or of
any event which could lead to a change, supplement or breakage in the System
Configuration;

                           (k) any issuance or proposed issuance of any class of
Capital Stock of the Company, or of any sale or proposed sale of any Capital
Stock of the Company;

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                           (l) its intent to enter into any material amendment
to any Principal Project Document, together with a draft thereof prior to its
execution as well as an executed counterpart upon execution;

                           (m) any interruption in the operation of the Project
(or any portion thereof) of which the Company generally notifies its customers;
and

                           (n) any other event, fact or development that has
resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse
Effect.

                  SECTION 5.10. INSURANCE. (a) The Company shall purchase no
later than thirty (30) days after the Closing Date, insurance complying with the
provisions of subsection 5.10(b) and shall promptly deliver to the
Administrative Agent, with a copy for each Lender, (i) certificates of insurance
signed in each case by the insurer or an agent authorized to bind the insurer
(or other evidence of insurance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent) and (ii) a certificate of the Insurance Advisor, setting forth the types
and amounts of insurance obtained by the Company and the risks covered thereby,
and stating that such insurance is in full force and effect, complies with the
requirements of subsection 5.10(b) and that all currently due premiums therefor
have been paid in full.

                           (b) The Company shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, at all times carry and maintain or cause to be carried and
maintained the insurance set forth in SCHEDULE 5.10. All such insurance shall
comply with the other provisions set forth in SCHEDULE 5.10. The Company shall
promptly deliver one true and complete copy of each insurance policy requested
by the Administrative Agent, duly certified by a Responsible Officer of the
Company.

                  SECTION 5.11. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Company and
its Subsidiaries shall be the twelve-month period ending on December 31 of each
year.

                  SECTION 5.12. USE OF PROCEEDS. The proceeds of the Loans shall
be used (a) to finance the project costs associated with the design,
engineering, construction and installation of the Project, including the
repayment of loans advanced by the Sponsors or affiliates thereof to the Company
on the intial funding date (the proceeds of which were used to fund payments to
the Contractor), PROVIDED that any such repayments shall not exceed $11,000,000
in the aggregate, (b) to pay transaction, legal, financing (including interest
expense and fees) and other related costs and (c) to fund Operating Expenses and
working capital requirements, all in accordance with the Schedule of

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Sources and Uses; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the proceeds of the Revolving Credit
Loans shall be used (a) prior to the Conversion Date to fund any shortfalls in
the Project Budget and (b) after the Conversion Date to fund cash shortfalls in
Operating Expenses and other working capital requirements.

                  SECTION 5.13. INTEREST RATE PROTECTION. The Company shall, (i)
within three (3) months after the Closing Date, enter into one or more Interest
Hedging Agreements to hedge the Company's interest rate exposure on at least 50%
of the projected outstanding Construction Loans until three (3) months after the
projected Conversion Date and (ii) within three (3) months after the Conversion
Date, enter into one or more Interest Hedging Agreements to hedge the Company's
interest rate exposure on at least 50% of the outstanding Term Loans from time
to time for a period of at least three (3) years from the Conversion Date, all
on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  SECTION 5.14. CAPACITY SALES AGREEMENT LETTERS OF CREDIT. The
Company shall cause any and all reimbursement obligations related to each letter
of credit that is issued in support of a Capacity Purchaser's payment
obligations under a Capacity Sales Agreement to be on a non-recourse basis with
respect to the Company, its revenues, property and other assets (including,
without limitation, the Project and any portion thereof), other than in respect
of limited recourse obligations in favor of certain providers of Pre-Sale
Capacity Agreement Letters of Credit, but only to the extent such recourse is
limited to a Permitted Lien on the Company's rights under the corresponding
Capacity Sales Agreement.

                  SECTION 5.15. GOVERNMENTAL ACTIONS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY. The
Company shall obtain, or cause to be obtained, and maintain, or cause to be
maintained, in full force and effect all material Governmental Actions,
Rights-of-Way and other consents and approvals as are at the time necessary in
order for the Company and its Subsidiaries, (a) to operate and maintain the
Project as contemplated by the Facilities Management Agreements, (b) to transfer
Capacity and (c) to perform all other Project Activities, except where the
failure to obtain or maintain such Governmental Actions, Rights-of- Way,
consents or approvals, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in any event
the Company and/or its relevant Subsidiary shall have been granted a Landing
License in its own name (or in the name of its relevant Subsidiary) in each of
France and England and is no longer utilizing a correlative license of one of
its Sponsors or an affiliate thereof by no later than June 30, 2001.

<PAGE>

                  SECTION 5.16. COOPERATION WITH INDEPENDENT ENGINEER. The
Company shall keep the Independent Engineer fully informed on a timely basis
with respect to (a) capital expenditures for the Project and (b) prior to the
Acceptance Date (Phase 2), all material matters relating to the Project, and
shall meet (and cause the Contractor to meet) the Independent Engineer at
reasonable times and upon reasonable notice to discuss any of the foregoing.

                  SECTION 5.17. REVENUE ACCOUNT. Subject to Section 8.2, the
Company shall deposit, and shall direct others (including all of its
Subsidiaries) to pay or deposit, all Project Revenues directly into the Revenue
Account as required by Article VIII.

                  SECTION 5.18. MAINTENANCE OF PROCESS AGENT. The Company shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain in New York, New York a
Person acting as agent to receive on its behalf service of process pursuant to
Section 10.9(e).

                  SECTION 5.19. SYSTEM OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE. The Company
shall cause the Project to be operated and maintained in an efficient and
business-like manner in accordance with the terms of the Project Documents.

                  SECTION 5.20. EVENT OF LOSS. (a) The Company shall immediately
notify the Administrative Agent in writing of the occurrence of an Event of Loss
and, unless the affected portion of the Project is being repaired, replaced or
restored in accordance with Section 5.20(b), the Company shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent within 30 days of the occurrence of such Event of Loss, a
certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Company (the "EOL COMPLIANCE
CERTIFICATE") certifying as to the Present Value Coverage Ratio as of the last
day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter (but recalculated to give
effect to such Event of Loss).

                  (b) If an Event of Loss shall occur or a Special Payment shall
be made and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (i) in
the Independent Engineer's reasonable opinion it is technically feasible to
restore, rebuild or replace the affected portion of the Project within six (6)
months, (ii) in the Administrative Agent's reasonable opinion (after
consultation with the Consultants) there are or will be sufficient funds
available to the Company (from Permitted Sources, Special Payments, proceeds of
insurance and/or other sources permitted by the Majority Lenders) to (x)
restore, rebuild or replace the affected portion of the Project so that the
Project will be able to operate as reliably and efficiently (and with a
comparable market value) as the Project operated (and was valued) prior to such
event (and in any event on a basis sufficient to pay the Loans and all other
obligations owing to the Lenders), (y) pay all

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cash operating and maintenance costs and all the principal of, and interest on
and all fees with respect to, the Loans and to pay all other Obligations coming
due prior to the time such restoration, rebuilding or replacement is completed
and (z) pay all obligations to any Capacity Purchaser which may be coming due
prior to the time such restoration, rebuilding or replacement is completed (as a
result of such Event of Loss or otherwise), (iii) no party to any Project
Document shall have the right to terminate such Project Document at any time
during the period of restoration, rebuilding or replacement as a result of any
such Event of Loss unless, with respect to such Project Document, such
termination could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
and (iv) in the Independent Engineer's reasonable opinion, it is reasonably
likely that the Company (or other applicable Persons) will have as and when
needed all rights of way and permits necessary to restore, rebuild or replace
the affected portion of the Project, then the Company, at its sole cost and
expense, shall restore, rebuild or replace the affected portion of the Project.

                  SECTION 5.21. BOOKS AND RECORDS; INSPECTION RIGHTS. (a) The
Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of
record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all
dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. The
Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any
representative of the Lenders designated by the Administrative Agent, (as
applicable) upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties,
to examine and make copies from its books and records and to discuss its
affairs, finances and condition with its officers and its independent
accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.
The Company agrees that the Administrative Agent the Independent Engineer and
each other advisor to the Lenders (at the Company's expense), may visit the
Company's executive offices, any other portion of the Project, each site where
Work is being performed (but only to the extent of the Company's rights of
access thereto) and other properties owned by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries at any and all reasonable times during normal business hours, upon
reasonable advance notice.

                                    (b) The Administrative Agent, the
Independent Engineer and each other advisor to the Lenders will be given access,
to the extent within the possession or control of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or to the extent the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has rights
of access, to (i) all Design Documents (including, without limitation, data
relating to any proposed design changes in the Project), (ii) quality control
data, (iii) invoices relating to construction progress and to services to be
performed and materials to be supplied on a cost reimbursement basis, and
invoices relied on by the Contractor in verifying construction progress to the
extent the Company

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or any of its Subsidiaries has received the same, (iv) contracts relating to the
engineering of, the procurement of services, equipment, supplies or other
materials for, or the construction of, the Project and (v) all other data
relating to the Project as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative
Agent or the Independent Engineer.

                  SECTION 5.22. FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT. The Company
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply in all material
respects with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of the United States, or any
similar law of any other jurisdiction, if applicable.

                  SECTION 5.23. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. (a) The Company shall
own, or shall have valid licenses to use, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to own or have valid licenses to use, all Intellectual Property as
and when necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted by it
and proposed to be conducted that are material to the condition (financial or
other), business or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, or the Project.

                                    (b) The Company shall, and shall cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, take all reasonably necessary steps to maintain and
pursue any application (and to obtain the relevant registration) filed with
respect to, and to maintain any registration of, any material item of the
Intellectual Property owned by the Company or such Subsidiary, including the
filing of applications for renewal, affidavits of use, affidavits of
incontestability and opposition, interference proceedings and the payment of
appropriate fees, except where the failure to so maintain, obtain or pursue
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                    (c) The Company shall, prior to the end of
the Warranty Period, enter into software maintenance agreements and software
licensing agreements on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent and the Independent Engineer.

                  SECTION 5.24. BUDGETS AND OPERATING REPORTS. Prior to the
Conversion Date, and after prior review by and discussion with the
Administrative Agent (after consultation with the Independent Engineer), the
Company will adopt an operating budget (the "OPERATING BUDGET") and an Operating
Plan (the "OPERATING PLAN") for the initial Operating Year. The Operating Budget
and the Operating Plan will contain such line items as are satisfactory to the
Company, the Administrative Agent and the Independent Engineer, including in the
Operating Budget a line item projection of project revenues and cash operating
costs for the forthcoming Operating Year. No fewer than thirty (30) days prior
to the beginning of each Operating Year of the Company

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thereafter, and after prior review by and discussion with the Administrative
Agent (after consultation with the Independent Engineer), the Company will
similarly adopt an Operating Budget and an Operating Plan for the ensuing
Operating Year of the Company PROVIDED in no event shall any Operating Budget
provide for capital expenditures (other than in respect of Capacity Upgrades) in
excess of $1,000,000 for such Operating Year. Copies of the Operating Budget and
the Operating Plan for each such Operating Year shall be delivered promptly to
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders together with an update of the
Operating Projections.

                  SECTION 5.25. SPARE PARTS. The Company shall maintain, on and
after each applicable Acceptance, at each maintenance depot such spare parts,
test and maintenance equipment, tools and consumables with respect to the
applicable Phase as are customary in accordance with the practices, standards
and procedures for the operators of fiberoptic cables.

                  SECTION 5.26. MATERIAL REAL ESTATE ASSETS. In the event that
the Company or any Subsidiary thereof acquires an interest in a Material Real
Estate Asset and such interest has not otherwise been made subject to the Lien
of the Security Documents in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of
the Secured Parties, then the Company or such Subsidiary, contemporaneously with
acquiring the interest in such Material Real Estate Asset, shall take all such
actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such
mortgages, documents, instruments, agreements, opinions and certificates,
including, without limitation, those described on SCHEDULE 5.26, as the
Administrative Agent shall reasonably request to create in favor of
Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders, a valid and, subject to any
filing and/or recording referred to herein, perfected First Priority (as defined
in SCHEDULE 5.26) security interest in such Real Estate Assets, (subject to such
exceptions to title insurance coverage as may be provided under Applicable Law).

                  SECTION 5.27. NOTICES OF ASSIGNMENT. The Company shall notify
all account debtors under all accounts and general intangibles for money due of
the First Priority security interest of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the
Company Security Agreements. Such notice shall either be incorporated into the
relevant agreements giving rise to such accounts or general intangibles or the
Company shall send a separate notice to the account debtor. Any such notice
(whether included in the relevant agreement or a separate notice) shall be in
the form of EXHIBIT G.

                  SECTION 5.28. FRENCH GUARANTEE FEE. The Company shall pay to
FLAG Atlantic France S.A.R.L. (the "French Subsidiary") a guarantee fee in
consideration for

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the guarantee issued by the French Subsidiary in favor of the Secured Party
under the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement.

                  SECTION 5.29. CHARGE OVER BUSINESS. The Company shall cause
the French Subsidiary to enter into the Charge Over Business Agreement within
one month of the French Subsidiary commencing operations. For this purpose,
"commencing operations" means that the landing station situated in France has
started commercial operations.

                  SECTION 5.30. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Company shall cause to
be promptly and duly taken, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such
further acts, documents and assurances as the Administrative Agent from time to
time may reasonably request in order to carry out more effectively the intent
and purposes hereof and of the other Financing Documents, including with respect
to the maintenance of perfection of all Subject Collateral.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

                  Until all the Commitments have expired or terminated and the
principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other obligations
payable hereunder and under the other Financing Documents have been paid in
full, the Company covenants and agrees with the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders that (except as otherwise permitted by the applicable Lenders in
accordance with Section 10.2):

                  SECTION 6.1. INDEBTEDNESS. The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist
any Indebtedness, except:

                                    (a) Indebtedness of the Company incurred
under the Financing Documents and in respect of the Obligations and the Guaranty
of such Indebtedness by any Subsidiary of the Company;

                                    (b) Capital Lease Obligations of the Company
or any Subsidiary permitted by Section 6.15;

                                    (c) Indebtedness of the Company under, or
constituting net exposure under, Interest Hedging Agreements entered into in
accordance with Section 5.13 or otherwise permitted by the Administrative Agent;

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                                    (d) Indebtedness of the Company or any
Subsidiary under any Permitted Sale Leaseback;

                                    (e) unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or
any Subsidiary owing to any Sponsor or to any Affiliate, the principal of which
is payable only after the repayment of the Obligations, which is expressly
subordinated to the Obligations and which contains terms (including terms with
respect to subordination) that are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
(which terms shall (i) include that, upon any foreclosure with respect to the
Capital Stock of the Company, such Indebtedness shall only be payable from the
excess proceeds of such foreclosure after application of such proceeds to the
Obligations, and (ii) provide for no cash interest payments, except for cash
interest payments to the extent and only to the extent funds are actually made
available to the Company in accordance with clause "ninth" of Section 8.12(b)
and only if no Default, Event of Default or Designated Event shall have occurred
and be continuing);

                                    (f) any other unsecured Indebtedness of the
Company or any Subsidiary owing to any other Person which is expressly
subordinated to the Obligations and which contains terms (including with respect
to subordination) that are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, and only to the extent, that the proceeds of such Indebtedness are
utilized to pay Project Costs in excess of those provided for in the Project
Budget;

                                    (g) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of the
Company to the Company;

                                    (h) other Indebtedness of the Company and
any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any
one time;

                                    (i) any Indebtedness under Revolving Credit
Loans entered into after the Closing Date; and

                                    (j) any limited-recourse Indebtedness in
connection with the procurement of letters of credit to support the payment
obligations of certain Capacity Purchasers, PROVIDED that recourse is limited to
an assignment of the Company's right to demand and receive payment from the
applicable Capacity Purchaser whose payment obligations are supported by such
letter of credit.

                  SECTION 6.2. LIENS. The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any
Lien on the Collateral (or any

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part thereof), the Project (or any portion thereof) or any of its, or its
Subsidiaries' other assets, other than Permitted Liens.

                  SECTION 6.3. FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES. The Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, merge into or consolidate with any
other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it,
or change its form of organization or its business, or liquidate or dissolve.

                  SECTION 6.4. SALE OF ASSETS. The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or
otherwise dispose of (each, a "TRANSFER") all or any portion of its assets
except:

                                    (a) Transfers of Capacity (and capacity on
other telecommunication systems acquired in accordance with the terms hereof) in
accordance with Section 6.13;

                                    (b) Transfers of assets in the ordinary
course of business not required for the efficient operation of the Project for
fair value with a book value not exceeding $10,000,000 in the aggregate for all
fiscal years cumulative for the life of the Project for all such Transfers under
this clause (b);

                                    (c) Transfers by the Company in connection
with Permitted Sale Leasebacks;

                                    (d) Transfers of obsolete, worn out or
defective equipment and other assets for fair value in cash and/or cash
equivalents; and

                                    (e) Transfers of assets by a Subsidiary of
the Company to the Company and by the Company to its Subsidiaries (PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, any such transfer to any Subsidiary located in France must be approved
in writing by the Administrative Agent, subject to terms and conditions
satisfactory thereto in its reasonable discretion);

                                    (f) Transfers of the Company's rights under
Capacity Sales Agreements made in favor of certain providers of Pre-Sale Letters
of Credit pursuant to conditional assignments in accordance with the provisions
of Section 5.14 of this Agreement.

PROVIDED that (i) the Net Cash Proceeds of a Transfer under clauses (b), (c) and
(d) shall be deposited in the Sales and Issuances Proceeds Account and shall be
applied in accordance with Section 2.9 and (ii) other proceeds received in
respect of Transfers

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permitted under this Section (including under clause (a)) shall be, subject to
Section 8.2, deposited into the Revenue Account for application in accordance
with Article VIII; ***.

                  SECTION 6.5. INVESTMENTS, ACQUISITIONS, ETC. (a) The Company
shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to purchase, hold or
acquire any Capital Stock, evidences of indebtedness or other securities
(including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing)
of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guaranty any obligations
of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any
other Person, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series
of transactions) any assets of any other Person constituting a business unit, or
become a general or limited partner in any partnership or a joint venturer in
any joint venture or enter into any profit sharing or royalty agreement or
similar arrangement whereby the income or profits of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries are, or might be, shared with any Person, except:

                                             (i) Permitted Investments;

                                             (ii) the Company may own Capital
                  Stock of wholly-owned Subsidiaries created in accordance with
                  Section 6.23;

                                             (iii) the Company may make equity
                  contributions in any such Subsidiary;

                                             (iv) Guaranties permitted by
                  Section 6.1 and Guaranties by the Company of obligations of
                  its Subsidiaries to the extent such obligations are set forth
                  in the then current Project Budget and Operating Budget;

                                             (v) the Company may enter into
                  reasonable joint marketing agreements or arrangements;

                                             (vi) the Company may, through any
                  of its Subsidiaries, become a joint venturer in a joint
                  venture so long as (x) such Subsidiary shall not enter into,
                  incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement
                  that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon the
                  ability of such Subsidiary to pay dividends or otherwise make
                  distributions on its Capital Stock and (y) parties to the
                  transaction with such Subsidiary shall have no recourse
                  against the Company in respect of such transaction; and

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                                             (vii) the Company may acquire
                  capacity on other telecommunications systems on reasonable,
                  arm's-length terms, PROVIDED that any costs related thereto
                  are (i) included within the Project Budget or the relevant
                  Operating Budget or (ii) are supported by Capacity Commitments
                  by customers seeking interim capacity prior to completion of
                  the Project; provided, however, that any acquisition of such
                  interim capacity shall be funded directly with proceeds
                  received under related Capacity Sales Agreements.

                                    (b) The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into any management contract (other than
the Construction Management Agreements, the Facilities Management Agreement and
the Marketing Agreement and other than any other agreement made by the Company
and/or a Subsidiary thereof which is approved by the Administrative Agent) or
similar arrangement whereby its business or operations are managed by any other
Person; ***.

                  SECTION 6.6. RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. The Company shall not
declare or make any Restricted Payment except:

                                    (a) distributions by the Company in respect
of its Capital Stock which are payable solely in additional Capital Stock of the
Company, but only to the extent such additional Capital Stock is common stock
and, if such Capital Stock in respect of which such distribution is made is
subject to a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, then only if such
additional Capital Stock (x) is subject to a first priority perfected Lien in
favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Shareholder Pledge Agreement
or such other documentation as shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent and (y) is delivered to the Administrative Agent, together
with undated stock powers for each stock certificate representing such
additional Capital Stock, executed in blank;

                                    (b) distributions by the Company in respect
of its Capital Stock from funds available to the Company after the application
of clauses "first" through "eighth" of Section 8.12(b) (so long as no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result
therefrom) or with funds available in the Company's Excess Flow Account;

                                    (c) so long as no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the
Company may purchase or redeem shares of Capital Stock (or options or warrants
in respect of such shares) of the Company held by present or former officers or
employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries

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upon such person's death, disability, retirement or termination of employment or
under any agreement under which such shares of Capital Stock or related rights
were issued, PROVIDED that the aggregate amount of such purchases or redemptions
shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate; and

                                    (d) payments by the Company under the
Construction Management Agreements, the Marketing Agreements, the Backhaul
Agreements, the Facilities Management Agreement, or any other Project Document
to which a Related Party is a party, to the extent that such payments have been
budgeted in the then-applicable Project Budget or the then-applicable Operating
Budget.

                  SECTION 6.7. LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF INTERESTS. (a) The
Company shall not issue any additional Capital Stock of the Company or any other
interest in the Company, to any Person, except for (i) additional Capital Stock
which is common stock and which is subject to the perfected Lien of the
Administrative Agent pursuant to the Shareholder Pledge Agreement or such other
documentation as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and
which is delivered to the Administrative Agent, together with undated stock
powers for each stock certificate representing such additional Capital Stock,
executed in blank and (ii) additional Capital Stock which is common stock (or
options or warrants to purchase the same) issued by the Company under the Stock
Option Plan to persons who are, at the time of such issuance, officers or
employees of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries (except for any of its
Subsidiaries incorporated in France) to the extent permitted under Applicable
Laws; PROVIDED that the Company shall not permit the Capital Stock (and the
warrants and options to purchase the same) issued pursuant to this clause (ii)
to represent more than 5% of all common stock of the Company on a fully diluted
basis.

                                    (b) The Company shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to issue any additional Capital Stock or any other interest in any
such Subsidiary to any Person, except to the Company and only if such additional
Capital Stock is (i) subject to the perfected Lien of the Administrative Agent
as the case may be, pursuant to the Company Security Agreements or such other
documentation as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and
(ii) delivered to the Administrative Agent together with undated stock powers
for each stock certificate representing such additional Capital Stock, executed
in blank.

                  SECTION 6.8. LIMITATIONS ON TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS. The
Company shall not consent to the transfer (by assignment, sale or otherwise) of
any Capital Stock or any other equity interest of the Company, or permit the
transfer (by assignment, sale or

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otherwise) of any Capital Stock or any other equity interest of any of its
Subsidiaries, except:

                                    (a) subject to the provisions of paragraph
(n) of Article VII, a transfer by the Sponsors of all the Capital Stock of the
Company to a newly created corporation in exchange for Capital Stock of such
newly created corporation, all in connection with a public offering of equity or
debt securities by such newly created corporation; PROVIDED that (i) the Company
shall not assume or otherwise be obligated in respect of any obligations
associated with such a transaction, (ii) the terms of such a transaction shall
be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (iii) after giving
effect to such transaction, the Administrative Agent shall have a perfected
first priority security interest in all Capital Stock of the Company;

                                    (b) subject to the provisions of paragraph
(n) of Article VII, any transfer of the Capital Stock made subject to the Lien
and the terms of the Shareholder Pledge Agreement, any of the Company Security
Agreements or the Subsidiary Debenture, as applicable, pursuant to which such
Capital Stock is pledged (including, without limitation, the delivery by the
transferee to the Administrative Agent as the case may be, of an Irrevocable
Proxy and Power as contemplated by such applicable agreement);

                                    (c) any transfer of Capital Stock in the
Company permitted by the provisions of the definition of the term "Change in
Control"; and

                                    (d) any Capital Stock issued under the Stock
Option Plan (unless any such Capital Stock is required to be pledged to the
Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms hereof or of the other
Financing Documents).

                  SECTION 6.9. PAYMENT OF CONSTRUCTION COSTS; OPERATING BUDGET.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, pay
any amount (other than with respect to amounts received from Permitted Sources)
in respect of the construction and installation of the Project other than (x)
during the period prior to the Conversion Date, those costs set forth in the
Project Budget (as amended from time to time) and (y) thereafter, those costs
set forth in the then applicable Operating Budget.

                                    (b) The Company shall not, without the prior
written consent of the Majority Lenders, amend or otherwise modify the Operating
Budget for any Operating Year, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, the Company may (i) with the
prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, amend the budgeted amount of
the Operating Expenses set forth

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in such Operating Budget so long as, after giving effect to such amendment, the
aggregate Operating Expenses set forth therein do not exceed 110% of the
Operating Expenses set forth in the Operating Budget delivered in accordance
with Section 4.4(e) or 5.24 in respect of such Operating Year, and (ii) amend
such Operating Budget in order to apply identified cost savings in a budget
category to cost overruns in another budget category (other than the capital
expenditure budget category) or to a new budget category without increasing the
aggregate amounts payable under the Operating Budget.

                  SECTION 6.10. AMENDMENT OF PROJECT DOCUMENTS. The Company
shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, agree or consent to
or otherwise permit any amendment, supplement or other modification or waiver
with respect to, or any consent under, any Project Document to which the Company
or such Subsidiary is a party or with respect to which the consent of the
Company or such Subsidiary is required, other than:

                                    (a) amendments, supplements or other
modifications or waivers with respect to, or consents under, any Capacity Sales
Agreement in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of Section 6.13;

                                    (b) amendments, supplements or other
modifications or waivers with respect to, or consents under, the Construction
Contract which (A) are made prior to the Conversion Date, PROVIDED that the same
are (i) entered into by the Company in the ordinary course of business and are
on commercially reasonable terms, (ii) provide for no additional amounts to be
paid by the Company thereunder (or, if additional amounts are required to be
paid by the Company thereunder, such additional amounts are provided for in the
then current Project Budget or are provided for from Permitted Sources), (iii)
do not release the Contractor from any material liability thereunder unless such
release would be commercially reasonable, and (iv) could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (B) are made on or after the
Conversion Date, PROVIDED that the same (i) are entered into by the Company in
the ordinary course of business and are on commercially reasonable terms, (ii)
provide for no additional amounts to be paid by the Company thereunder (or, if
additional amounts are required to be paid by the Company thereunder, such
additional amounts are provided for in the then current Operating Budget or are
provided for from Permitted Sources), (iii) do not otherwise increase the
Company's liability thereunder, (iv) do not release any Contractor from any
liability thereunder (unless such release would be commercially reasonable), (v)
do not reduce the duration or scope of any warranty or replacement period
thereunder, (vi) do not reduce the scope or availability of any Intellectual
Property thereunder or which is to be conveyed to the Company thereunder, (vii)
do not amend

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the requirements for any Provisional Acceptance Date without the prior written
consent of the Independent Engineer, and (viii) could not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                                    (c) amendments, supplements or other
modifications or waivers with respect to, or consents under, any Project
Document (other than any Principal Project Document referred to in clause (a) or
(b) above and other than the Construction Contract Guaranty and the Performance
Bond) (i) which are permitted by such Project Document without the consent of
the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company party thereto or (ii) which (A) are
entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary
course of business and are on commercially reasonable terms, (B) provide for no
additional amounts to be paid by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
thereunder (or, if additional amounts are required to be paid by the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company thereunder, such additional amounts are provided
for in the then current Project Budget or Operating Budget or are provided for
from Permitted Sources), (C) do not release any party thereto (other than the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) from any material liability thereunder
unless such release would be commercially reasonable or unless the Company would
otherwise be permitted to terminate such agreement pursuant to Section 6.11 and
(D) could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

                                    (d) (i) immaterial amendments, supplements
or other modifications or immaterial waivers with respect to, or immaterial
consents under, any Project Document and (ii) amendments, supplements or other
modifications to, or consents or waivers under, any Project Document which are
permitted by such Project Document without the consent of the Company.

                  SECTION 6.11. TERMINATION, ASSIGNMENT OF PROJECT DOCUMENTS.
(a) The Company shall not terminate, cancel or suspend, or permit the
termination, cancellation or suspension of, any Project Document other than (i)
in accordance with its terms, (ii) as permitted by such Project Document without
the consent of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) as required
by Applicable Laws or (iv) a Project Document, other than the Construction
Contract (prior to the end of the Warranty Period) and the Construction Contract
Guaranty (prior to the end of the Warranty Period), if (A) the Company delivers
to the Administrative Agent at the time of such termination, cancellation or
suspension a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Company certifying that
(1) such termination, cancellation or suspension is permitted by the terms of
such Project Document, (2) the Company reasonably believes that such Project
Document (or its replacement) is no longer beneficial or useful to the Lenders

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and to the Company's business and (3) such termination, cancellation or
suspension could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
(B) with respect to the termination, cancellation or suspension of the Marketing
Agreement such agreement is simultaneously replaced with a new contract (or
other arrangement) on terms and with a party (which party may be the Company
itself) reasonably satisfactory to the Majority Lenders and (C) with respect to
the termination, cancellation or suspension of the Performance Bond or the
Facilities Management Agreement, such agreement is simultaneously replaced with
a new contract (or other arrangement) on terms and with a party reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                                    (b) The Company shall not agree or consent
to or otherwise permit the assignment of the obligations of any party to any
Principal Project Document (other than a party to a Capacity Purchase
Agreement), except pursuant to the Security Documents and except as permitted
without the consent of the Company by the terms of such Principal Project
Document.

                  SECTION 6.12. APPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL CONTRACTS. Without the
prior written consent of the Majority Lenders, the Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Additional Contract, other
than (a) contracts entered into by the Company in the ordinary course of
business of performing Project Activities to the extent that (i) they are
entered into on commercially reasonable terms, (ii) amounts payable thereunder
are provided for in the then current Project Budget or Operating Budget, from
Capacity Commitments made by customers seeking interim capacity prior to
completion of the Project, provided, however, that any acquisition of such
interim capacity shall be funded directly with proceeds received under related
Capacity Sales Agreements or from Permitted Sources, and (iii) the execution,
delivery and performance thereof could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, (b) contracts entered into by the Company in order to
effectuate the provisions of Section 6.15, PROVIDED such contracts are
consistent with the terms of Section 6.15 and (c) any replacement Facilities
Management Agreements entered into with the consent of the Administrative Agent
in accordance with Section 6.11(a). At the time any Additional Contract is
entered into the Company will deliver a copy thereof to the Administrative
Agent. If the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders is required for any
Additional Contract, upon such consent and at the request of the Administrative
Agent, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain and deliver to the
Administrative Agent a consent to assignment with respect to such Additional
Contract, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent.

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                  SECTION 6.13. SALES OF CAPACITY. The Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of
Capacity or capacity on other telecommunication systems acquired in accordance
with the terms hereof except pursuant to agreements entered into by the Company
on commercially reasonable terms including, without limitation, the provisions
set forth in EXHIBIT C (as such provisions may be amended, supplemented,
restated or otherwise modified from time to time to the extent permitted under
Section 6.10 hereof); PROVIDED that, in any event, (a) the relevant agreement
shall provide that all cash consideration payable thereunder shall be paid in
Dollars to (x) the Pre-Sales Proceeds Account (in the case of payments made
prior to the Conversion Date) and (y) except as provided in Section 8.2(c), to
the Revenue Account (in the case of payments made on and after the Conversion
Date), (b) if the relevant agreement shall provide for future payments it shall
not prohibit the granting of a security interest in such agreement by the
Company to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, (c)
if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Company shall deliver a copy of
any such relevant agreement, (d) the relevant agreement may provide for a cash
rebate or return of cash previously paid to the Company by such purchaser (i) on
or after March 31, 2002, to the extent that such cash has not previously been
used to make payments in connection with the Project, (ii) to the extent that
such rebate or return is due and payable no earlier than March 31, 2003 or (iii)
after the Conversion Date, if such agreement (other than any Capacity Sales
Agreement with Sponsors or any other direct holding company or any Affiliates
thereof) does provide for any such rebate or return, a portion of the Capacity
Payments or other payments received in respect of such agreement in an amount
equal to such contingent rebate or return, shall be deposited into the VAT
Account and (e) the relevant agreement may provide for the purchase by the
Company of interim capacity on another system, provided, however, that any
acquisition of such interim capacity shall be funded directly with proceeds
received under related Capacity Sales Agreements; PROVIDED, FURTHER, the Company
shall not (i) enter into any transaction to dispose of Capacity for non-cash
consideration if, after giving effect to such transaction, the Capacity disposed
of for non-cash consideration during the 12-month period ending on (and
including) the date of such transaction would exceed 10% of the Capacity
disposed of during the same period or (ii) enter into any agreement to dispose
of any Capacity for non-cash consideration at any time a Default or Designated
Event shall have occurred and be continuing (in each case, except for transfers
of Capacity for non-cash consideration in connection with customary mutual
restoration agreements); ***.

                  SECTION 6.14. ACCEPTANCE OF PROJECT. The Company shall not
issue any Certificate of Provisional Acceptance or Certificate of Commercial
Acceptance without

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the prior written consent of the Independent Engineer, such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld.

                  SECTION 6.15. LEASES. The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any lease or leases as a lessee
except for (a) leases of personal property in the ordinary course of business
(to the extent the obligations thereunder are provided for in the then current
Project Budget or Operating Budget), (b) leases of real property in the ordinary
course of business (to the extent the obligations thereunder are provided for in
the then current Project Budget or Operating Budget), (c) Capital Lease
Obligations for the lease of office equipment and automobiles in the ordinary
course of business of the Company and (d) Permitted Sale Leasebacks by the
Company or its Subsidiaries and (e) leases of interim capacity on other systems;
provided, however, that any acquisition of such interim capacity shall be funded
directly with proceeds received under related Capacity Sales Agreements.

                  SECTION 6.16. CHANGE OF OFFICE. The Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change the location of its chief
executive office or principal place of business or the office where it keeps its
records concerning the Project and all contracts related thereto from that
existing on the date hereof, unless the Company or such Subsidiary, as
applicable, shall have given the Administrative Agent at least thirty (30) days'
prior written notice thereof and all action necessary or advisable in the
Administrative Agent's reasonable opinion to protect and perfect the Liens and
security interests in the Collateral shall have been taken.

                  SECTION 6.17. CHANGE OF NAME. The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change its name unless the Company or
such Subsidiary, as applicable, shall have given the Administrative Agent at
least thirty (30) days' prior written notice thereof and all action necessary or
advisable in the Administrative Agent's reasonable opinion to protect and
perfect the Liens and security interests in the Collateral shall have been
taken.

                  SECTION 6.18. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. The Company shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any agreement
with any Affiliate of the Company except (a) pursuant to any Contractual
Obligation of the Company or a Subsidiary in existence on the Closing Date and
set forth on SCHEDULE 6.18, (b) transactions referred to in Sections 7.1 and 7.6
of the Shareholders Agreement, (c) transactions in the ordinary course of
business which are on fair and reasonable terms not less favorable than the
Company or such Subsidiary could obtain in an arm's-length

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<PAGE>

transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate and (d) transactions among
the Company and its Subsidiaries or among such Subsidiaries.

                  SECTION 6.19. SALE AND LEASEBACK. The Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement with any
Person providing for the leasing of real or personal property which has been or
is to be sold by it to such Person, other than Permitted Sale Leasebacks by the
Company or a Subsidiary.

                  SECTION 6.20. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES; OTHER PURCHASES OF ASSETS.
(a) From and after the Conversion Date, the Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any expenditure (including, without
limitation, the transfer of Capacity for non-cash consideration) in respect of
the purchase of capital assets in any Operating Year, except for such
expenditures which could not reasonably be expected to adversely affect the
Project and (i) which are included in the Project Budget, (ii) which do not
cause the Company and its Subsidiaries to spend more than $1,000,000 in the
aggregate in any Operating Year in respect of such expenditures or, to the
extent such expenditure would cause the Company and its Subsidiaries to spend
more than $1,000,000 in the aggregate in any Operating Year, which excess is
funded solely from Permitted Sources or amounts on deposit in the Capacity
Upgrades Reserve Account, PROVIDED such amounts on deposit are only used to pay
for Capacity Upgrades, (iii) are paid for with Capacity to the extent the
transfer of such Capacity is in accordance with Section 6.13 or (iv) are
approved by the Majority Lenders in writing (after consultation with the
Independent Engineer).

                                    (b) The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, purchase or acquire any assets or other
property other than (i) any purchase of assets by the Company in connection with
the completion of the Project (including in connection with Capacity Upgrades),
(ii) the purchase of assets reasonably required in connection with the
performance of Project Activities and (iii) Permitted Investments.

                  SECTION 6.21. UNRELATED ACTIVITIES; ABANDONMENT. The Company
shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any
business other than Project Activities. The Company shall not abandon the
diligent operation and maintenance of the Project.

                  SECTION 6.22. SET-OFF. Without the prior written consent of
the Administrative Agent, the Company shall not exercise any right of set-off
with respect to amounts

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<PAGE>

owing to it by the Contractor under the Construction Contract or amounts owing
under the Performance Bond.

                  SECTION 6.23. SUBSIDIARIES. The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise acquire any
Subsidiary unless the Company gives the Administrative Agent notice thereof and
unless:

                                    (a) such Subsidiary is a newly created,
wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Company;

                                    (b) such Subsidiary shall, if the
Administrative Agent (or the Security Agent, if applicable) shall so request,
execute and deliver (i) a counterpart to the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement with
respect to all Obligations in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and/or (ii) a security agreement in substantially the form
of the Company Security Agreements, with such modifications as the
Administrative Agent (or the Security Agent, if applicable) may reasonably
request or consent to;

                                    (c) the Company shall pledge to the
Administrative Agent (and the Security Agent, if applicable) for the benefit of
the Secured Parties, all of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock or other
ownership interests of such Subsidiary pursuant to documentation reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

                                    (d) the Administrative Agent shall have
received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that the Administrative Agent
shall have, if required by the Administrative Agent, a perfected first priority
security interest in the collateral set forth in any such security agreement
and/or pledge agreement;

                                    (e) the creation of such Subsidiary and the
performance of its applicable obligations will not create any material risk that
the aggregate tax liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries for any
Operating Year will exceed 105% of the amount budgeted for Taxes in respect of
such Operating Year; and

                                    (f) if the Administrative Agent requests,
the Administrative Agent shall have received legal opinions in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent with respect to
paragraphs (b) through (d) of the foregoing.

                  SECTION 6.24. CONCENTRATION OF CASH. The Company shall not
permit the aggregate balance in all bank accounts, checking accounts or similar
accounts

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<PAGE>

maintained by the Company and any of its Subsidiaries (including the value of
all Permitted Investments contained therein) to exceed an amount equal to
$3,000,000 (exclusive of all amounts and the value of Permitted Investments
maintained in the Accounts and exclusive of any amounts distributed pursuant to
Article VIII to the Company or its Subsidiaries for the benefit of other
Persons) except that the Company may establish and maintain an account with a
financial institution other than the Administrative Agent (the "COMPANY'S EXCESS
CASH FLOW ACCOUNT") into which funds may be deposited in accordance with Section
8.21(c). Amounts on deposit in any account (other than the Accounts and other
than the Company's Excess Cash Flow Account) shall be used solely to pay costs
in accordance with the then current Project Budget or Operating Budget.

                  SECTION 6.25. AMENDMENTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS. The
Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend,
supplement or otherwise modify, or permit the amendment, modification or
supplementation of any Organizational Documents in a manner which is
inconsistent with or violates the terms of or could reasonably be expected to
prevent compliance with any of the terms of any Financing Document or Project
Document or could materially adversely affect the Lenders or any Collateral.

                  SECTION 6.26. IMMUNITY. The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, in any proceeding in Bermuda, the United
States or elsewhere, in connection with any Financing Document, claim for
itself, any of its assets or the Project, immunity from suit, execution,
attachment or other legal process.

                  SECTION 6.27. RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS. The Company shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into, incur or permit to
exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes
any condition upon the ability of the Company or such Subsidiary to create,
incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets to secure
the Obligations, PROVIDED that the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and
conditions imposed by law or by this Agreement.

                  SECTION 6.28. CUMULATIVE CAPACITY SALES REVENUE. The Company
shall not permit the Cumulative Capacity Sales Revenue including proceeds from
the sales of fiber pairs in the Project for the period from September 30, 1999
through and including the last day of the calendar month preceding each date set
forth below, to be less than the correlative amount indicated opposite the
Quarterly Date:

                                       121

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           CUMULATIVE CAPACITY
                          FISCAL QUARTER                      SALES REVENUE

                <S>                                           <C>
                Fourth Quarter 2001                           $257,000,000
                First Quarter 2002                            $285,000,000
                Second Quarter 2002                           $319,000,000
                Third Quarter 2002                            $352,000,000
                Fourth Quarter 2002                           $386,000,000
                First Quarter 2003                            $422,000,000
                Second Quarter 2003                           $463,000,000
                Third Quarter 2003                            $503,000,000
                Fourth Quarter 2003                           $544,000,000
                First Quarter 2004                            $584,000,000
                Second Quarter 2004                           $621,000,000
                Third Quarter 2004                            $658,000,000
                Fourth Quarter 2004                           $695,000,000
                First Quarter 2005                            $735,000,000
                Second Quarter 2005                           $778,000,000
                Third Quarter 2005                            $821,000,000
                Fourth Quarter 2005                           $864,000,000
                First Quarter 2006                            $909,000,000
                Second Quarter 2006                           $957,000,000
                Third Quarter 2006                           $1,006,000,000
                Fourth Quarter 2006                          $1,055,000,000
                First Quarter 2007                           $1,103,000,000
</TABLE>

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the
failure to comply with this Section at any time shall not constitute a Default
or an Event of Default, but shall result in, until such time as the Company
shall have delivered a certificate to the Administrative Agent in accordance
with Section 5.3(b) demonstrating the Company's compliance with this Section and
Sections 6.29 and 6.30, Excess Cash Flow being applied 100% to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders in accordance with Section
8.12(b); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such application to Term Loans shall be in
inverse order of maturity.

                  SECTION 6.29. PRESENT VALUE COVERAGE RATIO. From December 31,
2001 the Company shall not permit, as of the end of any calendar quarter falling
after the fiscal quarter in which the Conversion Date occurs, the Present Value
Coverage Ratio to be less than 1.32:1.00. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this

                                       122

<PAGE>

Agreement, the failure to comply with this Section at any time shall not
constitute a Default or an Event of Default, but shall result in, until such
time as the Company shall have delivered a certificate to the Administrative
Agent in accordance with Section 5.3(b) demonstrating the Company's compliance
with this Section and Sections 6.28 and 6.29, Excess Cash Flow being applied
100% to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders in accordance
with Section 8.12(b) PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such application to Term Loans
shall be in inverse order of maturity.

                  SECTION 6.30. INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO. The Company shall not
permit, as of the end of any fiscal quarter falling after the fiscal quarter in
which the Conversion Date occurs, the Interest Coverage Ratio to be less than
the correlative ratio indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    FISCAL QUARTER          INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO

          <S>                                       <C>
          Fourth Quarter 2001                       2.00:1.00
          First Quarter 2002                        2.25:1.00
          Second Quarter 2002                       2.65:1.00
          Third Quarter 2002                        3.25:1.00
          Fourth Quarter 2002                       3.50:1.00
          First Quarter 2003                        3.85:1.00
          Second Quarter 2003                       4.25:1.00
          Third Quarter 2003                        4.50:1.00
          Fourth Quarter 2003                       5.00:1.00
          First Quarter 2004                        5.50:1.00
          Second Quarter 2004                       6.00:1.00
          Third Quarter 2004                        6.50:1.00
          Fourth Quarter 2004                       7.00:1.00
          First Quarter 2005                        7.50:1.00
          Second Quarter 2005                       8.00:1.00
            and thereafter
</TABLE>

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the
failure to comply with this Section at any time shall not constitute a Default
or an Event of Default, but shall result in, until such time as the Company
shall have delivered a certificate to the Administrative Agent in accordance
with Section 5.3(b) demonstrating the Company's compliance with this Section and
Sections 6.28 and 6.29, Excess Cash Flow being applied 100% to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders in accordance with Section
8.12(b) PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such application to Term Loans shall be in
inverse order of maturity.

                                       123

<PAGE>

                                    Further, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Agreement, the failure by Company to comply with any of
Sections 6.28, 6.29 or 6.30 at any time shall not constitute a Default or an
Event of Default, but shall result in the following until such time as the
ompany shall have delivered a certificate to the Administrative Agent in
accordance with Section 5.3(b) demonstrating compliance with Sections 6.28, 6.29
and 6.30:

                                             (i) the availability of the
                  Revolving Credit Commitments being reduced (for so long as
                  such circumstance persists) to, in the case of any failure of
                  compliance, (v) in the first year from the Conversion Date,
                  $20,000,000; (w) in the second year from the Conversion Date,
                  $15,000,000; (x) in the third year from the Conversion Date,
                  $10,000,000; (y) in the fourth year from the Conversion Date,
                  $5,000,000; and (z) thereafter to zero;

                                             (ii) except as provided in clause
                  (iii) below, the Company shall not be permitted to activate
                  any Capacity acquired by a Sponsor, whether under a Sponsor
                  Pre-Sale Capacity Commitment (other than purchases of Capacity
                  by third parties set forth on SCHEDULE 1.1(V) to this
                  Agreement) or otherwise, which shall not already have been
                  activated; and

                                             (iii) the Company shall only be
                  permitted to sell or otherwise dispose of Capacity and
                  activate such Capacity with respect to (y) purchasers of
                  Capacity other than Sponsors and (z) incremental purchases of
                  Capacity by Sponsors in excess of the Sponsor Pre-Sale
                  Capacity Commitments; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the case of
                  (z) such purchases must be made at no less than the then
                  prevailing market rate for such Capacity.

                  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the event that after December 31,
2001, the amount of the outstanding Loans shall be less than $200,000,000 the
Company may activate any Capacity purchased or otherwise acquired by a Sponsor
notwithstanding any failure of compliance by the Company with any of Sections
6.28, 6.29 or 6.30.

                                       124

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

                  If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing
(whether any such event shall be voluntary or involuntary or come about or be
effected by operation of law or pursuant to or in compliance with any judgment,
decree or order of any court or an order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body):

                                    (a) the Company shall fail to pay any
principal of any Loan when due; or the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or fee or other amount payable
hereunder or under any other Financing Document within three (3) Business Days
after any such other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof or
thereof; or

                                    (b) the Company shall fail to perform or
observe any of its covenants set forth in Section 5.9(a) and Article VI (other
than Sections 6.28, 6.29 and 6.30); or the Company shall fail to perform or
observe any of its covenants set forth in Section 5.1 (a), and the second
sentence of Section 5.1 of the Company Security Agreement (U.S.), the Company
shall fail to perform or observe any of its covenants set forth in Sections
5.1(a) of the Company Security Agreement (England) or any Sponsor shall fail to
perform or observe any of its covenants set forth in the first sentence of
Section 5(a), Section 5(b), of the Shareholder Pledge Agreements to which it is
a party; or the Company shall fail to maintain in effect any of the insurance
required to be maintained in accordance with Section 5.10; or

                                    (c) the Company, any Subsidiary of the
Company or any Sponsor shall fail to perform or observe any of its covenants set
forth in this Agreement or in any other Financing Document to which it is a
party (other than those referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) above and those
set forth in Sections 6.28, 6.29 and 6.30) and such failure shall continue
unremedied or unwaived for a period of thirty (30) days after receiving written
notice thereof; or

                                    (d) any representation or warranty made or
deemed made by the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any Sponsor in this
Agreement or in any other Financing Document or in any certificate, financial
statement or other document delivered by such Person pursuant hereto or thereto,
shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when such
representation or warranty was made or deemed made; or

                                       125

<PAGE>

                                    (e) (i) any Specified Participant shall
commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future
law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for
relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or
insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, administration
(whether judicial, or otherwise) winding-up, liquidation, dissolution,
composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking
appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, administrator (whether judicial
or otherwise) conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any
substantial part of its assets, or any Specified Participant shall make a
general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be
commenced against any Specified Participant any case, proceeding or other action
of a nature referred to in clause (i) above which (A) results in the entry of an
order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains
undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of sixty (60) days; or (iii)
there shall be commenced against any Specified Participant any case, proceeding
or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution,
distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets
which results in the entry of an order for any such relief which shall not have
been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within sixty (60)
days from the entry thereof; or (iv) any Specified Participant shall take any
action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or
acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above;
or (v) any Specified Participant shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or
shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, the commencement of any proceeding or other action or event
of a nature referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above with respect to Alcatel
or the Contractor shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under
this paragraph unless such proceeding, action or event could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

                                    (f) one or more judgments or decrees shall
be entered (i) against the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company involving in
the aggregate a liability (to the extent not covered by insurance) of $5,000,000
or more (or the equivalent thereof in other currencies), and all such judgments
or decrees shall not have been paid, vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded
pending appeal within sixty (60) days from the entry thereof or (ii) in the form
of an injunction or similar form of relief requiring suspension or abandonment
of the operation of the Project and the failure of the Company to have such
injunction or similar form of relief stayed or discharged within sixty (60)
days; or

                                    (g) (i) any Financing Document shall cease,
for any reason, to be in full force and effect or the Company or any other party
thereto (other than a Lender)

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<PAGE>

shall so assert in writing or (ii) the Lien created by any Security Document
shall cease to be enforceable and of the same effect and priority purported to
be created thereby or (iii) any of the Capital Stock of the Company, other than
Capital Stock issued under the Stock Option Plan, shall not be subject to the
Shareholder Pledge Agreement in favor of the Administrative Agent; or

                                    (h) prior to the end of the Warranty Period,
the Construction Contract Guaranty or any analogous or similar guaranty
delivered under or pursuant to Backhaul Agreements shall cease, for any reason,
to be in full force and effect, or Alcatel (or a contractor or other
counterparty to any Backhaul Agreement) shall so assert in writing and such
assertion shall not be withdrawn, revoked or remedied within 30 days thereof;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the case of such analogous or similar guaranty, no
such default shall occur unless a Material Adverse Effect shall have arisen as a
result of such cessation; or

                                    (i) at any time prior to the last day of the
Warranty Period, the invalidity, termination, dishonor or revocation of the
Performance Bond (except termination as a result of a final drawing thereunder);
or the failure at any time of the Performance Bond to be in a stated amount
equal to (i) at any time prior to the Provisional Acceptance Date (Phase 2), at
least 10% of then Total Contract Price, or (ii) at any time on or after the
Provisional Acceptance Date (Phase 2) until the last day of the Warranty Period,
at least 5% of the Total Contract Price; or

                                    (j) any Project Document shall, prior to its
stated termination date, at any time and for any reason cease to be valid and
binding and in full force and effect, or any material provision of any Project
Document shall be declared to be null and void or unenforceable by a court or
arbitrator, or the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Project
Document is contested through appropriate proceedings by any party thereto or by
any Governmental Authority seeking to establish the invalidity or
unenforceability thereof which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; PROVIDED that such occurrence shall
not constitute an Event of Default under this paragraph (i) if it relates to a
Capacity Sales Agreement (other than a Capacity Sales Agreement with a Sponsor)
or an Additional Contract or (ii) if it relates to any other Principal Project
Document (other than prior to the end of the Warranty Period, the Construction
Contract and the Construction Contract Guaranties) if the Company shall obtain a
replacement agreement or arrangement reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to the Majority Lenders (or, with respect to the Construction
Management Agreements, the Performance Bond and the Facilities Management
Agreements, to the Administrative Agent) with a Person satisfactory to the

                                       127

<PAGE>

Majority Lenders (or, with respect to the Construction Management Agreements,
the Performance Bond and the Facilities Management Agreements, to the
Administrative Agent) within one hundred twenty (120) days after such
invalidity, contest, denial or declaration shall have occurred or (iii) if such
occurrence could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
or

                                    (k) any party to any Project Document shall
be in material default thereunder and such default shall continue unremedied for
thirty (30) consecutive days; PROVIDED that such occurrence shall not constitute
an Event of Default under this paragraph if it relates to (i) a Capacity Sales
Agreement or an Additional Contract (ii) the Construction Contract, if the
Construction Contract Guaranty remains in full force and effect and Alcatel is
actually performing its obligations thereunder in a timely fashion, (iii) the
Construction Management Agreements, if the defaulting party can be replaced and
is replaced within one hundred twenty (120) days with a Person satisfactory to
the Majority Lenders, or if it is not feasible to replace such party, if the
default by such party could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, (iv) the Facilities Management Agreements so long as such
default could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the Company's ability to maintain the Project or perform its obligations under
the Financing Documents and the Principal Project Documents or (v) any other
Principal Project Document (other than those referred to in clauses (i) through
(iv) above and other than the Construction Contract Guaranty) if the Company
shall obtain a replacement agreement or arrangement reasonably satisfactory in
form and substance to the Majority Lenders (or, with respect to the Performance
Bond, to the Administrative Agent) with a Person satisfactory to the Majority
Lenders (or, with respect to the Performance Bond, to the Administrative Agent)
within one hundred twenty (120) days after such event shall have occurred or
(vi) any Project Document other than a Principal Project Document if such event
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

                                    (l) any Governmental Action, Right-of-Way,
consent or other approval which shall at the time be necessary for the
performance of any Project Activity in the manner contemplated under the
Financing Documents and the Project Documents shall be revoked, terminated,
withdrawn, modified, suspended or withheld or shall cease to be in full force or
effect, or any proceeding shall be commenced by or before any Governmental
Authority for the purpose of so revoking, terminating, withdrawing, modifying,
suspending or withholding any such Governmental Action, Right-of-Way, consent or
other approval and such proceeding is not dismissed within ninety (90) days of
the commencement thereof, and in either case such revocation,

                                       128

<PAGE>

termination, withdrawal, modification, suspension, withholding or cessation or
such proceeding has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect; or

                                    (m) operation of the Project shall be
suspended for a period of longer than 3 months or the Company shall abandon the
operation of the Project; or

                                    (n) a Change in Control shall occur; or

                                    (o) any Event of Loss shall occur and (A)
unless the affected portion of the Project is being repaired, replaced or
restored in accordance with Section 5.20, the Company shall have failed to
deliver to the Administrative Agent an EOL Compliance Certificate in accordance
with the terms of Section 5.20 (or the Present Value Coverage Ratio set forth in
the EOL Compliance Certificate so delivered to the Administrative Agent shall be
less than 1.20:1.00) or (B) if the affected portion of the Project is being
repaired, replaced or restored in accordance with Section 5.20, the Company
shall have failed to comply with the provisions of such Section within the time
period specified therein; or

                                    (p) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that,
in the opinion of the Majority Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA
Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; or

                                    (q) the Company shall fail to make any
payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect
of any Material Indebtedness within any applicable grace period, when and as the
same shall become due and payable; or

                                    (r) any event or condition occurs that
results in any Material Indebtedness of the Company becoming due prior to its
scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of
notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material
Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any
Material Indebtedness to become due, or requires the prepayment, repurchase,
redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity;

                                    (s) the invalidity, termination or
revocation of the Bye-Laws of the Company which (i) could be expected to impair
the value of the Collateral in any manner, (ii) is inconsistent with or violates
the terms of or could prevent compliance with any of the terms of any
Transaction Document or (iii) could adversely affect the Lenders in any material
way; or

                                       129

<PAGE>

                                    (t) if:

                                             (i) the Conversion Date shall not
                  occur on or before December 31, 2001;

                                             (ii) the Cash Equity Contribution
                  Amount shall not be deposited in the Equity Proceeds Account
                  (or into a cash collateral account established with the
                  Administrative Agent) on or before the earlier to occur of (x)
                  the first date that both (A) Capacity Commitments in an
                  aggregate amount of not less than $300,000,000 and (B) the
                  available Construction Loan Commitments have been fully paid
                  or drawn (as the case may be) and (y) October 31, 2000;

                                             (iii) the Sponsor Pre-Sale Capacity
                  Commitments are not paid in full on or before December 31,
                  2001;

                                             (iv) the Company fails to achieve
                  an applicable Acceptance prior to the Required Applicable
                  Acceptance Date; or

                                             (v) the Requisite Qualifying
                  Pre-Sales shall not have been obtained (whether by way of
                  Capacity Commitments or actual cash proceeds) on or prior to
                  the receipt of any expiry or termination notice with respect
                  to an Equity Contribution Letter of Credit (and such letter of
                  credit shall not have been continued or replaced in accordance
                  with its terms);

THEN, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Company
described in clause (e) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the
continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of
the Majority Lenders shall, by notice to the Company, take either or both of the
following actions, at the same or different times (i) terminate the Commitments,
and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the
Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case
any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared
to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to
be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and
other obligations of the Company accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable
immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby waived by the Company; and in case of any event with
respect to the Company described in clause (e) of this Article, the Commitments
shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding,
together with

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accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Company
accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without
presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby waived by the Company.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                    ACCOUNTS

                  SECTION 8.1. CREATION OF ACCOUNTS. (a) The Administrative
Agent hereby establishes the following 16 special, segregated and irrevocable
cash collateral accounts in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the
benefit of the Secured Parties, which accounts shall be maintained by the
Administrative Agent at all times until the termination hereof and the payment
in full of all Obligations:

                             (1)  Construction Account;
                             (2)  Pre-Sale Proceeds Account;
                             (3)  Debt Proceeds Account;
                             (4)  Equity Proceeds Account;
                             (5)  Revenue Account;
                             (6)  Debt Reserve Account;
                             (7)  Operating Reserve Account;
                             (8)  Current Account;
                             (9)  Maintenance Reserve Account;
                            (10)  Capacity Upgrades Reserve Account;
                            (11)  Insurance Proceeds Account;
                            (12)  Special Payment Account;
                            (13)  Sales and Issuances Proceeds Account;
                            (14)  Excess Revenue Account;
                            (15)  Permitted Sources Account; and
                            (16)  VAT Account

                                    (b) All moneys, investments and securities
at any time on deposit in any of the Accounts shall be under the sole dominion
and control of the Administrative Agent and shall constitute collateral in
accordance with the terms of the Security Documents to be held in the custody of
the Administrative Agent for the purposes and on the terms set forth in the
Security Documents and this Article VIII.

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                  SECTION 8.2.  REQUIRED DEPOSITS INTO THE ACCOUNTS.

                                    (a) CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT. The Company shall
deposit into the Construction Account the amounts required to be deposited
pursuant to this Article VIII.

                                    (b) PRE-SALE PROCEEDS ACCOUNT. The Company
shall deposit into the Pre-Sale Proceeds Account all Pre-Sale Proceeds.

                                    (c) DEBT PROCEEDS ACCOUNT. The Company shall
deposit into the Debt Proceeds Account all Construction Loan Borrowings,
pursuant to Section 2.4.

                                    (d) EQUITY PROCEEDS ACCOUNT. The Company
shall deposit into a cash collateral account established with the Administrative
Agent the Cash Equity Contribution Amount until such time as $200,000,000 of
Requisite Qualifying Pre-Sales shall have been obtained (whether by way of
Capacity Commitments or actual cash proceeds), at which time upon certification
(together with details thereof) by a Responsible Officer of the Company with
respect thereto to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, such
amount may, as applicable, either be (i) directly deposited in the Equity
Proceeds Account or (ii) transferred thereto.

                                    (e) REVENUE ACCOUNT. Subject to Sections
8.2(a) and 8.2(b), the Company shall deposit into the Revenue Account all
Project Revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries received after the
Conversion Date.

                                    (f) DEBT RESERVE ACCOUNT. The Administrative
Agent, acting in accordance with Section 8.8, shall on the Conversion Date
deposit into the Debt Reserve Account (to the extent that cash is available for
such purpose) the Debt Reserve Required Balance and thereafter the
Administrative Agent shall deposit amounts into the Debt Reserve Account from
amounts on deposit in the Revenue Account as specified in Section 8.12(b).

                                    (g) OPERATING RESERVE ACCOUNT. From and
after the Conversion Date, the Administrative Agent, acting in accordance with
Section 8.8, shall deposit into the Operating Reserve Account (to the extent
that cash is available for such purpose) the amount set forth in the Schedule of
Sources and Uses to be deposited into the Operating Reserve Account, PROVIDED
such amount shall in no event exceed the Operating Reserve Maximum Balance. The
Administrative Agent shall deposit amounts into the Operating Reserve Account
from amounts on deposit in the Pre-Sale Proceeds Account as

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specified in Section 8.8 and from amounts on deposit in the Revenue Account as
specified in Section 8.12(b).

                                    (h) CURRENT ACCOUNT. The Administrative
Agent shall deposit into the Current Account (i) Additional Borrowing Amounts
pursuant to Section 4.2(b)(ii) and (ii) amounts on deposit in the Revenue
Account as specified in Section 8.12(a).

                                    (i) MAINTENANCE RESERVE ACCOUNT. The
Administrative Agent shall deposit amounts into the Maintenance Reserve Account
from amounts on deposit in the Pre-Sale Account as specified in Section 8.8 or
from amounts on deposit in the Revenue Account as specified in Section 8.12(b).

                                    (j) VAT ACCOUNT. The Administrative Agent
shall deposit amounts into the VAT Account from amounts on deposit in the
Revenue Account as specified in Section 8.12(a)(i) and from amounts on deposit
in the Pre-Sale Proceeds Account as specified in Section 8.8(a).

                                    (k) INSURANCE PROCEEDS ACCOUNT. The Company,
its Subsidiaries and the Administrative Agent shall deposit into the Insurance
Proceeds Account all Casualty Proceeds.

                                    (l) SPECIAL PAYMENT ACCOUNT. The Company,
its Subsidiaries and the Administrative Agent shall deposit into the Special
Payment Account all Special Payments.

                                    (m) SALES AND ISSUANCES PROCEEDS ACCOUNT.
The Company and its Subsidiaries shall deposit into the Sales and Issuances
Proceeds Account all Net Cash Proceeds received (except to the extent required
pursuant to Sections 2.9(c)(i) and 2.9(c)(ii)).

                                    (n) EXCESS REVENUE ACCOUNT. The Company and
its Subsidiaries shall deposit amounts into the Excess Revenue Account from
amounts on deposit in the Revenue Account or the Sales and Issuances Proceeds
Account as specified in Section 8.12(b) or Section 8.17(a), as applicable.

                                    (o) PERMITTED SOURCES ACCOUNT. The Company
shall deposit amounts into the Permitted Sources Account with funds contemplated
by clauses (b) and (c) of the definition of "Permitted Sources" to the extent
necessary to cause such funds to constitute a "Permitted Source."

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                                    (p) CAPACITY UPGRADES RESERVE ACCOUNT. The
Administrative Agent shall deposit amounts into the Capacity Upgrades Reserve
Account from amounts on deposit in the Revenue Account as specified in Section
8.8. or 8.12(b).

                  SECTION 8.3. DEPOSITS HELD AS CASH COLLATERAL. (a) The
Administrative Agent agrees to accept all revenues, cash, payments, insurance
and casualty proceeds, other amounts and Permitted Investments to be delivered
to or held by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms hereof or of the
Security Documents. The Administrative Agent shall hold and safeguard the
Accounts (and the revenues, cash, payments, insurance and casualty proceeds,
instruments, securities and other amounts on deposit therein) during the term
hereof and shall treat the revenues, cash, payments, insurance and casualty
proceeds, instruments, securities and other amounts in the Accounts as funds,
instruments, securities and other properties pledged by the Company to the
Administrative Agent as collateral securing the Obligations in accordance with
the provisions hereof and of the Security Documents.

                                    (b) All moneys, cash equivalents,
instruments, investments and securities at any time on deposit in the Accounts
shall constitute security for the payment and performance by the Company of the
Obligations and shall at all times be subject to the sole dominion and control
of the Administrative Agent and shall be held in the custody of the
Administrative Agent in trust for the purposes of, and on the terms set forth
in, this Agreement.

                                    (c) Neither the Company, any Subsidiary of
the Company nor any Sponsor shall have any rights or powers with respect to any
amounts in the Accounts or any part thereof, except the right to have such
amounts applied in accordance with this Article VIII.

                  SECTION 8.4. SOURCE OF PAYMENTS; DEPOSITS IRREVOCABLE. (a) The
Company shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that all amounts delivered to the
Administrative Agent shall be accompanied by information in reasonable detail
specifying the source of the amounts and the Account into which such amounts are
to be deposited. If the Administrative Agent shall be unable to determine the
source of any payments received or the Account or Accounts into which such
payments are to be deposited, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Company
and hold such amounts in the Revenue Account (and shall not be applied in
accordance with Section 8.12) pending instructions from the Company which shall
be approved by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion as to how
to apply such amounts.

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                                    (b) Any deposit made into any Account
hereunder shall, absent manifest error, be irrevocable and the amount of such
deposit and any instrument or security held in such Account and all interest
thereon shall be held in trust by the Administrative Agent and applied solely as
provided in this Article VIII.

                  SECTION 8.5. BOOKS OF ACCOUNT; STATEMENTS. The Administrative
Agent shall maintain books of account on a cash basis and record therein all
deposits into and transfers to and from the Accounts and all investment
transactions effected by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.27 and
any such recordation shall constitute PRIMA FACIE evidence of the information
recorded.

                  SECTION 8.6. LOCATION OF THE ACCOUNTS. The Accounts shall be
maintained by the Administrative Agent at its principal office located at 222
Broadway, New York, New York 10038, and shall not, without the prior written
consent of the Administrative Agent, be moved to any different location.

                  SECTION 8.7. RECEIPT BY THE COMPANY. The Company agrees that
if any payments or other amounts are received directly by it, it shall deliver
such amounts in the exact form received (but with the Company's endorsement if
necessary) to the Administrative Agent for deposit into the applicable Account
not later than the first Business Day after the Company's receipt. Until so
deposited, all such amounts shall be held in trust by the Company for the
Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties as additional collateral
security for the Obligations and such amounts shall not be commingled with any
other funds or property of the Company.

                  SECTION 8.8. PRE-SALE PROCEEDS ACCOUNT. (a) Prior to the
Conversion Date the Administrative Agent shall on each Borrowing Date and on
each other date on which funds are required to be transferred to the
Construction Account in accordance with the terms of Section 8.9, distribute,
from the cash available in the Pre-Sale Proceeds Account, the amounts specified
in the Borrowing Notice to the Construction Account or the VAT Account, as
applicable.

                  (b) On the Conversion Date, the Administrative Agent shall
distribute the cash available in the Pre-Sale Proceeds Account in the following
order of priority:

                                    FIRST, to the Administrative Agent, to be
                  applied to the payment of all accrued but unpaid interest on
                  the Revolving Credit Loans, if any and to the prepayment of
                  the unpaid principal of the Revolving Credit Loans, if any;

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                                    SECOND, to the Maintenance Reserve Account
                  in an amount equal to the difference between (a) the
                  Maintenance Reserve Required Balance and (b) the balance then
                  in the Maintenance Reserve Account;

                                    THIRD, to the Debt Reserve Account in an
                  amount equal to the difference between (a) the Debt Reserve
                  Required Balance and (b) the balance then in the Debt Reserve
                  Account;

                                    FOURTH, to the Capacity Upgrades Reserve
                  Account, an amount sufficient to cause the amounts on deposit
                  therein to equal the Capacity Upgrades Reserve Required
                  Balance as of such date (as set forth in a certificate of the
                  Company delivered pursuant to Section 5.2(c) or, if the
                  Company shall have not delivered such a certificate to the
                  Administrative Agent, as set forth by the Administrative
                  Agent);

                                    FIFTH, at the election of the Company, to
                  the Operating Reserve Account, in an amount equal to the
                  difference between (a) the Operating Reserve Maximum Balance
                  and (b) the balance then on deposit in the Operating Reserve
                  Account; provided in no event shall the balance therein exceed
                  the Operating Reserve Maximum Balance; and

                                    SIXTH, to the repayment of Construction
                  Loans in accordance with Section 8.9(b).

                                    (c) Notwithstanding (b) above, any cash
available in the Pre-Sale Proceeds Account on the Conversion Date which is
attributable to Sponsor Pre-Sale Capacity Commitments and Requisite Qualifying
Pre-Sales shall be applied, to the full extent thereof, to the prepayment of
outstanding Construction Loans immediately before any conversion to Term Loans,
including all accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

                  SECTION 8.9. CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT. (a) The Administrative
Agent shall, upon receipt by it of a Borrowing Notice with attached payment
instructions or a certificate of the Company setting forth the costs due and
payable and to be paid from the Construction Account, distribute, from the cash
available in the Construction Account, to the Company for the benefit of the
Persons entitled thereto, all amounts then due and owing as set forth in such
certificate. In order to fund the payment of such costs, the Administrative
Agent shall transfer the requisite funds into the Construction Account from the
following sources (in the indicated priority):

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                                    FIRST, from the Pre-Sale Proceeds Account,
                  all funds on deposit therein (or such lesser amount as may be
                  required to cover such costs);

                                    SECOND, to the extent such costs are not
                  fully covered by the amounts transferred from the Pre-Sale
                  Proceeds Account, from the Debt Proceeds Account, all funds on
                  deposit therein (or such lesser amount as may be required to
                  cover such costs); and

                                    THIRD, to the extent such costs are not
                  fully covered by the amounts transferred from the Pre-Sale
                  Proceeds Account and the Debt Proceeds Account and PROVIDED
                  that the Company shall have obtained (whether by way of
                  Capacity Commitments or actual cash proceeds) not less than
                  $200,000,000, in Requisite Qualifying Pre-Sales, from the
                  Equity Proceeds Account, all funds on deposit therein (or such
                  lesser amount as may be required to cover such costs).

                                    (b) On the Conversion Date, the
Administrative Agent shall, upon receipt by it of a certificate of the Company
stating that all costs to be paid from the Construction Account have been paid
or are no longer payable, distribute, from the cash available in the
Construction Account, the amounts set forth in such certificate in the following
order of priority:

                                    FIRST, to the Administrative Agent, to be
                  applied to the payment of all accrued but unpaid interest on
                  the Construction Loans or the Term Loans, as applicable;

                                    SECOND, to the Administrative Agent, to be
                  applied to the payment of all accrued but unpaid interest on
                  the Revolving Credit Loans, if any;

                                    THIRD, to the Administrative Agent, to be
                  applied to the prepayment of the unpaid principal of the
                  Revolving Credit Loans, if any;

                                    FOURTH, to the Administrative Agent, to be
                  applied to the prepayment of the unpaid principal of the
                  Construction Loans or the Term Loans, as applicable;

                                    FIFTH, to the Administrative Agent, to be
                  applied to the cash collateralization of the unused Revolving
                  Credit Commitments, on terms and pursuant to documentation
                  reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

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                                    SIXTH, to the Administrative Agent, to be
                  applied to the payment of all other Obligations; and

                                    SEVENTH, the remaining balance, if any,
                  shall be transferred to the Revenue Account.

                  SECTION 8.10. DEBT PROCEEDS ACCOUNT. The Administrative Agent
shall upon receipt in the Debt Proceeds Account of the proceeds of Loans
distribute such proceeds to the Construction Account.

                  SECTION 8.11. EQUITY PROCEEDS ACCOUNT. (a) The Administrative
Agent shall, upon receipt by it of a certificate of the Company setting forth
the costs due and payable and to be paid from the Equity Proceeds Account,
distribute, from the cash available in the Equity Proceeds Account, to the
Construction Account, all amounts then due and owing as set forth in such
certificate.

                                    (b) On the Conversion Date, the
Administrative Agent shall, upon receipt by it of a certificate of the Company
stating that all costs to be paid from the Equity Proceeds Account have been
paid or are no longer payable, apply the full amount of cash available in the
Equity Proceeds Account to the prepayment of outstanding Term Loans, including
all accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

                                    (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in subsections 8.11(a) and (b) hereof, Equity Withdrawals from the Equity
Proceeds Account may only be made after satisfaction of the conditions precedent
set forth in Section 4.5.

                  SECTION 8.12.  REVENUE ACCOUNT.

                                    After the Conversion Date:

                                    (a) OPERATING EXPENSES AND CAPITAL
EXPENDITURES; DEBT SERVICE.

                                             (i) On or before the fifth Business
                  Day prior to the end of each month (or if such day is not a
                  Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day), the
                  Company shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Expense
                  Certificate in the form of EXHIBIT J requesting (x)
                  distributions to pay Operating Expenses and capital
                  expenditures from the Revenue Account, the amounts of which
                  distributions shall, unless consented to in writing by the
                  Majority Lenders, conform to the then current Operating Budget
                  of the

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                  Company (as modified pursuant to Section 6.9) and (y)
                  distributions to pay income taxes from the Revenue Account. On
                  the last day of each month or, if such day is not a Business
                  Day, the immediately preceding Business Day (each such date,
                  an "OPERATING EXPENSE TRANSFER DATE"), the Administrative
                  Agent shall distribute, from the cash available in the Revenue
                  Account, FIRST, with respect to any Project Revenues which
                  have been received and are subject to value added tax, sales
                  tax or other similar tax or potential rebate or other similar
                  return (to the extent permitted hereunder), that portion of
                  such Project Revenues directly to the VAT Account and SECOND,
                  (A) to the Persons entitled thereto, all Operating Expenses
                  and capital expenditures or income taxes of the Company or any
                  Subsidiary then due and owing in item (1) of such Expense
                  Certificate, and (B) to the Current Account, the amounts
                  identified as Operating Expenses and capital expenditures or
                  income taxes of the Company or any Subsidiary expected to be
                  due and owing prior to the next Operating Expense Transfer
                  Date in item (2) of such Expense Certificate.

                                             (ii) The Company shall be permitted
                  to deliver a certificate to the Administrative Agent on any
                  other day of the month setting forth the fees, interest and
                  other obligations due and owing under this Agreement or any
                  other Financing Document and the Administrative Agent shall
                  distribute from the cash available in the Revenue Account the
                  amount of such fees, interest or other obligations directly to
                  the Persons entitled thereto.

                                    (b) QUARTERLY TRANSFERS. On each Principal
Payment Date, the Administrative Agent shall distribute from the cash available
in the Revenue Account (after making any distributions required by paragraph (a)
above) the following amounts in the following order of priority:

                                    FIRST, for the account of the Term Loan
                  Lenders, the amount, if any, equal to the scheduled principal
                  payments with respect to the Term Loans set forth in SCHEDULE
                  1.1(III) and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon which the
                  Administrative Agent certifies to the Company to be due and
                  payable on such date.

                                    SECOND, for the account of the Revolving
                  Credit Lenders, the amount equal to all accrued and unpaid
                  interest on the Revolving Credit Loans, if any, which the
                  Administrative Agent certifies to the Company to be due and
                  payable on such date;

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                                    THIRD, to be applied to the prepayment of
                  all of the unpaid principal of the Revolving Credit Loans;

                                    FOURTH, to the Debt Reserve Account, an
                  amount sufficient to cause the amounts on deposit therein to
                  equal the Debt Reserve Required Balance as of such date (as
                  set forth in the certificate of the Company delivered pursuant
                  to Section 5.3(c) or, if the Company shall not have delivered
                  such a certificate to the Administrative Agent, as set forth
                  by the Administrative Agent);

                                    FIFTH, to the Maintenance Reserve Account,
                  an amount sufficient to cause the amounts on deposit therein
                  to equal the Maintenance Reserve Required Balance as of such
                  date (as set forth in the certificate of the Company delivered
                  pursuant to Section 5.3(c) or, if the Company shall not have
                  delivered such a certificate to the Administrative Agent, as
                  set forth by the Administrative Agent);

                                    SIXTH, (i) to the Capacity Upgrades Reserve
                  Account, an amount sufficient to cause the amounts on deposit
                  therein to equal the Capacity Upgrades Reserve Required
                  Balance as of such date (as set forth in a certificate of the
                  Company delivered pursuant to Section 5.3(c) or, if the
                  Company shall have not delivered such a certificate to the
                  Administrative Agent, as set forth by the Administrative
                  Agent);

                                    SEVENTH, (i) upon the occurrence and during
                  the continuation of a Designated Event, to the Operating
                  Reserve Account, an amount sufficient to cause the amounts on
                  deposit therein to equal the Operating Reserve Maximum Balance
                  or (ii) upon the written request of the Company, to the
                  Operating Reserve Account, an amount so requested so long as
                  the balance therein (after giving effect to the requested
                  transfer) will not exceed the Operating Reserve Maximum
                  Balance;

                                    EIGHTH, to the Administrative Agent, for the
                  account of the Term Loan Lenders, an amount equal to 75% of
                  the remaining cash available in the Revenue Account (which
                  amount shall be increased to 100% of the remaining cash
                  available in the Revenue Account during the continuance of a
                  Designated Event), to be applied to the prepayment of the Term
                  Loans (and, after the payment in full of the Term Loans, to be
                  applied to the cash collateralization of the Revolving Credit
                  Commitments, on terms and pursuant to documentation reasonably
                  satisfactory to the Administrative Agent); and

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                                    NINTH, so long as no Default or Event of
                  Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the remainder,
                  if any, to be applied to such purposes (including the making
                  of equity dividends or distribution to the Excess Revenue
                  Account) as the Company may direct and which do not violate
                  the terms hereof and of the other Financing Documents.

                  SECTION 8.13. DEBT RESERVE ACCOUNT. On and from the Conversion
Date if, as of any date on which the payment of interest on or principal of the
Loans becomes due and payable as certified by the Company to the Administrative
Agent, the cash available in the Revenue Account and the Excess Revenue Account
is insufficient to make such payment obligations on such date in accordance with
Sections 8.12 and 8.20, the Administrative Agent shall transfer to the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders an amount (to the extent
cash is available in the Debt Reserve Account) to remedy any such insufficiency.
Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of
Default, funds in the Debt Reserve Account may be utilized to pay interest on
and principal of the Loans.

                  SECTION 8.14. OPERATING RESERVE ACCOUNT. If, as of any
Operating Expense Transfer Date, the cash available in the Revenue Account and
the Excess Revenue Account is less than the Operating Expenses set forth in the
Expense Certificate (or other certificate) setting forth such Operating Expenses
to be paid on such date, the Administrative Agent shall transfer to the
Person(s) entitled thereto in accordance with Section 8.12(a) (to the extent
cash is available in the Operating Reserve Account) the amount of any deficiency
in the payment of the Operating Expenses set forth in such certificate. Upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, funds
in the Operating Reserve Account may be utilized to pay interest on and
principal of the Loans.

                  SECTION 8.15. CURRENT ACCOUNT. (a) Prior to the Conversion
Date, the Additional Borrowing Amounts shall be deposited into the Current
Account. The Administrative Agent shall pay, from and to the extent of cash
available in the Current Account and as set forth in a certificate of the
Company delivered to the Administrative Agent, to the Company for the benefit of
the Persons entitled thereto, amounts requested by the Company for the payment
of Project Costs.

                                    (b) The Administrative Agent shall pay, from
and to the extent of cash available in the Current Account and as set forth in a
certificate of the Company delivered to the Administrative Agent, directly to
the Company for the benefit of the

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Persons entitled thereto, all other Operating Expenses previously identified in
the most recently delivered Expense Certificate which are then due and owing.

                  SECTION 8.16. MAINTENANCE RESERVE ACCOUNT. If, as of any
Operating Expense Transfer Date, the cash available in the Revenue Account, the
Excess Revenue Account and, if required, the Operating Reserve Account, is less
than the Operating Expenses set forth in the Expense Certificate (or other
certificate) setting forth such Operating Expenses to be paid through the next
Operating Expense Date, the Administrative Agent shall transfer to the Person(s)
entitled thereto in accordance with Section 8.12(a) (to the extent cash is
available in the Maintenance Reserve Account) the amount of any deficiency in
the payment of the Operating Expenses set forth in such certificate. Upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, funds
in the Maintenance Reserve Account may be utilized to pay interest on and
principal of the Loans.

                  SECTION 8.17. INSURANCE PROCEEDS ACCOUNT. (a) All cash, cash
equivalents, instruments, investments and securities at any time on deposit in
the Insurance Proceeds Account, including all interest or other income earned
with respect thereto, are herein called the "CASUALTY PROCEEDS DEPOSITS".

                                    (b) The Casualty Proceeds Deposits shall be
accumulated in the Insurance Proceeds Account and held therein until paid to or
upon the order of the Company as provided in paragraph (c) of this Section, or
used by the Administrative Agent as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section,
or returned to the Company as provided in Section 8.30.

                                    (c) Subject to the provisions of paragraph
(d) of this Section, Casualty Proceeds Deposits shall be paid over to or upon
the order of the Company to reimburse it for, or to pay, the cost of repairing,
rebuilding or otherwise replacing the damaged or destroyed or lost or condemned
property in respect of which such moneys were received, upon the receipt by the
Administrative Agent of a certificate of the Company (i) setting forth in
reasonable detail the work done or proposed to be done and materials purchased
or to be purchased by way of the renewal, repair, rebuilding or other
replacement of the damaged or destroyed or lost or condemned property and (ii)
stating the specific amount requested to be paid over to or upon the order of
the Company (or such other Person) or that such amount is requested to reimburse
the Company, as the case may be, for, or to pay, costs actually incurred to
repair, rebuild or replace property and that such amount, together with amounts
remaining in the Insurance Proceeds Account for such purpose and other funds of
the Company available for such purpose,

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are sufficient to pay in full the costs of such renewal, repair, rebuilding or
other replacement. In the event that any amounts remain in the Insurance
Proceeds Account after application thereof in accordance with this paragraph,
the Administrative Agent shall apply such Casualty Proceeds Deposits to the
payment of the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.9(d).

                                    (d) If the Company shall at any time notify
the Administrative Agent that an Event of Loss has occurred, then, unless the
affected portion of the Project is being repaired, replaced, restored or
re-built in accordance with Section 5.20(b), the Administrative Agent shall, on
the third Business Day following the date on which the Casualty Proceeds with
respect to such Event of Loss are deposited to the Insurance Proceeds Account,
withdraw the Casualty Proceeds Deposits relating thereto from the Insurance
Proceeds Account and apply them to the payment of the Obligations in accordance
with Section 2.9(d). If the Project is being repaired, replaced or restored or
re-built in accordance with Section 5.20(b), the provisions of paragraph (c)
above shall apply.

                  SECTION 8.18. SPECIAL PAYMENT ACCOUNT. All Special Payments
deposited in the Special Payment Account shall, except to the extent otherwise
provided pursuant to Sections 2.9(f) and 5.20(b), be applied by the
Administrative Agent for the prepayment of principal of the Loans, together with
accrued interest thereon (and, thereafter, to the cash collateralization of the
Revolving Credit Commitments on terms and pursuant to documentation reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent).

                  SECTION 8.19. VAT ACCOUNT. (a) Upon the delivery by the
Company of a certificate to the Administrative Agent that amounts previously
distributed into the VAT Account in respect of payments of interim capacity, a
potential rebate or other amounts payable to relevant government authorities in
respect of value added taxes, sales taxes or other similar taxes are now due and
payable, the Administrative Agent shall distribute, from the cash available in
the VAT Account, directly to the Company for the benefit of the Persons entitled
thereto, all other amounts then due and owing identified in such certificate.

                                    (b) Upon the delivery by the Company of a
certificate to the Administrative Agent that amounts previously distributed into
the VAT Account in respect of a potential rebate cease to be subject to such
rebate, the Administrative Agent shall distribute, from the cash available in
the VAT Account, such amounts to the Revenue Account.

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                  SECTION 8.20. SALES AND ISSUANCES PROCEEDS ACCOUNT. Amounts on
deposit in the Sales and Issuances Proceeds Account shall be applied as follows:

                                    (a) if such amounts are Net Cash Proceeds of
any new issuance after the Closing Date of Capital Stock of the Company, to the
extent such Net Cash Proceeds are not otherwise invested as permitted pursuant
to Section 2.9(c)(i), after depositing the specified portion to the Capacity
Upgrades Reserve Account, the remainder of such Net Cash Sales Proceeds on
deposit in the Sales and Issuance Proceeds Account shall be distributed, 50% to
the Administrative Agent for the prepayment of the Loans in accordance with
Section 2.9(c)(i) and, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, 50% to the Company, to be used in such manner
(including equity dividends or distribution to the Company's Excess Cash Flow
Account) as the Company shall determine in accordance with the terms hereof;

                                    (b) if such amounts are Net Cash Proceeds in
respect of any sale, transfer or other disposition of any asset of the Company
or any Subsidiary (other than sales, transfers or dispositions described in
clause (a) of Section 6.4 and dispositions resulting in aggregate Net Cash
Proceeds not exceeding $1,000,000 during any fiscal year of the Company), (i) an
amount equal to the portion thereof being held to be used to replace such asset
disposed of with a similar asset of at least substantially the same value,
utility and useful life (which shall be specified in a certificate of the
Company delivered to the Administrative Agent when such Net Cash Proceeds are
deposited) shall be held and applied to the payment of the relevant expenses
upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of a certificate of the Company
specifying the Person(s) to whom such expenses are due and owing, and (ii) if
any such Net Cash Proceeds are not expended in accordance with clause (i) above
within three months of their receipt into the Sales and Issuances Proceeds
Account, such Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied to the prepayment of the Loans
in accordance with Section 2.9(c)(iii); and

                                    (c) if such amounts are Net Cash Proceeds of
a Permitted Sale Leaseback Transaction, such amount shall be applied to the
prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.9(e).

                  SECTION 8.21. EXCESS REVENUE ACCOUNT. (a) If, as of any
Operating Expense Transfer Date, the cash available in the Revenue Account is
less than the Operating Expenses set forth in the Expense Certificate (or other
certificate) setting forth such Operating Expenses due on such date, the
Administrative Agent shall transfer to the Person(s) entitled thereto in
accordance with Section 8.12(a) (to the extent cash is

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available in the Excess Revenue Account) the amount of any deficiency in the
payment of the Operating Expenses set forth in such certificate.

                                    (b) If, as of any date on which the payment
of interest on or principal of the Loans becomes due and payable as certified by
the Company to the Administrative Agent, the cash available in the Revenue
Account is insufficient to make such payment obligations on such date in
accordance with Section 8.12, the Administrative Agent shall transfer to the
Lenders an amount (to the extent cash is available in the Excess Revenue
Account) to remedy any such insufficiency.

                                    (c) Within forty five (45) days after the
end of each Operating Year of the Company, the Company shall be permitted to
request the Administrative Agent to distribute any or all amounts available in
the Excess Revenue Account to the Company's Excess Cash Flow Account. Upon such
request, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such amount from the cash
available in the Excess Revenue Account to the Company's Excess Cash Flow
Account. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.21 upon the
occurrence and during the Continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, funds
in the Excess Revenue Account may be utilized to pay interest on and principal
of the Loans.

                  SECTION 8.22. PERMITTED SOURCES ACCOUNT. Amounts on deposit in
the Permitted Sources Account shall be paid over to or upon the order of the
Company to pay costs in respect of which such Permitted Sources were deposited,
upon the receipt by the Administrative Agent of a certificate of the Company
stating the specific amount requested to be paid over to or upon the order of
the Company (or such other Person) to pay such costs actually incurred and
setting forth a brief description of the costs to be paid. If, at any time,
amounts that were deposited into the Permitted Sources Account are no longer
necessary to pay costs in respect of which such funds were deposited, as
certified by a Responsible Officer of the Company to the Administrative Agent,
the Administrative Agent shall transfer such amounts from amounts on deposit in
the Permitted Sources Account to the Company's Excess Cash Flow Account.

                  SECTION 8.23. CAPACITY UPGRADES RESERVE ACCOUNT. Amounts on
deposit in the Capacity Upgrades Reserve Account shall be paid over to or upon
the order of the Company to pay costs with respect to Capacity Upgrades, upon
the receipt by the Administrative Agent of a certificate of the Company stating
the specific amount requested to be paid over to or upon the order of the
Company (or such other Person) to pay such costs actually incurred and setting
forth a brief description of the costs to be paid. If, at any time, amounts that
were deposited into the Capacity Upgrades Reserve

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Account are no longer necessary to pay costs in respect of which such funds were
deposited, as certified by a Responsible Officer of the Company to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent
shall apply such amounts in the manner set forth at item "eighth" in Section
8.12(b). Upon the occurrence and during the Continuance of a Default or an Event
of Default, funds in the Capacity Upgrade Reserve Account may be utilized to pay
interest on and principal of the Loans.

                  SECTION 8.24. DELIVERY OF OFFICER'S CERTIFICATES; TIMING OF
PAYMENTS. (a) Each certificate to be delivered by the Company under this Article
shall be issued by a Responsible Officer of the Company and shall be delivered
(unless otherwise specified) not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on
the Business Day immediately prior to the day on which the Administrative Agent
is required to make transfers hereunder. Any certificate of a Responsible
Officer of the Company delivered later than the time specified herein shall
nevertheless be considered valid and shall be honored by the Administrative
Agent on or as promptly after the date otherwise specified herein for payment as
is practicable, subject to the availability of cash in the applicable Account.

                                    (b) Subject to (i) the timely receipt of a
certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Company as set forth in paragraph
(a) above, (ii) the availability of cash in the applicable Account and (iii)
other circumstances beyond the control of the Administrative Agent, the
Administrative Agent shall make any payment hereunder required (except for
transfers between Accounts) by means of wire transfer of immediately available
funds, to the address of the payee(s) set forth in the applicable certificate,
to be received prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date specified
herein for such payment.

                  SECTION 8.25. RELEASE OF EXCESS AMOUNTS. If, as of any
Principal Payment Date, (a)(i) an amount is on deposit in the Debt Reserve
Account, the Maintenance Reserve Account, Capacity Upgrades Reserve Account in
excess of the Debt Reserve Required Balance, Capacity Upgrades Reserve Required
Balance or the Maintenance Reserve Required Balance, as applicable, or (ii) an
amount is on deposit in the Operating Reserve Account in excess of the Operating
Reserve Maximum Balance, whether as the result of the actual realization of
income or gain on the amounts on deposit in such Account or otherwise and (b) no
Event of Default or Designated Event has occurred and is continuing, then the
Administrative Agent shall, upon the instruction of the Company, distribute any
such excess amounts to the Revenue Account.

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                  SECTION 8.26. EVENT OF DEFAULT. Any other provision contained
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) if a Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, distributions from the Accounts shall be made only
with the consent of the Majority Lenders and (b) if the Administrative Agent
shall have received notice from any Secured Party that an Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing and the Loans have been accelerated in
accordance with Article VII, the Administrative Agent shall upon the request of
the Majority Lenders then apply any proceeds in any Account in the following
order of priorities:

                                    FIRST, to the payment of all expenses,
                  liabilities and advances incurred or made by the
                  Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party in connection
                  with the collection of any such amounts or the liquidation of
                  any Permitted Investments and of all unpaid fees owing to the
                  Administrative Agent;

                                    SECOND, to any Lender to which any payment
                  under Section 2.12, 2.13, 2.14 or 2.15 is then due;

                                    THIRD, to the Administrative Agent, to be
                  applied to the payment of all unpaid fees owing to the
                  Lenders;

                                    FOURTH, to the Administrative Agent, to be
                  applied to the payment of all accrued but unpaid interest
                  (whether or not due) on the Loans;

                                    FIFTH, to the Administrative Agent, to be
                  applied to the payment of all of the unpaid principal (whether
                  or not due) of the Loans;

                                    SIXTH, to the Administrative Agent, to be
                  applied to the payment of all other Obligations (whether or
                  not due); and

                                    SEVENTH, to the Company, or such other
                  Person as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct, of any
                  surplus then remaining from such proceeds.

                  SECTION 8.27. INVESTMENT. Any cash held by the Administrative
Agent in any Account shall be invested by the Administrative Agent from time to
time as directed in writing by the Company (or, if an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion)
in Permitted Investments. Any income or gain realized as a result of any such
investment shall be held as part of the applicable Account and reinvested as
provided herein. If any income tax is payable on account of any such income or
gain, it shall be paid by the Company or its Affiliates. Any such

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investment may be sold by the Administrative Agent whenever necessary to make
any distribution required by this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have
no liability for any loss resulting from any such investment or sale thereof
other than by reason of its willful misconduct or gross negligence. The
Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Company of any loss resulting from
any such investment or sale.

                  SECTION 8.28. STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS. Not later than five (5)
Business Days following the end of each calendar month, and from time to time
upon written request of the Company, the Administrative Agent shall provide to
the Company a statement of amounts on deposit in each Account and Permitted
Investments as of the end of the prior month, (b) a statement of all transfers
into and withdrawals from each Account during the prior month and (c) a
statement of purchases and sales of Permitted Investments, and the receipt,
application or existence of any income, dividends or capital gains with respect
thereto, during the prior month.

                  SECTION 8.29.  VALUE.  Cash and Permitted Investments on
deposit from time to time in the Accounts shall be valued by the Administrative
Agent as follows:

                                    (a) cash shall be valued at the face amount
thereof; and

                                    (b) Permitted Investments shall be valued at
the lesser of the face amount and the purchase price.

                  SECTION 8.30. OTHER DETERMINATIONS. The Company and the
Administrative Agent may establish procedures not materially inconsistent with
this Agreement pursuant to which the Administrative Agent may conclusively
determine, for purposes hereof, the amounts from time to time to be distributed
or paid by the Administrative Agent from cash available in the Accounts or
pursuant to which the Administrative Agent and the Company may provide for
reasonable operating and administrative flexibility.

                  SECTION 8.31. SALES OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS. The
Administrative Agent will use its reasonable commercial efforts to sell
Permitted Investments so that actual cash is available, on each date on which a
distribution is to be made pursuant to the terms hereof, for the Administrative
Agent to make such distribution in cash on such date. The amount of any check or
other instrument which may be deposited in any Account shall not be treated as
cash available until the final collection thereof.

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                  SECTION 8.32. AVAILABLE CASH. In determining the amount of
available cash in any Account at any time, in addition to any cash then on
deposit in such Account, the Administrative Agent shall treat as available cash
the amount which the Administrative Agent would have received on such day if the
Administrative Agent had liquidated all the Permitted Investments (at then
prevailing market prices) then on deposit in such Account.

                  SECTION 8.33. TERMINATION. Upon termination hereof and the
payment in full of all Obligations, all rights to the Collateral shall revert to
the Person legally entitled thereto, and the Administrative Agent shall transfer
any remaining amounts, together with any interest thereon, on deposit in the
Accounts to the Company or as the Company may direct.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   THE AGENTS

                  Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints the
Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to
take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to
the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and by the other Financing
Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto.

                  WestDeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, New York Branch is
hereby appointed Syndication Agent hereunder and under the other Financing
Documents and each Lender hereby authorizes Syndication Agent to act as its
agent in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Financing Documents.
Dresdner Bank A.G. is hereby appointed Documentation Agent hereunder, and each
Lender hereby authorizes Documentation Agent to act as its agent in accordance
with the terms hereof and the other Financing Documents. As of the Closing Date,
all the respective obligations of WestDeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, New York
Branch, in its capacity as Syndication Agent, and Dresdner Bank A.G., in its
capacity as Documentation Agent, shall terminate.

                  The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall
have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender
and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and
such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and
generally engage in any kind of business

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with the Company or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative
Agent hereunder.

                  The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or
obligations except those expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject
to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has
occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty
to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except
discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that the
Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Majority Lenders
and (c) except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Administrative
Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the
failure to disclose, any information relating to the Company that is
communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any
of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable
for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of
the Majority Lenders or in the absence of its own gross negligence or wilful
misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of
any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the
Administrative Agent by the Company or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent
shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i)
any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this
Agreement or any other Financing Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate,
report or other document delivered hereunder, under any other Financing Document
or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of
any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein
or in any other Financing Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability,
effectiveness or genuineness hereof, of any other Financing Document or of any
other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any
condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein or in any other Financing
Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be
delivered to the Administrative Agent.

                  The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and
shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request,
certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed
by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The
Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by
telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not
incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult
with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Company), independent accountants
and

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other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or
not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants
or experts.

                  The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties
and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents
appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such
sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and
powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of
the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related
Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to
their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit
facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

                  The Administrative Agent shall, where appropriate, take into
account the interests of the Secured Parties.

                  Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor
Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may
resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and the Company. Upon any such
resignation, the Majority Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the
Company, to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by
the Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30)
days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation,
then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and in
consultation with the Company, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which
shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any
such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent
hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with
all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative
Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties
and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Company to a successor
Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor
unless otherwise agreed between the Company and such successor. After the
Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and
Section 10.3 shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

                  The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent and
each Related Party of the Administrative Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by
the Company), ratably according to the respective principal amounts of the Loans
owing to them and

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Commitments issued by them, from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgements, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed
on, incurred by, or asserted against the Administrative Agent or such Related
Party in any way relating to or arising out hereof or any other Financing
Document or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent or such
Related Party under this Agreement or any other Financing Document, PROVIDED
that no Lender shall be liable to the Administrative Agent or such Related Party
for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions, judgements, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the
Administrative Agent's or such Related Party's gross negligence or willful
misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse
the Administrative Agent and each Related Party of the Administrative Agent
promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any out-of-pocket expenses
(including counsel fees) incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Related
Party in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration,
modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or
responsibilities under, this Agreement, to the extent that the Administrative
Agent or such Related Party is not reimbursed for such expenses by the Company.

                  Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on
such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit
analysis of the Company and its Subsidiaries and decision to enter into this
Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without
reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such
documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate,
continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based
upon this Agreement, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder
or thereunder.

                                   ARTICLE X

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

                  SECTION 10.1. NOTICES. All notices, demands, declarations,
consents, directions, approvals, instructions, requests and other communications
required or permitted by the terms hereof shall be in writing and shall be given
in person or by means of telex, telecopy (promptly followed by delivery in
person, by mail or by courier

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in the case of a notice of Default) or other wire transmission, or mailed by
registered or certified mail, or sent by courier, in each case addressed as
follows (or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective
parties from time to time parties hereto in accordance with the terms of this
Section):

                                    (a) if to the Company, to it at Emporium
Building, 4th Floor, 69 Front Street, Hamilton HM 12,  Bermuda;

                                    (b) if to the Administrative Agent, to it at
222 Broadway, New York, New York, 10038, Attention: Peter Yetman (Telecopy No.
212-412-7511); and

                                    (c) if to any Lender, to it at its address
(or telecopy number) set forth on SCHEDULE 10.1.

Any such communication shall become effective when delivered by hand, or three
days after being deposited in the mail, first class postage prepaid, or, in the
case of a nationally or internationally recognized overnight courier service,
one Business Day after delivery to such courier service, or, in the case of
transmission by telecopier, when confirmation of receipt is obtained, or, in the
case of telex notice, when sent, answerback received.

                  SECTION 10.2. WAIVERS; AMENDMENTS. (a) No failure or delay by
any party in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or
any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power,
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies
that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision hereof or of any
other Financing Document or consent to any departure by the Company therefrom
shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph
(b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a
waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any
Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

                                    (b) Neither this Agreement nor any other
Financing Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or
modified except:

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                                                      (i) in the case hereof,
                  pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into
                  by the Company and the Majority Lenders or by the Company and
                  the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Majority
                  Lenders (unless expressly provided otherwise in this
                  Agreement);

                                                      (ii) in the case of any
                  other Security Document, pursuant to an agreement or
                  agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent
                  (with the consent of the Majority Lenders, unless expressly
                  provided otherwise in such Security Document) and each other
                  Person party thereto; or

                                                      (iii) in the case of any
                  other Financing Document, pursuant to an agreement or
                  agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent
                  (with the consent of the Majority Lenders, unless expressly
                  provided otherwise in such other Financing Document) and each
                  other Person party thereto;

PROVIDED, that without the written consent of each Lender (or each Lender of
such Class, as the case may be) no such agreement shall in each case:

                                                      (A) increase the
                  Commitment of any Lender;

                                                      (B) reduce the principal
                  amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or
                  reduce any fees payable hereunder;

                                                      (C) postpone the scheduled
                  date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any
                  interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the
                  amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the
                  scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment;

                                                      (D) change Section 2.16(b)
                  or 2.16(c);

                                                      (E) release all or
                  substantially all of the Collateral; or

                                                      (F) change any of the
                  provisions of this Section or the definition of "Majority
                  Lenders" or any other provision hereof specifying the number
                  or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to
                  waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any
                  determination or grant any consent hereunder;

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PROVIDED, FURTHER, that

                                                      (I) no such agreement
                  shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties
                  of the Administrative Agent hereunder without the prior
                  written consent of the Administrative Agent; and

                                                      (II) any waiver, amendment
                  or modification hereof that by its terms affects the rights or
                  duties under this Agreement of the Revolving Credit Lenders
                  (but not the Construction Loan Lenders or the Term Lenders) or
                  the Construction Loan Lenders or the Term Lenders (but not the
                  Revolving Credit Lenders) may be effected by an agreement or
                  agreements in writing entered into by the Company and
                  requisite percentage in interest of the affected Class of
                  Lenders.

                  SECTION 10.3. EXPENSES; INDEMNITY; DAMAGE WAIVER. (a) The
Company shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent the Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates,
including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of the Administrative
Agent and counsel for the Administrative Agent and the reasonable fees, charges
and disbursements of the Marketing Consultant and the Independent Engineer, in
connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein
(including the costs in respect of preparing and copying one set of closing
binders for each Lender), the preparation and administration hereof and the
other Financing Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the
provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby shall be consummated) and (ii) all out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger or any Lender, including
the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent,
the Lead Arranger or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or
protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement (including pursuant
to a "workout" restructuring or negotiating in respect thereof) or any other
Financing Document, including its rights under this Section, or in connection
with the Loans made hereunder, the Project Documents, or any other instrument or
agreement entered into by the Company in connection herewith or therewith,
including in connection with any workout, restructuring or negotiations in
respect thereof.

                                    (b) The Company further agrees to pay,
indemnify and hold each Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger
harmless from any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities
with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying stamp, excise or other
similar taxes, if any, which may be payable in

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<PAGE>

connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation or administration
of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or
modification of, or any waiver or consent under in respect of, this Agreement or
the other Financing Documents.

                                    (c) The Company shall indemnify the
Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger, the Independent Engineer and each
Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person
being called an "INDEMNITEE") against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from,
any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including
the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any
Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in
connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery hereof, any
other Financing Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or
thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations
hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, (ii) any Loan or the use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) in any way
relating to or arising out of the Project, or the manufacture, financing,
construction, purchase, acceptance, rejection, ownership, acquisition, delivery,
nondelivery, preparation, installation, storage, maintenance, repair, transfer
of title, abandonment, possession, rental, use, operation, maintenance,
environmental clean-up, condition, sale, return, importation, exportation or
other application or disposition of all or any part of any interest in the
Project, or (iv) resulting from any and all liability of or relating to the
Company or the Project, whether contingent or fixed, actual or potential, known
or unknown, which arise under or relate to matters covered by Environmental
Laws, including, without limitation, resulting from the violation of any
Environmental Law, off-site disposal of wastes or the existence or Release of
any Hazardous Materials at the Project or any other property of the Company
(including, without limitation, clean-up costs, response costs, costs of
corrective action and natural resources damages); PROVIDED that such indemnity
shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available (i) to the extent that such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are a result of the
gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnitee or are a result of the
representations and warranties or undertakings made by such Indemnitee to its
assignees hereunder or (ii) to compensate such Indemnitee for any injury to the
personnel of such Indemnitee if such injury is not a result of the negligence of
the Company.

                                    (d) Each Indemnitee claiming any right to
indemnity under paragraph (c) of this Section by reason of the making of any
claim or the institution of any action against such Indemnitee shall promptly
notify the Company thereof (and shall notify the Company of any other loss,
damage or liability that it has suffered and intends to seek

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<PAGE>

indemnification therefor hereunder promptly after acquiring knowledge thereof)
and shall consult with the Company from time to time in connection with the
defense of such claim or action and shall not settle any such claim or action
(x) before giving the Company notice thereof and the Company the opportunity to
assume the defense thereof (if entitled hereunder) or (y) without the prior
written consent of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, if the
Company is not entitled to assume the defense as a result of clause (ii) or
(iii) of the succeeding sentence. The Company shall be entitled, at its expense,
to assume the defense of such claim or action or to participate in such action
with counsel of its choice (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to
such Indemnitee if the Company elects to assume the defense) and at its expense,
PROVIDED that the Company may not assume the defense if (i) such Indemnitee
determines, on the reasonable advice of counsel, that representation of both the
Company and such Indemnitee by the Company's counsel would present such counsel
with a conflict of interest, (ii) the defendants in, or targets of, any such
action include both such Indemnitee and the Company, and such Indemnitee shall
have concluded, on reasonable advice of counsel, that there may be legal
defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those
available to the Company, (iii) the Company shall not have employed counsel
satisfactory to such Indemnitee to represent such Indemnitee within a reasonable
time after notice of the institution of any such action, or (iv) such Indemnitee
is faced with potential criminal liability.

                                    (e) To the extent that the Company fails to
pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent or the Lead
Arranger under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Section, each Lender severally
agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent or the Lead Arranger, as the case may
be, such Lender's Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the
applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid
amount; PROVIDED that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim,
damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or
asserted against the Administrative Agent or the Lead Arranger in its capacity
as such.

                                    (f) All amounts due under this Section shall
be payable promptly after written demand therefor.

                  SECTION 10.4. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; CONSENT AND AGREEMENT.
(a) The provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby,
except that the Company may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights
or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and
any attempted assignment or transfer by the

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Company without such consent shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement,
expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than
the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby
and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of the
Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger) any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under or by reason hereof.

                                    (b) Any Lender may at any time assign to one
or more assignees (other than to the Company, any Subsidiary or any Sponsor or
any of their respective Affiliates) all or a portion of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment
and the Loans at the time owing to it) and the other Financing Documents;
PROVIDED that

                                                      (i) except in the case of
                  an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of any Lender or an
                  Approved Fund, no such assignment shall be permitted without
                  the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and, so
                  long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
                  be continuing, the Company (such consents not to be
                  unreasonably withheld or delayed); and

                                                      (ii) except in the case of
                  an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an
                  Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount
                  of the assigning Lender's Commitment, the amount of each
                  Commitment of the assigning Lender subject to each such
                  assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and
                  Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the
                  Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless
                  each of the Company and the Administrative Agent otherwise
                  consents.

The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative
Agent an Assignment and Acceptance for its acceptance and recording in the
Register, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which shall
be paid by the assignor and/or assignee but not the Company). Upon acceptance
and recording pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section, from and after the
effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the assignee
thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned
by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender
under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent
of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its
obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under
this

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Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be
entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and 10.3). Any assignment
or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does
not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes hereof as a sale by
such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with
paragraph (e) of this Section.

                                    (c) The Administrative Agent, acting for
this purpose as an agent of the Company, shall maintain at one of its offices in
The City of New York a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it
and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and
the registered owner(s) of any obligation evidenced by a Note (if applicable),
and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender
pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "REGISTER"). The Notes (if
applicable) and the obligations evidenced thereby may be assigned or otherwise
transferred in whole or in part only by registration in the Register and the
Note evidencing the same shall be registered on the Register only upon surrender
for registration of assignment or transfer of the Note evidencing such
obligation, duly endorsed by (or accompanied by a written instrument of
assignment or transfer duly executed by) the registered owner thereof, and
thereupon, upon written request, one or more new Note(s) in the same aggregate
principal amount shall be issued to the designated assignee(s) and the old Notes
shall be returned by the Administrative Agent to the Company marked "canceled".
No assignment of any Note or obligation evidenced thereby shall be effective
unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this Section 10.4(c).
The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Company, the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is
recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for
all purposes hereof, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.

                                    (d) Upon its receipt of a duly completed
Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the
processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and
any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this
Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance
and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment
shall be effective for purposes hereof unless it has been recorded in the
Register as provided in this paragraph.

                                    (e) Any Lender may, without the consent of
the Company or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more
banks or other entities (a "PARTICIPANT") in all or a portion of such Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its
Commitment and the Loans owing to it);

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PROVIDED that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain
unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties
hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Company, the
Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and
directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which
a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain
the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision hereof. Subject to paragraph (f) of this
Section, the Company agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the
benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15 to the same extent as if it were a
Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of
this Section.

                                    (f) A Participant shall not be entitled to
receive any greater payment under Section 2.13, 2.14 or 2.15 than the applicable
Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation
sold to such Participant. A Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of
Section 2.15 unless the Company is notified of the participation sold to such
Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Company, to
comply with the provisions of Section 2.15(e) as though it were a Lender.

                                    (g) Any Lender may at any time pledge or
assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this
Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any such pledge or
assignment to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any
such pledge or assignment of a security interest; PROVIDED that no such pledge
or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its
obligations hereunder or substitute any such assignee for such Lender as a party
hereto.

                  SECTION 10.5. SURVIVAL. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties made by the Company herein and in the
certificates or other instruments delivered in connection herewith or pursuant
hereto shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto
and shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and the making of any Loans,
and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any
accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this
Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not
expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and 10.3 and
Articles IX, X and XI shall survive and remain in full force and effect
regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the
repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Commitments or the
termination hereof or any provision hereof.

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                  SECTION 10.6. COUNTERPARTS; INTEGRATION; EFFECTIVENESS. This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on
different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of
which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and
any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the
Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger or a Related Party constitute the entire
contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede
any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to
the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.1, this Agreement
shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative
Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof
which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties
hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and, subject to and in accordance with Section 10.4, their
respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a
signature page hereof by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually
executed counterpart hereof.

                  SECTION 10.7. SEVERABILITY. Any provision hereof held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in
a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other
jurisdiction.

                  SECTION 10.8. RIGHT OF SETOFF. If an Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time
and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to setoff and
apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or
final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender
to or for the credit or the account of the Company against any of and all the
obligations of the Company now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held
by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any
demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The
rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and
remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

                  SECTION 10.9. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE
OF PROCESS. (A) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND
GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCEPT THAT THE PROVISIONS OF
ARTICLE XI SHALL

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BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF ENGLAND AND WALES.

                                    (B) THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK
COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW
YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING HERETO, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY
JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD
AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE OR, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN
SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN
ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER
JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.
NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
OR ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING
HERETO AGAINST THE COMPANY OR ITS PROPERTIES OR THE COMPANY'S SUBSIDIARIES OR
THEIR PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

                                    (C) THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LEGALLY AND EFFECTIVELY DO
SO, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF
ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING IN ANY COURT REFERRED
TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN
INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH
COURT.

                                    (D) EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO
SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN

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SECTION 10.1. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO
SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

                                    (E) THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY APPOINTS FLAG TELECOM USA LIMITED (THE "NEW YORK PROCESS
AGENT"), WITH AN OFFICE ON THE CLOSING DATE AT 570 LEXINGTON AVENUE, 38TH FLOOR,
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10022, AS ITS AGENT TO RECEIVE ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY AND
ITS RESPECTIVE PROPERTY SERVICE OF COPIES OF THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT AND ANY
OTHER PROCESS WHICH MAY BE SERVED IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH
NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL COURT AND AGREES PROMPTLY TO APPOINT A SUCCESSOR NEW
YORK PROCESS AGENT IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK (WHICH SUCCESSOR PROCESS AGENT SHALL
ACCEPT SUCH APPOINTMENT IN A WRITING REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PRIOR TO THE TERMINATION FOR ANY REASON OF THE APPOINTMENT
OF THE INITIAL NEW YORK PROCESS AGENT). IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH
NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, SUCH SERVICE
MAY BE MADE ON THE COMPANY BY DELIVERING A COPY OF SUCH PROCESS TO THE COMPANY
IN CARE OF THE APPROPRIATE PROCESS AGENT AT SUCH PROCESS AGENT'S ABOVE ADDRESS
AND BY DEPOSITING A COPY OF SUCH PROCESS IN THE MAILS BY CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED
AIR MAIL, ADDRESSED TO THE COMPANY AT ITS ADDRESS REFERRED TO IN SECTION 10.1
(SUCH SERVICE TO BE EFFECTIVE UPON SUCH RECEIPT BY THE APPROPRIATE PROCESS AGENT
AND THE DEPOSITING OF SUCH PROCESS IN THE MAILS AS AFORESAID). THE COMPANY
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AUTHORIZES AND DIRECTS SUCH PROCESS AGENT
TO ACCEPT SUCH SERVICE ON ITS BEHALF. AS AN ALTERNATE METHOD OF SERVICE, THE
COMPANY ALSO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF ANY AND
ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE OR THE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK BY MAILING OF
COPIES OF SUCH PROCESS TO THE COMPANY BY CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED AIR MAIL AT ITS
ADDRESS REFERRED TO IN SECTION 10.1.

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                  SECTION 10.10. WAIVER OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY. (a) To the extent
that the Company has or hereafter may acquire any immunity (sovereign or
otherwise) from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from jurisdiction of any
court or from setoff or any legal process (whether service or notice, attachment
prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of
judgment or otherwise) with respect to itself or any of its property, whether or
not held for its own account, the Company hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
waives and agrees not to plead or claim such immunity in respect of its
obligations under this Agreement, the Notes and the other Financing Documents.

                                    (b) The Company hereby agrees that the
waivers set forth in this Section shall have the fullest extent permitted under
the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 of the United States of America and
are intended to be irrevocable and not subject to withdrawal for purposes of
such Act.

                  SECTION 10.11. JUDGMENT CURRENCY. The obligation of the
Company under this Agreement and any other Financing Document to make payments
in Dollars shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery
pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any other currency
except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective
receipt by the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger or the Lenders, as the
case may be, of the full amount of Dollars payable under this Agreement and any
of the other Financing Documents and the Company shall (and shall procure that
each Subsidiary shall with respect to any Subsidiary Security Agreement to which
it is a party) indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger and the
Lenders (and such Persons shall have an additional legal claim) for any
difference between such full amount and the amount effectively received by the
Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger or the Lenders, as the case may be,
pursuant to any such tender or recovery. The Administrative Agent's
determination of amounts effectively received by the Lenders shall be conclusive
absent manifest error.

                  SECTION 10.12. DAMAGE WAIVER. To the extent permitted by
applicable law, the Company shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim
against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect,
consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages)
arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any
Financing Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or
thereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of
the proceeds thereof.

                  SECTION 10.13. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY

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APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING HERETO OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).

                  SECTION 10.14. HEADINGS. Article and Section headings and the
Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not
part hereof and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into
consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

                  SECTION 10.15. REMOVAL OF CONSULTANTS. (a) The Administrative
Agent may (and, if the Company can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the
Administrative Agent that any Consultant has persistently failed to perform its
duties in a professional manner, the Administrative Agent will) from time to
time, in its reasonable discretion, remove any one or more of the Consultants,
PROVIDED that the Administrative Agent select and appoint a replacement therefor
that is approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed). Notice of any replacement Consultant shall be given
promptly to the Company and the Lenders.

                                    (b) Each Consultant shall be contractually
obligated to the Administrative Agent to carry out the activities required of it
in this Agreement and the other Financing Documents and as otherwise requested
by the Administrative Agent.

                  SECTION 10.16. CONFIDENTIALITY. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Financing Document, each
of the parties hereto agrees, and each successor or assignee thereof, by
becoming a party hereto, shall be deemed to have agreed, to keep confidential
(and to cause its officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives and
affiliates to keep confidential) any information which is obtained pursuant to
the terms hereof or of the other Financing Documents and is marked
"confidential" (collectively, the "CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS"), except that each
such party shall be permitted to disclose the Confidential Materials (a) to its
officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives and Affiliates, (b) to
its attorneys, accountants and financial, insurance and other independent
advisors who have a need for such information (PROVIDED such persons are
informed of the confidential nature of the Confidential Materials and the
restrictions imposed by this Section), (c) to the extent required by Applicable
Law (including, without limitation, in making filings with any Governmental
Authority and disclosures by the Lenders to bank or securities examiners and
regulatory officials upon their request or demand), (d) in response to any
subpoena

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or other legal process (in which event such party shall promptly notify the
Company in advance of any such requirement), (e) to the extent such Confidential
Materials become publicly available other than a result of a breach of the
provisions of this Section, (f) to the extent the Company shall have consented
to such disclosure in writing and (g) to any Lender's assignee or any proposed
assignee or participant of a Lender which agrees in writing to be bound by the
terms of this Section as if it were a Lender party.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                              ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

                  SECTION 11.1. TRUST FOR SECURED PARTIES. The parties hereto
agree that the Administrative Agent shall hold the Collateral (collectively,
the "TRUST COLLATERAL") which is subject to the Company Security Agreement
(England), the Company Security Agreements (France) and the Subsidiary
Debenture on trust for itself and the Secured Parties on the terms and
conditions herein contained.

                  SECTION 11.2.  DEFAULT PROCEDURE.

                                    (a) If a Default occurs, the Administrative
Agent shall promptly after becoming aware of the same notify the Lenders in
writing of such occurrence.

                                    (b) The Administrative Agent shall use
commercially reasonable endeavors to promptly comply with the instructions of
Majority Lenders as to the exercise or enforcement by it, following a Default,
of any of its rights in respect of the Trust Collateral, upon and subject to the
terms and conditions hereof and pursuant to the terms and conditions in the
Security Documents.

                                    (c) The Administrative Agent, if applicable,
shall at any time after the occurrence of a Default be entitled (but not
obliged) to request instructions from the Secured Parties as to whether it
should endeavor to enforce any of the Trust Collateral and/or as to the manner
in which it should endeavor to do so, and to convene on reasonable notice a
meeting of the Secured Parties to discuss such matters.

                  SECTION 11.3.  APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.

                                    (a) All receipts or recoveries by the
Administrative Agent (or by any of the Obligors and paid over to the
Administrative Agent) pursuant to, or upon

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<PAGE>

enforcement of, any of the Trust Collateral and all other monies which are by
the terms of any Financing Documents to be applied in accordance with this
Section 11.3 shall, after deducting (to the extent not already deduced or
retained prior to such receipt or recovery by the Administrative Agent) all such
sums as are mentioned as deductions in the definition of "Proceeds" (all such
sums hereinafter collectively referred to as "DEDUCTIONS"), be converted (unless
such sums are to be credited for the time being to suspense or impersonal
account) by the Administrative Agent from their existing currency of
denomination into the currency or currencies (if different) of sums then
outstanding under the Financing Documents (any such conversion from one currency
to another to be made at the Administrative Agent's then prevailing spot rate
for the purchase of that other currency with the first mentioned currency at the
office of the Administrative Agent by which such conversion is made) and then,
after deducting all commissions and expenses relating to any such conversion,
applied by the Administrative Agent either as a whole or in such proportions as
the Administrative Agent shall think fit:

                                             (i) in payment to the credit of an
                  account (each a "PROCEEDS ACCOUNT") in London in its name and,
                  if any of the sums then outstanding under any of the Financing
                  Documents are contingent or future, may be held in such
                  account or accounts for so long as the Administrative Agent
                  shall think fit pending their further application from time to
                  time in accordance with this Section 11.3, or

                                             (ii) in payment to the credit of a
                  suspense or impersonal account in London and may be held in
                  such account for so long as the Administrative Agent shall
                  think fit pending any conversion and further application from
                  time to time of such monies (as the Administrative Agent shall
                  be entitled, but not obliged, to do in its discretion) in
                  accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.3.

                                             (iii) sums standing to the credit
                  of the Proceeds Account(s) shall, to the extent permitted by
                  Applicable Law, be applied in the following order of priority:

                                                      (A) in or towards
                                    discharging all sums owed to the
                                    Administrative Agent (in its capacity as
                                    security agent) under any of this Agreement
                                    and the Security Documents;

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<PAGE>

                                                      (B) in or towards
                                    discharging all assessments to Tax made on
                                    the Administrative Agent in respect of any
                                    of the Trust Collateral, in respect of
                                    anything done by it in its capacity as
                                    security agent or otherwise by virtue of its
                                    capacity as security agent;

                                                      (C) after setting aside in
                                    such of the Proceeds Accounts as the
                                    Administrative Agent may think fit, by way
                                    of reserve, amounts required to meet all
                                    such sums mentioned in paragraph (i) above
                                    as the Administrative Agent considers will
                                    or may become payable in connection with the
                                    exercise of any rights and/or the
                                    performance of any of the Administrative
                                    Agent's obligations under the Company
                                    Security Agreement (UK), Company Security
                                    Agreement (France), the Charge Over Business
                                    and the Subsidiary Debenture, all such
                                    Deductions as the Administrative Agent
                                    considers will or may become payable and
                                    which it reasonably considers will or may
                                    become payable and which it reasonably
                                    considers will or may not be discharged out
                                    of future receipts or recoveries from
                                    enforcement of any rights and all such sums
                                    as the Administrative Agent considers will
                                    or may be required to meet any assessment to
                                    Tax that may be made upon it, in payment to
                                    the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the
                                    Secured Parties, for application in or
                                    towards the discharge of all sums due and
                                    payable by the Company under this Agreement;

                                                      (D) if the Company is
                                    under no further actual or contingent
                                    liability under this Agreement, in payment
                                    to any person to whom the Administrative
                                    Agent is obliged to pay in priority to the
                                    Obligors otherwise entitled thereto, to the
                                    extent it is so obliged; and

                                                      (E) thereafter, in payment
                                    to the Obligors entitled thereto.

                                    (b) The fact that the Administrative Agent
may make a payment pursuant to Sections 11.3(a)(ii) through (iii)(A), or may
determine that the Company is under no further actual or contingent liability
under the Financing Documents and make a payment under Section 11.3(a)(iii)(B)
or (iii)(C), will not thereafter prevent the Administrative Agent from applying
any further Proceeds, or any credit balance on any Proceeds Account, in the
order set out in Section 11.3.

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<PAGE>

                                    (c) The Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to make the deductions and withholdings (on account of Taxes or
otherwise) from payments which it is required by any Applicable Law to make, and
to pay all Taxes which may be assessed against it in respect of any of the Trust
Collateral, in respect of anything done by it in its capacity as security agent
or otherwise by virtue of its capacity as security agent. Each of the Obligors
agrees that the Secured Obligations shall only be discharged by virtue of
receipt or recovery by the Administrative Agent of Proceeds, or of payments made
by the Administrative Agent hereunder, to the extent that the ultimate recipient
actually receives monies from the Administrative Agent hereunder.

                                    (d) If any of the Obligors receives any sum
from any person which, pursuant to the Financing Documents, should have been
paid to the Administrative Agent, such sum shall be held on trust for the
Secured Parties and shall forthwith be paid over to the Administrative Agent for
application in accordance with this Section 11.3.

                                    (e) The Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to pay any Deductions to the person or persons entitled thereto.

                  SECTION 11.4. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S RIGHTS, POWERS AND
                                DISCRETIONS.

                                    (a) The Administrative Agent shall have all
the powers and discretions conferred upon trustees by the Trustee Act 1925 (to
the extent not inconsistent herewith) and by way of supplement it is expressly
declared that the Administrative Agent may:

                                                      (i) assume that:

                                                                        (1) no
                                                      Default has occurred; and

                                                                        (2) no
                                                      right, power, authority or
                                                      discretion vested by this
                                                      Agreement, the Lenders or
                                                      any other Person or group
                                                      of Persons has been
                                                      exercised.

                                                      unless it has, in its
                                                      capacity as security
                                                      agent, actual knowledge or
                                                      actual notice to the
                                                      contrary;

                                             (ii) engage and pay for the advice
                  or services of, and rely and act on the opinion or advice
                  (howsoever given) of, or any information obtained

                                       169

<PAGE>

                  from, any lawyers, accountants, surveyors or other
                  professional advisers or experts whose advice or services may
                  to it seem necessary, expedient or desirable;

                                             (iii) rely as to any matters of
                  fact which might reasonably be expected to be within the
                  knowledge of any of the Obligors or any other person upon a
                  certificate signed by or on behalf of such Obligor or such
                  other person;

                                             (iv) rely upon any communication or
                  document believed by it to be genuine;

                                             (v) refrain from exercising any
                  right, power or discretion vested in it under any of the
                  Financing Documents unless and until instructed by the
                  Majority Lenders as to whether or not such right, power or
                  discretion is to be exercised and, if it is to be exercised,
                  as to the manner in which it should be exercised;

                                             (vi) refrain from acting in
                  accordance with any instructions of the Majority Lenders until
                  it shall have received security or indemnity as it may require
                  (whether by way of payment in advance or otherwise) for all
                  costs, claims, expenses (including legal fees) and liabilities
                  which it will or may expend or incur in complying with such
                  instructions;

                                             (vii) do any act or thing in the
                  exercise of any of its duties under the Financing Documents
                  which in its absolute discretion (in the absence of any
                  instructions of the Majority Lenders as to the doing of such
                  act or thing) it deems advisable for the protection and
                  benefit of all the Secured Parties;

                                             (viii) upon a disposal of any
                  property the subject of any of the Trust Collateral by any
                  Receiver, or by any of the Obligors where the Administrative
                  Agent has consented to the disposal, to any third party,
                  release such property from such Trust Collateral;

                                             (ix) perform all of its obligations
                  under the Financing Documents, notwithstanding anything
                  contained in this Agreement; and

                                             (x) subject to the proviso hereto
                  and unless the express provisions of any such Security
                  Document provide otherwise, if authorized by the Majority
                  Lenders, amend or vary the terms of or waive breaches of or

                                       170

<PAGE>

                  Defaults under, or otherwise excuse performance of any
                  provision of, or grant consents under, the Security Documents,
                  any such amendment, variation, waiver or consent so authorized
                  to be binding on all the parties hereto and the Administrative
                  Agent to be under no liability whatsoever in respect thereof.
                  PROVIDED that nothing in this paragraph (x) shall be taken to
                  authorize, except with the prior consent of all of the Secured
                  Parties:

                                                                        (1)
                                                      (without prejudice to
                                                      paragraph (viii), above)
                                                      any amendment of any
                                                      Security Document which
                                                      would release the Lien on
                                                      any Trust Collateral of
                                                      such Security Document
                                                      (other than in accordance
                                                      with the terms thereof or
                                                      of the other Financing
                                                      Documents), or the manner
                                                      in which Proceeds are
                                                      distributed hereunder; or

                                                                        (2) any
                                                      change in this Section
                                                      11.4.

                                    (b) The Administrative Agent shall:

                                             (i) promptly inform the Lenders of
                  the contents of any notice or document received by it, in its
                  capacity as security agent, from any of the Obligors under any
                  of the Security Documents;

                                             (ii) save as otherwise provided
                  herein, act as security agent under the Financing Documents in
                  accordance with any instructions given to it by the Majority
                  Lenders, which instructions shall be binding on all of the
                  Secured Parties; and

                                             (iii) if so instructed by the
                  Majority Lenders, refrain from exercising any right, power or
                  discretion vested in it as security agent under the Financing
                  Documents.

                                    (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
expressed or implied herein, the Administrative Agent shall not:

                                             (i) be bound to enquire as to the
                  occurrence or otherwise of any Default;

                                       171

<PAGE>

                                             (ii) be bound to account to any
                  other Secured Party for any sum or the profit element of any
                  sum received by it for its own account whether in connection
                  with the Financing Documents or otherwise;

                                             (iii) be bound to disclose to any
                  other person any information relating to any of the Obligors
                  if such disclosure would or might in its opinion constitute a
                  breach of any law or regulation or be otherwise actionable at
                  the suit of any person; or

                                             (iv) be under any obligations other
                  than those for which express provision is made herein.

                                    (d) The Administrative Agent accepts no
responsibility for the accuracy and/or completeness of any information supplied
by any of the Obligors or any other person in connection with, or for the
legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of, any of the
Financing Documents and shall not be liable or responsible for any losses to any
person, howsoever caused, as a result of taking or omitting to take any action
whatsoever in relation to any of the Financing Documents or otherwise, save in
the case of gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

                                    (e) Each of the Secured Parties agrees that
it will not assert or seek to assert against any director, officer or employee
of the Administrative Agent any claim it might have against any of them in
respect of the matters referred to in Section 11.4(d).

                                    (f) The Administrative Agent may accept
deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of banking or
other business with, each of the Obligors.

                                    (g) It is understood and agreed by each
Secured Party that it has itself been, and will continue to be, solely
responsible for making its own independent appraisal of and investigations into
the financial condition, creditworthiness, condition, affairs, status and nature
of each of the Obligors and, accordingly, each Secured Party warrants to the
Administrative Agent that it has not relied and will not hereafter rely on the
Administrative Agent:

                                             (i) to check or enquire on its
                  behalf into the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any
                  information provided by any of the Obligors or any other
                  person in connection with any of the Financing Documents or
                  the

                                       172

<PAGE>

                  transactions therein contemplated (whether or not such
                  information has been or is hereafter circulated to such
                  Secured Party by the Administrative Agent);

                                             (ii) to check or enquire on its
                  behalf into the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any
                  communication delivered to it under any of the Financing
                  Documents, any legal or other opinions, reports, valuations,
                  certificates, appraisals or other documents delivered or made
                  or required to be delivered or made at any time in connection
                  with any of the Financing Documents, any security to be
                  constituted thereby or any other report or other document,
                  statement or information circulated, delivered or made,
                  whether orally or otherwise and whether before, on or after
                  the date of this Agreement;

                                             (iii) to check or enquire on its
                  behalf into the ownership, value or sufficiency of any
                  property the subject of any of the Trust Collateral, the
                  priority of any of the Trust Collateral, the right or title of
                  any person in or to any property comprised therein or the
                  existence of any encumbrance affecting the same; or

                                             (iv) to assess or keep under review
                  on its behalf the financial condition, creditworthiness,
                  condition, affairs, status or nature of any of the Obligors.

                                    (h) The Administrative Agent shall be at
liberty to place any of the Financing Documents, Project Documents and any other
instruments, documents or deeds delivered to it pursuant to or in connection
with any of the Security Documents for the time being in its possession in any
safe deposit, safe or receptacle selected by it or with any bank, any company
whose business includes undertaking the safe custody of documents or any firm of
lawyers of good repute and shall not be responsible for any loss thereby
incurred.

                                    (i) The Administrative Agent may, whenever
it thinks fit, delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person or
persons, or fluctuating body of persons, all or any of the rights, powers,
authorities and discretions vested in it by any of this Agreement and the
Security Documents and such delegation may be made upon such terms (including
the power to sub-delegate) subject to such conditions and subject to such
regulations as it may think fit.

                                    (j) Notwithstanding anything else herein
contained, the Administrative Agent may refrain from doing anything which would
or might in its

                                       173

<PAGE>

opinion be contrary to any Applicable Law of any jurisdiction or any relevant
directive or regulation of any agency of any state or which would or might
otherwise render it liable to any person, and may do anything which is, in its
opinion, necessary to comply with any such Applicable Law, directive or
regulation.

                                    (k) The Administrative Agent and every
attorney, agent or other person appointed by it under any of this Agreement and
the Security Documents may indemnify itself or himself out of the Trust
Collateral against all claims, demands, liabilities, proceedings, costs, fees,
charges, losses and expenses incurred by any of them in relation to or arising
out of the taking or holding of any of the Trust Collateral, the exercise or
purported exercise of any of the rights, trusts, powers and discretions vested
in any of them or any other matter or thing done or omitted to be done in
connection with any of the Financing Documents or pursuant to any Applicable Law
(otherwise than as a result of its gross negligence or wilful misconduct).

                                    (l) Without prejudice to the provisions of
any of the Security Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not be under any
obligation to insure any property or to require any other person to maintain any
such insurance and shall not be responsible for any loss which may be suffered
by any person as a result of the lack of or inadequacy or insufficiency of any
such insurance. Where the Administrative Agent is named on any insurance policy
as an insured party, it shall not be responsible for any loss which may be
suffered by reason of, directly or indirectly, its failure to notify the
insurers of any material fact relating to the risk assumed by such insurers or
any other information of any kind, unless any Secured Party shall have requested
it to do so in writing and the Administrative Agent shall have failed to do so
within fourteen (14) days thereafter.

                                    (m) The Administrative Agent shall not be
liable for any failure:

                                             (i) to require the deposit with it
                  of any deed or document certifying, representing or
                  constituting the title of any of the Obligors to any of the
                  property mortgaged, charged, assigned or otherwise encumbered
                  by or pursuant to any of the Security Documents;

                                             (ii) to obtain any license, consent
                  or other authority for the execution, delivery, validity,
                  legality, adequacy, performance, enforceability or
                  admissibility in evidence of any of the Security Documents;

                                       174

<PAGE>

                                             (iii) to register or notify any of
                  the foregoing in accordance with the provisions of any of the
                  documents of title of any of the Obligors;

                                             (iv) to effect or procure
                  registration of or otherwise protect any of the Trust
                  Collateral by registering the same under any applicable
                  registration laws in any territory;

                                             (v) to take, or to require any of
                  the Obligors to take, any steps to render the Trust Collateral
                  effective or to secure the creation of any ancillary charge
                  under the Applicable Laws; or

                                             (vi) to require any further
                  assurances in relation to any of the Security Documents.

                                    (n) The Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to accept without enquiry, requisition or objection such right and
title as each of the Obligors may have to the property belonging to it (or any
part thereof) which is the subject matter of any of the Trust Collateral and
shall not be bound or concerned to investigate or make any enquiry into the
right or title of such Obligor to such property (or any part thereof) or,
without prejudice to the foregoing, to require such Obligor to remedy and defect
in its right or title as aforesaid.

                                    (o) Each Lender hereby confirms and agrees
that it does not wish to be registered in accordance with Rule 146 of the Land
Registration Rules 1925 as the joint proprietor of any mortgage or charge
created pursuant to any of the Company Security Agreement (UK) and the
Subsidiary Debenture and accordingly authorizes the Administrative Agent to hold
such mortgage or charge in its sole name as Administrative Agent for the Secured
Parties and hereby requests H.M. Land Registry to register the Administrative
Agent as the sole proprietor of any such mortgage or charge.

                                    (p) In acting as security agent hereunder
and under the Security Documents, the Administrative Agent's agency division
shall be treated as a separate entity from any of its other divisions or
departments and, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.4,
in the event that the Administrative Agent should act for any of the Obligors in
any capacity in relation to any other matter, any information given by such
Obligor to the Administrative Agent may be treated by it as confidential.

                                      175
<PAGE>

                  SECTION 11.5.  RESIGNATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AS SECURITY
                                 AGENT.

                                    (a) The Administrative Agent may resign as
security agent hereunder at any time without assigning any reason therefor by
giving not less than thirty days' prior written notice to that effect to each of
the other parties hereto; PROVIDED, however, that no such resignation shall be
effective until (i) a successor to the Administrative Agent is appointed in
accordance with the succeeding provisions of this Section 11.5, (ii) all of the
security created by the Security Documents and all of the Administrative
Agent's rights, benefits and obligations as security agent under the Financing
Documents have been transferred to its successor, and (iii) its successor has
confirmed its agreement to be bound by the provisions of the Financing Documents
and all other related agreements to which the Administrative Agent is a party in
its capacity as security agent.

                                    (b) If the Administrative Agent gives notice
of its resignation as security agent pursuant to Section 11.5(a), any reputable
bank or other financial institution may be appointed as a successor to the
Administrative Agent by the Lenders during the period of such notice but, if no
such successor is so appointed, the Administrative Agent may, in consultation
with the Company, appoint such a successor itself.

                                    (c) If a successor to the Administrative
Agent is appointed under the provisions of Section 11.5(b), (i) the resigning
Administrative Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation hereunder
but shall remain entitled to the benefit of the provisions of Section 11.3 and
Section 11.4 and (ii) its successor and each of the other parties hereto shall
have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had
if such successor had been a party hereto.

                                    (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Article XI, but subject to Section 11.6, the Administrative Agent shall at
all times be the same Person as the Administrative Agent under Article IX and a
resignation of the Administrative Agent under Article IX shall also act as a
resignation of the Administrative Agent under this Article XI.

                  SECTION 11.6.  APPOINTMENT OF ADDITIONAL SECURITY AGENTS.

                  Subject to the provision of ARTICLE IX relating to the
replacement of the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may at any
time appoint any person (whether or not a trust corporation) to act either as a
separate security agent or as a co- security agent jointly with it (i) if it
considers such appointment to be in the interests of

                                      176
<PAGE>

the Secured Parties or (ii) for the purposes of conforming to any legal
requirements, restrictions or conditions which the Administrative Agent deems
relevant for the purpose hereof, and the Administrative Agent shall give prior
notice to the Company and the Lender of any such appointment. Any person so
appointed shall have such powers, authorities and discretions and such duties
and obligations as shall be conferred or imposed on such person by the
instrument of appointment and shall have the same benefits under Section 11.4 or
Section 11.5 as the security agent. The Agent shall have the power in like
manner to remove any person so appointed, and any costs, charges or expenses
incurred by such person in performing its functions pursuant to such
appointment, shall for the purposes hereof be treated as costs, charges and
expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent in performing its function as
security agent hereunder.

                  SECTION 11.7.  COSTS AND INDEMNITIES

                                    (a) The Company shall, from time to time on
demand of the Administrative Agent, reimburse the Administrative Agent for all
costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by it in or in connection
with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and the
Security Documents.

                                    (b) The Company shall, from time to time on
demand of the Administrative Agent, reimburse the Administrative Agent for all
out of pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent in acting
as security agent hereunder and in relation to the Security Documents, including
all costs of convening and holding any meeting of the Secured Parties for any
purpose whatsoever and all professional fees.

                                    (c) The Company shall, from time to time on
demand of the Administrative Agent, reimburse the Administrative Agent for all
costs and expenses (including professional fees) incurred in or in connection
with the preservation and/or enforcement of any of the Trust Collateral.

                                    (d) The Company shall indemnify the
Administrative Agent and every attorney, agent or other person appointed by it
under any of the Security Documents against all claims, demands, liabilities,
proceedings, costs, fees, charges, losses and expenses incurred by any of them
in relation to or arising out of the taking or holding of any of the Trust
Collateral, in the exercise or purported exercise of any of the rights, trusts,
powers and discretions vested in any of them or in respect of any matter or
thing done or omitted to be done in connection with any of the Security

                                      177
<PAGE>

Documents or pursuant to any law or regulation (otherwise than as a result of
its gross negligence or wilful misconduct).

                                    (e) The Company shall pay all stamp,
registration and other taxes to which any of the Security Documents or any
judgment given in connection therewith is or at any time may be subject and
shall, from time to time on demand of the Administrative Agent, indemnify the
Administrative Agent against all liabilities, costs, claims and expenses
resulting from any failure to pay or any delay in paying any such tax.

                                    (f) All fees payable by the Company under
this Section 11.7 shall be exclusive of Value Added Tax or any similar Tax,
which shall be payable by the Company at the relevant rate from time to time in
addition to such fees.

                                    (g) If the Company fails to perform any of
its obligations under any of Sections 11.7(a) to 11.7(f), each Secured Party
shall, in the proposition borne by its Applicable Percentages to the aggregate
of the Applicable Percentages of all the Secured Parties for the time being (or,
if the Applicable Percentage of each of the Secured Parties is zero, immediately
or prior to their being reduced to zero), indemnify the Administrative Agent
against any loss incurred by it as a result of such failure and the Obligors
shall jointly and severally indemnify each Secured Party against, and forthwith
reimburse to each Secured Party the amount of, any payment made by it pursuant
to this Clause section 11.7(g).

                  SECTION 11.8.  MISCELLANEOUS.

                                    (a) The Secured Parties shall furnish to the
Administrative Agent such information as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
specify as being necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the
Administrative Agent to perform its functions as security agent.

                                    (b) The perpetuity period under the rule
against perpetuities, if applicable hereto, shall be the period of eighty years
from the date hereof.

                  SECTION 11.9.  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AS DIRECT CREDITOR.

                                    The Company agrees to pay the Administrative
Agent, as applicable, sums equal to any sums owing to each Secured Party under
the Financing Documents as and when the same fall due for payment thereunder.
Each Secured Party agrees that

                                      178
<PAGE>

payment of such sums to the Administrative Agent in accordance herewith, will be
a good discharge, PRO TANTO, of the corresponding obligations owing to it under
the Financing Documents, provided for the avoidance of doubt, that any such
payment shall only be considered as a valid discharge or a partial discharge (as
the case may be) in respect of any Obligation to the extent it has actually been
applied by the Administrative Agent. Accordingly, the rights of the Secured
Parties to amounts due from each of the Obligors owing Obligations under the
Financing Documents are joint and several with the rights of the Administrative
Agent to receive the same.

                  SECTION 11.10.  WINDING-UP OF TRUST.

                                    If the Administrative Agent shall determine
that all of the Secured Obligations and all other obligations the discharge of
which is secured by any of the Security Documents have been fully and finally
discharged and none of the Secured Parties is under any commitment, obligation
or liability (whether actual or contingent) to take advances or provide other
financial accommodation to the Company under or pursuant to this Agreement, the
trusts herein set out shall be wound up and the Administrative Agent shall
release, without recourse or warranty, all of the Trust Collateral then held by
it, whereupon each of the Administrative Agent, the Secured Parties and the
Obligors shall be released from its obligations hereunder (save for those which
arose prior to such winding-up).

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                      179
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the
day and year first above written.

                                             FLAG ATLANTIC LIMITED

                                                  Steven E. Andrews

                                              By:
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  Name:  Steven E. Andrews
                                                  Title:  Attorney-in-Fact

                                                  Ed McCormack

                                              By:
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  Name:  Ed McCormack
                                                  Title:  Attorney-in-Fact

                                      S - 1

<PAGE>

                                             BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
                                             as the Administrative Agent

                                                  Peter Yetman

                                             By:
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  Name: Peter Yetman
                                                  Title:  Director

                                             BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
                                             as the Lead Arranger and a Lender

                                                  Peter Yetman

                                             By:
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  Name:  Peter Yetman
                                                  Title:  Director

                                      S - 2

<PAGE>

                                             DRESDNER BANK AG,
                                             NEW YORK AND GRAND CAYMAN
                                             BRANCHES
                                             as Documentation Agent and Lender

                                                   /s/ Name of Signatory

                                             By:
                                                  -----------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:  Senior Vice-President

                                                   /s/ Name of Signatory

                                             By:
                                             Name:
                                                  -----------------------------
                                             Title:  Assistant Vice-President

                                      S - 3

<PAGE>

                                             WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK
                                             GIROZENTRALE, NEW YORK BRANCH,
                                             as Syndication Agent and Lender

                                                  Michael D. Peist

                                             By:
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  Name:  Michael D. Peist
                                                  Title:  Vice President

                                                  /s/ Name of Signatory

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

                              Schedule 1.1(iii) - 1<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.12

                                    CONTRACT

                                     BETWEEN

                              FLAG ATLANTIC LIMITED

                            FLAG ATLANTIC USA LIMITED

                            FLAG ATLANTIC FRANCE SARL

                            FLAG ATLANTIC UK LIMITED

                                       AND

                           ALCATEL SUBMARINE NETWORKS

                         ALCATEL SUBMARINE NETWORKS INC.

                       ALCATEL SUBMARINE NETWORKS LIMITED

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
1      DEFINITIONS...........................................................4
2      PROVISION OF THE SYSTEM...............................................5
3      VESTING AND WARRANTY OF TITLE.........................................6
4      INSPECTION............................................................7
5      DELIVERY, PACKAGING, CUSTOMS CLEARANCE AND WASTE DISPOSAL.............8
6      ACCEPTANCE PROCEDURES.................................................8
7      LIQUIDATED DAMAGES FOR DELAY IN PERFORMANCE..........................10
8      INJURY TO PERSONS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.............................11
9      DAMAGE TO THE SYSTEM AND THE EQUIPMENT...............................11
10     LOSS DUE TO ACTS OF PURCHASER........................................12
11     OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY...............................................12
12     WARRANTIES...........................................................13
13     SUPPLIER SUPPORT.....................................................16
14     FORCE MAJEURE........................................................16
15     SUSPENSION OF WORK...................................................17
16     CHANGES OR ADDITIONAL WORK...........................................18
17     TERMINATION FOR DEFAULT..............................................18
18     TERMINATION BY NOTICE................................................19
19     SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY..............................22
20     INFRINGEMENT.........................................................22
21     SOFTWARE.............................................................23
22     PAYMENT..............................................................24
23     KEEPING OF BOOKS.....................................................26
24     INSURANCE............................................................27
25     AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PURCHASER..........................31
26     REMOVAL OF PERSONS EMPLOYED ON CONTRACT..............................31
27     SEVERABILITY.........................................................31
28     SUCCESSORS BOUND.....................................................31
29     RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES TO EACH OTHER............................31
30     RESPONSIBILITY FOR OBTAINING PERMITS AND LOCAL LAWS..................31
31     CONSENTS.............................................................32
32     LIMITATION OF LIABILITY..............................................33
33     ALLOCATION OF DUTIES.................................................33
34     NOTICES..............................................................33
35     CAPTIONS.............................................................34
36     LAW AND ARBITRATION..................................................34
37     PRECEDENCE...........................................................35
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
38     WAIVER...............................................................35
39     RECOVERY OF SUMS DUE.................................................35
40     WATCHING, LIGHTING AND PROTECTION OF SITE............................35
41     PROVISION OF ANCILLARY APPARATUS.....................................35
42     DIARY AND REPORTING..................................................35
43     PROPERTY OF THE PURCHASER............................................36
44     SERVICES RENDERED BY THE PURCHASER...................................37
45     FACILITIES FOR OTHER WORKS...........................................37
46     PUBLICITY............................................................37
47     ENTIRE CONTRACT......................................................37
48     LETTER OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE, GUARANTORS..........................38
49     CONTRACT EFFECTIVENESS...............................................38
50     CORRUPT PRACTICES....................................................39
51     SAFETY...............................................................39
</TABLE>

                 Annexes:       1 - Price Schedule
                                2 - Schedule of Progress Payments
                                3 - Plan of Work
                                4 - Technical Specification
                                5 - Confidentiality Agreement
                                6 - Long Term Support
                                7 - Sea State 6 Definition

<PAGE>

THIS CONTRACT, MADE AND ENTERED INTO THIS __________ DAY OF _____19__.

BETWEEN:

         FLAG Atlantic Limited, whose registered office is at The Emporium
         Building, 69 Front Street-4th Floor, Hamilton HM12, Bermuda.

         FLAG Atlantic USA Limited, whose registered office is at 9 East
         Loockerman Street Dover, Delaware USA.

         FLAG Atlantic France Sarl, whose registered office is at 72 rue du
         Faubourg Saint-Honore 75008 Paris France.

         FLAG Atlantic UK Limited, whose registered office is at 103 Mount
         Street, London W1Y 5HE UK, hereinafter called the "Purchaser"

AND:

         Alcatel Submarine Networks, whose registered office is at 72 avenue de
         la Liberte 92723 Nanterre, France.

         Alcatel Submarine Networks Inc., whose registered office is at 15540
         North Lombard Street, Portland Oregon USA.

         Alcatel Submarine Networks Limited, whose registered office is at
         Christchurch Way, Greenwich, London SE10 OAG UK.

hereinafter called the "Supplier" and, together with the Purchaser, each a
"Party" and collectively, the "Parties".

WHEREAS, the Purchaser proposes to provide an integrated optical fibre cable
system linking North America and Europe (hereinafter called the "FLAG Atlantic
Fibre Optic Cable System"); and

WHEREAS this Contract will supercede the contract for a FLAG Atlantic-1 Fibre
Optic Cable System signed on 12 January 1999, between FLAG Atlantic Limited and
Alcatel Submarine Networks; and

WHEREAS the FLAG Atlantic Fibre Optic Cable System is to be as described in the
Technical Specification, Annex 4, forming part of this Contract; and

WHEREAS, the Supplier has been selected to engineer, provide, install, test,
commission and warrant the System as defined in Article 1 hereof; and

WHEREAS, the Purchaser is authorised to enter into this Contract with the
Supplier; and

WHEREAS, the Parties to this Contract now desire to define the terms and
conditions upon which the System will be engineered, provided, installed,
tested, commissioned and warranted by the Supplier.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereto, in consideration of the mutual covenants
herein expressed, covenant and agree with each other as follows:

                                                                          Page 3
<PAGE>

1        DEFINITIONS

         The following definitions and those contained in the Annexes shall
         apply throughout this Contract:

         1.1      "Ancillary Apparatus" means all materials, tools, plant,
                  appliances and other things which are for the time being on
                  the Site for use or otherwise in connection with the Work but
                  which are not intended for incorporation in the System.

         1.2      "Commissioning Report" means the report provided by the
                  Supplier to the Purchaser following system commissioning which
                  is part of the acceptance handbook.

         1.3      "Contract Sum" means the price payable for the full and proper
                  performance of this Contract, including any and all Contract
                  Variations, in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. The
                  breakdown of the Contract Sum is included in Annex 1 hereof.
                  The Contract Sum is for DDU (Incoterms 1990) delivery
                  conditions.

         1.4      "Contract Variation(s)" means any modification to this
                  Contract, consisting of additions, deletions or changes hereto
                  which may affect either the Contract Sum, the Plan of Work,
                  the Technical Specification or any other provision of this
                  Contract and which shall be the object of a formal amendment
                  to this Contract executed by both Parties hereto.

         1.5      "Design Life" means that period of time extending for a period
                  of twenty-five (25) years from the date of RFPA hereunder for
                  the System.

         1.6      "Equipment" means all materials, equipment and things
                  including Software supplied or procured or to be supplied or
                  procured by the Supplier for incorporation in the System and
                  includes all spares.

         1.7      "Factory Release Certificate" or "Release Certificate" means a
                  certificate confirming the Purchaser's acceptance of an item
                  and indicating clearance for billing and/or dispatch to the
                  designated Site.

         1.8      "Laying Report" means a report by the Supplier to the
                  Purchaser following each marine operation.

         1.9      "Phase" means each of Phase 1 and Phase 2as described in
                  Annex 4.

         1.10     "Plan of Work" means the detailed programme of manufacturing,
                  delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of the
                  System contained in Annex 3 hereof which the Supplier has
                  agreed to implement. A more detailed project implementation
                  plan shall be provided to the Purchaser by the Supplier and
                  agreed between the Parties within 30 days from the date of
                  signature hereof.

         1.11     "Quality Assurance Procedures" means all procedures referred
                  in the Supplier's QA Manual including qualification,
                  certification and manufacturing test and acceptance procedures
                  reviewed and accepted by the Purchaser.

         1.12     "Ready for Provisional Acceptance (RFPA)" means the date on
                  which a Certificate of Provisional Acceptance is issued
                  pursuant to the Terms and Conditions of this Contract.

                                                                          Page 4
<PAGE>

         1.13     "Site(s)" means the buildings and/or land and/or other places
                  allocated to the Supplier by the Purchaser for the purposes of
                  this Contract.

         1.14     "Software" means all programs, data, source code, object code,
                  documentation and operating systems, whether in writing, in
                  firmware, or in any other form, which are necessary for the
                  purposes of the System; including documentation, any support
                  tools which are not commercially available, and data connected
                  with the development and support as well as any upgrade or
                  enhancement thereto that may be required under the warranty
                  provisions hereof.

         1.15     "Supplier's Premises" means any place or location including
                  any vessel where the Supplier or any of its sub-contractors
                  carries out or performs in whole or in part its obligations
                  under this Contract, other than Sites.

         1.16     "System" means the whole of the submerged plant and associated
                  terminal equipment of the FLAG Atlantic Fibre Optic Cable
                  System provided between and among, and including the System
                  Interfaces in, the cable stations at:

                  Lands End, Long Island north shore, Long Island south shore
                  and St Brieuc.

                  The System (including the Phases) is more specifically defined
                  in the Technical Specification, Annex 4 hereof.

         1.17     "System Interface" means the nominal STM-4 (1x1 protected)
                  digital Input/output ports on the digital distribution frame
                  where the System connects with other transmission facilities
                  or equipment.

         1.18     "Unusually Severe Weather Conditions" means weather that is
                  worse than Sea State 6. Sea State 6 is as defined by the chart
                  shown in Annex 7.

         1.19     "Warranty Period" has the meaning set forth in Article 12.

         1.20     "Work" means all work set out in the Plan of Work which is
                  necessary to be carried out in the performance of the
                  Supplier's obligations under this Contract, and includes the
                  supply of all Equipment necessary for the provision of the
                  System.

2        PROVISION OF THE SYSTEM

         2.1      The Supplier agrees to develop, engineer, provide, install,
                  test and commission, or cause to be developed, engineered,
                  provided, installed, tested and commissioned, and to warrant
                  the System as well as to carry out and complete the route
                  survey in accordance with this Contract which includes the
                  Price Schedule contained in Annex 1, the Schedule of Progress
                  Payments contained in Annex 2, the Plan of Work contained in
                  Annex 3, the Technical Specification contained in Annex 4, the
                  Confidentiality Agreement contained in Annex 5 and the Long
                  Term support contained in Annex 6.

         2.2      The Supplier shall not, without prior consent of the
                  Purchaser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld,
                  assign this Contract or sub-contract any significant part of
                  the Work, or assign, mortgage, charge or encumber any benefit
                  whatsoever arising or which may arise under this Contract. In
                  any event, the Supplier shall not

                                                                          Page 5
<PAGE>

                  be relieved of the responsibility under this Contract for such
                  parts of the Work as are sub-contracted and the Supplier shall
                  be responsible and liable for the acts or defaults of any
                  sub-contractor or their employees, servants and agents, as
                  fully as if they were the acts or defaults of the Supplier or
                  the Supplier's employees, servants and agents. The Supplier
                  shall ensure that any sub-contracts entered into by the
                  Supplier shall contain such provisions of this Contract as
                  should be made applicable to such sub-contracts. Without
                  limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Purchaser shall
                  have the right to approve all vessels employed in the
                  performance of the Work.

         2.3      The Purchaser shall have the option to nominate the marine
                  subcontractor in accordance with the terms and conditions of
                  this contract to perform the marine installation, together
                  with defined scope of work and price . In the event of such
                  nomination ASN shall enter into negotiations, in good faith,
                  to agree terms, including but not limited to contract terms
                  and schedule. In the event that terms cannot be agreed, which
                  as a minimum shall be a flowdown of the head contract terms
                  and at prices agreed with the Purchaser, within a reasonable
                  time, then the Purchaser shall have the right to nominate
                  another subcontractor or give the Supplier the option to
                  appoint a subcontractor of their own choice. The Parties shall
                  co-operate with each other to ensure timely agreement of the
                  appointment of the marine installer.

         2.4      The Purchaser has the right, at its discretion, to attend or
                  participate in any activity of the Work. For this purpose, the
                  Supplier shall provide, or cause to be provided,
                  accommodation, food and communications facilities for two (2)
                  Purchaser representatives aboard any vessel and offices,
                  supplies and communication facilities on all other sites. Such
                  attendance or participation on the part of the Purchaser shall
                  not relieve the Supplier from its obligation to carry out and
                  complete the Work in accordance with the provisions of this
                  Contract.

3        VESTING AND WARRANTY OF TITLE

         3.1      Except for Software, which is subject to Article 21, title
                  (free and clear of all liens other than those deriving through
                  or from the Purchaser) to any Equipment provided by the
                  Supplier for incorporation in or attachment to the System
                  shall pass to and vest in the Purchaser upon completion of the
                  manufacture of said Equipment or part thereof and payment
                  therefor, as set out in Article 22.1.2. Title (free and clear
                  of all liens other than those deriving through or from the
                  Purchaser) to Equipment and to each part of the System shall
                  otherwise pass upon issuance of a Certificate of Provisional
                  Acceptance or a Certificate of Commercial Acceptance covering
                  such Equipment and such part of the System as provided in
                  Article 6, as the case may be. The Supplier shall keep records
                  to identify Equipment where title has passed to the Purchaser,
                  and shall afford the Purchaser the right to review such
                  records.

         3.2      Upon transfer of title to the Purchaser of any part of the
                  System, and of any Equipment furnished by the Supplier or its
                  sub-contractors, the Supplier warrants that such part of the
                  System, and such Equipment furnished by the Supplier or its
                  sub-contractors hereunder, are free from claims liens,
                  encumbrances and security interests arising by and through the
                  Supplier or such sub-contractors but not otherwise. For any
                  part of the System or Equipment, title to which has been
                  transferred to the Purchaser prior to the issuance of a
                  Certificate of Provisional Acceptance or a Certificate of
                  Commercial Acceptance covering such part of the

                                                                          Page 6
<PAGE>

                  System or such Equipment, as relevant, is issued, the Supplier
                  warrants that upon issuance of such certificate for part of
                  the System and/or such Equipment, as relevant, is free from
                  claims, liens, encumbrances and security interests arising by
                  and through the Supplier or such sub-contractors but not
                  otherwise.

4        INSPECTION

         4.1      The Purchaser shall at all times have full and free access to
                  the Supplier's Premises for the purposes of inspection; and
                  the Supplier shall afford all such reasonable accommodation
                  and facilities including equipment, materials and labour for
                  such purposes.

         4.2      To the extent required by the Purchaser, the Supplier shall
                  assist the Purchaser to carry out the following inspection
                  activities:

                  4.2.1    to audit the Supplier's quality assurance procedures
                           and their application to the work carried out under
                           this Contract, including without limitation,
                           manufacture, development, and raw materials and
                           components provision; and

                  4.2.2    to inspect all parts of the Equipment including the
                           process of manufacture in all its stages, the
                           examining and testing of every article and the
                           material used in the manufacture thereof and the
                           examining of the Supplier's testing procedures and
                           the Supplier's books and records relating to the
                           manufacture, inspection and testing of the Equipment
                           and to any other service to be rendered under this
                           Contract, to permit the Purchaser to gain assurance
                           that the quality is sufficient to meet the
                           requirements of the Technical Specification, Annex 4.

         4.3      At any time during manufacture and installation, if any part
                  of the Work or the Equipment does not, or will not, comply
                  with this Contract, the Purchaser may reject the same by
                  notice in writing. Upon rejection, the Supplier shall
                  forthwith at its own expense rectify the non-compliance in
                  accordance with any directions of the Purchaser and no charges
                  shall be made by the Supplier in respect thereof.

         4.4      The Supplier shall secure rights of access for the Purchaser
                  to the premises of all its sub-contractors.

         4.5      No part of the Equipment shall be shipped until a Release
                  Certificate has been issued for it in accordance with Annex 10
                  of Section 1 to Annex 4.

         4.6      The release of parts of the Equipment in accordance with
                  Article 4.5 above shall not in any way prejudice any right or
                  remedy which the Purchaser may have against the Supplier, or
                  relieve the Supplier of any of its responsibilities under this
                  Contract.

         4.7      Any expression of satisfaction made by or on behalf of the
                  Purchaser in respect of any aspect of the Work, carried out or
                  proposed by the Supplier, shall not relieve the Supplier of
                  any of its responsibilities under this Contract.

                                                                          Page 7
<PAGE>

5        DELIVERY, PACKAGING, CUSTOMS CLEARANCE AND WASTE DISPOSAL

         5.1      The Supplier shall at its own expense and its own
                  responsibility carry out all loading and unloading of the
                  Equipment, and its transportation to the Sites and to the
                  nominated storage premises for the spare cable and repeaters,
                  which will be indicated prior to shipment by the Purchaser.

         5.2      The Supplier shall be responsible for supplying packaging for
                  the Equipment. This packaging must be suitable for the safe
                  transportation of the Equipment by land, sea or air as
                  appropriate.

         5.3      The Supplier shall be responsible for performing all import
                  formalities for and on behalf of the Purchaser and for paying
                  VAT, customs duties or other levies and duties due to such
                  formalities, to the relevant authorities on behalf of and for
                  the Purchaser.

         5.4      The Supplier shall be responsible to dispose of all waste
                  materials in accordance with any local or national
                  environmental and/or other regulations. The Supplier shall
                  keep the Site(s) free from waste materials or rubbish caused
                  by the performance of the Work or its employees and upon
                  completion of the Work the Supplier shall leave the Site(s) in
                  a clean and orderly condition.

         5.5      Customs declarations shall be made for and on behalf of the
                  Purchaser who agrees to be or designate the Importer of
                  Record.

6        ACCEPTANCE PROCEDURES

         6.1      General

                  6.1.1    All references to test periods in this Article and
                           all references to tests shall be to the test periods
                           and tests defined in, Annex 10 of Section 1 to Annex
                           4 hereof, respectively.

         6.2      Acceptance Procedures

            The System will be accepted as described in the following articles.

                  6.2.1    PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE

                           6.2.1.1  The System, Phase 1 and Phase 2 shall be
                                    provisionally accepted and a certificate
                                    therefor promptly issued when:

                                    6.2.1.1.1 the commission results of Annex 10
                                              of Section 1 to Annex 4 hereof
                                              indicate conformance of the
                                              relevant Phase ; and

                                    6.2.1.1.2 in the case of the System, the
                                              Supplier has carried out the Work
                                              required by this Contract (other
                                              than minor deficiencies, which
                                              will not affect the operation and
                                              maintenance of the System in
                                              accordance with Annex 4).

                                                                          Page 8
<PAGE>

                                    6.2.1.1.3 The Certificate of Provisional
                                              Acceptance shall bear the actual
                                              date the System or relevant Phase,
                                              as appropriate, is Ready for
                                              Provisional Acceptance, which
                                              shall be the date when
                                              Articles 6.2.1.1.1 and 6.2.1.1.2
                                              have been satisfied and may
                                              contain a written list of any
                                              outstanding items required by
                                              this Contract which do not affect
                                              the operation and maintenance of
                                              the System or relevant Phase, as
                                              applicable, in accordance with
                                              Annex 4. The Supplier shall remedy
                                              such items in accordance with a
                                              program to be mutually agreed upon
                                              at that time.

                           6.2.1.2  In the event that a Certificate of
                                    Commercial Acceptance under Article 6.2.3
                                    hereof is issued, the relevant Phase, as
                                    applicable, must conform fully to Annex 4,
                                    as indicated by the satisfactory completion
                                    of tests in accordance with, Annex 10 of
                                    Section 1 to Annex 4 hereof before a
                                    Certificate of Provisional Acceptance is
                                    issued. If the test results indicate that
                                    the relevant Phase conforms to Annex 4, the
                                    relevant Phase shall be provisionally
                                    accepted. Promptly thereafter, the Purchaser
                                    may issue a Certificate of Provisional
                                    Acceptance.

                           6.2.1.3  Unless title has already passed to the
                                    Purchaser, title to the relevant Phase or
                                    the System, as applicable, shall pass to the
                                    Purchaser when the Certificate of
                                    Provisional Acceptance is issued.

                  6.2.2    FINAL ACCEPTANCE

                     The Purchaser shall issue a Certificate of Final Acceptance
                     after the expiration of the Supplier's Warranty Period
                     provided that, at the expiration of the Supplier's Warranty
                     Period, the System conforms fully to Annex 4 or such other
                     performance requirements which may have been agreed between
                     the Purchaser and the Supplier. Final Acceptance will be
                     based upon the results of the Final Acceptance Tests
                     conducted by the end of the Supplier's Warranty Period or,
                     if the Purchaser decides not to perform Final Acceptance
                     Tests, a Certificate of Final Acceptance shall be granted
                     promptly following the end of the Supplier's Warranty
                     Period. The issuance of the Certificate of Final Acceptance
                     will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, but in the
                     event that a pattern of failure or pattern of degradation
                     develops that is likely to cause the System to fail to meet
                     the requirements of Annex 4 or such other performance
                     requirements which may have been agreed between the
                     Purchaser and the Supplier to cover the Design Life, Final
                     Acceptance may be withheld until it can be reasonably
                     demonstrated that such pattern of failures or pattern of
                     degradation will not continue and the Supplier shall
                     promptly take all reasonable steps to that effect.

                  6.2.3    COMMERCIAL ACCEPTANCE

                           6.2.3.1  In the event that the relevant Phase does
                                    not meet the requirements of Article 6.2.1
                                    for the issuance of a Certificate of

                                                                          Page 9
<PAGE>

                                    Provisional Acceptance, but the relevant
                                    Phase is nevertheless acceptable for use by
                                    the Purchaser, then the Purchaser may, with
                                    the agreement of the Supplier, issue a
                                    Certificate of Commercial Acceptance for the
                                    relevant Phase.

                           6.2.3.2  The Certificate of Commercial Acceptance
                                    will contain a list of outstanding work
                                    items on which corrective action will be
                                    expected to be undertaken in order to place
                                    the relevant Phase in conformity with Annex
                                    4.

                           6.2.3.3  When the Certificate of Commercial
                                    Acceptance is issued, title to the relevant
                                    Phase, as applicable, and responsibility for
                                    maintenance thereof shall pass to the
                                    Purchaser, if such responsibility has not
                                    already passed. The Supplier shall remain
                                    responsible for any damage or loss to the
                                    System occurring as a result of the
                                    negligent or intentional acts or omissions
                                    of the Supplier, its agents or
                                    sub-contractors.

                           6.2.3.4  The issuance of a Certificate of Commercial
                                    Acceptance shall not constitute a waiver of
                                    the Supplier's obligation to provide the
                                    relevant Phase in compliance with the
                                    requirements of Annex 4. In the event that
                                    prior to RFPA for the relevant Phase the
                                    performance of the part of the System that
                                    was acceptable deteriorates from the
                                    performance established at the time of
                                    Commercial Acceptance, the Supplier shall be
                                    responsible for re-establishing promptly
                                    performance of such part to at least the
                                    level of performance at the time of
                                    Commercial Acceptance and bearing all costs
                                    of those corrective actions.

                           6.2.3.5  Following the issuance of a Certificate of
                                    Commercial Acceptance, the Supplier shall as
                                    soon as practicable remedy all outstanding
                                    work items so as to allow tests to be
                                    conducted in accordance with, Annex 10 of
                                    Section 1 to Annex 4 hereof.

7        LIQUIDATED DAMAGES FOR DELAY IN PERFORMANCE

         7.1      If the RFPA for any Phase does not occur by the applicable
                  date defined below or any extension thereto allowed or agreed
                  to by the Purchaser hereunder, then and in such case the
                  Supplier shall pay to the Purchaser as liquidated damages for
                  delay in performance a sum calculated as follows per 24 hour
                  period or part thereof and subject to the maximum set out in
                  Article 7.2.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------- ------------------------ -------------------------------------------- -----------------
Delayed Work          RFPA Date                LD Base                                      LD rate
--------------------- ------------------------ -------------------------------------------- -----------------
<S>                   <C>                      <C>                                          <C>
Phase 1               31 March 2001            Contract Sum for Phase 1 ("CS1")             0.05%
                                                                                            *CS1/day
--------------------- ------------------------ -------------------------------------------- -----------------
Phase 2               30 June 2001             Contract Sum ("CS")                          0.05%
                                                                                            *CS/day
--------------------- ------------------------ -------------------------------------------- -----------------

--------------------- ------------------------ -------------------------------------------- -----------------
</TABLE>

                                                                         Page 10
<PAGE>

N.B.     Liquidated damages cannot be paid for delay of more than one Phase at
         the same time. In the event more than one Phase is delayed payment will
         be at the higher applicable base.

         7.2      Liquidated damages for delay in performance pursuant to this
                  Article 7 shall not in any circumstances exceed 10% of the
                  Contract Sum.

         7.3      The right of the Purchaser to recover liquidated damages for
                  delay in performance as provided in Articles 7.1 and 7.2 above
                  shall not be waived by any concession granted or certificate
                  given or payment made to the Supplier.

         7.4      Payment of liquidated damages shall be in full satisfaction of
                  the Supplier's liability for delay.

8        INJURY TO PERSONS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

         8.1      The Supplier assumes responsibility for, and shall indemnify
                  and save the Purchaser harmless from, any and all claims,
                  losses, expenses and damages for injuries to or death of any
                  persons including the employees of the Supplier and those of
                  its sub-contractors or agents and the employees of the
                  Purchaser, and for damage to property except as provided in
                  Article 9 (but excluding consequential, special or indirect
                  damages such as those arising as a result of interruption of
                  telecommunications services provided by the Purchaser, its
                  representatives, agents, lessees, customers and
                  correspondents), where such injuries, deaths, damages, claims,
                  losses and/or expenses result from the negligent or
                  intentional acts or omissions of the Supplier, its
                  sub-contractors, or agents in the provision or construction by
                  the Supplier, its sub-contractors or agents, of the System.
                  The Supplier in any case assumes responsibility for, and shall
                  indemnify and save the Purchaser harmless from, any and all
                  claims for injuries to or death of any of the employees of the
                  Supplier and those of its sub-contractors or agents and for
                  damage to property of such employees or of the Supplier, its
                  sub-contractor or agents.

         8.2      In the event of any claim being made or action brought against
                  the Purchaser arising out of the matters referred to in this
                  Article the Supplier shall be promptly notified thereof, and
                  may at its own expense conduct all negotiations for the
                  settlement of the same and any litigation that may arise
                  therefrom. The Purchaser shall not, unless and until the
                  Supplier or its Insurers shall have failed, within a
                  reasonable period of time but in any event no more than 30
                  days after any such action, to take over or diligently carry
                  on the conduct of the negotiations or litigation, make any
                  admission which might be prejudicial thereto. The Purchaser
                  shall, at the request of the Supplier, afford all available
                  assistance for the purpose of contesting any such claim or
                  action and shall be repaid by the Supplier any expenses
                  incurred in so doing.

9        DAMAGE TO THE SYSTEM AND THE EQUIPMENT

         9.1      Notwithstanding the transfer of title to the Purchaser in
                  accordance with Article 3, the Supplier assumes responsibility
                  for all damage to or loss of the Equipment up to the date of
                  the Certificate of Provisional Acceptance or Certificate of
                  Commercial Acceptance, whichever is the earlier, for such
                  Equipment.

                                                                         Page 11
<PAGE>

         9.2      The Supplier shall, with all possible speed, repair or replace
                  any such loss or damage and notwithstanding such loss or
                  damage the Supplier shall proceed with the performance of the
                  Work and completion thereof in accordance with this Contract.
                  The cost of such repair or replacement shall be at the expense
                  of the Supplier, save that the Purchaser shall be liable to
                  the extent that such loss or damage results from the
                  negligence or default of employees, agents, or contractors
                  (other than the Supplier and the Supplier's employees, agents
                  or sub-contractors) of the Purchaser acting in the course of
                  their employment as such.

         9.3

                  9.3.1    Where any such loss or damage is caused by a third
                           party to a part of any Equipment which, although
                           vested in the Purchaser, remains at the risk of the
                           Supplier, the Purchaser shall, on demand, assign to
                           the Supplier in writing the benefits of any right or
                           remedy which the Purchaser may have or allege to have
                           against such third party, whether in contract, tort
                           or otherwise, arising out of such loss or damage, in
                           order that the Supplier may initiate proceedings
                           against such third party in its own name.

                  9.3.2    The Supplier agrees to fully indemnify the Purchaser
                           against all actions, costs, claims, demands, charges,
                           expenses or losses which the Purchaser may incur or
                           for which it may become liable, arising from such
                           assignment or from any proceedings brought by the
                           Supplier arising therefrom.

10       LOSS DUE TO ACTS OF PURCHASER

         10.1     The Supplier shall not be responsible for any loss, damage,
                  delay or failure of performance resulting directly or
                  indirectly from the acts or failure to act of the Purchaser,
                  not requested by the Supplier.

         10.2     If any such loss, damage, delay or failure causes an increase
                  in the cost of performance or the time required for
                  performance of any of the Supplier's duties of obligations
                  under this Contract, the Supplier shall be entitled to an
                  equitable adjustment in the time for completion of the Work
                  hereunder and to an equitable adjustment in the Contract Sum
                  provided that the increased cost is not recoverable from
                  insurance proceeds. The Supplier shall use its reasonable best
                  efforts to provide all necessary documentation required to
                  fully substantiate and support any claim pursuant to the
                  foregoing and shall use its reasonable best efforts to
                  minimise the effect on the Contract Sum and the time for
                  completion of the Work.

         10.3     The Supplier shall inform the Purchaser promptly of any
                  occurrence covered under this Article 10.

11       OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY

         11.1     The Supplier shall be held by the acceptance of this Contract
                  to approve of the System in the whole and in detail and shall
                  accept responsibility for the satisfactory performance of the
                  System on completion of the whole process of manufacture,
                  supply and installation thereof and the Supplier shall remain
                  responsible for the execution of this Contract, for the
                  overall working of the System and for its guarantee.

                                                                         Page 12
<PAGE>

         11.2     If the Supplier is of the opinion that any part of the Work
                  undertaken by the Purchaser would adversely affect the
                  Supplier's ability to execute this Contract, whether as a
                  result of the negligence or default of the Purchaser or for
                  any other reason, the Supplier shall immediately notify the
                  Purchaser in writing. Such notice shall be supported by the
                  Supplier's reasons for so opining.

         11.3     The Supplier shall only be relieved for time and cost under
                  this Article if the Purchaser has not taken appropriate action
                  within a reasonable time in response to a notification from
                  the Supplier in accordance with Article 11.2.

         11.4     The Supplier shall be solely responsible for the design of the
                  System and for the adequacy thereof and shall not claim any
                  additional payment nor be relieved from any obligation imposed
                  on it by this Contract on grounds of misunderstanding or
                  incorrect or insufficient information received from and/or
                  supplied by the Purchaser on any matter whatsoever related to
                  this Contract.

         11.5     The Supplier's responsibility for the design of the System
                  shall not in any way be diminished nor shall its design
                  approach be restricted or limited by the Purchaser's
                  acceptance of the Supplier's guidance or recommendations as to
                  engineering standards and design specifications or by the
                  Purchaser's suggestions or recommendations on any aspect of
                  the said design.

         11.6     If in the opinion of either Party any part of the Work as
                  detailed in the Plan of Work is, or is likely to be, delayed
                  (including any development or qualification being undertaken)
                  then the Parties shall meet in order to agree a work around
                  plan in order to assure the timely completion of the Work. If
                  the delay is attributable to the Supplier then any agreed work
                  around plan shall be at the Suppliers cost.

12       WARRANTIES

         12.1     The Supplier warrants that the System shall be designed so
                  that (i) the performance of the System shall be in accordance
                  with the Technical Specification, Annex 4 for the Design Life
                  and (ii) during the Design Life, no pattern of failure or
                  pattern of degradation shall develop that is likely to cause
                  the System to fail to meet the requirements of Annex 4 (or
                  such other performance requirements which may have been agreed
                  between the Purchaser and the Supplier) over the Design Life
                  (such warranty hereinafter called the "Design Life Warranty").

                  For the purpose of this Contract the warranty period
                  ("Warranty Period") for each Phase shall commence at RFPA of
                  the relevant Phase and continue for a period of two (2) years
                  for terminal equipment and five (5) years for submerged plant
                  from the RFPA of Phase 2 .

                  The Supplier in addition warrants that during the Warranty
                  Period the System, including the spares set forth in Annex 1,
                  shall conform fully to the performance requirements set forth
                  in the Technical Specification, Annex 4, or such other
                  performance requirements mutually agreed upon as acceptable by
                  the Supplier and the Purchaser (hereinafter called the
                  "Defects Warranty"). However, the Warranty Period of any items
                  not provided or requiring repair or replacement at the date of
                  RFPA of Phase 2 shall start from the date(s) such items are
                  provisionally accepted by the Purchaser, if later than RFPA of
                  Phase 2.

                                                                         Page 13
<PAGE>

                  Ships costs associated with repairs to the submerged plant in
                  years 3 through 5 shall be to the Purchaser's account.

         12.2     During the Warranty Period for the relevant item, the
                  Purchaser may elect, at its sole option, to undertake the
                  following repairs which are covered by the Defects Warranty:

                  12.2.1   System repairs, involving the repair of cable or the
                           replacement of cable and/or repeaters and branching
                           units, whether at-sea or on-land provided that such
                           repairs are carried out in accordance with the
                           Supplier's declared procedures which will be detailed
                           and provided in the relevant Supplier's maintenance
                           handbook or, at the option of the Purchaser, in
                           accordance with other procedures which have been
                           approved by the Supplier; and

                  12.2.2   The substitution of spare cards in cable station
                           equipment, provided that such substitutions are
                           carried out in accordance with the Supplier's
                           declared procedures which will be detailed and
                           provided in the relevant Supplier's maintenance
                           handbook or, at the option of the Purchaser, in
                           accordance with other procedures which have been
                           approved by the Supplier.

                  12.2.3   Except as otherwise provided in the last sentence of
                           Article 12.1, the Supplier shall reimburse the
                           Purchaser for the cost of such repairs, subject only
                           to the limitation of liability specified in Article
                           32. For the purpose of this provision, the cost of
                           repair shall include, but not be limited to, the cost
                           of any additional equipment necessary to effect the
                           repair, the cost of making the repair, including all
                           costs of the cable repair ship(s) that may be
                           required to make the repair, the cost of re-burying
                           the portion of the System that was previously buried,
                           the cost of labour and engineering assistance
                           required to make the repair, and all associated
                           costs, such as, but not limited to, shipping,
                           permits, customs duties and taxes. To the extent that
                           the Purchaser uses its spare equipment in making the
                           repair, the Supplier shall replace, in kind, such
                           spare equipment used by the Purchaser to effect such
                           repair. The replacement of such spare equipment shall
                           be made at a time mutually agreed to by the Purchaser
                           and the Supplier, but in any event no later than the
                           end of the period indicated in Annex 6.

                  12.2.4   Any equipment that is discovered to be defective or
                           faulty and is recovered during a Defects Warranty
                           repair by the Purchaser shall be retrieved by the
                           Supplier.

                  12.2.5   The Supplier shall be entitled to have a
                           representative present on board ship to observe
                           at-sea repairs.

         12.3

                  12.3.1   The Supplier shall perform all warranty repairs other
                           than those that the Purchaser elects to perform
                           pursuant to Article 12.2. Except as otherwise
                           provided in the last sentence of Article 12.1, the
                           Supplier shall bear the costs of each such repair
                           required during the Warranty Period subject only to
                           the limitation of liability specified in Article 32.
                           For the purposes of this provision, the cost of
                           repair shall include, but not be

                                                                         Page 14
<PAGE>

                           limited to, the cost of any component, equipment or
                           materials requiring replacement, the cost of any
                           additional equipment necessary to effect the repair,
                           the cost of making the repair, and including all
                           costs of cable repair ships that may be required to
                           make the repair, the cost of re burying the portion
                           of the system that was previously buried, the cost of
                           labour and engineering assistance required to make
                           the repair, and all associated costs, such as, but
                           not limited to, shipping, permits, customs duties and
                           taxes.

                  12.3.2   The timing and method of repair shall be agreed
                           between the Parties and the Supplier shall effect all
                           such warranty repairs through the use of repair
                           materials supplied by it. However, the Supplier may
                           use, with the agreement of the Purchaser, the
                           materials needed to effect a repair from the
                           Purchaser's available spare materials. The Supplier
                           shall replace, in kind, such materials supplied from
                           the Purchaser's spare materials. The replacement of
                           such materials shall be made at a time mutually
                           agreed by the Purchasers and the Supplier, but in any
                           event not later than the end of the period indicated
                           in Annex 6.

                  12.3.3   The Supplier shall make every reasonable effort to
                           make all such warranty repairs to the System to
                           minimise the period of time that the FLAG Atlantic
                           Fibre Optic Cable System is out-of-service for
                           testing and repair. In the event that the Supplier
                           fails to make the repair promptly or to make every
                           reasonable effort to minimise the period of time that
                           the FLAG Atlantic Fibre Optic Cable System is
                           out-of-service for repair, the Purchaser may repair
                           the System and collect the full costs of such repair
                           from the Supplier. The Purchaser agrees to co-operate
                           with the Supplier to facilitate the Supplier's repair
                           activity.

         12.4

                  12.4.1   All materials used to repair the System, which are
                           not supplied from the Purchaser's spare stock, shall
                           be warranted:

                           12.4.1.1 for a period of two (2) years for terminal
                                    equipment and five (5) years for submerged
                                    plant from the date of repair or
                                    replacement; or

                           12.4.1.2 from the date of repair or replacement until
                                    a date four (4) years for terminal equipment
                                    and seven (7) years for submerged plant from
                                    the date of issuance of the Certificate of
                                    Provisional Acceptance for the System,

                           whichever period is completed first.

                           12.4.1.3 All materials supplied to replenish the
                                    Purchaser's spare stock, in accordance with
                                    Article 12.2.3 or 12.3.2, shall be
                                    warranted:

                           12.4.1.4 for a period of two (2) years for terminal
                                    equipment and five (5) years for submerged
                                    plant from the date of repair or
                                    replacement; or

                           12.4.1.5 from the date of repair or replacement until
                                    a date four (4) years for terminal equipment
                                    and seven (7) years for submerged plant

                                                                         Page 15
<PAGE>

                                    from the date of issuance of the Certificate
                                    of Provisional Acceptance for the System,

                                    whichever period is completed first.

         12.5     If during the Warranty Period defects are found on frequent
                  occasions in any part(s) of the Work, such part(s) shall not
                  be repaired but shall be replaced by new part(s) which are
                  fully compatible with the System and have characteristics
                  equal or equivalent to the part(s) originally provided.

         12.6     The warranty of the System shall not apply to failures to
                  conform to Annex 4 which result from damage caused by
                  negligent acts or omissions of the Purchaser, its agents or
                  representatives (including that resulting from the negligent
                  or improper use of the System or from repair of the System by
                  the Purchaser not in accordance with the Supplier's declared
                  procedures or other procedures approved by the Supplier), or
                  which result from the causes set forth in Articles 10 and 14
                  hereof.

13       SUPPLIER SUPPORT

         13.1     In addition to the Design Life Warranty and the Defects
                  Warranty provided in the preceding Article, the Supplier
                  further warrants that for the Design Life of the System, the
                  Supplier will supply such spare parts, replacement equipment
                  and repair service, and Software support for the System as may
                  be necessary for its operation, maintenance or repair. Where
                  identical parts cannot be supplied, the Supplier shall provide
                  fully compatible parts with characteristics equal or
                  equivalent to those originally provided. Unless provided for
                  in Annex 6 such parts, equipment and services shall be
                  supplied under reasonable conditions of price and delivery.

         13.2     Notwithstanding Article 13.1, if for any reason the Supplier
                  and /or any of its sub-contractors intends to cease
                  manufacturing identical spare parts and replacement equipment,
                  the Supplier shall give a minimum one (1) year's prior written
                  notice to the Purchaser to allow the Purchaser to order from
                  the Supplier any required spare parts and replacement
                  equipment, and shall forthwith provide full details of the
                  arrangements to provide equivalents.

         13.3     In the event that the Supplier fails to comply with the
                  provisions of Article 13.1 or 13.2 or this Contract is
                  terminated for default, the Purchaser may require the Supplier
                  to provide the Purchaser with any and all manufacturing
                  drawings and related specifications as well as bills of
                  materials giving the description, in-house numbers and/or code
                  numbers for all such parts or equipment or to give, in cases
                  where the parts or equipment were not manufactured by the
                  Supplier, the manufacturer's name, description of the parts or
                  equipment and code numbers, and to give tolerances for
                  matching of parts or equipment and finally, for matched parts
                  or equipment, to give lists of matched parameters and
                  tolerances and the Purchaser shall have the right to use the
                  same only for the purpose of continual maintenance, repair and
                  support of the System. In the case of Software the Supplier
                  will provide Source Code together with documentation to enable
                  the Purchaser to maintain the System.

14       FORCE MAJEURE

                                                                         Page 16
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         14.1     Neither Party shall be in default if any failure to perform
                  this Contract arises from any cause which is beyond its
                  reasonable control and without its fault or negligence and
                  could not have been avoided through reasonable efforts,
                  including, but not limited to, acts of God or of the public
                  enemy, acts or failure to act of any governmental authority,
                  war, warlike operations, insurrections or riots, epidemics,
                  quarantine restrictions, strikes, Unusually Severe Weather
                  Conditions but no other weather conditions, fires, floods,
                  trawler or anchor damage, damage caused by other marine
                  activity both natural and man-made, such as, but not limited
                  to, fishing, marine research and marine development, or
                  defaults by any of the Supplier's suppliers or sub-contractors
                  due to any such causes.

         14.2     If any such Force Majeure by itself causes an increase in the
                  time required to reach RFPA for any Phase and/or the System
                  the Supplier shall be entitled to an equitable adjustment to
                  the time to reach such RFPA.

         14.3     The Supplier shall inform the Purchaser promptly, but in any
                  event within 3 (three) working days, of any occurrence covered
                  under this Article 14.

         14.4     With regard to Unusually Severe Weather Conditions in Article
                  14.1 above, the following will apply:

                  14.4.1   A claim for an extension of time due to force majeure
                           may only be made in respect of Unusually Severe
                           Weather Conditions to the extent that the number of
                           days such conditions are experienced exceeds the
                           number of unused days of weather contingency included
                           in the Plan of Work for the relevant Phase.

                  14.4.2   The time period for making claims of force majeur in
                           respect of Unusually Severe Weather Conditions, shall
                           be 7 days after completion of marine operations for
                           each Phase.

                  14.4.3   Any such claim is subject to the provisions of 14.2
                           and the Supplier must demonstrate that the number of
                           days of Unusually Severe Weather Conditions not only
                           exceed the number of unused weather contingency days
                           but also that it has resulted or will result in an
                           increase in the time required to reach RFPA for the
                           relevant Phase.

15       SUSPENSION OF WORK

         15.1     The Purchaser may, at its convenience, order the Supplier to
                  suspend all or part of the Work for such period of time as the
                  Purchaser determines to be appropriate provided that such
                  suspension shall not continue for a cumulative period of
                  twelve (12) months or for any period of six (6) consecutive
                  months. Where as a result of such suspension the Supplier
                  incurs additional costs or where such a suspension causes loss
                  to the Supplier in the discharge of its responsibilities under
                  this Contract, and where such suspension or losses and costs
                  are not caused by the Supplier's negligence and could not have
                  been reasonably prevented by the Supplier, the Supplier shall
                  be allowed an equitable adjustment to the applicable prices
                  and an equitable extension in the time required for
                  performance.

         15.2     In the event that the Purchaser is unable to make Payment due
                  hereunder to the Supplier, then the Supplier shall be entitled
                  to give the Purchaser Notice to arrange such Payment within 30
                  days and thereafter, if Payment is not received, may

                                                                         Page 17
<PAGE>

                  Suspend all or part of the Work and such suspension shall be
                  deemed to be Suspension under Article 15.1

16       CHANGES OR ADDITIONAL WORK

         16.1     No change shall be made to this Contract except by Contract
                  Variation.

         16.2     The Purchaser may, with the Supplier's agreement, specify
                  modifications to the Work. The Supplier shall not unreasonably
                  refuse to agree to such modifications.

         16.3     The Purchaser shall have the right to make any variation to
                  the Work by not more than 10 %, in quantity, of any product
                  type and this shall have no impact on the Plan of Work. The
                  latest date for making such change shall be the RFPA date for
                  the relevant Phase or as such date may be extended pursuant
                  hereto, minus the lead time for any item as set forth in
                  Annex 6.

         16.4     The Purchaser shall have the right at any time by a written
                  order to demand variations within the scope of delivery of any
                  of the following:

                  16.4.1   drawings, designs or specifications, where supplies
                           to be furnished are to be specially manufactured for
                           the Purchaser;

                  16.4.2   method of shipment or packing, including methods of
                           preservation; and

                  16.4.3   place of delivery.

         16.5     The Supplier may propose modifications to the Work if it
                  considers that such modifications will result in improved
                  manufacturing processes or manufacturing time, reduction in
                  costs, technical improvements of the product(s) or imply
                  maintenance advantages or give better technical applicability.

         16.6     If any proposed change and/or order in accordance with
                  Articles 16.2, 16.3 and/or 16.4 above causes an increase or a
                  decrease in the price of the Work and/or in the time required
                  for the execution of the Supplier's obligations under this
                  Contract, it shall so inform the Purchaser no later than
                  fourteen (14) days after it has received the proposed change
                  and/or order.

         16.7     Information about any increase or decrease in the price of the
                  Work and/or in the time required for the execution of the
                  Supplier's obligations under this Contract shall be contained
                  in any proposed change in accordance with Article 16.5 above.

         16.8     Adjustments mentioned in this Article 16 which contain items
                  included in the Price Schedule (Annex 1) shall be costed using
                  the unit prices stated for these items in Annex 1. Where
                  adjustments mentioned in this Article contain items which are
                  not specified or sufficiently defined in Annex 1 then these
                  items shall be costed on an equitable basis.

         16.9     The Purchaser shall not unreasonably refuse to agree to a
                  Contract Variation to reflect the Supplier's recommendation of
                  route and cable types arising as a result of the Route Survey.

17       TERMINATION FOR DEFAULT

                                                                         Page 18
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         17.1     The Purchaser may, by written notice of termination for
                  default to the Supplier, terminate the whole or any part of
                  this Contract in any one of the following circumstances, such
                  termination to be effective immediately upon receipt of said
                  notice, or at such later date as it may specify in such
                  notice:

                  17.1.1   if the Supplier materially fails to comply with Annex
                           4 or any written amendment thereto, and does not
                           remedy such failure within a period of thirty (30)
                           days, or such longer period as the Purchaser may
                           authorise in writing, after receipt of notice from
                           the Purchaser specifying such failure; or

                  17.1.2   if the Supplier materially fails to perform an
                           essential requirement of this Contract, and does not
                           remedy such failure within a period of thirty (30)
                           days , or such longer period as the Purchaser may
                           authorise in writing, after receipt of notice from
                           the Purchaser specifying such failure; or

                  17.1.3   if the Supplier becomes insolvent, files for
                           bankruptcy, takes advantage of any legal scheme for
                           the relief of debtors, adopts a resolution for the
                           liquidation of its assets, or if a petition in
                           bankruptcy, for receivership or for winding-up is
                           taken against it and is not rejected or withdrawn
                           within thirty (30) days from its inception.

         17.2     The Supplier shall not be in default if any failure to perform
                  this Contract arises out of the causes stipulated in Articles
                  10.1 and 14.1.

         17.3     If this Contract is terminated as provided in Article 17.1 the
                  Supplier shall comply with Articles 18.2.1 - 18.2.7 and 18.2.9
                  and the Purchaser, in addition to any other rights provided in
                  this Article 17, may require the Supplier to transfer title
                  and deliver to the Purchaser in the manner and to the extent
                  directed by the Purchaser, any completed cable, equipment,
                  material or supplies and such partially completed cable,
                  equipment, materials or supplies, and any parts, tools, dies,
                  jigs, fixtures, plans, drawings, information and contract
                  rights (hereinafter in this Article 17 called "manufacturing
                  material") as the Supplier has had specifically produced or
                  specifically acquired for the performance of such part of this
                  Contract as has been terminated and which if this Contract had
                  been completed would have been required to be furnished to the
                  Purchaser, and the Supplier shall, upon the direction of the
                  Purchaser, protect and preserve property in the Supplier's
                  possession in which the Purchaser has an interest. The
                  Supplier shall be paid the prices specified in Annex 1 for
                  completed cable, equipment, material and supplies delivered
                  and services performed, the amount to be agreed upon by the
                  Purchaser and the Supplier for manufacturing material
                  delivered to and approved by the Purchaser and the Supplier's
                  reasonable costs incurred for the protection and preservation
                  of property.

         17.4     In the event of any termination of this Contract as provided
                  in Article 17.1 the Supplier shall not be relieved from any
                  liability for damages or otherwise which may have been
                  incurred by reason of any breach of this Contract.

         17.5     The Supplier's liability hereunder shall be limited in
                  accordance with Article 32.

18       TERMINATION BY NOTICE

                                                                         Page 19
<PAGE>

         18.1     The performance of work under this Contract may be terminated
                  by the Purchaser in whole, or from time to time in part,
                  whenever it shall so determine. The Purchaser shall deliver to
                  the Supplier a written notice of termination specifying the
                  extent to which performance of work under this Contract is
                  terminated, and the date upon which such termination becomes
                  effective.

         18.2     After receipt of such notice of termination, and except as
                  otherwise directed by the Purchaser, the Supplier shall:

                  18.2.1   stop work under this Contract on the date and to the
                           extent specified in the notice of termination;

                  18.2.2   place no further orders or contracts for materials,
                           services or facilities except as may be necessary for
                           completion of such portion of the Work under this
                           Contract as is not terminated;

                  18.2.3   use its reasonable best efforts to terminate all
                           orders and contracts to the extent that they relate
                           to the performance of work terminated by the notice
                           of termination unless otherwise directed by the
                           Purchaser;

                  18.2.4   assign to the Purchaser, in the manner, at the time,
                           and to the extent directed by the Purchaser, all of
                           the Supplier's right, title and interest under the
                           orders and contracts so terminated;

                  18.2.5   use its reasonable best efforts to settle all
                           outstanding liabilities and all claims arising out of
                           such termination of orders and contracts, with the
                           Purchaser's approval or ratification to the extent it
                           may require, which approval or ratification shall be
                           final for all the purposes of this Article 18;

                  18.2.6   transfer title and deliver to the Purchaser in the
                           manner, at the time, and to the extent (if any)
                           directed by it ;

                           18.2.6.1 the fabricated or unfabricated parts, work
                                    in process, completed work, supplies, and
                                    other material produced as a part of, or
                                    acquired in connection with the performance
                                    of, the work terminated by the notice of
                                    termination, and

                           18.2.6.2 the completed or partially completed plans,
                                    drawings, information, and other property
                                    which, if this Contract had been completed,
                                    would have been required to be furnished to
                                    the Purchaser;

                  18.2.7   use its reasonable best efforts to sell, in the
                           manner, at the times, to the extent, and at the price
                           or prices directed or authorised by the Purchaser,
                           any property of the types referred to in Article
                           18.2.6 provided, however, that the Supplier:

                           18.2.7.1 shall not be required to extend credit to
                                    any buyer, and

                           18.2.7.2 may acquire any such property under the
                                    conditions prescribed by and at a price
                                    approved by the Purchaser; and provided
                                    further that the proceeds of any such
                                    transfer or disposition

                                                                         Page 20
<PAGE>

                                    shall be applied in reduction of any
                                    payments to be made by the Purchaser to the
                                    Supplier under this Contract or paid in such
                                    other manner as the Purchaser may direct;

                  18.2.8   complete performance of such part of the Work as
                           shall not have been terminated by the notice of
                           termination; and

                  18.2.9   take such action as may be necessary, or as the
                           Purchaser may direct, for the protection and
                           preservation of the property related to this Contract
                           which is in the Supplier's possession and in which
                           the Purchaser has, or may acquire, an interest.

         18.3     After receipt of a notice of termination, the Supplier shall
                  submit to the Purchaser a written termination claim. Such
                  claim shall be submitted promptly, but in no event later than
                  six (6) months from the effective date of termination, unless
                  one or more extensions in writing are granted by the Purchaser
                  upon request made in writing within such six (6) month period
                  or any authorised extension thereof.

         18.4     In the settlement of any such partial or total termination
                  claim, the Purchaser shall pay to the Supplier the total of:

                  18.4.1   that part of the Contract Sum relating to the
                           completed Work; and

                  18.4.2   a fair and reasonable proportion of the Contract Sum
                           relevant to partially completed Work, including work
                           in progress, produced or manufactured but not
                           delivered; and

                  18.4.3   the cost of materials and supplies purchased in
                           respect of this Contract but not yet incorporated
                           into the Work; and

                  18.4.4   the cost of settling and paying claims arising out of
                           the termination of work under the contracts and
                           orders, as provided in Article 18.2.5, which are
                           properly chargeable to the terminated portion of this
                           Contract; and

                  18.4.5   the reasonable costs of settlement including
                           accounting, legal, clerical and other expenses
                           reasonably necessary for the preparation of
                           settlement claims and supporting data with respect to
                           the terminated portion of this Contract and for the
                           termination and settlement of contracts thereunder,
                           together with reasonable storage, transportation and
                           other costs incurred in connection with the
                           protection and disposition of property allocatable to
                           this Contract.

         18.5     In arriving at the amount due to the Supplier under this
                  Article 18, Purchaser shall deduct all payments made to the
                  Supplier under this Contract, any liabilities which the
                  Supplier may have to the Purchaser, and the agreed price for,
                  or the proceeds of sale of, any materials, supplies, or other
                  things produced or acquired by the Supplier and sold, pursuant
                  to the provisions of this Article 18, and not otherwise
                  recovered by or credited to the Purchaser.

         18.6     If the termination hereunder be partial, prior to the
                  settlement of the terminated portion of this Contract, the
                  Supplier may file with the Purchaser a request in writing for
                  an equitable adjustment of the price or prices specified in
                  this Contract

                                                                         Page 21
<PAGE>

                  relating to the portion of this Contract not terminated and
                  such equitable adjustments as may be agreed upon shall be made
                  in such price or prices.

         18.7     The Purchaser may, from time to time, under such terms and
                  conditions as it may prescribe, approve partial payments and
                  payments on account against costs incurred by the Supplier in
                  connection with the terminated portion of this Contract
                  whenever in the opinion of the Purchaser the aggregate of such
                  payments may be within the amount to which the Supplier will
                  be entitled hereunder. If the total of such payments is in
                  excess of the amount finally agreed or determined to be due
                  under this Article 18, such excess shall be payable by the
                  Supplier to the Purchaser upon demand.

         18.8     For a period of five (5) years after final settlement under
                  this Contract, the Supplier shall preserve and make available
                  to the Purchaser at all reasonable times at the Supplier's
                  office, but without direct charge to the Purchaser, all books,
                  records, and documents required to be kept by Article 23
                  bearing on its costs and expenses under this Contract and
                  relating to the work terminated hereunder, or to the extent
                  approved by the Purchaser, photographs, photocopies, or other
                  authentic reproductions thereof.

         18.9     Any payment made by the Purchaser to the Supplier pursuant to
                  this Article together with any amounts already paid under this
                  Contract shall in no circumstances exceed the Contract Sum.

19       SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Any technical, manufacturing, commercial or other information furnished by the
Supplier to the Purchaser and any information provided by the Purchaser to the
Supplier hereunder or in contemplation hereof shall be subject to the FLAG
Atlantic Fibre Optic Cable System Confidentiality Agreement contained in Annex
5.

20       INFRINGEMENT

         20.1     The Supplier shall fully indemnify the Purchaser against all
                  actions, claims, demands, costs, charges, expenses, and losses
                  arising from or incurred by reason of any infringement or
                  alleged infringement of any patent, copyright or other form of
                  intellectual property right in any country in the world, for
                  any material or software (or the manufacture of any material
                  or the normal use thereof) provided by the Supplier or on its
                  behalf pursuant to this Contract except such infringement or
                  alleged infringement arising from:

                  20.1.1   the Supplier's adherence to the Purchaser's
                           directions to use materials or parts of the
                           Purchaser's selection; or

                  20.1.2   such material or parts furnished to the Supplier by
                           the Purchaser, other than in each case, items of the
                           Supplier's design or selection or the same as any of
                           the Supplier's commercial merchandise or in processes
                           or machines of the Supplier's design or selection
                           used in the manufacture of such standard products or
                           parts thereof; or

                  20.1.3   such material or parts furnished to the Supplier by
                           other FLAG Atlantic Fibre Optic Cable System
                           suppliers (other than the Supplier's subcontractors);
                           or

                                                                         Page 22
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                  20.1.4   use of the Equipment other than for the purposes
                           indicated in, or reasonably to be inferred from, this
                           Contract.

         20.2     The Purchaser will, at its own expense, defend all suits
                  against the Supplier for such excepted infringement or alleged
                  infringement, and save the Supplier harmless from all expense
                  of defending any such suit and from all payments by final
                  judgement therein assessed against the Supplier on account of
                  such excepted infringement.

         20.3     If the System or any part of the Equipment supplied by the
                  Supplier is held to constitute infringement and is subject to
                  an injunction restraining its use or any order providing for
                  its delivery up or destruction, the Supplier shall forthwith
                  at its own expense either:

                  20.3.1   procure for the Purchaser the right to retain and
                           continue to use the System; or

                  20.3.2   modify the System within sixty (60) days or within
                           that period imposed by the third party being
                           infringed, whichever shall be the shortest, so that
                           it becomes non-infringing while ensuring the
                           compliance with the requirements of Annex 4.

         20.4     In the event of any claim being made or action brought against
                  the Purchaser arising out of the matters referred to in this
                  Article, the Supplier shall be promptly notified, within a
                  reasonable period of time but in any event no more than 30
                  days after any such action, thereof, and may at its own
                  expense conduct all negotiations for the settlement of the
                  same, and any litigation that may arise therefrom. The
                  Purchaser shall not, unless and until the Supplier shall have
                  failed, within a reasonable time but in any event no more than
                  30 days after such notice, to take over the conduct of the
                  negotiations or litigation, make any admission which might be
                  prejudicial thereto.

21       SOFTWARE

         21.1     The Supplier hereby grants to the Purchaser an irrevocable
                  non-exclusive royalty free license to use, copy, modify and
                  use as copied or modified all Software and related
                  documentation provided under this Contract, provided that this
                  license shall be limited to use of the Software with the
                  Equipment or with such other equipment (including any
                  surveillance centre) that is employed to operate and maintain
                  the System. Individual licenses shall commence from the date
                  of delivery of each item of Software and related documentation
                  to the Purchaser. The Purchaser may permit each operator of a
                  cable station, surveillance centre or other facility connected
                  to the System to use the Software in order to so operate such
                  station and is hereby granted the right to sub-licence as
                  appropriate.

         21.2     The Supplier shall ensure that the documentation pertaining to
                  the Software provided hereunder shall always be complete and
                  up-to-date.

         21.3     Should the Purchaser decide to modify the Software object
                  code, it shall be free to do so, provided that the Purchaser
                  shall not be entitled to decompile the Software or alter the
                  source code, or attempt to do the same.

                                                                         Page 23
<PAGE>

         21.4     Where the Purchaser modifies the Software (either before or
                  after the expiry of the Warranty Period) then the Supplier
                  shall not be responsible for providing support insofar as the
                  Software is modified without the prior approval of the
                  Supplier and any warranty given in respect of the Software
                  shall not apply in respect of non approved modifications made.

         21.5     The Supplier shall take suitable precautions to protect the
                  documentation and relevant source code against loss of any
                  kind. Up-to-date copies of the latest documentation and
                  relevant source code shall be stored by the Supplier in a safe
                  and secure location remote from its normal work premises for
                  the period of the Design Life of the System.

         21.6     In addition to the above, if requested by the Purchaser the
                  Supplier shall enter into an escrow agreement with the
                  Purchaser and an escrow agent acceptable to the Purchaser and
                  the Supplier. The Supplier shall place in escrow thereunder
                  one copy of the source code and relevant high level design
                  documentation and keep updating each such copy each time when
                  a new version of the Software is issued both in human readable
                  format, if requested, and machine readable format, details of
                  host machines and sufficient documentation including tools to
                  enable modification of the Software and shall grant the
                  Purchaser an irrevocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable
                  (except that the Purchaser may assign such license in the
                  event its amalgamation or reconstruction), royalty free
                  license, to use the source code to modify, and use as modified
                  the Software (and permit the use of such Software by each
                  operator of a cable station, surveillance centre or other
                  facility connected to the System as set forth in Article
                  21.1), provided that such license is limited to the
                  circumstances defined in the Escrow Agreement.

22       PAYMENT

Payment to the Supplier of the Contract Sum of *** shall be made by the
Purchaser on the following basis:

         22.1     Terms of Payment

                  22.1.1   INITIAL PAYMENT

                  ***

                  22.1.2   PROGRESS PAYMENTS

                  *** of the Contract Sum shall be paid *** aggregating to a
                  cumulative amount not greater than that indicated in the
                  Schedule of Progress Payments in Annex 2 hereof in respect of
                  Equipment, works or services which have been supplied or
                  executed to the satisfaction of the Purchaser, and not
                  previously included in a request for payment, at the following
                  stages:

                       ***

                  22.1.3   FINAL PAYMENT

                           The remainder of the Contract Sum plus any amounts in
                           respect of Contract Variations will be billed ***.

                                                                         Page 24
<PAGE>

         22.2     General Terms of Payment

                  22.2.1   All payments to the Supplier shall be made in US
                           Dollars.

                  22.2.2   Full and properly itemised and issued requests for
                           progress payments, reimbursement of VAT, customs
                           duties and other taxes and duties shall be submitted
                           by the Supplier to the Purchaser not more than ***.

                  22.2.3   No payment shall be claimed earlier than that set out
                           in the Schedule of Progress Payments in Annex 2
                           hereof, unless otherwise specifically agreed to by
                           the Purchaser.

                  22.2.4   The monthly request for payment shall show the total
                           prices and charges for each item in accordance with
                           the Price Schedule contained in Annex 1 hereof. The
                           amounts due to the Supplier shall be computed in
                           accordance with Article 22.1.

                  22.2.5   Such requests for payment are to be accompanied by
                           all documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance
                           with the terms of this Contract including but not
                           limited to appropriate Release Certificates signed on
                           behalf of the Purchaser and relevant shipping papers.

                  22.2.6   On the basis of such requests for payment, the
                           Supplier shall be paid the full amount owed *** of
                           receipt of the request for payment by the Purchaser,
                           subject to applicable deduction or withholding
                           pursuant to this Contract.

                  22.2.7   In the event that one or more items, on any request
                           for payment, is questioned by the Purchaser or for
                           which the Purchaser requires additional information
                           prior to authorising its payment, the amount of such
                           item shall be deducted from the total amount of the
                           request for payment and payment of the balance of
                           such request for payment shall be made in accordance
                           with the terms of this Contract. Whenever such
                           questioning occurs, the Supplier shall be advised of
                           its nature and requested to furnish the information
                           required to permit the expeditious resolution of the
                           issue. The Purchaser shall act in a reasonable manner
                           in exercising this right.

                  22.2.8   No payment (final or otherwise) made under or in
                           connection with this Contract shall be conclusive
                           evidence of the performance of the Work, or of this
                           Contract, in whole or in part, and no such payment
                           shall be construed to constitute the acceptance of
                           defective, faulty of improper Work or Equipment, nor
                           shall it release the Supplier from any of its
                           obligations under this Contract.

         22.3     Following issue of the Certificate of Provisional Acceptance
                  of the System, invoices will be issued by the Supplier to the
                  Purchaser in respect of the actual supply of Equipment and
                  related services under this Contract and the respective
                  amounts payable therefor (whether payable or paid), by
                  reference to the Appendix to Annex 1 (Price Schedule).

                                                                         Page 25
<PAGE>

         22.4     Taxes

                  22.4.1   The Contract Sum is exclusive of VAT, sales taxes,
                           customs duties or other levies or duties applicable
                           in the FLAG Atlantic Fibre Optic Cable System landing
                           countries. For the avoidance of doubt, such taxes
                           shall be amounts relating to the importation of
                           Equipment into the landing countries and also
                           relating to the supply of the Equipment and related
                           services. The Purchaser shall pay to the Supplier
                           appropriate VAT, sales taxes, customs duties, or
                           other levies or duties applicable against submission
                           of the appropriate request for reimbursement within
                           30 days following the presentation of such
                           documentation (including appropriate tax invoices) to
                           the Purchaser, provided the requested amounts do not
                           exceed by more than *** the mounts the Parties will
                           agree within 30 days of signing this contract should
                           be levied by the relevant authorities, but excluding
                           any changes in legislation. The above amounts paid by
                           the Supplier shall be converted into US Dollars at
                           the rate in effect at the time of payment to the
                           relevant Tax Authorities.

                  22.4.2   The Supplier shall give the Purchaser all reasonable
                           assistance in the making of all appropriate
                           applications for revisions, exemptions, recoveries
                           and remission of taxes, duties and other levies in
                           accordance with the appropriate law. The Supplier
                           shall provide relevant documentary information in a
                           timely fashion to fully support the Purchaser in its
                           efforts to obtain any revision, exemption, recovery
                           or remission or to import the Equipment at the lowest
                           value possible and shall take such actions as the
                           Purchaser may reasonably request to obtain such
                           revisions, exemptions, recoveries and remissions and
                           to otherwise minimise the level of such taxes, duties
                           and other levies.

                  22.4.3   If withholding taxes are payable in the Purchaser's
                           country or in any country where any Site is located,
                           the Purchaser shall withhold the necessary amount
                           from the relevant payments hereunder and pay the
                           withheld amount to the relevant authorities in
                           accordance with the applicable laws, and provide
                           evidence of having done so to the Supplier. The
                           Purchaser shall not withhold any such amount without
                           having previously taken into consideration any
                           bilateral tax agreements concluded between the
                           Purchaser's country and the Supplier's country.

                           In any such case, the Purchaser shall promptly
                           provide to the Supplier, an original or copy of the
                           original tax receipt, certified by the tax
                           authorities, for any income tax which is retained
                           from any payment due to the Supplier. All such
                           receipts shall be in the name of the Supplier.

23       KEEPING OF BOOKS

         23.1     For those items specified in Annex 1 as cost incurred items,
                  the Supplier shall keep and maintain books, records, vouchers
                  and accounts of all cost pertaining to the System until five
                  (5) years from RFPA for the System.

         23.2     For those items specified in Annex 1 as fixed cost items, the
                  Supplier shall keep and maintain books, records, vouchers and
                  accounts with respect to its billing of those items to FLAG
                  Atlantic Fibre Optic Cable System until five (5) years from
                  RFPA for the System.

                                                                         Page 26
<PAGE>

         23.3     The Supplier shall obtain from its suppliers and
                  sub-contractors such supporting records, for other than the
                  cost of fixed cost items, as may be reasonably required and
                  shall maintain such records for a period of five (5) years
                  from RFPA for the System.

         23.4     The Supplier shall afford the Purchaser the right to review
                  and make copies, at no cost to the Purchaser, of the said
                  books, records, vouchers and accounts required to be kept,
                  maintained and obtained pursuant to this Article 23.

24       INSURANCE

The Insurance Coverage Requirements contained hereunder are not intended to
cover all of the Supplier's exposures to loss under this Contract. Any
additional risk management measures or additional insurance coverage the
Supplier may deem necessary to fulfil its obligations shall be at its own
discretion and expense.

The Supplier shall, at its own expense and at no cost to the Purchaser, procure
or cause to be procured and maintain in force from the Contract signature date
until the granting of Provisional Acceptance of the System the following
insurance coverage in a form and with Underwriters acceptable to the Purchaser:

         24.1     "ALL RISKS PHYSICAL DAMAGE INSURANCE" COVERING THE WORK AT
                  SUPPLIERS PREMISES

         This insurance is to be written on a replacement cost basis for the
         full value at risk with loss if any, payable to the Purchaser and the
         Supplier as their respective interests may appear, or as they may
         direct. This coverage may terminate when the last shipment of the
         completed Work is loaded on board any vehicle or carrier for the
         purpose of transportation from the Supplier's premises.

         24.2     "COMPREHENSIVE GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE"

         General Liability insurance shall cover losses and claims arising from
         injuries or death to any person (including any employee of the Supplier
         or any subcontractor) or damage to any property (including that of the
         Purchaser) under this Contract. This insurance shall cover liability
         arising from all operations of the Supplier and be effected for a
         Combined Single Limit of no less than three hundred million US Dollars
         (US$300,000,000) per occurrence and in the annual aggregrate or such
         greater amount as may be required by statute and is to include
         Completed Operations, Contractual and Product liability coverages.
         Coverage is also to include the Protective section with respect to
         subcontractors and the liability arising from the operation of motor
         vehicules owned and non-owned. The insurance policy(ies) is (are)
         deemed to be written on an occurrence basis. For purposes of showing
         evidence of insurance the Supplier shall be required to show evidence
         of a Combined Single Limit of no less than two hundred million US
         Dollars (US$200,000,000) per occurrence and in the annual aggregrate.

         24.3     "WORKER'S COMPENSATION INSURANCE" OR EQUIVALENT PROTECTION

         This insurance shall cover all employees and servants of the Supplier
         for all compensation and other benefits required by any applicable law
         or by governmental authority in respect of injury, death, sickness or
         disease. Territorial restriction to be amended so that employees
         working at sea or in the area of operation are not excluded.

                                                                         Page 27
<PAGE>

         24.4     "EMPLOYER'S LIABILITY INSURANCE"

         This insurance shall cover claims presented by or on behalf of
         employees or servants of the Supplier and related to employer's
         liability whether the claim arises under statute or maritime law or
         otherwise. The minimum limit of liability shall be no less than two
         million US Dollars (US$2,000,000) per occurrence or as required by
         applicable statute whichever is greater. This insurance shall be
         scheduled to any and all applicable umbrella/excess liability policies
         and is required by all contractors and subcontractors.

         24.5     "CARGO AND INSTALLATION ALL RISKS ON GOODS OF THE CONTRACT"

         The Supplier is required to procure and maintain in force an insurance
         contract written on the latest edition of the Institute Cargo Clauses
         "A", (All Risks Form), modified if required to pick-up the installation
         exposures. This insurance is to cover the cable and equipment from the
         point where the insurance required under Article 24.1 ceases, and to
         continue until the date of the acceptance of the System by the
         Purchaser. Such insurance is to include the perils of jettison, loss
         overboard, sue and labour, increased value by way of payment of duty,
         the risks of war, strike, riot and civil commotion. The limit of such
         insurance should be not less than the replacement value of any one
         shipment at any time.

         24.6     "INSURANCE COVERAGE TO BE MAINTAINED BY SHIP OWNER"

         The Supplier shall, or shall require the Ship owner to provide and
         maintain in force during the charter period the following coverage:

                           24.6.1.1

                                   P&I (Protection and Indemnity) coverage from
                                   one of the Mutual P&I Clubs subscribing to
                                   the International Group Association Agreement
                                   (IGA) as per Standard Rules with a US$2
                                   billion liability limit for all risks covered
                                   with the exception of Oil Pollution risks
                                   where recovery may be limited to
                                   US$500,000,000 for each separate accident or
                                   occurrence or for each vessel owned or
                                   chartered by the Supplier and used in the
                                   performance of this Contract.

                                   In the event of any vessel being used in the
                                   performance of this Contract that is less
                                   than 2,500 gross tons, the minimum limits of
                                   liability carried for the risks of Protection
                                   and Indemnity, including, but not limited to
                                   Crew and Passenger Liability, Liability to
                                   Cargo, Collision Liability, Pollution
                                   Liability, War Risks and Removal of Wreck,
                                   shall be US$25,000,000.

                                   Such Protection and Indemnity coverage shall
                                   be extended to include the Specialist
                                   Operations Extension, where such operations
                                   are to be performed and otherwise excluded by
                                   the policy/entry, to a limit of no less than
                                   US$25,000,000 for each separate accident or
                                   occurrence and for each vessel.

                  24.6.2   Hull and Machinery Insurance including War Risks
                           cover on full conditions for a limit of no less than
                           the actual value of each vessel owned or chartered by
                           the Supplier and their subcontractors and used in the
                           performance of this Contract. The territorial
                           warranties of the policy should include the planned
                           cable route.

                                                                         Page 28
<PAGE>

                  24.6.3   Seabed or equivalent coverage is to be provided as
                           required to protect against all risks of physical
                           loss or damage to the submersible plant and equipment
                           ending with the Certificate of Provisional
                           Acceptance.

                           Where referenced in these Articles 24.6.1 and 24.6.2,
                           the word vessel or vessels shall be deemed to include
                           all sub-sea equipment (Sea Plough, Scarab and/or any
                           similar equipment) which the Supplier or their
                           subcontractors may be using in the performance of
                           this Contract.

         24.7     GENERALITIES APPLICABLE TO INSURANCE COVERAGE

                  24.7.1   Coverage required under Articles 24.5 and 24.6 above
                           are to be arranged so that any general average and
                           salvage costs contribution from the part of the
                           Purchaser as well as subrogation rights be waived in
                           their favour by the Underwriters, except for
                           casualties arising from actions of Purchaser acting
                           in the capacity of Subcontractor to the Supplier.

                  24.7.2   On coverage required under Articles 24.1, 24.2, 24.5
                           and 24.6, the Purchaser is to be added as an
                           Additional Named Insured with the appropriate "Cross
                           Liability" and "Severability of Interests" clauses,
                           provided that the Purchaser shall not be liable for
                           any insurance premiums.

                  24.7.3   The Supplier will notify the Insurers promptly and
                           shall supply all necessary information concerning any
                           occurrence which may give rise to a claim under the
                           above insurance policies in order to expedite the
                           processing of the claims. With respect to coverage
                           under 24.1, 24.2, 24.5 and 24.6, it will keep the
                           Purchaser informed of the details of the occurrences
                           and of the progress of the claim treatment by the
                           Underwriters.

                  24.7.4   All deductibles or self-insured retentions in the
                           above insurance coverage are for the account of the
                           Supplier and/or the Ship owner as the case may be and
                           shall under no circumstance be the responsibilty of
                           the Purchaser.

                  24.7.5   If the Supplier is to charter, operate or use any
                           aircraft, helicopter or other flying craft in the
                           performance of this Contract, it engages itself to
                           procure or cause to be procured and maintain in force
                           all the necessary insurance covering the aviation
                           liability and hull exposures with a minimum of
                           US$100,000,000 of Liability Insurance and scheduled
                           to the excess liability policies. If the Supplier
                           charters, operates or uses any aircraft, helicopter
                           or other flying craft in the performance of this
                           Contract evidence of this required insurance shall be
                           furnished prior to use of any aircraft, helicopter or
                           other flying craft. It will also ensure that any such
                           craft is holder of a current airworthiness
                           certificate.

                  24.7.6   On coverage required under Articles 24.1 and 24.5,
                           provision should be made for loss, if any, to be
                           payable to the Purchaser and the Supplier as their
                           respective interests may appear.

                  24.7.7   The insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy or failure of
                           any Insurer providing insurance for the Supplier or
                           its sub-contractors, or failure of

                                                                         Page 29
<PAGE>

                           any such Insurer to pay claims accruing, shall not be
                           considered a waiver of nor shall it excuse the
                           Supplier from complying with any of the provisions of
                           this Contract.

                  24.7.8   The Supplier shall furnish the Purchaser with
                           certified copies of insurance policies or
                           certificates of insurance which provide sufficient
                           information to verify that the Supplier has complied
                           with the insurance requirements.

                           If any of the insurance coverage required herein are
                           not procured or maintained pursuant to the
                           specifications, the Purchaser, at its option, may
                           notify the Supplier that the failure to provide the
                           insurance is a material omission whereupon it is
                           agreed that the Purchaser, at its sole option, shall
                           have the right either to purchase similar coverage,
                           the cost thereof to be reimbursed by the Supplier
                           forthwith to the Purchaser or, alternatively to be
                           deducted by the Purchaser from any sum due or
                           thereafter becoming due to the Supplier from the
                           Purchaser or to terminate this Contract in accordance
                           with the provisions of Article 17 hereof. In the
                           event of Purchaser supplied insurance, the Supplier
                           will notify Purchaser immediately by facsimile, telex
                           or telephone of any loss or damage covered by these
                           policies and shall co-operate fully in gathering,
                           assembling and presenting claim documentation to
                           Underwriters. All insurance proceeds will then be
                           paid solely to the Purchaser.

                  24.7.9   Following a loss or damage, the Supplier shall remedy
                           any such loss or damage with due diligence and
                           dispatch and shall not wait for any insurance
                           proceeds to effect the repairs.

                  24.7.10  All of the above insurance coverage should provide
                           that prior to any cancellation or material change
                           thereto initiated by the Underwriters, a 90 days
                           notice will be forwarded to:

                           FLAG Atlantic Limited
                           The Emporium Building
                           69 Front Street - 4th Floor
                           Hamilton HM12, Bermuda.

                           Attention: Co-Chairmen
                           Telephone: +1 441 296 0909
                           Facsimile: +1 441 296 0938

                           With a copy to:

                           FLAG Telecom Limited
                           1st Floor, Sovereign Court
                           635 Sipson Road, West Drayton
                           Middlesex UB7 OJE
                           UK.

                           Attention: Program Manager
                           Telephone: +44 181 282 1565
                           Facsimile:+44 181 282 1566

                                                                         Page 30
<PAGE>

                  24.7.11  Furthermore, any certificate or other similar
                           document the Supplier is required to submit to the
                           Purchaser under this Article 24 shall be forwarded to
                           FLAG Atlantic Limited at the address appearing in
                           Article 24.7.10 above.

                  24.7.12  The Supplier or the Purchaser, as the case may be,
                           shall promptly give to the other party notice in
                           writing of any claim made or proceedings commenced
                           for which the Supplier or the Purchaser claims to be
                           entitled to indemnification under this Contract and
                           shall confer with the other party concerning the
                           defence of any such claim or proceedings, shall
                           permit such other party to be represented by counsel
                           in defence thereof and shall not effect settlement of
                           or compromise any such claim or proceedings without
                           the other's prior written agreement.

25       AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PURCHASER

The Purchaser may nominate such agents or representatives, as it may desire, to
carry out any of its responsibilities or to exercise any of its rights under
this Contract. The Purchaser shall notify the Supplier in writing of any such
nominations.

26       REMOVAL OF PERSONS EMPLOYED ON CONTRACT

If and whenever the Purchaser for any reason considers that the continued
employment by the Supplier of any person in connection with this Contract is
undesirable, it may so inform the Supplier who shall thereupon cease to employ
that person in that connection.

27       SEVERABILITY

If any of the provisions of this Contract shall be invalid or unenforceable,
such invalidity or unenforceability shall not invalidate or render unenforceable
the entire Contract, but rather the entire Contract shall be construed as not
containing the particular invalid or unenforceable provision or provisions, and
the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced
accordingly.

28       SUCCESSORS BOUND

This Contract shall be binding on the Parties and their respective successors
and permitted assigns.

29       RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES TO EACH OTHER

The relationship of the Parties to this Contract shall not be that of partners
and nothing herein contained shall be deemed to constitute a partnership between
them.

30       RESPONSIBILITY FOR OBTAINING PERMITS AND LOCAL LAWS

         30.1     The Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining, maintaining
                  and complying with all appropriate permits, licences,
                  consents, authorisations and approvals as well as for the
                  payment of all costs related thereto, in connection with its
                  ownership and operation of the FLAG Atlantic Fibre Optic Cable
                  System, its ownership and operation, its landing in each
                  territory as well as its transoceanic route, including,
                  without limitation, permits, licences, authorities and
                  approvals therefor and for the

                                                                         Page 31
<PAGE>

                  cable to cross other telecommunication cables, pipelines, and
                  the like, to rest or be buried in any inland waters,
                  territorial waters, continental shelf, contiguous zones,
                  Exclusive Economic Zones and permissions to cross any beach or
                  land at any shore end. The cost of any related fisherman's
                  compensation will also be to the Purchaser's account.

         30.2     The Supplier shall, at no additional cost to the Purchaser, be
                  responsible for obtaining, maintaining and complying with all
                  permits, licences, consents, authorisations and approvals
                  required for carrying out the installation activities
                  including, without limitation, obtaining harbour and port
                  clearances and approvals to operate the vessel(s) wherever
                  required to duly carry out the route survey and installation
                  activities as well as the route survey in the due performance
                  of its obligations under this Contract.

         30.3     The Supplier shall comply with all laws, by-laws and
                  regulations applicable to the Work in force in the localities
                  within which this Contract is to be performed. The Supplier
                  shall, before making any variations from the designs,
                  drawings, plans or procedures that may be necessitated by so
                  complying, give to the Purchaser written notice, specifying
                  the variation proposed to be made, and the reasons for making
                  it, and apply for instructions thereon. The Supplier shall be
                  responsible for the payment of any and all costs incurred as a
                  result of a need to vary design, drawings, plans or
                  procedures. The Supplier shall give all notices required by
                  the said laws, by-laws and regulations to be given to any
                  authority, perform or permit the performance by authorised
                  persons of any inspection required by the said legislation,
                  rules, regulations, by-laws, orders and proclamations and pay
                  all fees, charges, impositions, or any other amounts payable
                  to any such authority, or to any public officer in respect of
                  the Work.

         30.4     The Purchaser shall not be responsible for any acts or
                  omissions of the Supplier that violate, the laws, by-laws or
                  regulations of any locality in which the work is carried out.

         30.5     The Supplier shall indemnify the Purchaser against any such
                  act or omission or any claims, demands, actions, suits,
                  proceedings, prosecutions, fines, penalties, damages or
                  expenses arising out of the same or any of them, and against
                  the fees payable by the Supplier to any authority or public
                  officer pursuant to this Article 30.

         30.6     The Supplier and Purchaser shall give each other such
                  assistance as may be reasonably required to obtain the permits
                  hereinbefore mentioned

31       CONSENTS

         Whenever under this Contract either Party's consent or approval is
         required, such Party shall not unreasonably withhold such consent or
         approval and shall not unreasonably delay in granting or denying such
         consent or approval. If such Party has not denied such consent or
         approval within 30 days after such consent or approval is requested,
         such Party shall be deemed to have granted such consent or approval.

                                                                         Page 32
<PAGE>

32       LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

         32.1     The Supplier shall not be liable to the Purchaser in any event
                  howsoever arising, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, for
                  any consequential, incidental or special damages, nor for any
                  loss of profits, loss of revenue or the costs of, or
                  associated with the use of, restoration facilities resulting
                  from the failure of the Supplier to perform pursuant to the
                  terms of this Contract.

         32.2     The maximum amount payable as damages or by way of indemnity
                  by the Supplier to the Purchaser for whatever reason under
                  this Contract or arising upon its termination shall in no
                  circumstances exceed 100% of the Contract Sum.

33       ALLOCATION OF DUTIES

         33.1     Allocation of the principal duties and obligations of the
                  Parties shall be in accordance with the Appendix to the Price
                  Schedule.

         33.2     Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 33.1, Alcatel
                  Submarine Networks and FLAG Atlantic Limited respectively
                  shall be and remain principally liable for and in respect of
                  all duties and obligations of:

                  33.2.1   Alcatel Submarine Networks Inc. and Alcatel Submarine
                           Networks Limited, in the case of Alcatel Submarine
                           Networks; and

                  33.2.2   FLAG Atlantic USA Limited, Flag Atlantic France sarl
                           and FLAG Atlantic UK Limited, in the case of FLAG
                           Atlantic Limited.

34       NOTICES

         34.1     All notices pertaining to this Contract shall be in writing
                  and shall be sent to the respective parties at the following
                  postal addresses or facsimile numbers:

                  For Purchaser:

                  FLAG Atlantic Limited
                  The Emporium Building
                  69 Front Street - 4th Floor
                  Hamilton HM12, Bermuda

                  Attention: Co-Chairmen
                  Telephone: +1 441 296 0909
                  Facsimile: +1 441 296 0938

                  with a copy to:

                  FLAG Telecom Limited
                  103 Mount Street
                  London W1Y 5HE
                  UK

                  Attention: General Counsel
                  Facsimile: +44 171 317 0808

                                                                         Page 33
<PAGE>

                  with a copy to:

                  GTS Terhulpsesteenweg 6A
                  1560 Hoeilaart
                  Belgium

                  Attention: Legal Director
                  Facsimile: +322 658 5101

                  For Supplier:

                  Alcatel Submarine Networks
                  72 avenue de la Liberte
                  92723 Nanterre
                  France

              Attention: General Counsel

              Facsimile: +33 1 5551 6365

         34.2     Either Party may change its designated nominee or the address
                  for notices to be sent hereunder, at any time by giving the
                  other Party thirty (30) days prior written notice.

         34.3     Any notice to be given to the Supplier under the terms of this
                  Contract shall, without prejudice to any other way of serving
                  it, be sufficiently given if sent by recorded delivery to the
                  Supplier's last know place of business or registered office
                  and shall be deemed to be given at the time when it was
                  delivered in the ordinary course of post.

35       CAPTIONS

The captions of the Articles do not form part of this Contract and shall not
have any affect on the interpretation thereof.

36       LAW AND ARBITRATION

         36.1     This Contract shall be considered as a contract made in
                  England and subject to English law.

         36.2     The Parties to this Contract shall try to solve by
                  negotiations any disagreement which may arise in connection
                  with this Contract. In case of a dispute arising after
                  negotiations have failed, the dispute shall be resolved by
                  arbitration under the Rules of Arbitration of the
                  International Chamber of Commerce in effect on the date that
                  the arbitration is initiated.

         36.3     Arbitration shall be by arbitrators appointed under the said
                  rules by three arbitrators, unless the Parties agree to use a
                  single Arbitrator.

         36.4     The place of arbitration shall be London.

                                                                         Page 34
<PAGE>

         36.5     Responsibility for paying the costs of the arbitration,
                  including the costs incurred by the Parties themselves in
                  preparing and presenting their cases, shall be apportioned by
                  the tribunal.

         36.6     The award shall state the reasons upon which it is based.

         36.7     The award shall be final and binding on the Parties as from
                  the date it is made.

         36.8     Judgement upon the award rendered may be entered in any court
                  having jurisdiction, or application may be made to such court
                  for a judicial acceptance of the award and an order of
                  enforcement, as the case may be.

         36.9     The fact that a dispute is brought to arbitration does not
                  relieve either Party from its obligation to fulfil its
                  commitments as provided in this Contract and the Parties shall
                  continue to perform this Contract notwithstanding a dispute or
                  arbitration thereof.

37       PRECEDENCE

In the event of any inconsistency between the Articles and Annexes of this
Contract, such inconsistency shall be resolved by giving precedence to the
Articles and the Annexes shall be in the order indicated in Article 47.

38       WAIVER

No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of either Party,
any right, power or privilege hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof, nor
will any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder
preclude further exercise of any other right hereunder.

39       RECOVERY OF SUMS DUE

Whenever under this Contract any sum of money shall be recoverable from or
payable by the Supplier and the Supplier has not paid the sum due within a
reasonable time, the same may be deducted from any sum then due, or which at any
time thereafter may become due to the Supplier, under this Contract.

40       WATCHING, LIGHTING AND PROTECTION OF SITE

For the protection of the Site, the System, and all Equipment and Ancillary
Apparatus and for the prevention of danger to persons on or near the Site and to
shipping, the Supplier shall, unless the Purchaser otherwise agrees, take all
usual and reasonable steps to ensure that the System, the Equipment, the Site
and all things on Site are properly watched, secured, protected, marked and lit.

41       PROVISION OF ANCILLARY APPARATUS

Except where this Contract provides otherwise, the Supplier shall provide, at
its own expense, the Ancillary Apparatus necessary to carry out the Work
properly and efficiently.

42       DIARY AND REPORTING

         42.1     The Supplier shall keep written records or diaries of all
                  activities undertaken in the performance of the Work,
                  including details of any variations or additional work

                                                                         Page 35
<PAGE>

                  and the routine and non-routine events, alarms, faulty units
                  and equipment and other kind of problems as well as the
                  remedial actions taken. The Supplier shall make the records or
                  diaries available for inspection and confirmation by the
                  Purchaser, or any authorised representative of the Purchaser,
                  at any time during the progress of the Work and for a
                  reasonable period thereafter, and at all events, for a minimum
                  period of five (5) years from RFPA for the System.

         42.2     The Supplier shall conform to the Plan of Work.

         42.3     The Supplier shall attend at such times and places as may be
                  required by the Purchaser co-ordination meetings with the
                  Purchaser's representatives to discuss the general progress of
                  the Work.

         42.4     The Supplier shall render such reports of the progress of the
                  Work, in such form, as may be called for by the Purchaser. The
                  submission and acceptance of these reports shall not prejudice
                  the rights of the Purchaser under Article 6 or 7 or elsewhere
                  in this Contract.

         42.5     The Purchaser shall meet with the Supplier on a quarterly
                  basis to review and discuss the fiscal position of the
                  Purchaser with regard to its obligations under this Contract.

43       PROPERTY OF THE PURCHASER

         43.1     Any property of the Purchaser issued in connection with this
                  Contract, and anything supplied by the Purchaser whether for
                  incorporation in the System or not, shall remain the property
                  of the Purchaser and shall not be used other than in the
                  execution of this Contract without the prior written consent
                  of the Purchaser.

         43.2     No such property or things shall be removed from the place
                  where they are normally used or stored for the purposes of
                  this Contract without the Purchaser's consent.

         43.3     The Supplier shall keep readily available records of all such
                  property and things in order to enable the Purchaser to check
                  from time to time the quantities in use, used, and available
                  for use, against those delivered to the Supplier's charge.

         43.4     Neither the Supplier nor any other person shall have a lien on
                  any such property or things for any sum due. The Supplier
                  shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that the Purchaser's
                  title and the exclusion of liens are brought to the notice of
                  all persons dealing with such property and things.

         43.5     All such property and things shall be deemed to be in good
                  condition when received by or on behalf of the Supplier unless
                  the Supplier notifies the Purchaser to the contrary within
                  fourteen (14) days of receipt.

         43.6     All such property and things which are not for incorporation
                  in the System shall be duly returned by the Supplier. Between
                  the time of delivery to the Supplier and of return to the
                  Purchaser, the Supplier shall be responsible for all damage
                  thereto except for normal wear and tear resulting from proper
                  use in the execution of this Contract.

                                                                         Page 36
<PAGE>

         43.7     Any test equipment provided by the Purchaser shall be
                  re-calibrated immediately prior to its return.

44       SERVICES RENDERED BY THE PURCHASER

If the Purchaser shall accept delivery of any articles, materials, or stores, in
connection with this Contract on behalf of the Supplier and shall pay any
charges upon such articles, materials, or stores, either for demurrage,
handling, storage, cartage or carriage, or for the price of such materials or
stores, or if the Purchaser shall at the express or implied request of the
Supplier perform any other services for the Supplier any expense so incurred by
the Purchaser shall be recoverable from the Supplier upon demand by the
Purchaser.

45       FACILITIES FOR OTHER WORKS

         45.1     The Purchaser shall have power at any time to execute other
                  works (whether or not in connection with the Work) on the Site
                  (except for Cableships) concurrently with the execution of the
                  Work and the Supplier shall give reasonable facilities for
                  such purpose.

         45.2     Should interference arise between the work of the Supplier and
                  the work of other suppliers engaged by the Purchaser then the
                  co-ordination between such different work will be prepared and
                  agreed in meetings to be held with the Purchaser, the Supplier
                  and such other supplier(s). The minutes of those meetings
                  shall be binding on the respective parties and shall be
                  considered contractual documents providing such conclusions
                  are not at variance with the Supplier's obligations under this
                  Contract.

         45.3     The Supplier shall co-operate with the Purchaser and other
                  suppliers in their employ in the execution of their work. The
                  Supplier shall immediately bring to the attention of the
                  Purchaser any conflict between its work and that of any
                  supplier employed by the Purchaser.

46       PUBLICITY

No publicity relating to this Contract shall be published in any newspaper,
magazine, journal or any written or visual media without the prior written
consent of the Purchaser.

47       ENTIRE CONTRACT

         47.1     This Contract consists of Articles 1 through 51 and the
                  following documents which are attached hereto:

                   Annex 4    Technical Specification
                   Annex 1    Price Schedule
                   Annex 3    Plan of Work
                   Annex 2    Schedule of Progress Payments
                   Annex 6    Long Term Support
                   Annex 5    Confidentiality Agreement
                   Annex 7    Sea State 6 Definition

                                                                         Page 37
<PAGE>

         47.2     This Contract supersedes all prior oral or written
                  understandings between the Supplier and the Purchaser with
                  respect to the subject matter of this Contract, including (but
                  not limited to) the contract signed on 12 January 1999,
                  between FLAG Atlantic Limited and Alcatel Submarine Networks,
                  and constitutes the entire agreement between them with respect
                  to said subject matter.

48       LETTER OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE, GUARANTORS

         48.1     In order to guarantee the good and timely execution of all the
                  contractual obligations, the Supplier shall, at its own cost,
                  provide in time for the Purchaser to obtain financing for this
                  Contract, a Performance Guarantee for a value equal to ten
                  percent (10 %) of the Contract sum in favour of the Purchaser
                  in the form of an irrevocable and unconditional Bank Guarantee
                  in the format to be agreed with the Purchaser and if necessary
                  its lenders. The Performance Guarantee shall be issued by a
                  bank acceptable to the Purchaser. Upon the issuance of the
                  Certificate of Provisional Acceptance of the System, the value
                  of the Performance Guarantee shall be reduced to five
                  percent (5%).

         48.2     The Performance Guarantee shall remain in force until the
                  issuance of the Certificate of Final Acceptance.

         48.3     In the event of default by the Supplier in carrying out its
                  responsibilities under this Contract, the Purchaser, at its
                  discretion, shall have the right from time to time, to call in
                  all or part of the amount represented by the Performance
                  Guarantee.

         48.4     The Supplier agrees to cause its ultimate parent company to
                  execute and deliver a guaranty to the Purchaser, in time for
                  the Purchaser to obtain financing for this Contract, and in a
                  form to be mutually agreed with the Purchaser and if necessary
                  its lenders.

49       CONTRACT EFFECTIVENESS

         49.1     This Contract shall be effective as at the date of signature.

         49.2     It is the intention of the Purchaser to ensure that as soon as
                  possible thereafter financing is in place ("Financial
                  Closure"). In the event that such financing is not in place,
                  by 20 October 1999, then the Supplier shall have the option:

                  49.2.1   as long as the financing is not available, and up to
                           31 December 1999, to suspend this Contract and be
                           entitled to claim only an equitable extension of
                           time; and

                  49.2.2   as long as the financing continues not to be
                           available, and up to 30 June 2000, to continue to
                           suspend this Contract and be entitled to claim an
                           equitable extension of time as well as costs in
                           accordance with Article 15 of this Contract; and

                  49.2.3   in the event that financing is not available after 30
                           June 2000 then the Supplier shall be entitled to
                           terminate this Contract in which case the Purchaser's
                           total liability shall be limited to the Supplier's
                           out of pocket expenses to a maximum of the amount
                           payable under Article 22.1.1. In such circumstances
                           the title in the desk top study and the marine route
                           survey report shall transfer to the Purchaser.

                                                                         Page 38
<PAGE>

50       CORRUPT PRACTICES

         50.1     The Supplier shall at all times comply with all applicable
                  laws and regulations and shall conduct its business in
                  accordance with the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977,
                  as amended.

         50.2     The Supplier shall not offer or give or agree to give to any
                  person associated with this Agreement, whether employed by
                  Purchaser or not, any gift, commission, rebate or
                  consideration of any kind as an inducement or reward for
                  doing, influencing or carrying out any act in relation to the
                  obtaining or execution of this Contract or for showing any
                  favour or disfavour to any person or persons in relation to
                  this Contract.

51       SAFETY

The Supplier shall at all times comply, and ensure that all of its employees,
contractors and agents comply, with all regulations (governmental or otherwise),
laws etc. relating to both the safety of personnel and the operations themselves
and all associated activities that are undertaken in the Supplier's performance
of its obligations under this Contract, and the Supplier hereby indemnifies and
holds the Purchaser harmless from and against any consequences that may result
from the Supplier having failed to do so.

                                                                         Page 39
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS THEREOF the parties to this Contract have signed:

FLAG Atlantic Limited

By: /s/ Name of Signatory                           By: /s/ Name of Signatory
   ----------------------                              -----------------------

Date: 20/9/99                                       Title: CO Chairman

                                                     Date: 20/9/99

FLAG Atlantic USA Limited

By: /s/ Name of Signatory                           By: /s/ Name of Signatory
   ----------------------                              -----------------------

Date: 22 Sept. 1999                                 Title: Co Secretary

                                                     Date: 20 Sept. 1999

                                                     By: /s/ Name of Signatory
                                                        -----------------------

                                                     Date: 20 Sept. 1999

FLAG Atlantic France Sarl

By: /s/ Name of Signatory                           By: /s/ Name of Signatory
   ----------------------                              -----------------------

Date: 20/09/99                                        Date: 22 Sept. 1999

FLAG Atlantic UK Limited

By: /s/ Name of Signatory                           By: /s/ Name of Signatory
   ----------------------                              -----------------------

Date: 20/9/99                                        Title: Title of Signatory

                                                     Date: 22 Sept. 1999

                                                                         Page 40
<PAGE>

                                                   By: /s/ Name of Signatory
                                                      -----------------------

                                                   Date: 20 Sept. 1999

Alcatel Submarine Networks

By: /s/ Name of Signatory
   ----------------------

Title: Chief Operating Officer

Date: 20/9/99

Alcatel Submarine Networks Inc.

By: /s/ Robert J. Kelly
   ----------------------

Title: President

Date: 20/9/99

Alcatel Submarine Networks Limited

By: /s/ Name of Signatory
   ----------------------

Date: 20/9/99

                                                                         Page 41

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