Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                  THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of
July 27, 2001, among Orius Corp., a Florida corporation (the "Company"); Willis
Stein & Partners III, L.P. ("WSPIII"), Willis Stein & Partners Dutch III-A, L.P.
("WS Dutch IIIA"), Willis Stein & Partners Dutch III-B, L.P. ("WS Dutch IIIB")
and Willis Stein & Partners III-C, L.P. ("WSIIIC"), each of which is a Delaware
limited partnership (WSPIII, WS Dutch IIIA, WS Dutch IIIB and WSIIIC
collectively, "WSIII" or the "Purchasers", and each individually a "Purchaser").
Except as otherwise indicated herein, capitalized terms used herein are defined
in Section 9 hereof.

                  The Company has offered (the "Offer") to sell to WS III an
aggregate of 62,140.352 shares of Series F Preferred, with aggregate Series F
Liquidation Value of $62,140,352, and an aggregate of 23,742,733 shares of
Common Stock (collectively, the "WS Offered Stock") for an aggregate purchase
price of $61,222,021 (the "Maximum Aggregate Investment Amount"). The terms on
which the Company has offered the WS Offered Stock to the Purchasers are set
forth in this Agreement and in the Equity Call Agreement of even date herewith
among the Purchasers, the Company, NATG Holdings, LLC, and Bankers Trust
Company, in its capacity as administrative agent under the Credit Agreement (the
"Equity Call Agreement").

                  Pursuant to the Equity Call Agreement, the Purchasers have
agreed to purchase from the Company, and the Company has agreed to sell to the
Purchasers, an aggregate of 15,000 shares of Series F Preferred, with aggregate
Series F Liquidation Value of $15,000,000, and the number of shares of Common
Stock determined in accordance with Section 1F below (such shares of Series F
Preferred and Common Stock collectively, the "Backstop Shares"), for an
aggregate purchase price of $15,000,000 and on the other terms and subject to
the conditions set forth therein. The Purchasers have agreed to purchase from
the Company an additional 10,375 shares of Series F Preferred, with aggregate
Series F Liquidation Value of $10,375,000, and the number of shares of Common
Stock determined in accordance with Section 1F below (such shares of Series F
Preferred and Common Stock collectively, the "First Closing Shares"), for an
aggregate purchase price of $10,000,000, and the Company has agreed to sell to
the Purchasers the First Closing Shares for such price, on the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth herein. Further, the Company has agreed to sell to
the Purchasers the balance of the WS Offered Stock (i.e., all WS Offered Stock
other than the Backstop Shares and the First Closing Shares), on the terms and
subject to the conditions and limitations set forth herein. The obligations of
each of the Purchasers pursuant to the Equity Call Agreement and this Agreement
are several, with each Purchaser obligated to purchase only a portion of the
Backstop Shares and First Closing Shares.

                  In consideration of the mutual promises made herein and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby covenant
and agree as follows:

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                  Section 1.        Authorization and Purchase of Stock.

                  1A.      Authorization of the Series F Preferred and Common
Stock Issuable to the Purchasers. The Company shall authorize the issuance and
sale to the Purchasers of up to an aggregate of (i) 62,140.352 shares of the
Company's Series F Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Series F
Preferred"), and (ii) 23,742,733 shares of the Company's common stock, par value
$0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), each having the rights and preferences set
forth in Exhibit A hereto (the "Amended Articles of Incorporation").

                  1B.      Initial Financing. At the Initial Closing (as defined
below), the Company shall sell to each Purchaser and, subject to the conditions
and on the terms set forth herein, each Purchaser shall purchase from the
Company, in exchange for the "Initial Purchase Price" set forth opposite such
Purchaser's name on the Schedule of Purchasers attached hereto, the number of
shares of Series F Preferred and the number of shares of Common Stock set forth
opposite its name on the Schedule of Purchasers attached hereto under the column
heading "Initial Financing." In addition, as an adjustment to the foregoing
amount, upon determination of the Gross-Up Amount for each Purchaser in
accordance with Section 1C(ii) below, the Company will issue to each Purchaser
the number of shares of Common Stock equal to such Purchaser's Gross-Up Amount.
Each Purchaser shall pay such Initial Purchase Price at the Initial Closing by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as is designated by
the Company.

                  1C.      Preemptive Rights Offering; Obligations of
Participating Stockholders. The Company has required, as a condition to entering
into this Agreement, that each Purchaser also enter into the Equity Call
Agreement. The Company and each Purchaser agree that any capital contribution by
such Purchaser to the Company pursuant to the Equity Call Agreement shall be
deemed made pursuant to and in acceptance of the Offer. Each Purchaser
acknowledges that the Offer is subject to the rights set forth in Section 4 of
the Investor Rights Agreement ("IRA Section 4") and that the Company will offer
(the "Preemptive Rights Offering") to each party to the Investor Rights
Agreement (a "Stockholder") who holds Stockholder Shares on a Fully Diluted
Basis (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) the opportunity to purchase
a portion of the shares of WS Offered Stock in accordance with IRA Section 4.
Each Stockholder who accepts such offer to purchase shares of Common Stock (a
"Participating Stockholder") shall be obligated to enter into an agreement
prepared by the Company, reasonably satisfactory to the Majority Holders (as
defined below) and substantially similar to this Agreement, providing for
obligations substantially the same as those of the Purchasers hereunder and
under the Equity Call Agreement, including without limitation, the obligation to
purchase shares of Series F Preferred as well as Common Stock in the proportions
contemplated hereby (the "Preemptive Rights Purchase Agreement").

                           (i)      The Preemptive Rights Purchase Agreement
         shall require each Participating Stockholder to commit to invest up to
         a specified aggregate amount pursuant thereto, which amount shall be
         determined without taking into account any proposed investment pursuant
         to Subsequent Financings (such aggregate amount for any Participating
         Stockholder, such Participating Stockholder's "Commitment"), and each
         Participating

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         Stockholder shall be obligated to pay up to 60% of such Participating
         Stockholder's Commitment on terms substantially similar to those set
         forth in the Equity Call Agreement (such Participating Stockholder's
         "Backstop Commitment") and obligated to pay 40% of such Commitment as
         the purchase price to acquire WS Offered Stock at an initial closing
         (the "Participating Stockholders' Initial Closing" and, collectively
         with the Initial Closing, the "Initial Closings"), to be consummated on
         a date specified by the Company, which date shall occur not more than
         30 days after the expiration of the Offering Period (as defined in IRA
         Section 4) in respect of the Preemptive Rights Offering. The Preemptive
         Rights Purchase Agreement shall provide that, in exchange for the
         purchase price to be paid by each Participating Stockholder at the
         Participating Stockholder's Initial Closing the Company will issue to
         such Participating Stockholder (a) the number of shares of Series F
         Preferred equal to such purchase price then paid by such Participating
         Stockholder, divided by $1,000, multiplied by 1.0375, and (b) the
         number of shares of Common Stock determined as described in clause (g)
         of subparagraph (ii) below, as set forth in the Notice of Commitments.
         The Preemptive Rights Purchase Agreement shall also provide that if the
         Purchasers make any payment to the Company pursuant to the Equity Call
         Agreement, then each Participating Stockholder shall be obligated,
         within 15 days after such payment by the Purchasers (or, if later, 30
         days after delivery by the Company to such Participating Stockholder of
         a written notice stating the amount of such Participating Stockholder's
         payment obligation) to pay to the Company the same portion of its
         Backstop Commitment that such payment by the Purchasers represents of
         their aggregate Backstop Commitments.

                           (ii)     The Company shall deliver to each
         Participating Stockholder and to each Purchaser, within 10 days after
         expiration of the Offering Period (as defined in IRA Section 4) in
         respect of the Preemptive Rights Offering and in any event on or prior
         to the Participating Stockholders' Initial Closing, a written notice
         (the "Notice of Commitments") setting forth (a) the name of and
         Commitment made by each of the Participating Stockholders, (b) for each
         Participating Stockholder, the amount of such Person's "Initial
         Purchase Price" (i.e., 40% of such Person's Commitment) and the amount
         of such Person's Backstop Commitment (i.e., 60% of such Person's
         Commitment), (c) the Total Commitments (d) each Purchaser's, and each
         Participating Stockholder's, Pro Rata Share, (e) the amount, if any, by
         which the Maximum Aggregate Investment Amount exceeds Total Commitments
         (the "Excess Amount"), (f) for each Purchaser and for each
         Participating Stockholder, the maximum aggregate amount which such
         Purchaser or Participating Stockholder shall be entitled, but not
         obligated, to invest in connection with Subsequent Financings (such
         Person's "Allocated Excess Amount"), which amount will equal the lesser
         of (x) such Person's Commitment, or (y) such Person's Pro Rata Share of
         the Excess Amount, (g) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
         to be issued at the Initial Closings to the Purchasers and
         Participating Stockholders, which amount shall equal the amount set
         forth on the Common Stock Allocation Schedule attached hereto under the
         heading "Total Common Shares" opposite, under the heading "Total
         Investment Amount", the aggregate amount paid or payable by the
         Purchasers and Participating Stockholders at the Initial Closings
         (i.e., 40% of Total Commitments), (h) each Purchaser's and each
         Participating Stockholder's Pro Rata Share of such aggregate number of
         shares of Common

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         Stock to be issued at the Initial Closings, and (i) for each Purchaser,
         the amount by which the number of shares of Common Stock determined for
         such Purchaser in accordance with clause (g) preceding exceeds the
         aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued to such Purchaser at
         the Initial Closing (such Purchaser's "Gross Up Amount").

                           (iii)    Along with the Notice of Commitments, the
         Company will deliver to each Purchaser and each Participating
         Stockholder, a schedule prepared for each Purchaser and each
         Participating Stockholder in the format of the Common Stock Allocation
         Schedule (such Purchaser's or Participating Stockholder's "Pro Rated
         Common Stock Schedule"). The Pro Rated Common Stock Schedule for each
         Purchaser or Participating Stockholder will be identical to the Common
         Stock Allocation Schedule, except that each amount set forth under the
         heading "Total Investment Amount" or "Total Common Shares" will be such
         Purchaser's or Participating Stockholder's Pro Rata Share of the
         corresponding amount set forth on the Common Stock Allocation Schedule.
         For example, if a Purchaser's Pro Rata Share is 10%, then such
         Purchaser's Pro Rated Common Stock Schedule shall be identical to the
         Common Stock Allocation Schedule except that the entries under the
         heading "Total Investment Amount" will be in increments of $100,000,
         rather than $1,000,000 as set forth on the Common Stock Allocation
         Schedule, and each entry under the heading "Total Common Shares" will
         be 10% of the corresponding amount on the Common Stock Allocation
         Schedule (e.g., the amount of Total Common Shares set forth the Total
         Investment Amount of $3.7 million would be 907,866 shares).

                           (iv)     No Participating Stockholder shall be deemed
         to be an "Investor" within the meaning of the Investor Rights Agreement
         or entitled, on account of the purchase of WS Offered Stock pursuant to
         the Preemptive Rights Purchase Agreement, to participate in rights
         under the Investor Rights Agreement to designate directors for election
         to the Company's board of directors.

                  1D.      Equity Call Financings.

                           (i)      In exchange for, and upon receipt of, any
         payment by a Purchaser to the Company pursuant to the Equity Call
         Agreement, the Company shall issue to such Purchaser (x) the number of
         shares of Series F Preferred equal to the amount of such payment
         divided by $1,000 and (y) the number of shares of Common Stock
         determined in accordance with Section 1F below.

                           (ii)     In exchange for, and upon receipt of, any
         payment by a Participating Stockholder to the Company pursuant to such
         Participating Stockholder's Backstop Commitment, the Company shall
         issue to such Purchaser (x) the number of shares of Series F Preferred
         equal to the amount of such payment divided by $1,000 and (y) the
         number of shares of Common Stock determined in accordance with Section
         1F below.

                  1E.      Subsequent Financings. Following the consummation of
the Initial Closing, each Purchaser and each Participating Stockholder shall be
entitled to purchase from the Company,

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and the Company shall be obligated to issue and sell to such Purchasers and
Participating Stockholders, additional shares of Series F Preferred and Common
Stock on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 1E.

                           (i)      At any time, and from time to time, after
         the Initial Closing and on or prior to July 27, 2003, the holders of a
         majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock constituting WS
         Offered Stock (the "Majority Holders") may deliver a written notice to
         the Company in accordance with Section 10J stating (a) that Majority
         Holders propose to consummate a Subsequent Financing (a "Subsequent
         Financing"), (b) the date on which the Majority Holders propose to
         consummate such Subsequent Financing, which date shall be not less than
         ten (10) days following the date of delivery of such notice (the
         "Subsequent Closing Date"), (c) the portion of each such Purchaser's
         Allocated Excess Amount which is to be paid by each such Purchaser upon
         consummation of such Subsequent Financing (such portion, expressed as a
         percentage of each Purchaser's Allocated Excess Amount, the "Percentage
         Draw" for such financing), and (d) for each Purchaser, the amount equal
         to such Purchaser's Percentage Draw multiplied by such Purchaser's
         Allocated Excess Amount. Upon receipt of such a notice from the
         Majority Holders, the Company will promptly deliver a copy thereof to
         each other Purchaser and each Participating Stockholder. Each such
         other Purchaser or Participating Stockholder may elect to participate
         in such Subsequent Financing by delivering to the Company, within 10
         days after receiving such notice, a notice specifying the aggregate
         amount which such other Purchaser or Participating Stockholder elects
         to invest pursuant to such Subsequent Financing (an "Election Notice");
         provided that such amount shall not exceed the Percentage Draw for such
         Subsequent Financing multiplied by such Participating Stockholder's
         Allocated Excess Amount. Any Participating Stockholder who delivers
         such a notice to the Company in the manner described in the preceding
         sentence shall be deemed an "Electing Participating Stockholder" for
         such Subsequent Financing, and any Participating Stockholder who fails
         to deliver such a notice in such manner shall be deemed to have waived
         all rights to participate in such Subsequent Financing. Unless the
         Majority Holders rescind their notice to the Company, on the applicable
         Subsequent Closing Date each Purchaser shall be obligated to pay to the
         Company as purchase price for WS Offered Stock the amount determined in
         accordance with clause (d) above for such Subsequent Financing and each
         Electing Participating Stockholder shall be obligated to pay to the
         Company as purchase price for WS Offered Stock the amount which such
         Person has elected to invest in such Subsequent Financing, as reflected
         in the Election Notice.

                           (ii)     For the avoidance of doubt, the parties
         hereto agree and acknowledge that in no event shall any Purchaser or
         Participating Stockholder be entitled pursuant to this Agreement to
         invest in any Subsequent Financing an amount in excess of (a) such
         Person's Allocated Excess Amount over (b) the aggregate amount invested
         by such Person in prior Subsequent Financings.

                           (iii)    In exchange for any payment of purchase
         price by a Purchaser or an Electing Participating Stockholder at a
         Subsequent Closing, the Company shall issue to such Person (x) the
         number of shares of Series F Preferred equal to the purchase price paid
         by

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         such Person at such Subsequent Closing for WS Offered Stock divided by
         $1,000 and (y) the number of shares of Common Stock determined in
         accordance with Section 1F below.

                           (iv)     Each Purchaser shall, in connection with but
         prior to consummation of each Subsequent Financing, permit the Company
         to deliver to such Purchaser all financial and other information
         regarding the Company that the Company believes necessary to enable
         such Purchaser to make an informed investment decision, and shall make
         the investment representations to the Company referred to in Section 3
         below.

                  1F.      Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Issued in
Equity Call Financings and Subsequent Financings. When issuing any shares of
Series F Preferred to a Purchaser or Participating Stockholder pursuant to
Section 1D or Section 1E, the Company shall simultaneously issue to such
Purchaser or Participating Stockholder the number of shares of Common Stock
equal to the excess of (i) the number set forth on such Person's Pro Rated
Common Stock Schedule corresponding to the aggregate purchase price then or
previously paid by such Person to the Company as purchase price for WS Offered
Shares, at an Initial Closing, pursuant to the Equity Call Agreement or as
otherwise contemplated by Section 1D, or as contemplated by Section 1F in
connection with a Subsequent Financing, over (ii) the aggregate number of shares
of Common Stock previously issued to such Person pursuant at an Initial Closing
or pursuant to Section 1D or Section 1E.

                  1G.      Purchase Price Allocation. In connection with each
sale of WS Offered Stock hereunder or under the Equity Call Agreement, the
parties hereto agree that a portion of the purchase price thereof equal to $.01
per share of Common Stock included in such sale shall be deemed the purchase
price of such shares of Common Stock and the balance of the purchase price paid
in such sale shall be deemed the purchase price of the shares of Series F
Preferred included in such sale.

                  Section 2.        Closings. Subject to the satisfaction of the
conditions thereto set forth in this Agreement, the closing of the initial
purchase provided for in Section 1B hereto (the "Initial Closing") shall take
place at the offices of Kirkland & Ellis, 200 East Randolph Drive, Chicago,
Illinois 60601 at 10:00 a.m. on August 9, 2001 (the "Initial Closing Date").
Unless otherwise specified in an Equity Call Notice (as defined in the Equity
Call Agreement) delivered to the Purchasers pursuant to Section 2 of the Equity
Call Agreement, each Closing of an Equity Call Financing (each, an "Equity Call
Closing") shall take place at the offices of Kirkland & Ellis, 200 East Randolph
Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. Unless otherwise specified by the Majority
Holders in the applicable notice of Subsequent Financing delivered by the
Majority Holders to the Company, each closing of a Subsequent Financing (each, a
"Subsequent Closing") shall take place at the offices of Kirkland & Ellis, 200
East Randolph Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. At the Initial Closing, each
Equity Call Closing and each Subsequent Closing, the Company shall deliver to
each Purchaser stock certificates evidencing the WS Offered Stock to be
purchased by such Purchaser, registered in such Purchaser's name, upon payment
of the purchase price thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
the Company's account. In addition, the Company will deliver to each Purchaser a
stock certificate evidencing the number of shares of Common Stock equal to its
Gross-Up Amount,

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registered in such Purchaser's name, promptly after becoming obligated to issue
such shares to such Purchaser pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Section 1B
above.

                  Section 3.        Conditions to the Company's Obligation at
the Initial Closing, any Equity Call Closing or any Subsequent Call Closing. The
obligations of the Company to sell and issue the Series F Preferred and the
Common Stock to any Purchaser at the Initial Closing, any Equity Call Closing or
any Subsequent Call Closing is subject to receipt from such Purchaser of the
purchase price therefor. In addition, such obligations of the Company at any
Subsequent Closing are subject to receipt by the Company (without rescission
thereof) of (i) the written notice described in Section 1E above from the
Majority Holders, and (ii) written representations by each of the Purchasers and
Electing Participating Stockholders, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Company and effective as of such closing, that such Person
has received and reviewed all financial and other information regarding the
Company which the Company believes necessary to enable such Person to make an
informed investment decision and has delivered to such Person not less than two
business days prior to the applicable Subsequent Closing Date, as well as the
representations set forth in Section 8 below, as reasonably revised by the
Company.

                  Section 4.        Conditions to Each Purchaser's Obligation at
the Initial Closing. The obligation of each Purchaser to purchase and pay for
the shares of Series F Preferred and Common Stock to be purchased by such
Purchaser at the Initial Closing is subject to the satisfaction as of such
Initial Closing of the following conditions:

                  4A.      Representations and Warranties; Covenants. The
representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 7 hereof
shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as of the Initial
Closing as though then made, except to the extent of changes caused by the
transactions expressly contemplated herein, and the Company shall have performed
in all material respects all of the covenants required to be performed by it
hereunder prior to the Initial Closing.

                  4B.      Certificate of Incorporation. The Amended Articles of
Incorporation in form and substance substantially as set forth in Exhibit A
hereto shall have been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Florida and be in full force and effect under the laws of Florida as of the
Initial Closing and shall not have been amended or modified.

                  4C.      Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement. The
Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement in form and substance
substantially as set forth in Exhibit B hereto shall have been duly executed by
the Company and other parties thereto such that such agreement shall be in full
force and effect as of the Initial Closing and shall not have been amended or
modified.

                  4D.      Initial Closing Documents. The Company shall have
delivered to the Purchasers all of the following documents:

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                           (i)      an Officer's Certificate, dated the date of
         the Initial Closing, stating that the conditions specified in Section
         1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4E, and 4F have been fully satisfied; and

                           (ii)     certified copies of the resolutions duly
         adopted by the board of directors of the Company authorizing the
         execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the
         other agreements contemplated hereby, the issuance and sale of the
         stock to be issued to the Purchasers at the Initial Closing and the
         consummation of all other transactions contemplated by this Agreement
         to be consummated at the Initial Closing.

                  4E.      Compliance with Applicable Laws. The purchase of WS
Offered Stock by the Purchasers hereunder shall not be prohibited by any
applicable law or governmental regulation, shall not subject any Purchaser to
any penalty, liability or other onerous conditions under or pursuant to any
applicable law or governmental regulation, and shall be permitted by laws and
regulations of the jurisdictions to which such Purchaser is subject.

                  4F.      Consents and Approvals. The Company shall have
received or obtained all governmental, regulatory and third party consents and
approvals necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.

                  4G.      Effectiveness of Credit Agreement Amendment. The
Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement of even date herewith
by and among the Company, NATG Holdings, LLC, the Lenders (as defined therein)
and Bankers Trust Company, as administrative agent (the "Credit Agreement
Amendment") shall be in full force and effect, and there shall be no claims of
default or notices of default thereunder or under the Credit Agreement.

                  4H.      Waiver. Any condition specified in this Section 4 may
be waived with respect to any Purchaser only if such waiver is set forth in a
writing executed by such Purchaser.

                  Section 5.        Covenants of the Company.

                  5A.      Compliance with Laws. The Company shall comply with
all applicable laws, rules and regulations of all governmental authorities, the
violation of which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect upon the financial condition, operating results, assets or operations of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  5B.      Issuance of Common Stock. The Company shall not,
without the prior written consent of the Majority Holders, issue any shares of
Common Stock other than (x) pursuant to this Agreement, the Equity Call
Agreement or the Preemptive Rights Purchase Agreement, (y) to senior executives
of the Company and its Subsidiaries, provided that the aggregate of all shares
of Common Stock so issued shall not exceed the number of shares representing 9%
of the Common Stock on a fully-diluted basis (i.e., adjusted to take into
account the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Equity Call Agreement
and existing options to purchase Common Stock of the Company), and (z) upon of
exercise options granted under the 1999 Orius Management Equity Compensation
Plan.

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                  5C.      Expenses. The Company shall pay all of the fees,
costs and expenses incurred by the Purchasers which, upon consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, will be the Majority Holders (including the
reasonable fees and expenses of one legal counsel selected by such Purchasers
and one financial advisor selected by such Purchasers) in connection with the
negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and the agreements and
transactions contemplated hereby, the performance of its obligations hereunder
and thereunder, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby.

                  Section 6.        Restrictions on Transfer of Purchaser Stock.

                  6A.      Securities Laws. Purchaser Stock is transferable only
pursuant to (i) public offerings registered under the Securities Act, (ii) Rule
144 or Rule 144A of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any similar rule
or rules then in force) if such rule is available and (iii) subject to the
conditions specified in Section 6B below, any other legally available means of
transfer. In connection with the transfer of any Purchaser Stock (other than a
transfer described in clauses 6A or 6A above), the holder thereof shall deliver
written notice to the Company describing in reasonable detail the transfer or
proposed transfer, together with an opinion of Kirkland & Ellis or other counsel
which (to the Company's reasonable satisfaction) is knowledgeable in securities
law matters to the effect that such transfer of Purchaser Stock may be effected
without registration of such Purchaser Stock under the Securities Act. In
addition, if the holder of the Purchaser Stock delivers to the Company an
opinion of Kirkland & Ellis or such other counsel that no subsequent transfer of
such Purchaser Stock shall require registration under the Securities Act, the
Company shall promptly upon such contemplated transfer deliver new certificates
for such Purchaser Stock which do not bear the Securities Act legend set forth
below. Each certificate or instrument representing shares of Purchaser Stock
shall be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

                  "The securities represented by this certificate were
                  originally issued on August 9, and have not been registered
                  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The transfer of
                  the securities represented by this certificate is subject to
                  the conditions specified in the STOCK Purchase Agreement,
                  dated as of July 27, 2001 and as amended and modified from
                  time to time, among the issuer (the "Company") and certain
                  Purchasers, and the Company reserves the right to refuse the
                  transfer of such securities until such conditions have been
                  fulfilled with respect to such transfer. A copy of such
                  conditions shall be furnished by the Company to the holder
                  hereof upon written request and without charge."

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                  6B.      Investor Rights Agreement. Each of the Persons
included in WSIII hereby acknowledges that for the purposes of the Investor
Rights Agreement (i) such Person shall be an "Investor" and (ii) the Purchaser
Stock shall be Stockholder Shares (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement).
The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to amend the Investor Rights
Agreement (a) to reduce to three (3) from four (4) the number of directors
designated pursuant to Section 8A(ii)(d) of the Investor Rights Agreement by the
holders of a majority of the WS Shares (as defined therein) and to provide that
the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock issued to WSIII pursuant
to this Agreement or the Equity Call Agreement or otherwise held by WSIII shall
be entitled to designate one director to the Company's board of directors, and
otherwise amend the Investor Rights Agreement consistent therewith, as requested
by WSIII, and (b) otherwise in a manner so that the shares of Series F Preferred
issued hereunder or under the Equity Call Agreement shall be included in Section
3 thereof and otherwise in provisions of that agreement to the extent and in the
manner reasonably requested by WSIII.

                  Section 7.        Representations and Warranties of the
Company. As a material inducement to each Purchaser to enter into this Agreement
and purchase the WS Offered Stock, the Company hereby represents and warrants to
each Purchaser that:

                  7A.      Organization and Corporate Power. The Company is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of Florida and is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which the
failure to so qualify might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition, operating results, assets or operations of
the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. The Company has all requisite
corporate power and authority and all material licenses, permits and
authorizations necessary to own and operate its properties, to carry on its
businesses as now conducted and to carry out the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.

                  7B.      Capital Stock and Related Matters.

                           (i)      As of the Initial Closing hereunder, the
         authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 200,000,000 shares
         of Common Stock, of which 25,785,017.42 shares will be issued and
         outstanding, 200,000,000 shares of Series C Preferred, of which
         208,910.67 shares will be issued and outstanding, 200,000,000 shares of
         Series D Preferred, none of which shares will be issued and
         outstanding, 250,000 shares of Series E Preferred, none of which shares
         will be issued and outstanding, and 70,000 shares of Series F
         Preferred, of which 10,375 shares will be issued and outstanding. As of
         the Initial Closing, all of the issued and outstanding shares of stock
         will have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
         non-assessable, and not subject to, or issued in violation of, any
         preemptive rights or rights of first refusal. Except as set forth on
         the Capitalization Schedule, there are no outstanding or authorized
         options, warrants, rights, contracts, calls, puts, rights to subscribe,
         conversion rights or other agreements or commitments to which Issuer is
         a party or which are binding upon the Company providing for the
         issuance, disposition or acquisition of any appreciation, phantom stock
         or similar rights with respect to the Company. To the Company's
         knowledge, there are no voting trusts, proxies or any other agreements
         or

                                       10
<PAGE>

         understandings with respect to the voting of the capital stock of the
         Company, except pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement. As of the
         Initial Closing, the Company will not be subject to any obligation
         (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire
         any shares of its equity securities or any warrants, options, or other
         rights to acquire its equity securities, except as set forth in the
         Amended Articles of Incorporation.

                           (ii)     There are no statutory or, to the Company's
         knowledge, contractual security holders' preemptive rights or rights of
         refusal with respect to the issuance of the Stock hereunder, except as
         set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement. The Company has not
         violated any applicable federal or state securities laws in connection
         with the offer, sale, or issuance of any of its securities, and the
         offer, sale, and issuance of the Stock hereunder do not and will not
         require registration under the Securities Act or any applicable state
         securities laws.

                  7C.      Subsidiaries. The Company owns all of the outstanding
stock of the Companies set forth on the Schedule of Subsidiaries attached hereto
either directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries.

                  7D.      Authorization; Enforceability. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and all other agreements contemplated
hereby to which the Company is a party have been duly authorized by the Company.
This Agreement and all other agreements contemplated hereby each constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its
terms.

                  7E.      Reports and Financial Statements.

                           (i)      The Company has filed all required Company
         SEC Reports. None of the Company's Subsidiaries is required to file any
         form, report or other document with the SEC. None of the Company SEC
         Reports, as of their respective dates (and, if amended or superseded by
         a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such
         filing), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted
         to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
         make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
         they were made, not misleading. Each of the financial statements
         (including the related notes) included in the Company SEC Reports
         presents fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
         position and consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the
         Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates or for the
         respective periods set forth therein, all in conformity with generally
         accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") consistently applied during the
         periods involved except as otherwise noted therein, and subject, in the
         case of the unaudited interim financial statements, to normal year-end
         adjustments and exceptions permitted by Form 10-Q under the Exchange
         Act. Since December 31, 2000, there has been no material change in the
         Company's accounting methods or principles except as described in the
         notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company contained
         in the Company SEC Reports. All of such Company SEC Reports, as of
         their respective dates (and as of the date of any amendment to the

                                       11
<PAGE>

         respective Company SEC Report), complied as to form in all material
         respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the
         Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                           (ii)     Except as set forth in the consolidated
         balance sheets (and notes thereto) of the Company and its consolidated
         Subsidiaries included in the Company SEC Reports, and except for
         liabilities or obligations incurred in the Ordinary Course or in
         connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. For
         purposes of this Agreement, "Ordinary Course" means, with respect to
         any entity, any actions taken in the regular and ordinary course of
         that entity's business, consistent in all material respects with past
         practices.

                  7F.      Closing Date. The representations and warranties of
the Company contained in this Section 7 and elsewhere in this Agreement and all
information contained in any exhibit, schedule or attachment hereto or in any
writing delivered by, or on behalf of, the Company to any Purchaser shall be
true and correct in all material respects on the date of the Initial Closing as
though then made, except as affected by the transactions expressly contemplated
by this Agreement.

                  Section 8.        Purchaser's Investment Representations. Each
Purchaser hereby represents that (i) it is acquiring the Series F Preferred and
the Common Stock purchased hereunder or acquired pursuant hereto for its own
account with the present intention of holding such securities for purposes of
investment, and that it has no intention of selling such securities in a public
distribution in violation of the federal securities laws or any applicable state
securities laws, (ii) it is an "accredited investor" and a sophisticated
investor for purposes of applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and
regulations, (iii) this Agreement and each of the other agreements contemplated
hereby to which such Purchaser is a party constitutes (or will constitute) the
legal, valid and binding obligation of such Purchaser, enforceable in accordance
with its terms, (iv) because the Series F Preferred and the Common Stock have
not been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, none of them can be
sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption
from such registration is available, each Purchaser understands and agrees that
such Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Series
F Preferred and the Common Stock for an indefinite period of time, and (v) such
Purchaser has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers concerning
the terms and conditions of the offering of shares and has had full access to
such other information concerning the Company as it has requested. Each
Purchaser has also reviewed, or has had an opportunity to review, the following
documents: (A) the Company's Amended Articles of Incorporation and bylaws, (B)
the loan agreements, notes and related documents with the Company's senior and
subordinated lender(s); (C) the Company's financial statements (including the
related notes) included in the Company SEC Reports; and (D) the Investor Rights
Agreement.

                  Section 9.        Definitions. For the purposes of this
Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

                                       12
<PAGE>

                  "Affiliate" of any Person means any other Person controlling,
controlled by or under common control with such Person and, in the case of a
Person which is a partnership, any partner of such Person.

                  "Commitment", for any Participating Stockholder has the
meaning given such term in Section 1C above, and for any Purchaser means the sum
of the amounts set forth opposite such Purchaser's name on the Schedule of
Purchasers hereto under the heading "Initial Purchase Price" plus the amount set
forth opposite such Purchaser's name on such Schedule under the heading
"Backstop Commitment" (so that the aggregate of the Purchasers' Commitments is
$25,000,000).

                  "Credit Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement, dated as of July 5, 2000, as amended (including without limitation by
the Credit Agreement Amendment), among the Company, the Company's Subsidiaries
from time to time party thereto, the Lenders (as defined therein) from time to
time party thereto and Bankers Trust Company, in its capacity as administrative
agent thereunder, as such agreement may be further amended, restated,
supplemented or modified from time to time.

                  "Investor Rights Agreement" means the Investor Rights
Agreement, dated as of November 8, 1999, by and among the Company and the
holders of the Company's stock party thereto, as such agreement has been or may
be amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time.

                  "Officer's Certificate" means a certificate signed by the
Company's president or chief financial officer, stating that (i) the person
signing such certificate has made or has caused to be made such investigations
as are necessary in order to permit him to verify the accuracy of the
information set forth in such certificate and (ii) to the best of such person's
knowledge, such certificate does not misstate any material fact and does not
omit to state any fact necessary to make the certificate not misleading.

                  "Person" means an individual, a partnership, a limited
liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a
trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity
or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

                  "Pro Rata Share", for any Purchaser or Participating
Stockholder, means a fraction, the numerator of which is such Person's
Commitment, and the denominator of which is Total Commitments.

                  "Purchaser" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
the preamble of this Agreement.

                  "Purchaser Stock" means (i) the WS Offered Stock issued
hereunder (including in exchange for payments required under the Equity Call
Agreement) and (ii) any capital issued or issuable with respect to the capital
referred to in clause (i) above by way of stock dividends or stock splits or in
connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation
or other

                                       13
<PAGE>

reorganization. As to any particular shares of Purchaser Stock, such shares
shall cease to be Purchaser Stock when they have been (a) effectively registered
under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the registration
statement covering them or (b) distributed to the public through a broker,
dealer or market maker pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any
similar rule then in force).

                  "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or any similar federal law then in force.

                  "Securities Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, or any similar federal law then in force.

                  "Securities and Exchange Commission" includes any governmental
body or agency succeeding to the functions thereof.

                  "Subsequent Financing" has the meaning given such term in
Section 1E(i) above.

                  "Subsidiary" of a Person means any entity of which such Person
(i) owns equity securities having a majority of the ordinary voting power in
electing the board of directors directly or through one or more subsidiaries or
(ii) serves as a general partner or managing member or otherwise has the power
and authority to direct the day to day management of such entity.

                  "Total Commitments" means the sum of the aggregate Commitments
of the Purchasers (i.e., $25,000,000) plus the aggregate Commitments of the
Participating Stockholders.

                  Section 10.       Miscellaneous.

                  10A.     Remedies. Each holder of Purchaser Stock shall have
all rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and the Investor Rights
Agreement and all rights and remedies which such holders have been granted at
any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such
holders have under any law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of
this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically, to recover
damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to
exercise all other rights granted by law.

                  10B.     Consent to Amendments. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, any provision of this Agreement may be amended and the Company
may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein
required to be performed by it with respect to a Purchaser, if only if the
Company has obtained the written consent (i) at any time prior to the
consummation of the Initial Closing, Willis Stein & Partners III, L.P., or (ii)
at any time after the consummation of the Initial Closing, the Majority Holders.

                  10C.     Survival of Representations and Warranties. All
representations and warranties contained herein or made in writing by any party
in connection herewith shall survive the

                                       14
<PAGE>

execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

                  10D.     Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, all covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or
on behalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of
the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto whether so expressed
or not. In addition, and whether or not any express assignment has been made,
the provisions of this Agreement which are for a Purchaser's benefit as a
purchaser or holder of the Purchaser Stock are also for the benefit of, and
enforceable by, any subsequent holder of such Purchaser Stock.

                  10E.     Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of
this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid
under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be
prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be
ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of this Agreement.

                  10F.     Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed
simultaneously in two or more counterparts, any one of which need not contain
the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together
shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

                  10G.     Entire Agreement. This Agreement, those documents
expressly referred to herein and other documents of even date herewith embody
the complete agreement among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior
understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written
or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

                  10H.     Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive
headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not
constitute a Section of this Agreement. The use of the word "including" in this
Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation.

                  10I.     Governing Law. The corporate law of Delaware shall
govern all issues concerning the relative rights of the Company and its
stockholders. All other questions concerning the construction, validity and
interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits hereto shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Illinois,
without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule
(whether of the State of Illinois or any other jurisdiction) that would cause
the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of
Illinois.

                  10J.     Notices. All notices, demands or other communications
to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (i) when delivered
personally to the recipient, (ii) one business day after being sent to the
recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid), (iii) upon
machine-generated acknowledgment of receipt after transmittal by facsimile if so
acknowledged to have been received before 5:00 p.m. on a business day at the
location of receipt and otherwise on the

                                       15
<PAGE>

next following business day, provided that such notice, demand or other
communication is also deposited within 24 hours thereafter with a reputable
overnight courier service (charges prepaid) for delivery to the same Person, or
(iv) five days after being mailed to the recipient by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested and postage. Such notices, demands and other
communications shall be sent to the Purchasers and to the Company at the address
indicated below:

                  If to the Company:

                           Orius Corp.
                           1401 Forum Way, Suite 400
                           West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
                           Attention: Ronald L. Blake, President
                                      Thomas Hartmann, General Counsel
                           and

                           Orius Corp.
                           1000 Hart Road, Suite 140
                           Barrington, Illinois  60010
                           Attention: Ronald L. Blake, President
                                      Thomas Hartmann, General Counsel

                           with a copy (which shall not constitute notice to the
                           Company) to:

                           Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A.
                           350 East Las Olas Boulevard
                           Suite 1600
                           Fort Lauderdale, Florida  33301
                           Attention: Donn A. Beloff

                  If to WSIII:

                           Willis Stein & Partners III, L.P.
                           227 West Monroe Street, Suite 4300
                           Chicago, Illinois  60606
                           Attention: Robert C. Froetscher

                           with a copy (which shall not constitute notice to
                           WSIII) to:

                           Kirkland & Ellis
                           200 East Randolph Drive
                           Chicago, Illinois 60601
                           Attention: John A. Weissenbach, Esq.

or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the
recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

                                    * * * * *

                                       16
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Stock Purchase Agreement on the date first written above.

                              THE PURCHASERS:

                              WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS III, L.P.
                              By Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.P.
                              Its General Partner
                              By Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.L.C.
                              Its General Partner

                              By: /s/ Robert C. Froetscher
                                 ------------------------------------------

                              WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH III-A, L.P.
                              By Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.P.
                              Its General Partner
                              By Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.L.C.
                              Its General Partner

                              By: /s/ Robert C. Froetscher
                                 ------------------------------------------

                              WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH III-B, L.P.
                              By Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.P.
                              Its General Partner
                              By Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.L.C.
                              Its General Partner

                              By: /s/ Robert C. Froetscher
                                 ------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                              WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS III-C, L.P.
                              By Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.P.
                              Its General Partner
                              By Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.L.C.
                              Its General Partner

                              By: /s/ Robert C. Froetscher
                                 ------------------------------------------

                              THE COMPANY:

                              ORIUS CORP.

                              By: /s/ Thomas W. Hartmann
                                      Thomas W. Hartmann
                                      Its:  Secretary

<PAGE>

SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS(1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                     Initial Financing
                                                                                                 ---------------------------
                                                                                                  Shares of   Minimum Shares
                                                            Initial Purchase         Backstop      Series F               of
             PURCHASER                         Commitment              Price       Commitment     Preferred     Common Stock
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>                   <C>             <C>         <C>
Willis Stein & Partners III, L.P.             $23,388,733        $ 9,355,493      $14,033,240         9,706        1,657,962
                                              -----------        -----------      -----------        ------        ---------

Willis Stein & Partners Dutch III-A, L.P.         704,225            281,690          422,535           292           49,921
                                              -----------        -----------      -----------        ------        ---------

Willis Stein & Partners Dutch III-B, L.P.         704,225            281,690          422,535           292           49,921
                                              -----------        -----------      -----------        ------        ---------

Willis Stein & Partners III-C, L.P.               202,817             81,127          121,690            84           14,377
                                              -----------        -----------      -----------        ------        ---------

TOTAL:                                        $25,000,000        $10,000,000      $15,000,000        10,375        1,772,181
                                              ===========        ===========      ===========        ======        =========
</TABLE>

---------------
(1)  To be revised.

<PAGE>

                             CAPITALIZATION SCHEDULE

The Company has granted options to purchase Common Stock and Series C
Participating Preferred Stock pursuant to its 1999 Management Equity
Compensation Plan.

Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of November 8, 1999, by and among the
Company and the holders of the Company's capital stock signatory thereto, as
such agreement has been or may be amended, restated, supplemented or modified
from time to time in accordance with its terms.

<PAGE>

                            Schedule of Subsidiaries

Orius Capital Corp.
Orius Holdings, Inc.
Orius Telecom Services, Inc.
Orius Broadband Services, Inc.
Cablemasters Corporation
CATV Subscriber Services, Inc.
Channel Communications, Inc.
Excel Cable Constructions, Inc.
U.S. Cable, Inc.
Fenix Holdings, Inc.
Fenix Telecommunications Services, Inc.
Irwin Telecom Holdings, Inc.
Irwin Telecom Services, Inc.
Midwest Splicing & Activation, Inc.
Orius Integrated Premise Services, Inc.
Network Cabling Services, Inc.
Network Cabling Holdings, Inc.
Texel Corporation
Orius Central Office Services, Inc.
LISN, Inc.
LISN Company
Hattech, Inc.
QMW Communications, Inc.
Orius Telecommunication Services, Inc.
Copenhagen Utilities & Construction, Inc.
Das-Co of Idaho, Inc.
Schatz Underground Cable, Inc.
Orius Telecommunication Holdings (WI), Inc.
Orius Telecommunication Services (WI), Inc.
Orius Telecom Products, Inc.
Arion Sub, Inc.
NATG Holdings, LLC
Orius Information Technologies, LLC
Arizona Cable Concepts, Inc.
Fenix Telecom Services Limited Partnership
Irwin Telecom Services, L.P.
Network Comprehensive Telecom, L.P.
K&S Construction, Inc.
Sorenson Construction, Inc.
Arion Sub, Inc.

<PAGE>

                                LIST OF EXHIBITS

Exhibit A   -     Amended Articles of Incorporation

Exhibit B   -     Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                    ORIUS JUNIOR SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTE

         The Security represented by this Certificate and any securities that
         may be issued in exchange for such Security have not been registered or
         qualified under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under any
         state securities laws. Neither this Security nor any portion hereof or
         interest herein may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or
         otherwise disposed of unless the same is registered under said Act and
         applicable state securities laws or unless an exemption from such
         registration is available and the issuer hereof (the "Company") will
         have received evidence of such exemption reasonably satisfactory to the
         Company and to the Company's Chief Financial Officer.

         The Security represented by this Certificate is subject to certain
         transfer restrictions pursuant to an Investor Rights Agreement, dated
         as of November 8, 1999, among the Company and certain of the Company's
         Stockholders and Noteholders, as amended. A copy of such Investor
         Rights Agreement will be furnished without charge by the Company to the
         holder hereof upon written request.

         The payment of principal and interest on this Note is subject to
         certain subordination provisions set forth in Section 4 hereof.

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

Original Issue Date:
Amended and Restated: July 27, 2001
Note Number: N-

                  Orius Corp., a Florida corporation (the "Company"), hereby
promises to pay to the order of in the principal amount of (), together with
interest thereon calculated from the Original Issue Date in accordance with the
provisions of this Note.

                  The Company originally issued an "Orius Junior Note" in a
principal amount equal to the principal amount of this Note (the "Original
Note") pursuant to the Note Exchange Agreement dated as of December 15, 1999
(the "Note Exchange Agreement") by and among the Company, LISN Holdings, Inc.,
an Ohio corporation ("LISN"), the initial holder hereof and the other former
shareholders of LISN named therein, or pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization, dated as of November 8, 1999 (the "Reorganization Agreement") by
and among the Company, LISN, Orius Merger Sub., Inc. and (by joinder) the other
shareholders of the Company. The Original Note, each of the other Orius Junior
Notes which were originally issued pursuant to the Note Exchange Agreement or
the Reorganization Agreement, and each of the other Orius Junior Notes which
were issued by the Company in connection with the Company's acquisition of
businesses were amended

<PAGE>

and restated effective as of July 27, 2001 pursuant to the Consent to Amendment
dated as of such date, among the Company, Willis Stein & Partners II, L.P. and
Willis Stein & Partners Dutch, L.P. (the "Amendment Consent"). The Company
issued this Note in exchange for the Original Note to evidence the amendment and
restatement of the Original Note. The term "Notes" as used herein shall refer to
this Note and all of the "Orius Junior Notes" which were originally issued
pursuant to the Note Exchange Agreement or the Reorganization Agreement or in
connection with the Company's acquisition of businesses and which were amended
and restated pursuant to the Amendment Consent. Unless otherwise defined herein,
each capitalized term used herein has the meaning given such term in Section 9
below.

         1.       Payment of Interest.

                  a.       Generally. Interest shall accrue at the rate of
                           twelve percent (12%) per annum (computed on the basis
                           of a 360-day year and the actual number of days
                           elapsed in any year) on the unpaid principal amount
                           of this Note outstanding from time to time, or (if
                           less) at the highest rate then permitted under
                           applicable law. Interest shall compound quarterly on
                           the last day of each calendar quarter but shall not
                           be paid in cash. Interest shall accrue on any
                           principal payment due under this Note and, to the
                           extent permitted by applicable law, on any interest
                           which has accrued on the last day of any calendar
                           quarter and has not been paid as of the 10th business
                           day thereafter, until such time as payment therefor
                           has been made. Such interest shall accrue at the same
                           rate at which interest is then accruing on the
                           principal amount of this Note. Any accrued interest
                           which has not theretofore been paid shall be paid in
                           full on the date on which the final principal payment
                           on this Note is made.

                  b.       Catch-Up Payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
                           subject to Section 4(d) below, if at the end of any
                           accrual period (as defined in Internal Revenue Code
                           ss.1272(a)(5)) ending after the fifth (5th)
                           anniversary of the Effective Time (the "Catch-Up
                           Date") the amount of accrued but unpaid original
                           issue discount exceeds the product of (x) the issue
                           price (as defined in Internal Revenue Code
                           ss.ss.1273(b) and 1274(a)) and (y) the yield to
                           maturity (as defined in Treasury Regulation
                           ss.1.1272-1(b)(1)(i)) (the "Maximum Amount"), then
                           interest shall not be deferred and all accrued but
                           unpaid interest (and any interest on such interest)
                           as of the end of such accrual period shall be paid
                           except to the extent that such payment would reduce
                           the accrued but unpaid original issue discount at the
                           end of such period to an amount less than the Maximum
                           Amount.

         2.       Payment of Principle on Note.

                  a.       Scheduled Payments. The Company shall pay the entire
                           outstanding principal amount of this Note to the
                           holder of this Note on the later to occur of (1) the
                           eleventh anniversary of the Effective Time (as
                           defined in the Reorganization Agreement) and (2) the
                           first anniversary of the date on which debt issued
                           under a high yield offering (if any) is repaid (the
                           "Maturity Date") (unless previously paid pursuant to
                           the occurrence of a Mandatory Prepayment Event or
                           other prepayment), together with all accrued and
                           unpaid interest on the principal amount of this Note.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                  b.       Prepayments.

                           i.       Mandatory Prepayments. Upon a Change of
                                    Control (a "Mandatory Prepayment Event"),
                                    the Company shall prepay all of the
                                    outstanding principal amount of the Notes
                                    held by each holder plus all accrued and
                                    unpaid interest thereon; provided that all
                                    outstanding Senior Debt has been paid in
                                    full (whether in cash or such other form of
                                    consideration acceptable to the holders of
                                    Senior Debt in their sole discretion) prior
                                    to any payment being made pursuant to this
                                    clause (i); and provided further that the
                                    foregoing shall not limit the obligations of
                                    the holder of this Note to deliver this Note
                                    as required pursuant to the Investor Rights
                                    Agreement in connection with any Sale of the
                                    Company.

                           ii.      Optional Prepayments. The Company may, at
                                    any time and from time to time (including in
                                    connection with an initial Public Offering)
                                    without premium or penalty, prepay all or
                                    any portion of the outstanding principal
                                    amount of the Notes; provided that (A) such
                                    prepayment is not prohibited by the
                                    provisions of Section 4 hereof and (B) the
                                    Company has paid all accrued but unpaid
                                    interest on the Notes accrued through the
                                    date of prepayment.

         3.       Pro Rata Payment. All payments to the holders of the Notes
                  (whether for principal, interest or otherwise, whether
                  scheduled payments, prepayments or upon acceleration after an
                  Event of Default) shall be made pro rata among such holders
                  based upon the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Notes
                  held by each such holder. If any holder of a Note obtains any
                  payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, by application of
                  offset or otherwise) of principal, interest or other amount
                  with respect to any Note in excess of such holder's pro rata
                  share of such payments obtained by all holders of the Notes
                  (other than as expressly provided herein), by acceptance of a
                  Note each such holder agrees to return such payment to the
                  Company, and as soon as practicable upon receipt of such
                  returned payment, the Company shall distribute such amount
                  ratably among the holders of the Note as provided in this
                  Section 3.

         4.       Subordination; Restrictions on Payment.

                  a.       Anything in this Note to the contrary
                           notwithstanding, the obligations of the Company on or
                           in respect of this Note (including, without
                           limitation, the principal, interest, fees and charges
                           on this Note) shall be subordinate and junior in
                           right of payment, to the extent and in the manner
                           hereinafter set forth, to all Senior Debt.

                  b.       In the event that the Company makes a general
                           assignment for the benefit of creditors; or an order,
                           judgment or decree is entered adjudicating the
                           Company bankrupt or insolvent; or any order for
                           relief with respect to the Company is entered under
                           the Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as Amended (the
                           "Bankruptcy Code"); or the Company petitions or
                           applies to any tribunal for the appointment of a
                           custodian,

                                       3
<PAGE>

                           trustee, receiver or liquidator of the Company or of
                           any substantial part of the assets of the Company, or
                           commences any proceeding relating to the Company
                           under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
                           insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution or
                           liquidation law of any jurisdiction; or any such
                           petition or application is filed, or any such
                           proceeding is commenced, against the Company
                           (collectively referred to as an "Insolvency Event"),
                           or upon any acceleration of Senior Debt, then:

                           i.       the holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled
                                    to receive payment in full in cash of all
                                    Senior Debt (including interest, fees and
                                    charges accruing thereon after the
                                    commencement of any such proceedings
                                    (irrespective of whether such interest, fees
                                    and charges are allowed as a claim in such
                                    proceedings)) before the holder of this Note
                                    is entitled to receive any payment on
                                    account of principal, interest or other
                                    amounts due (or past due) upon or in respect
                                    of this Note, and the holders of Senior Debt
                                    shall be entitled to receive for application
                                    in payment thereof any payment or
                                    distribution of any kind or character,
                                    whether in cash, property or securities or
                                    by set-off or otherwise, which may be
                                    payable or deliverable in any such
                                    proceedings in respect of this Note; and

                           ii.      any payment or distribution of assets of the
                                    Company, of any kind or character, whether
                                    in cash, property or securities, to which
                                    the holder of this Note would be entitled
                                    except for the provisions of this Section
                                    4(b) shall be paid or delivered by the
                                    Company directly to holders of all Senior
                                    Debt or their duly appointed agents in the
                                    manner provided in Section 4(g) below, for
                                    application in payment thereof until all
                                    Senior Debt (including interest, fees and
                                    charges accrued thereon after the date of
                                    commencement of such proceedings
                                    (irrespective of whether such interest, fees
                                    and charges are allowed as a claim in such
                                    proceedings)) shall have been paid in full
                                    (whether in cash or such other form of
                                    consideration acceptable to the holders of
                                    Senior Debt in their sole discretion).

                  c.       In any proceedings with respect to any Insolvency
                           Event, the holders of Senior Debt are authorized:

                           i.       to submit and enforce any claims on the
                                    Notes either in the name of the holders of
                                    Senior Debt or in the name of the holders of
                                    the Notes as the attorney-in-fact of the
                                    holders of the Notes in the event such
                                    claims have not been submitted by the
                                    holders of the Notes before 10 days prior to
                                    the date when submission of such claims is
                                    due;

                           ii.      to accept and execute receipts for any
                                    payment or distribution made with respect to
                                    the Notes and to apply such payment or
                                    distribution to the payment of the Senior
                                    Debt; and

                                       4
<PAGE>

                           iii.     to take any action and to execute any
                                    instruments necessary to effectuate the
                                    foregoing, either in the name of the holders
                                    of Senior Debt or in the name of the holders
                                    of the Notes as the attorney-in-fact of the
                                    holders of the Notes.

                  d.       Until all Senior Debt (other than contingent and
                           indemnification obligations which are not then due
                           and payable) shall have been paid in full (whether in
                           cash or such other form of consideration acceptable
                           to the holders of Senior Debt in their sole
                           discretion), the Company shall not, directly or
                           indirectly, make any payment of any amount payable
                           with respect to this Note, except for payments of
                           principal and interest when due at maturity;
                           provided, that no payments shall be made if there
                           shall have occurred and be continuing or there would
                           exist as a result of such a payment or distribution
                           any default or event of default under any of the
                           terms of any agreement relating to, or instrument
                           evidencing, any Senior Debt, which (whether with or
                           without notice, lapse of time or both) would permit
                           any holder or holders (or their duly appointed agent)
                           of such Senior Debt to accelerate all or any portion
                           of such Senior Debt (collectively, the "Blockage
                           Events"). The Company shall use reasonable efforts to
                           notify the holder of this Note in writing of the
                           occurrence of a Blockage Event; provided, that,
                           notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
                           Note, the failure of the Company to so notify the
                           holder of this Note of the occurrence of a Blockage
                           Event shall have no effect on the obligations of the
                           Company or the holder of this Note during the
                           continuance of such Blockage Event as set forth
                           herein. Upon termination of a Blockage Event (so long
                           as no other Blockage Event has occurred and is
                           continuing), the Company shall be permitted to make
                           any permitted payments required pursuant to the terms
                           and conditions of this Note, including any payments
                           which were not made because of such Blockage Event.

                  e.       Any amendment or modification of the terms of Section
                           4 of this Note shall not be effective against any
                           Person who was a holder of Senior Debt at the time of
                           such amendment or modification unless such holder of
                           Senior Debt so consents.

                  f.       The holders of Senior Debt may, at any time, in their
                           discretion, renew, amend, extend or otherwise modify
                           the terms and provisions of Senior Debt so held or
                           exercise any of their rights under the Senior Debt
                           including, without limitation, the waiver of defaults
                           thereunder and the amendment of any of the terms or
                           provisions thereof (or any notice evidencing or
                           creating the same), all without notice to or assent
                           from the holder of this Note. No compromise,
                           alteration, amendment, renewal or other change of, or
                           waiver, consent or other action in respect of any
                           liability or obligation under or in respect of, any
                           terms, covenants or conditions of the Senior Debt (or
                           any instrument evidencing or creating the same),
                           whether or not such compromise, alteration,
                           amendment, renewal, change, waiver, consent or other
                           action is in accordance with the provisions of the
                           Senior Debt (or any instrument evidencing or creating
                           the same), shall in any way alter or affect any of
                           the subordination provisions of this Note.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  g.       If, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4 of
                           this Note, any payment or distribution of any
                           character (whether in cash, securities or other
                           property) or any security shall be received by the
                           holder of this Note in contravention of this Section
                           4 and before all the Senior Debt shall have been paid
                           in full in cash, such payment, distribution or
                           security shall be held in trust for the benefit of,
                           and shall be immediately paid over or delivered or
                           transferred to, the holders of Senior Debt or their
                           duly appointed agents for application of payment
                           according to the priorities of such Senior Debt and
                           ratably among the holders of any class of Senior
                           Debt. Such payments received by the holder of this
                           Note and delivered to the holders of the Senior Debt
                           shall be deemed not to be a payment on this Note for
                           any reason whatsoever and the indebtedness under this
                           Note shall remain as if such erroneous payment had
                           never been paid by the Company or received by the
                           holder of this Note. In the event of the failure of
                           any holder of this Note to endorse or assign any such
                           payment, distribution or security, each holder of any
                           Senior Debt is hereby irrevocably authorized to
                           endorse or assign the same.

                  h.       No present or future holder of Senior Debt shall be
                           prejudiced in its right to enforce the provisions of
                           Section 4 of this Note by any act or failure to act
                           on the part of the Company.

                  i.       If there shall exist (i) any Blockage Event, or (ii)
                           any Event of Default under this Note, the holder of
                           this Note shall not take or continue any action, or
                           exercise or continue to exercise any rights, remedies
                           or powers under the terms of this Note, or exercise
                           or continue to exercise any other right or remedy at
                           law or equity that such holder might otherwise
                           possess, to collect any amount due and payable in
                           respect of this Note, including, without limitation,
                           the acceleration of this Note (and if this Note has
                           already been accelerated, the holder will,
                           immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence of
                           such Blockage Event or Event of Default, reverse such
                           acceleration), the commencement of any foreclosure on
                           any lien or security interest, the filing of any
                           petition in bankruptcy or the taking advantage of any
                           other insolvency law of any jurisdiction, unless and
                           until (1) the Senior Debt (other than contingent and
                           indemnification obligations which are not then due
                           and payable) shall have been fully and finally paid
                           (whether in cash or such other form of consideration
                           acceptable to the holders of Senior Debt in their
                           sole discretion) and satisfied, or (2) one or more of
                           the holders of the Senior Debt shall have accelerated
                           the maturity of Senior Debt, in which case the holder
                           of this Note shall be entitled to accelerate the
                           maturity hereof but shall not be entitled to take any
                           other action or exercise any other right, remedy or
                           power described above and, provided further, that the
                           holder of this Note acknowledges and agrees that the
                           acceleration of this Note shall immediately be
                           reversed if and when (A) one or more holders of
                           Senior Debt take similar action which results in the
                           Senior Debt to no longer be accelerated and due or
                           (B) such Senior Debt (other than contingent and
                           indemnification obligations which are not then due
                           and payable) is fully and finally paid (whether in
                           cash or such other form of consideration acceptable
                           to the holders of Senior Debt in their sole
                           discretion). Notwithstanding the foregoing or any
                           permissible action taken by the holder of this

                                       6
<PAGE>

                           Note, the holder of this Note shall not be entitled
                           to receive any payment in contravention of the other
                           provisions of this Section 4, including without
                           limitation Sections 4(b), 4(d) and 4(g).

                  j.       If any payment or distribution to which any holder of
                           this Note would otherwise have been entitled but for
                           the provisions of this Section 4 shall have been
                           applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Section
                           4, to the payment of Senior Debt, then and in such
                           case and to such extent, the holder of this Note, (A)
                           following payment in full of the Senior Debt (whether
                           in cash or such other form of consideration
                           acceptable to the holders of Senior Debt in their
                           sole discretion), shall be entitled to receive any
                           and all further payments or distributions applicable
                           to Senior Debt and (B) following payment in full of
                           the Senior Debt (whether in cash or such other form
                           of consideration acceptable to the holders of Senior
                           Debt in their sole discretion), shall be subrogated
                           to the rights of the holders of the Senior Debt to
                           receive distributions applicable to the Senior Debt,
                           in each case until this Note shall have been paid in
                           full in cash or such other consideration acceptable
                           to the holder of this Note in its sole discretion. If
                           any holder of this Note has been subrogated to the
                           rights of the holders of Senior Debt due to the
                           operation of this Section 4(j), the Company agrees to
                           take all such reasonable actions as are
                           requested by such holder of this Note in order to
                           cause such holder to be able to obtain payments from
                           the Company with respect to such subrogation rights
                           as soon as possible.

                  k.       The provisions of this Section 4 are solely for the
                           purpose of defining the relative rights of the
                           holders of Senior Debt, on the one hand, and the
                           holder of this Note or the Notes on the other,
                           against the Company and its assets, and nothing
                           herein is intended to or shall impair, as between the
                           Company and the holder of this Note, the obligations
                           of this Company which are absolute and unconditional,
                           to pay to the holder the principal and interest on
                           this Note as and when they become due and payable in
                           accordance with its terms, or is intended to or will
                           affect the relative rights of the holder of this Note
                           and creditors of the Company other than the holders
                           of the Senior Debt, nor, except as provided in this
                           Section 4, will anything herein or therein prevent
                           the holder of this Note from exercising all remedies
                           otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default
                           under this Note subject to the rights, if any, under
                           this Section 4 of the holders of Senior Debt in
                           respect of cash, property or securities of the
                           Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy
                           and subject to this Section 4.

                  l.       The holder of this Note covenants and agrees that it
                           will not, and will not encourage any other Person to,
                           any time, contest the validity, perfection, priority
                           or enforceability of the provisions of this Note
                           (including this Section 4 and Section 16), the Senior
                           Debt, the agreements evidencing the Senior Debt or
                           the Security interests or liens granted to secure all
                           or any portion of the Senior Debt.

5.       Transfer of Note. The right to receive payments of principal and
         interest pursuant to this Note may be transferred to a new holder only
         by surrendering this Note to the Company and

                                       7
<PAGE>

         directing the Company to reissue this Note, in identical form hereto,
         (or issue a new note) to such new holder. This note is subject to
         further restrictions on transfer set forth in the Investor Rights
         Agreement.

6.       Events of Default.

         a.       Definition. For purposes of this Note, an Event of Default
                  shall be deemed to have occurred if:

                  i.       the Company fails to pay when due and payable
                           (whether at maturity or otherwise, except where
                           payment is not permitted under Section 4) the full
                           amount of interest then payable in accordance with
                           Section 1(a) or 1(b) hereof on any Note or the full
                           amount of any principal payment on any Note, and such
                           failure to pay is not cured within five (5) business
                           days after the occurrence thereof; or

                  ii.      the Company or any Subsidiary makes an assignment for
                           the benefit of creditors or admits in writing its
                           inability to pay its debts generally as they become
                           due; or an order, judgment or decree is entered
                           adjudicating the Company or any Subsidiary bankrupt
                           or insolvent; or any order for relief with respect to
                           the Company or any Subsidiary is entered under the
                           Bankruptcy Code; or the Company or any Subsidiary
                           petitions or applies to any tribunal for the
                           appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver or
                           liquidator of the Company or any Subsidiary, or of
                           any substantial part of the assets of the Company or
                           any Subsidiary, or commences any proceeding (other
                           than a proceeding for the voluntary liquidation and
                           dissolution of any Subsidiary) relating to the
                           Company or any Subsidiary under any bankruptcy
                           reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment
                           of debt, dissolution or liquidation law of any
                           jurisdiction; or any such petition or application is
                           filed, or any such proceeding is commenced, against
                           the Company or any Subsidiary and either (A) the
                           Company or any such Subsidiary by any act indicates
                           its approval thereof, consent thereto or acquiescence
                           therein or (B) such petition, application or
                           proceeding is not dismissed within 60 days.

                  The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the
reason or cause for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or
involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body.

         b.       Consequences of Events of Default.

                  i.       If an Event of Default of the type described in
                           subsection 6(a)(ii) has occurred with respect to the
                           Company, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes
                           (together with all accrued interest thereon and all
                           other amounts due and payable with respect thereto)
                           shall become immediately due and payable

                                       8
<PAGE>

                           without any action on the part of the holders of the
                           Notes, and the Company shall, subject to Section 4,
                           immediately pay to the holders of the Notes all
                           amounts due and payable with respect to the Notes.

                  ii.      If any Event of Default of the type described in
                           subsection 6(a)(i) or (ii) (other than as described
                           in subsection 6(b)(i)) has occurred and is
                           continuing, the holder or holders of Notes
                           representing a majority of the aggregate principal
                           amount of Notes then outstanding may, subject to
                           Section 4, declare all or any portion of the
                           outstanding principal amount of all of the Notes
                           (together with all accrued interest thereon and all
                           other amounts due and payable with respect thereto)
                           to be immediately due and payable and may subject to
                           Section 4 demand immediate payment of all or any
                           portion of the outstanding principal amount of all of
                           the Notes (together with accrued interest thereon and
                           all such other amounts then due and payable) owned by
                           such holder or holders.

                  iii.     Each holder of the Notes shall, subject to Section 4,
                           also have any other rights which such holder may have
                           been afforded under any contract or agreement at any
                           time and any other rights which such holder may have
                           pursuant to applicable law.

                  iv.      The Company hereby waives diligence, presentment,
                           protest and demand and notice of protest and demand,
                           dishonor and nonpayment of this Note, and expressly
                           agrees that this Note, or any payment hereunder, may
                           be extended from time to time and that the holder
                           hereof may accept security for this Note or release
                           security for this Note, all without in any way
                           affecting the liability of the Company hereunder.

7.       Conversion.

         a.       At the Holder's Option. The holder of this Note may elect to
                  convert all or any portion of its rights under this Note into
                  shares of Series E Preferred by delivering this Note and a
                  Conversion Agreement (in the form of Exhibit I attached
                  hereto), completed and executed by such holder, to the Company
                  at any time, at the following address: Orius Corp., 1401 Forum
                  Way, Suite 400, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, Attn: General
                  Counsel, or at such other address for the principal office of
                  the Company as the Company may designate by written notice to
                  the holder hereof in accordance with Section 12 below. This
                  Note shall be deemed to have been converted effective as of
                  the close of business on the date on which this Note has been
                  surrendered for conversion, along with such Conversion
                  Agreement, to the Company in accordance with the foregoing;
                  provided that if it is so surrendered for conversion after the
                  close of business at any time after 90 days from date of
                  amendment, then it shall be deemed to have been converted on
                  the Dividend Reference Date for the Series E Preferred next
                  following the date as of which it has been so surrendered to
                  the Company. Upon any such conversion, this Note shall

                                       9
<PAGE>

                  convert into the number of shares of Series E Preferred with
                  Series E Liquidation Value equal to the sum of the unpaid
                  principal amount of, plus the aggregate accrued but unpaid
                  interest on, this Note as of the date of such conversion.

         b.       Termination of Note on Conversion. At such time as any
                  conversion of this Note pursuant to this Section 7 has been
                  effected, the rights of the holder of this Note as such holder
                  shall cease, and the Person or Persons in whose name or names
                  any certificate or certificates for shares of Series E
                  Preferred are to be issued upon such conversion shall be
                  deemed to have become the holder or holders of record of the
                  shares of Series E Preferred represented thereby.

8.       Amendment and Waiver. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
         the provisions of the Notes (other than this Section 8) may be amended
         and the Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to
         perform any act herein required to be performed by it, if the Company
         has obtained the written consent of (a) the holders of a majority of
         the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, and (b) the holders of a
         majority of the then outstanding shares of Series E Preferred; provided
         that no such action shall change (i) the rate at which or the manner in
         which interest accrues on the Notes or the times at which such interest
         becomes payable or (ii) without the prior written consent of the
         holders of at least sixty percent (60%) of the outstanding principal
         amount of the Notes, any provision relating to the scheduled payments
         or prepayments of principal on the Notes; provided that,
         notwithstanding the foregoing, any provision of the Notes may be
         amended or waived at any time with the prior written consent of the
         Company and the holders of a majority in interest of the Notes then
         outstanding which were originally issued as of December 15, 1999 to,
         collectively, Willis Stein & Partners II, L.P. and Willis Stein &
         Partners Dutch, L.P., so long as such amendment or waiver is effective
         with respect to all outstanding Notes.

9.       Definitions. For purposes of the Notes, the following capitalized terms
         have the following meanings:

                  "Change of Control" means a Sale of the Company after which a
person or group of related Persons, other than any holder of Stockholder Shares
(as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) immediately prior to the
consummation of such Sale of the Company (and other than any of such holder's
Affiliates), owns directly or indirectly capital stock of the Company possessing
the voting power to elect a majority of the Company's board of directors.

                  "Credit Agreement" means (a) the Credit Agreement, dated as of
December 15, 1999, made by and among NATG Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company, LISN, LLC, a limited liability company, Orius Corp., a
Florida corporation, the financial institutions parties thereto and Bankers
Trust Company as a lender and as administrative agent, (b) the Senior
Subordinated Loan Agreement, dated as of December 15, 1999, (the "Senior
Subordinated Loan Agreement") among Orius Corp., NATG Holdings LLC, LISN, LLC,
the lenders from time to time party thereto, NationsBridge, LLC, as syndication
agent and Bankers Trust Company, as administrative agent, (c) the Take-Out
Securities, as such term is defined in the Senior Subordinated Loan Agreement,
(d) the Senior Subordinated Indenture, as such term is defined in the Senior
Subordinated Loan

                                       10

<PAGE>

Agreement, and (e) each of the agreements cited in items (a) through (d) of this
definition, as any such agreement may be amended (including any amendment and
restatement thereof), supplemented, replaced, refinanced or otherwise modified
from time to time.

                  "Dividend Reference Date" has the meaning given such term in
the Company's articles of incorporation as then in effect.

                  "Effective Time" has the meaning given such term in the
Reorganization Agreement.

                  "Independent Third Party" means any Person who, immediately
prior to the contemplated transaction, does not own in excess of 5% of the
Company's common stock on a fully diluted basis (a "5% Owner"), who is not
controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such 5% Owner and
who is not the spouse or descendent (by birth or adoption) of any such 5% Owner
or a trust for the benefit of such 5% Owner and/or such other Persons.

                  "Person" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a
limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a
joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any
department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

                  "Public Offering" means the sale in an underwritten public
offering registered under the Securities Act of shares of the Company's equity
securities.

                  "Sale of the Company" means the sale of the Company to an
Independent Third Party or group of Independent Third Parties pursuant to which
such party or parties acquire (i) capital stock of the Company possessing the
voting power to elect a majority of the Company's board of directors (whether by
merger, consolidation or sale or transfer of the Company's capital stock) or
(ii) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries
determined on a consolidated basis.

                  "Senior Debt" means (i) indebtedness and all other obligations
of any type under each Credit Agreement and any other credit agreement between
the Company and any lender, including, without limitation, principal,
reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, bankers acceptances, interest
rate protection agreements, and similar obligations, interest accruing before
and after any Insolvency Event (irrespective of whether such interest is allowed
as a claim), premiums, penalties, fees or expenses, (ii) obligations arising
under guarantees executed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of items
described in (i) above, and (iii) renewals, extensions, refundings,
refinancings, deferrals, restructurings, amendments and modifications of the
items described in (i) and/or (ii) above.

                  "Series E Liquidation Value" has the meaning given such term
in the Company's articles of incorporation as then in effect.

                  "Series E Preferred" means the Company's Series E Preferred
Stock, par value $.01 per share, as amended.

                                       11
<PAGE>

                  "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other
business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting
power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof
is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or
one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof,
or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other
business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership
interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by
any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.
For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority
ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or
other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of
limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity
gains or losses or shall be or control any managing director or general partner
of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business
entity.

                  If not otherwise defined above or elsewhere herein, any
capitalized term used shall have the meaning given such term in the
Reorganization Agreement.

10.      Cancellation. After all principal and accrued interest at any time owed
         on this Note has been paid in full, this Note shall be surrendered to
         the Company for cancellation and shall not be reissued.

11.      Payments. All payments to be made to the holders of the Notes shall be
         made in the lawful money of the United States of America in immediately
         available funds.

12.      Place of Payment; Notices. Payments of principal and interest and
         notices shall be delivered to the holder of this Note at the following
         address:

or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as specified
by the holder by prior written notice to the Company.

13.      Business Days. If any payment is due, or any time period for giving
         notice or taking action expires, on a day which is a Saturday, Sunday
         or legal holiday in the State of Florida (or such other State in which
         the principal executive office of the Company is located), the payment
         shall be due and payable on, and the time period shall automatically be
         extended to, the next business day immediately following such Saturday,
         Sunday or legal holiday, and interest shall continue to accrue at the
         required rate hereunder until any such payment is made.

14.      Usury Laws. It is the intention of the Company and the holder of this
         Note to conform strictly to all applicable usury laws now or hereafter
         in force, and any interest payable under this Note shall be subject to
         reduction to the amount not in excess of the maximum legal

                                       12
<PAGE>

         amount allowed under the applicable usury laws as now or hereafter
         construed by the courts having jurisdiction over such matters. If the
         maturity of this Note is accelerated by reason of an election by the
         holders hereof resulting from an Event of Default, voluntary prepayment
         by the Company or otherwise, then earned interest may never include
         more than the maximum amount permitted by law, computed from the date
         hereof until payment, and any interest in excess of the maximum amount
         permitted by law shall be canceled automatically and, if theretofore
         paid, shall at the option of the holder hereof either be rebated to the
         Company or credited on the principal amount of this Note, or if this
         Note has been paid, then the excess shall be rebated to the Company.
         The aggregate of all interest (whether designated as interest, service
         charges, points or otherwise) contracted for, chargeable, or receivable
         under this Note shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum legal
         rate upon the unpaid principal balance of this Note remaining unpaid
         from time to time. If such interest does exceed the maximum legal rate,
         it shall be deemed a mistake and such excess shall be canceled
         automatically and, if theretofore paid, rebated to the Company or
         credited on the principal amount of this Note, or if this Note has been
         repaid, then such excess shall be rebated to the Company.

15.      Governing Law. All issues and questions concerning the construction,
         validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Note shall be governed
         by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Florida,
         without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or
         provisions (whether of the State of Florida or any other jurisdiction)
         that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other
         than the State of Florida. In furtherance of the foregoing, the
         internal law of the State of Florida shall control the interpretation
         and construction of this Note, even though under that jurisdiction's
         choice of law or conflict of law analysis, the substantive law of some
         other jurisdiction would ordinarily apply.

16.      Limited Claim. The holder of this Note has no claim against any Person
         that is a shareholder, Subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, in
         respect of any amounts owing under or in respect of this Note, and no
         Person that is a shareholder, Subsidiary or affiliate of the Company,
         shall have any liability for any amounts owing under this Note.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed and delivered
this Amended and Restated Note on the date first appearing above.

                                        ORIUS CORP.

                                        By: /s/ Thomas W. Hartmann
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:    Thomas W. Hartmann
                                        Its:     Secretary

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT I

                                                CONVERSION AGREEMENT

To: Orius Corp.                            Date:
                                                 -----------------------

                  The undersigned, pursuant to the provisions set forth in the
attached Amended and Restated Promissory Note (Note No. N-), hereby irrevocably
elects, pursuant to and on the terms set forth in Section 7 of such Note, to
convert such Note (or a portion of such Note if such portion is stated in a
dollar amount and indicated in the space provided below) into shares of the
Company's Series E Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, and surrenders
such Note (or a portion of such Note) to the Company for cancellation in
exchange for certificates representing the shares of Series E Preferred Stock
issuable upon such conversion.

                              If the undersigned is an individual:

                              Signature
                                       -----------------------------------------

                              If the undersigned is an entity:

                              By:
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                              Its:
                                  ----------------------------------------------

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

                              Its:
                                  ----------------------------------------------

                      Name and Address:

                      Portion (i.e., if converting              $
                      less than full amount of Note):            ------------

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