Document:

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                                                                  Exhibit 10.27

CONTRACT Of EMPLOYMENT AND STATEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS PURSUANT TO THE
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT 1996 (ref: kccont1.doc)

Employer's name:               FIRSTMARK COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES EUROPE LIMITED
                               ("the Company")

Address:                       Hillgate House, 26 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7HS

Employee's Name:               Keith Cornell

Address:                       3 Windsor Forest Court, Mill Ride Golf Course,
                               Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8LT

In order to comply with the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996 this
statement gives particulars of your terms of employment with the Company and
certain other matters, which form part of your contact of employment unless
expressly indicated otherwise.

1.    Commencement of Employment

1.1   Your period of continuous employment with the Company commenced on 27
      September 1999.

1.2   No employment with a previous employer counts as part of your period of
      continuous employment with the Company.

2.    Job Title and Duties

2.1   You are employed as Senior Vice President of Business Development or in
      such other position as the Company may from time to time assign to you.

2.2   You will perform such duties as may be required of you by your manager.
      The Company may require that you perform duties for any associated company
      from time to time.

2.3   Whilst in the Company's employment you must:

      (a)   during your hours of work devote the whole of your time, attention
            and abilities to the business of the Company,

      (b)   use your utmost endeavours to promote the interests of the Company
            and observe the utmost good faith towards the Company, and

      (c)   comply with all the Company's rules, regulations and policies from
            time to time in force and as set out in the Company's employee
            handbook (August 1999 version). You will be given reasonable notice
            of any changes to the Company's rules, regulations and policies.

3. Remuneration

3.1   Your basic salary is 200,000 Euros per annum (or such other sum as shall
      be agreed from time to time) payable in equal monthly instalments one
      month in arrears on or around the last working day of the month.

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3.2   The Company shall be entitled to deduct from your salary or from any other
      payments due to you any amount which the Company is required by law to
      deduct (including without limitation PAYE or National Insurance) and any
      amount which is owed by you to the Company.

3.3   The Directors of the Company shall, with effect from the date of
      commencement of your employment, grant to you an option to subscribe for
      150 stock options of FirstMark Communications Europe SCA ("FMCE") at a
      subscription price as close to zero as is permitted under the laws of
      Luxembourg and 650 stock options at current market value, being US$2,200
      per share. The grant of stock options shall be subject to, and shall be
      governed by, scheme rules to be established by FMCE. The grant of 150
      stock options will vest over a period of two years from the date of
      commencement of your employment and the grant of 650 options will vest
      over a period of four years from the date of commencement of your
      employment with vesting in each case taking place quarterly.

3.4   In the event that the Company is entitled to summarily dismiss you under
      Cause 9.3 or where you have committed any breach or default of the
      provisions contained in clause 13 and 14 hereof giving rise to a right of
      lawful termination, your entitlement to stock options (whether such stock
      is vested or unvested) will cease forthwith. Such cessation will be
      subject to the specific terms contained in the scheme rules.

3.5   You will be reimbursed any reasonably incurred relocation costs up to a
      maximum of (pound)20,000 (UK pounds).

4.    Hours of Work

      Your hours of work are such as may be required for the proper performance
      of your duties, normally between core hours of 9.00 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. and
      at such other times as may be appropriate without any additional
      remuneration.

5.    Holidays and Holiday Pay

5.1   You are entitled to 20 days' paid holiday in each holiday year in addition
      to UK public holidays. The Company's holiday year runs from 1 January to
      31 December.

5.2   If your employment commenced or terminates part way through the holiday
      year your holiday entitlement will be assessed on a pro rata basis for
      each complete month of service. Deductions from the salary or other
      amounts otherwise due to you on termination of employment will be made in
      respect of any holidays taken in excess of entitlement.

5.3   Upon termination of your employment you will be entitled to pay in lieu of
      any unused holiday entitlement. The Company may require you to take unused
      holidays during your notice period.

5.4   Holidays must be taken at times agreed by the Company and sufficient
      notice of intention to take holiday must be given to your manager, whose
      prior written agreement to the specified dates is required.

5.5   Any holiday entitlement which remains unused at the end of the holiday
      year cannot be carried over into the next holiday year.

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6.    Sickness or other absence

6.1   If you are absent from work for any reason and your absence has not
      previously been authorised by the Company you must inform the Company by
      10:00 a.m. on your first day of absence.

6.2   In respect of absence due to sickness, injury, or accident, which
      continues for 7 or fewer calendar days, you must on your return to work
      provide written reasons for your absence to your manager. In respect of
      absence due to sickness, injury or accident which continues for more than
      7 calendar days you must, on the eighth calendar day, provide the Company
      with a medical certificate stating the reason for absence. Thereafter,
      medical certificates must be provided to the Company on a weekly basis.

6.3   If you are absent from work due to sickness, injury or accident and comply
      with the requirements in this clause 6 you will be paid your normal salary
      less any Statutory Sick Pay or other benefits to which you are entitled.
      Salary shall only be paid in respect of the first 6 weeks' absence,
      whether consecutive or aggregated over any 12 month period. Thereafter,
      any sick pay in excess of Statutory Sick Pay is entirely at the Company's
      discretion.

6.4   The Company reserves the right to require you, at any time, to undergo a
      medical examination conducted by a doctor nominated by the Company, at the
      Company's expense, and to provide a medical report.

6.5   If your sickness, injury or accident is caused by the act or omission of a
      third party you must, at the Company's request, include in any claim for
      damages against such third party a claim in respect of moneys paid by the
      Company under clause 6.3 and must refund to the Company any damages
      recovered under that head.

7.    Pension

      The Company does not operate a pension scheme applicable to your
      employment and a contracting-out certificate under the Pension Schemes Act
      1993 is not in force in respect of your employment.

8.    Expenses

      The Company shall reimburse you in respect of all expenses reasonably
      incurred by you in the proper performance of your duties, subject to you
      providing such receipts or other evidence as the Company may require.

9.    Term

9.1   Your contract of employment will continue for a fixed period of twenty
      four months from 27 September 1999 and, save as provided elsewhere in this
      contract of employment, thereafter shall be terminable upon either party
      giving to the other not less than twelve months notice in writing.

9.2   The Company reserves the right to terminate your employment without notice
      by paying to you a sum equal to your salary and all other contractual
      benefits for the relevant unexpired period of your contract of employment.

9.3   The Company reserves the right to terminate your employment without notice
      if you are guilty of gross misconduct.

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9.4   Your employment shall in any event expire automatically on the date you
      reach your 60th birthday.

10.   Grievance and Disciplinary matters

10.1  If you have a grievance relating to your employment you should raise the
      matter with your immediate manager. If the matter remains unresolved you
      may take it further following the Company's normal grievance procedure a
      copy of which can be found in the employee handbook.

10.2  Details of the disciplinary rules applicable to all employees are set out
      in the Company's disciplinary procedure, a copy of which can be found in
      the employee handbook.

10.3  The grievance and disciplinary procedures in this clause 10 are not
      contractually binding on the Company and the Company may alter them, or
      omit any or all of their stages where it considers it appropriate.

11.   Place of Work

11.1  Your normal place of work will be at the Company offices located for the
      time being in London, United Kingdom or, upon reasonable notice and
      subject to agreement, such other premises tat the Company or associated
      companies may use from time to time.

11.2  Your duties may be require you to travel on business for the Company to
      other locations both in the United Kingdom and other countries.

11.3  You may be required to work at any of the Company's premises (or premises
      of any associated company) or at the premises of the Company's or an
      associated company's customers or suppliers within or outside the United
      Kingdom from time to time. You will be reimbursed for any expenses
      properly incurred in connection with such duties in accordance with the
      Company's expenses policy as amended from time to time.

12.   Collective Agreements

      There are no collective agreements applicable to you or which affect your
      terms of employment.

13.   Confidentiality

13.1  You will not, either during your employment (except in the proper
      performance of your duties) or at any time (without limit) after the
      termination of your employment:

      (a)   divulge or communicate to any person, company, business entity or
            other organisation;

      (b)   use for your own purposes or for any purposes other than those of
            the Company or any associated company; or

      (c)   through any failure to exercise due care and diligence, cause any
            unauthorised disclosure of any trade secrets or Confidential
            Information relating to the Company or any associated company. These
            restrictions shall cease to apply to any

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            information which shall become available to the public generally
            otherwise than through your default.

13.2  "Confidential Information" shall include, but not be limited to, details
      of suppliers and their terms of business, details of customers and their
      requirements, the prices charged to and terms of business with customers,
      business plans, marketing plans and sales forecasts, financial
      information, results and forecasts (save to the extent that these are
      included in published audited accounts), details relating to any
      commercial, financial or operational activity of the Company or any
      associated company, any proposals relating to the acquisition or disposal
      of a company or business or any part thereof or to any proposed expansion
      or contraction of activities, details of employees, directors and officers
      and of the remuneration and other benefits paid to them, information
      relating to research activities, inventions, secret processes, designs,
      formulae and product lines, any information which you are told is
      confidential and any information which has been given to the Company or
      any associated company in confidence by customers, suppliers or other
      persons.

13.3  All notes, memoranda, records, lists of customers and suppliers and
      employees, correspondence, documents, computer and other discs and tapes,
      data listings, codes, designs and drawings and other documents and
      material whatsoever (whether made or created by you or otherwise) relating
      to the business of the Company or any associated company (and any copies
      of the same):

      (a)   shall be and remain the property of the Company or the relevant
            associated company; and

      (b)   shall be handed over by you to the Company or to the relevant
            associated company on demand and in any event forthwith on the
            termination of your employment.

14.   Post Termination Restrictions

14.1  In relation to the restrictions set out in this clause 14,

      (a)   "Relevant Business" means any business undertaken by the Company and
            associated companies at the date of termination of your employment
            with which you were involved to a material degree in the 12 months
            immediately preceding the date of such termination.

      (b)   "Relevant Person" means any person, company or other organisation
            who or which at any time in the period of 12 months immediately
            preceding the date of termination of your employment, was a supplier
            or customer of, or who had regular dealings with, the Company or any
            associated company and with whom or which you had material contact
            or about whom or which you obtained Confidential Information during
            your employment.

      (c)   "Relevant Employee" means any person who, at the date of termination
            of your employment, was employed by the Company or an associated
            company at a senior level and with whom you had material contact
            during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the date of
            termination of your employment.

      (d)   "Restricted Period" means the period or 12 months after termination
            of your

<PAGE>

            employment, provided that this period shall be reduced by any period
            during which you are not required to perform all or any of your
            duties pursuant to clause 19 of this statement.

14.2  You will not during the Restricted Period solicit or seek to entice away
      from the Company or any associated company the business or trade of a
      Relevant Person with the intention of supplying products or services to
      that Relevant Person so as to compete or seek to compete with any Relevant
      Business.

14.3  You will not during the Restricted Period supply products or services to
      or otherwise have business dealings with any Relevant Person in the course
      of any business or entity which is or seeks to be in competition with any
      Relevant Business.

14.4  You will not during the Restricted Period for your benefit or on behalf of
      any business or entity, offer employment to or in any way try to entice
      away a Relevant Employee from the Company or any associated company.

14.5  You will not during the Restricted Period be engaged on your own account
      or as a director, employee, partner, consultant, agent or otherwise in any
      business or entity which is or seeks to be in competition with any
      Relevant Business.

14.6  Following termination of your employment, you shall not in any way hold
      yourself out or permit yourself to be held out as being interested in or
      in anyway connected with the business of the Company or any associated
      company.

14.7  The restrictions set out in this clause 14 apply whether you act for your
      own benefit or on behalf of any company, other organisation or person and
      whether you act directly or indirectly.

15.   Inventions

15.1  If you make any invention (within the meaning of the Patents Act 1977),
      whether patentable or not, which relates to, or is capable of being used
      in, any business of the Company or its associated companies with which you
      are (at the time of making the invention) or have been (within the 2 years
      before that time) concerned to a material degree, you must disclose it to
      the Company immediately to enable the Company to determine whether, under
      the applicable law, the invention is the property of the Company.

15.2  As between you and the Company, the ownership of all inventions made by
      you will be determined in accordance with section 39 of the Patents Act
      1977.

15.3  If an invention does not belong to the Company, the Company shall have the
      option to acquire for itself or its nominee your rights therein within
      three months of disclosure pursuant to clause 15.1 above on fair and
      reasonable terms to be agreed or, in default of agreement within one month
      of the exercise of the option, to be acquired at a price determined by an
      independent expert to be nominated in default of agreement, at the request
      of either you or the Company, by the President for the time being of the
      Chartered Institute of Patent Agents.

16.   Data Protection and Records

      By signing this statement, you acknowledge and agree that the Company is
      permitted to process data and sensitive personal data (as defined in the
      Data Protection Act 1998)

<PAGE>

      relating to you as part of its personnel and other records and may use
      such information in the course of the Company's business in accordance
      with the Company's registrable particulars (as defined by section 16 (1)
      of the Data Protection Act 1998). You agree that the Company may disclose
      such information to its associated companies and to third parties whether
      within the European Economic Area or elsewhere in the event that such
      disclosure is, in the Company's view, required for the proper conduct of
      the Company's business or that of any associated company. This clause
      applies to information held, used or disclosed in any medium.

17.   Previous Contracts

17.1  The contractual terms in this statement shall be in substitution for all
      or any existing contacts of employment entered into between you and the
      Company.

17.2  Except as set out in this statement and except as be mutually agreed in
      writing there are no other contractual terms governing your employment
      with the Company. Any representation or statement (whether written or
      oral) made to you in connection with your employment and not incorporated
      in this statement or mutually agreed in writing, shall be extinguished and
      have no effect.

18.   Definitions

      In this statement "associated company" means any holding company for the
      time being of the Company or any subsidiary for the time being of the
      Company or any such holding company (other than the Company). The
      expressions "holding company" and "subsidiary" shall have the meanings set
      out in section 736 of the Companies Act 1985.

19.   Garden Leave

      After notice to terminate your employment has been given by you or the
      Company, the Company may in its absolute discretion: require you to
      perform only such duties (including without limitation research projects)
      as it may allocate to you; require you not to perform any of your duties;
      require you not to have any contact with customers or suppliers of the
      Company or any associated company; require you not to have any contact
      with such employees of the Company or any associated company as the
      Company shall determine; exclude you from the premises of the Company or
      any associated company provided always that throughout the period of any
      such action referred to in this clause your salary and contractual
      benefits shall not cease to accrue or be paid or provided subject to the
      other provisions of this statement. You acknowledge that such action
      referred to in this clause taken on the part of the Company shall not
      constitute a breach of this statement nor shall you have any claim against
      the Company or any associated company in respect of any such action. You
      shall during any such period of garden leave remain readily contactable
      and available for work and, should you fail to make yourself available for
      work having been requested by the Company to attend, you shall,
      notwithstanding any other provision of this statement, forfeit your right
      to salary and contractual benefits in respect of such period of
      non-availability.

20.   Severability

      Each and every provision in this statement shall be read as a separate and
      distinct undertaking and the invalidity, legality or unenforceability of
      any part of this statement shall not affect the validity, legality or
      enforceability of the remainder.

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21.   Waiver

      No waiver by either party of any of their respective rights hereunder
      shall be deemed a continuing waiver of any such rights hereunder.

22.   Assignment

      The Company shall, upon giving you written notice, be entitled to assign
      this statement to any of its associated companies and you agree to accept
      any such assignment provided always that any such associated company is
      involved in substantially the same business as that conducted by the
      Company and your job title and duties will be substantially the same as at
      the date of assignment.

23.   Notices

23.1  Any notice to be given under this statement shall be sufficiently served:

23.2  In the case of the Employee, by being delivered either personally to him
      or sent by first class post, registered post or recorded delivery to his
      usual or last known residential address; and

23.3  In the case of the Company, by being personally delivered at, or sent by,
      first class post, registered post or recorded delivery addressed to the
      office first written above.

23.4  Any such notice in sub-clauses 23.2 and 23.3 shall be deemed served on the
      second day following that on which it was posted.

24.   Health & Safety

      As an employee you have personal responsibilities to do everything
      possible to prevent injury to yourself and to others, including:

      o     working safely and efficiently by using protective equipment
            provided and by meeting statutory requirements
      o     adhering to health and safety procedures and rules for securing a
            safe work place
      o     reporting accidents or defects that have led, or may lead, to injury
      o     co-operating in the investigation of accidents to aid prevention of
            a recurrence.

      A copy of the Company's Health and Safety Policy and Procedure is posted
      on notice boards, and it is your duty to acquaint yourself with the
      various requirements set out therein.

25.   Employees Property

      The Company does not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss
      of, theft or damage to employees' personal property.

26.   Personal Records

      You are required to inform your manager on any matter affecting your
      personal records, such as change of private address, marital status, next
      of kin, qualifications etc.

27.   Amendments

      The Company reserves the right to reasonably amend these terms and
      conditions of your employment from time to time, subject to your agreement
      in advance (such agreement not

<PAGE>

      to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and any amendments will be
      notified to you in writing.

28. Choice of law and Jurisdiction

      This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with
      English law and the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
      the English courts.

Dated

/s/ Michael J. Price
--------------------------------
Signed by Michael J. Price
for and on behalf of the Company

I acknowledge that I have received a duplicate copy of this statement, have read
and understood the same and agree to be bound by all the contractual terms
contained in it.

Dated

/s/
--------------------------------
Signed by the Employee<PAGE>
                                                                  Exhibit 10.28

CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT
(ref: dbcont1.doc)

Employer's name:        FIRSTMARK COMMUNICATIONS EUROPE, SCA ("the Company")

Address:                6 Rue Jean Monnet, L-2180, Luxembourg

Employee's Name:        Donal Byrne

Address:                1601, Bear Run Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15234, USA

This contract gives particulars of your terms of employment with the Company.

1.    Commencement of Employment

1.1   Your period of continuous employment with the Company commenced on
      September 13th, 1999 or on signing of this contract of employment
      whichever is sooner.

1.2   No employment with a previous employer counts as part of your period of
      continuous employment with the Company.

2.    Job Title and Duties

2.1   You are employed as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategy or in
      such other position as the Company may from time to time assign to you.

2.2   You will perform such duties as may be required of you by your manager.
      The Company may require that you perform duties for any associated company
      from time to time.

2.3   Whilst in the Company's employment you must:-

      (a)   during your hours of work devote the whole of your time, attention
            and abilities to the business of the Company,

      (b)   use your utmost endeavours to promote the interests of the Company
            and observe the utmost good faith towards the Company, and

      (e)   comply with all the Company's rules, regulations and policies from
            time to time in force.

3.    Remuneration

3.1   Your basic salary is EURO 200,000 per annum (or such other sum as shall be
      agreed from time to time) payable in equal monthly instalments one month
      in arrears on or around the last working day of the month. Your basic
      salary will be paid at your request into a US bank account.

3.2   The Company shall be entitled to deduct from your salary or from any other
      payments due to you any amount which the Company is required by law to
      deduct (including without limitation income tax and social security
      payments) and any amount which is owed by you to the Company.
<PAGE>

3.3   The Directors of the Company shall, with effect from the date of the
      commencement of your employment, grant to you an option to subscribe for
      400 stock options of the Company at a subscription price as close to zero
      as is permitted under the laws of Luxembourg and 650 stock options at a
      subscription price at current market value, being US$2,200 per share. Your
      stock options will be fully transferable to any entity controlled by you.
      The grant of stock options shall be subject to, and shall be governed by,
      scheme rules to be established by the Company. The grant of 400 stock
      options will vest over a period of two years from the date of commencement
      of your employment and the grant of 650 stock options will vest over a
      period of four years from the date of commencement of your employment with
      vesting in each case taking place quarterly. In the event of an
      acquisition by a third party of more than 50% of the share capital of the
      Company, your entitlement to stock options in the Company shall be
      accelerated in accordance with the stock option scheme rules, to be
      established by the Company.

3.4   In the event that you commit any breach or default of the provisions
      contained in this contract of employment such that the Company is entitled
      to terminate your employment, including but not limited to any breach or
      default of the provisions contained in clause 13 and 14 hereof, your
      entitlement to unvested stock options will cease forthwith. Such cessation
      will be subject to the specific terms contained in the scheme rules.

3.5   Within a period of one year from the commencement of your employment you
      will, at the discretion of the Company, be considered for a further grant
      of up to 500 stock options (at the then current market value), such
      further grant to be conditional on your performance measured against
      agreed objectives.

4.    Hours of Work

      Your hours of work are such as may be required for the proper performance
      of your duties, normally between core hours of 9.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. and
      at such other times as may be appropriate without any additional
      remuneration.

5.    Holidays and Holiday Pay

5.1   You are entitled to 20 days' paid holiday in each holiday year. The
      Company's holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

5.2   If your employment commenced or terminates part way through the holiday
      year your holiday entitlement will be assessed on a pro rata basis for
      each complete month of service. Deductions from the salary or other
      amounts otherwise due to you on termination of employment will be made in
      respect of any holidays taken in excess of entitlement.

5.3   Upon termination of your employment you will be entitled to pay in lieu of
      any unused holiday entitlement. The Company may require you to take unused
      holidays during your notice period.

5.4   Holidays must be taken at times agreed by the Company and sufficient
      notice of intention to take holiday must be given to your manager, whose
      prior written agreement to the specified dates is required.

5.5   Any holiday entitlement which remains unused at the end of the holiday
      year cannot be carried over into the next holiday year.
<PAGE>

6.    Sickness or other absence

6.1   If you are absent from work for any reason and your absence has not
      previously been authorised by the Company you must inform the Company by
      10:00 a.m. on your first day of absence.

6.2   In respect of absence due to sickness, injury, or accident, which
      continues for 7 or fewer calendar days, you must on your return to work
      provide written reasons for your absence to your manager. In respect of
      absence due to sickness, injury or accident which continues for more than
      7 calendar days you must, on the eighth calendar day, provide the Company
      with a medical certificate stating the reason for absence. Thereafter,
      medical certificates must be provided to the Company on a weekly basis.

6.3   If you are absent from work due to sickness, injury or accident and comply
      with the requirements in this clause 6 you will be paid your normal salary
      less any applicable state sick pay or other benefits to which you are
      entitled. Salary shall only be paid in respect of the first 6 weeks'
      absence, whether consecutive or aggregated over any 12 month period.
      Thereafter, any sick pay in excess of applicable state sick pay is
      entirely at the Company's discretion.

6.4   The Company reserves the right to require you, at any time, to undergo a
      medical examination conducted by a doctor nominated by the Company, at the
      Company's expense, and to provide a medical report.

6.5   If your sickness, injury or accident is caused by the act or omission of a
      third party you must, at the Company's request, include in any claim for
      damages against such third party a claim in respect of moneys paid by the
      Company under clause 6.3 and must refund to the Company any damages
      recovered under that head.

7.    Pension

      The Company does not operate a pension scheme.

8.    Expenses

      The Company shall reimburse you in respect of all expenses reasonably
      incurred by you in the proper performance of your duties, subject to you
      providing such receipts or other evidence as the Company may require.

9.    Notice

9.1   Your contract of employment may be terminated by the employee giving the
      Company one month's written notice and by the Company giving the employee
      one month's written notice dependant upon length of continuous service as
      follows:

      Service                      Notice

      Up to four complete years    One month

      Five to twelve years         One week for each complete year of continuous
                                   service

      Twelve years or more         Twelve weeks maximum

9.2   The Company reserves the right to terminate your employment without notice
      by paying to you a sum equal to your salary and all other contractual
      benefits for the relevant period of notice (or the unexpired portion if
      notice has already been given by either party).
<PAGE>

9.3   The Company reserves the right to terminate your employment without notice
      or payment in lieu of notice if you are guilty of gross misconduct.

9.4   Your employment shall in any event expire automatically on the date you
      reach your 60th birthday.

10.   Grievance and Disciplinary matters

10.1  If you have a grievance relating to your employment you should raise the
      matter with your immediate manager. If the matter remains unresolved you
      may take it further following the Company's normal grievance procedure a
      copy of which can be found in the employee handbook.

10.2  Details of the disciplinary rules applicable to all employees are set out
      in the Company's disciplinary procedure, a copy of which can be found in
      the employee handbook.

10.3  The grievance and disciplinary procedures in this clause 10 are not
      contractually binding on the Company and the Company may alter them, or
      omit any or all of their stages where it considers it appropriate.

11.   Place of Work

11.1  Your normal place of work will be the Company offices or such other
      premises that the Company or associated companies may use from time to
      time. Although you are currently resident in the Commonwealth of
      Pennsylvania, USA, the Company may at its option in the future relocate
      you to any of its offices within or outside the USA.

11.2  Your duties will require you to travel on business for the Company to
      other locations.

11.3  You may be required to work at any of the Company's premises (or premises
      of any associated company) or at the premises of the Company's or an
      associated company's customers or suppliers from time to time. You will be
      reimbursed for any expenses properly incurred in connection with such
      duties in accordance with the Company's expenses policy as amended from
      time to time.

12.   Collective Agreements

      There are no collective agreements applicable to you or which affect your
      terms of employment.

13.   Confidentiality

13.1  You will not, either during your employment (except in the proper
      performance of your duties) or at any time (without limit) after the
      termination of your employment:

      (a)   divulge or communicate to any person, company, business entity or
            other organisation;

      (b)   use for your own purposes or for any purposes other than those of
            the Company or any associated company; or
<PAGE>

      (c)   through any failure to exercise due care and diligence, cause any
            unauthorised disclosure of any trade secrets or Confidential
            Information relating to the Company or any associated company. These
            restrictions shall cease to apply to any information which shall
            become available to the public generally otherwise than through your
            default.

13.2  "Confidential Information" shall include, but not be limited to, details
      of suppliers and their terms of business, details of customers and their
      requirements, the prices charged to and terms of business with customers,
      business plans, marketing plans and sales forecasts, financial
      information, results and forecasts (save to the extent that these are
      included in published audited accounts), details relating to any
      commercial, financial or operational activity of the Company or any
      associated company, any proposals relating to the acquisition or disposal
      of a company or business or any part thereof or to any proposed expansion
      or contraction of activities, details of employees, directors and officers
      and of the remuneration and other benefits paid to them, information
      relating to research activities, inventions, secret processes, designs,
      formulae and product lines, any information which you are told is
      confidential and any information which has been given to the Company or
      any associated company in confidence by customers, suppliers or other
      persons.

13.3  All notes, memoranda, records, lists of customers and suppliers and
      employees, correspondence, documents, computer and other discs and tapes,
      data listings, codes, designs and drawings and other documents and
      material whatsoever (whether made or created by you or otherwise) relating
      to the business of the Company or any associated company (and any copies
      of the same):

      (a)   shall be and remain the property of the Company or the relevant
            associated company; and

      (b)   shall be handed over by you to the Company or to the relevant
            associated company on demand and in any event forthwith on the
            termination of your employment.

14.   Post Termination Restrictions

14.1  In relation to the restrictions set out in this clause 14,

      (a) "Relevant Business" means any business undertaken by the Company and
      associated companies at the date of termination of your employment with
      which you were involved to a material degree in the 12 months immediately
      preceding the date of such termination.

      (b) "Relevant Person" means any person, company or other organisation who
      or which at any time in the period of 12 months immediately preceding the
      date of termination of your employment, was a supplier or customer of, or
      who had regular dealings with, the Company or any associated company and
      with whom or which you had contact or about whom or which you obtained
      Confidential Information during your employment.
<PAGE>

      (c)   "Relevant Employee" means any person who, at the date of termination
            of your employment, was employed by the Company or an associated
            company at a senior level and with whom you had material contact
            during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the date of
            termination of your employment.

      (d)   "Restricted Period" means:

      (i)   During the first year of your employment, a period of one year.

      (ii)  During the second and third years of your employment, a period of
            nine months.

      (iii) During the fourth and fifth years of your employment, a period six
            months.

      (iv)  Thereafter; a period of one month.

14.2  You will not during the Restricted Period solicit or seek to entice away
      from the Company or any associated company the business or trade of a
      Relevant Person with the intention of supplying products or services to
      that Relevant Person so as to compete or seek to compete with any Relevant
      Business.

14.3  Subject to Clause 14.8, you will not during the Restricted Period supply
      products or services to or otherwise have business dealings with any
      Relevant Person in the course of any business or entity which is or seeks
      to be in competition with any Relevant Business.

14.4  You will not during the Restricted Period for your benefit or on behalf of
      any business or entity, offer employment to or in any way try to entice
      away a Relevant Employee from the Company or any associated company.

14.5  Subject to Clause 14.8, you will not during the Restricted Period be
      engaged on your own account or as a director, employee, partner,
      consultant, agent or otherwise in any business or entity which is or seeks
      to be in competition with any Relevant Business.

14.6  Following termination of your employment, you shall not in any way hold
      yourself out or permit yourself to be held out as being interested in or
      in anyway connected with the business of the Company or any associated
      company.

14.7  The restrictions set out in this clause 14 apply whether you act for your
      own benefit or on behalf of any company, other organization or person and
      whether you act directly or indirectly.

14.8  Nothing in this Clause 14 will restrict you in serving in an equivalent
      capacity as vice president or director or as an insignificant shareholder
      of any telecommunications company following termination of your employment
      with the Company PROVIDED THAT Clauses 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 and 14.6 shall
      continue to apply during the Restricted Period.

14.9  The provisions contained in this Clause 14 shall lapse and shall have no
      effect in the event of the acquisition by a third party of more than 50%
      of the share capital of the Company. The said provisions in this Clause 14
      will lapse also in the event of termination of this contract of employment
      by FirstMark without due cause.
<PAGE>

15.   Inventions

15.1  If you make any invention, whether patentable or not, which relates to, or
      is capable of being used in, any business of the Company or its associated
      companies with which you are (at the time of making the invention) or have
      been (within the 2 years before that time) concerned to a material degree,
      you must disclose it to the Company immediately to enable the Company to
      determine whether, under the applicable law, the invention is the property
      of the Company.

15.2  If an invention does not belong to the Company, the Company shall have the
      option to acquire for itself or its nominee your rights therein within
      three months of disclosure pursuant to clause 15.1 above on fair and
      reasonable terms to be agreed or, in default of agreement within one month
      of the exercise of the option, to be acquired at a price determined by an
      independent expert.

16.   Data Protection and Records

      By signing this statement, you acknowledge and agree that the Company is
      permitted to process data and sensitive personal data relating to you as
      part of its personnel and other records and may use such information in
      the course of the Company's business in accordance with the Compnay's
      registrable particulars. You agree that the Company may disclose such
      information to its associated companies and to third parties whether
      within the European Economic Area or elsewhere in the event that such
      disclosure is, in the Company's view, required for the proper conduct of
      the Company's business or that of any associated company. This clause
      applies to information held, used or disclosed in any medium.

17.   Previous Contracts

17.1  The contractual terms in this statement shall be in substitution for all
      or any existing contracts of employment entered into between you and the
      Company.

17.2  Except as set out in this statement and your offer of employment letter
      dated 13 September 1999, and except as be mutually agreed in writing there
      are no other contractual terms governing your employment with the Company.
      Any representation or statement (whether written or oral) made to you in
      connection with your employment and not incorporated in this statement or
      offer of employment letter, or mutually agreed in writing, shall be
      extinguished and have no effect.

18.   Definitions

      In this statement "associated company" means any holding company for the
      time being of the Company or any subsidiary for the time being of the
      Company or any such holding company (other than the Company).

19.   Garden Leave

      After notice to terminate your employment has been given by you or the
      Company, the Company may in its absolute discretion: require you to
      perform only such duties (including without limitation research projects)
      as it may allocate to you; require you not to perform any of your duties;
      require you not to have any contact with customers or suppliers of the
      Company or any associated company; require you not to have any contact
      with such employees of the Company or any associated company as the
      Company shall determine; exclude you from the premises of the Company or
      any associated company provided
<PAGE>

      always that throughout the period of any such action referred to in this
      clause your salary and contractual benefits shall not cease to accrue or
      be paid or provided subject to the other provisions of this statement. You
      acknowledge that such action referred to in this clause taken on the part
      of the Company shall not constitute a breach of this statement nor shall
      you have any claim against the Company or any associated company in
      respect of any such action. You shall during any such period of garden
      leave remain readily contactable and available for work and, should you
      fail to make yourself available for work having been requested by the
      Company to attend, you shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this
      statement, forfeit your right to salary and contractual benefits in
      respect of such period of non-availability.

20.   Severability

      Each and every provision in this statement shall be read as a separate and
      distinct undertaking and the invalidity, legality or unenforceability of
      any part of this statement shall not affect the validity, legality or
      enforceability of the remainder.

21.   Waiver

      No waiver by either party of any of their respective rights hereunder
      shall be deemed a continuing waiver of any such rights hereunder.

22.   Assignment

      The Company shall, upon giving you written notice, be entitled to assign
      this statement to any of its associated companies and you agree to accept
      any such assignment.

23.   Notices

23.1  Any notice to be given under this statement shall be sufficiently served:

23.2  In the case of the Employee, by being delivered either personally to him
      or sent by first class post, registered post or recorded delivery to his
      usual or last known residential address; and

23.3  In the case of the Company, by being personally delivered at, or sent by,
      first class post, registered post or recorded delivery addressed to the
      office first written above.

23.4  Any such notice in sub-clauses 23.2 and 23.3 shall be deemed served on the
      second day following that on which it was posted.

24.   Health & Safety

      As an employee you have personal responsibilities to do everything
      possible to prevent injury to yourself and to others, including:

      o     working safely and efficiently by using protective equipment
            provided and by meeting statutory requirements

      o     adhering to health and safety procedures and rules for securing a
            safe work place

      o     reporting accidents or defects that have led, or may lead, to injury

      o     co-operating in the investigation of accidents to aid prevention of
            a recurrence.

      A copy of the Company's Health and Safety Policy and Procedure is posted
      on notice boards, and it is your duty to acquaint yourself with the
      various requirements set out therein.
<PAGE>

25.   Employees Property

      The Company does not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss
      of, theft or damage to employees' personal property.

26.   Personal Records

      You are required to inform your manager on any matter affecting your
      personal records, such as change of private address, marital status, next
      of kin, qualifications etc.

27.   Amendments

      The Company reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions of your
      employment from time to time, and any amendments will be notified to you
      in writing.

28.   Choice of law and jurisdiction

      This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with
      English law and the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
      the English courts.

Dated       /s/ Michael J. Price
--------------------------------
Signed by Michael J. Price
for and on behalf of the Company

I acknowledge that I have received a duplicate copy of this statement, have read
and understood the same and agree to be bound by all the contractual terms
contained in it.

Dated            /s/ Donal Byrne
--------------------------------
Signed by the Employee

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