Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3

                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

      This Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2002 (the
"Agreement") is by and among U.S. RealTel, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company") and the Purchasers set forth on Schedule I hereto (the "Purchasers").

      WHEREAS, the Company, Cypress Communications, Inc. ("Cypress") and the
Purchasers entered into that certain Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date
hereof (the "Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company issued to the
Purchasers Fixed Rate Convertible Notes due July 1, 2009 (the "Notes") which are
convertible into shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per
share (the "Common Stock") and warrants to purchase Common Stock (the
"Convertible Debt Warrants") which are exercisable upon the redemption of the
Notes pursuant to Section 2.8 of the Purchase Agreement; and

      WHEREAS, the Company, Cypress and the Purchasers entered into that certain
Loan Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the "Loan Agreement") pursuant to
which the Company and Cypress issued term notes to the Purchasers with an
aggregate principal amount of Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) and the
warrants to purchase Common Stock (the "Mezzanine Debt Warrants" and together
with the Convertible Debt Warrants, the "Warrants").

      WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights to
the Purchasers with respect to the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Notes and upon exercise of the Warrants.

      NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and
valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged and as an inducement to the Purchasers to consummate the
transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the
Purchasers hereby agree as follows:

      1. Certain Definitions As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following respective meanings:

      "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any
other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.

      "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

      "Holders" shall mean the holders of the Registrable Securities.

      "Registrable Securities" as of any particular time shall mean (i) the
Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the Notes or upon exercise of
the Warrants; and (ii) all

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shares of Common Stock in respect of the Common Stock issuable or issued
pursuant to any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or similar event
in respect of the Common Stock referenced in clause (i); provided, however that
"Registrable Securities" shall not include shares of Common Stock which (i) have
been registered under the Securities Act pursuant to an effective registration
statement filed thereunder and disposed of in accordance with the registration
statement covering them or (ii) have been publicly sold by a Holder pursuant to
Rule 144 under the Securities Act or (iii) can be resold by the Holder thereof
to the public without without registration or restrictions in compliance with
Rule 144 in any three (3) month period.

      "Registration Expenses" shall mean the expenses so described in Section 5.

      "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

      "Selling Expenses" shall mean the expenses so described in Section 5.

      2. Demand Registration.

            2.1 (a) At any time after the first anniversary of date hereof,
Holders holding at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the Registrable Securities
then held by the Holders may require that the Company file a registration
statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act of all or any part of their
Registrable Securities (a "Demand Registration"), subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
obligated to effect more than two (2) registrations on Form S-1 pursuant to this
Section 2.1(a). Any request for a Demand Registration shall specify the
approximate number of shares of Registrable Securities requested to be
registered and the intended method of distribution of the shares. The Company
shall, as use its best efforts to effect the registration on Form S-1 of the
Registrable Securities (including pursuant to a shelf registration statement)
which the Company has been requested to register pursuant to this Section
2.1(a). No additional registrations shall be made by the Company during the one
hundred eighty (180) day period following the effective date of any demand
registration pursuant to this Section 2.1(a).

                  (b) In the event the Holders own Registrable Securities at
such time as the Company shall have qualified for the use of Form S-3 (or any
similar form or forms promulgated by the Commission), Holders of at least
fifteen percent (15%) of the Registrable Securities then held by the Holders
shall have the right to request, in addition to the Demand Registrations,
additional registrations on Form S-3 or its successor form, as the case may be
(collectively, "Form S-3") and the Company shall promptly give notice of such
proposed registration to all Holders of Registrable Securities and the Company
shall, as soon as practicable but in any event within forty-five (45) days
thereafter, use its best efforts to effect the registration on Form S-3 of the
Registrable Securities (including pursuant to a shelf registration statement)
which the Company has been requested to register (a) in each request and (b) in
any response given within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the notice from the
Company pursuant to this Section 2.1(b); provided, however, that the Company
shall not be obligated to file and cause to

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become effective (i) more than two registrations in any twelve month period
under this Section 2.1(b) or (ii) any Registration Statement on Form S-3 where
the proposed aggregate offering price of the Registrable Securities to be sold
thereunder is less than $1,000,000.

                  (c) If an offering pursuant to this Section 2 is underwritten
and the managing underwriter(s) advises the Company in writing that in their
reasonable and good faith opinion the number of shares of Registrable Securities
required to be registered exceeds the number of shares of Registrable Securities
that can be sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range
acceptable to the Company and the Holders, the securities requested by the
Company to be included, if any, shall first be excluded from such registration
to the extent so required by such limitation; to the extent additional shares
need to be excluded in order to conform to such limitation, the securities of
the Company held by stockholders of the Company other than the Holders (the
"Other Stockholders") shall next be excluded; and then, to the extent additional
shares still need to be excluded in order to conform to such limitation, the
Registrable Securities requested to be registered by the Holders shall be
reduced pro rata based upon the number of shares of Registrable Securities owned
by such Holders. The Company shall advise all holders of securities requesting
registration as to the number of shares of securities that may be included in
the registration and underwriting as allocated in the foregoing manner. If more
than twenty percent (20%) of the Registrable Securities of the Holders are
excluded pursuant to this Section 2.1(c), such registration will not constitute
a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a). If any Other Stockholder or
Holder who has requested inclusion in such registration as provided in Section
2.1(a) or Section 2.1(b) disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such
person may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company, the
underwriter and the Holders initiating such registration. The securities so
withdrawn shall also be withdrawn from registration. If the underwriter has not
limited the number of shares to be underwritten and otherwise determine that it
would not have a material adverse effect on the marketing of the Registrable
Securities, the Company may include its securities for its own account in such
registration if the underwriter so agrees and if the number of shares of
Registrable Securities and other securities of the Holders that would otherwise
have been included in such registration and underwriting will not be limited
thereby.

            2.2 The Holders will have the right to select one or more
underwriters to manage an offering under Section 2.1, which underwriters shall
be reasonably acceptable to the Company. The right of any Holder to participate
in an underwritten offering under Section 2.1 shall be conditioned upon such
Holder's agreement to the terms of such underwriting, including the execution of
an underwriting agreement with the underwriters in form and substance reasonably
acceptable to the Company. In the event that the Company determines that
proceeding with an offering pursuant to this Section 2 would materially
interfere with, or require premature disclosure of, business activities or plans
of the Company, or give rise, solely because of its timing, to any legal or
contractual liability on the part of the Company, the Company may, by written
notice, delay for a reasonable period of time the registration or offering, but
in no event longer than one hundred twenty (120) days; provided that the Company
shall not exercise its right to delay a registration pursuant to this Section
2.2 more than once in any twelve month period.

            3. Piggyback Registration. If the Company at any time proposes to
register any of its securities under the Securities Act for sale to the public,
whether for its own account or

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for the account of other security holders or both (except with respect to
registration statements on Forms S-4, S-8 or another form not available for
registering the Registrable Securities for resale to the public), each such time
it will give written notice to all Holders of its intention to do so and of the
proposed method of distribution of such securities. Upon the written request of
any such Holder, received by the Company within 15 days after the giving of any
such notice by the Company, to register any of its Registrable Securities, the
Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities as to
which registration shall have been so requested to be included in the securities
to be covered by the registration statement proposed to be filed by the Company,
all to the extent and under the conditions that such registration is permitted
under the Securities Act. In the event that any registration pursuant to this
Section 3 shall be, in whole or in part, an underwritten public offering of
Common Stock and the underwriter reasonably determines that marketing factors
require a limitation on the number of shares to be underwritten, the securities
of the Company held by Other Stockholders (other than Other Stockholders that
requested the registration pursuant a demand registration right of such Other
Stockholder), if any, shall be first excluded from such registration to the
extent required by such limitation; to the extent additional shares need to be
excluded in order to conform to such limitation, the number of shares that may
be included in the registration shall be allocated among the Holders requesting
registration of Registrable Securities in proportion, as nearly as practicable,
to the respective amounts of Registrable Securities that such Holders had
requested to be included in such registration. The Company shall advise all
holders of securities requesting registration as to the number of shares that
may be included in the registration and underwriting as allocated in the
foregoing manner. No such reduction shall be made with respect to securities
offered by the Company for its own account. If any Holder or Other Stockholder
disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such person may elect to
withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter. Any
Registrable Securities or other securities excluded or withdrawn from such
underwriting shall also be withdrawn from such registration.

      4. Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company receives a request
pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2 or 3 of this Agreement to effect the
registration of any shares of Registrable Securities under the Securities Act,
the Company will, within five (5) business days after receipt of such request,
deliver to all Holders other than the Holders making such request notice thereof
and each Holder shall have an opportunity to join in such request, and the
Company shall thereafter as expeditiously as possible:

            (a) prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement
(which, in the case of an underwritten public offering pursuant to Section 2.1,
shall be on a form of general applicability satisfactory to the managing
underwriter selected as therein provided) with respect to such securities and
use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become and remain
effective for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days;

            (b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection
therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for
the period specified in Section 4(a) above and comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities
covered by such registration statement in accordance with the sellers' intended
method of disposition set forth in such registration statement for such period;

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            (c) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities and to each
underwriter such number of copies of the registration statement and the
prospectus included therein (including each preliminary prospectus) as such
persons reasonably may request in order to facilitate the public sale or other
disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration
statement;

            (d) use its best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable
Securities covered by such registration statement under the securities or "blue
sky" laws of such jurisdictions as the sellers of Registrable Securities or, in
the case of an underwritten public offering, the managing underwriter reasonably
shall request, provided, however, that the Company shall not for any such
purpose be required to qualify generally to transact business as a foreign
corporation in any jurisdiction where it is not so qualified or to consent to
general service of process in any such jurisdiction;

            (e) use its best efforts to list the Registrable Securities covered
by such registration statement with any securities exchange on which the Common
Stock of the Company is then listed;

            (f) promptly notify each seller of Registrable Securities and each
underwriter under such registration statement, at any time when a prospectus
relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the
happening of any event of which the Company has knowledge as a result of which
the prospectus contained in such registration statement, as then in effect,
includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing. The sellers of
Registrable Securities agree upon receipt of such notice forthwith to cease
making offers and sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration
statement or deliveries of the prospectus contained therein for any purpose
until the Company has prepared and furnished such amendment or supplement to the
prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of
such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the
light of the circumstances then existing;

            (g) if the offering is underwritten and at the request of any seller
of Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to furnish on the date that
Registrable Securities is delivered to the underwriters for sale pursuant to
such registration: (i) a letter dated such date from the independent public
accountants retained by the Company, addressed to the underwriters and to such
seller, stating that they are independent public accountants within the meaning
of the Securities Act and that, in the opinion of such accountants, the
financial statements of the Company included in the registration statement or
the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof, comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities
Act, and such letter shall additionally cover such other financial matters
(including information as to the period ending no more than five (5) business
days prior to the date of such letter) with respect to such registration as such
underwriters reasonably may request; and

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            (h) make available for inspection upon reasonable notice during the
Company's regular business hours by each seller of Registrable Securities, any
underwriter participating in any distribution pursuant to such registration
statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such seller
or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents
and properties of the Company, and cause the Company's officers, directors and
employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller,
underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration
statement.

      The period of distribution of Registrable Securities in a firm commitment
underwritten public offering shall be deemed to extend until each underwriter
has completed the distribution of all securities purchased by it, and the period
of distribution of Registrable Securities in any other registration shall be
deemed to extend until the earlier of the sale of all Registrable Securities
covered thereby and one hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date
thereof.

      In connection with each registration hereunder, the sellers of Registrable
Securities shall (a) provide such information and execute such documents as may
reasonably be required in connection with such registration, (b) agree to sell
Registrable Securities on the terms and conditions provided in any underwriting
arrangements and (c) complete and execute all questionnaires, powers of
attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required
under the terms of such underwriting arrangements, which arrangements shall not
be inconsistent herewith.

      In connection with each registration pursuant to Sections 2 or 3 covering
an underwritten public offering, the Company and each seller agree to enter into
a written agreement with the managing underwriter selected in the manner herein
provided in such form and containing such provisions as are customary in the
securities business for such an arrangement between such underwriter and
companies of the Company's size and investment stature.

      5. Expenses. All expenses incurred by the Company in complying with
Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration and filing
fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel and independent
public accountants for the Company, fees and expenses (including counsel fees)
incurred in connection with complying with state securities or "blue sky" laws,
fees of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., transfer taxes,
fees of transfer agents and registrars, and fees and reasonable disbursements of
one counsel for the sellers of Registrable Securities selected by the Holders,
but excluding any Selling Expenses, are "Registration Expenses". All
underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the sale of
Registrable Securities are "Selling Expenses".

      The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with each
registration statement under Sections 2 or 3. All Selling Expenses in connection
with each registration statement under Sections 2 or 3 shall be borne by the
participating sellers in proportion to the number of shares sold by each, or by
such participating sellers other than the Company (except to the extent the
Company shall be a seller) as they may agree.

      Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the registration request pursuant to
Section 2 hereof is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Holders of a
majority of the Registrable Securities to be registered, the Holders of a
majority of the Registrable Securities shall forfeit their right to

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one demand registration pursuant to Section 2, unless such Holders elect to
reimburse the Company for the expenses incurred by it attributable to the
registration of such Registrable Securities, in which case the Holders of such
Registrable Securities shall not be deemed to have exercised their right to
require the Company to register Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2;
provided further, however, that if at the time of such withdrawal, the Holders
have learned of a material adverse change in the condition, business, or
prospects of the Company not known to the Holders at the time of their request
and have withdrawn the request with reasonable promptness following disclosure
by the Company of such material adverse change, then the Holders shall not be
required to pay any of such expenses and shall retain their rights pursuant to
Section 2.

      6. Indemnification and Contribution.

            (a) In the event of a registration of any of the Registrable
Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to Sections 2 or 3, the Company
will indemnify and hold harmless each seller of such Registrable Securities
thereunder and such seller's agents, employees, directors and officers, from and
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which
such seller may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under
which such Registrable Securities was registered under the Securities Act
pursuant to Sections 2 or 3, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus
contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, (ii) the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any
violation of any applicable securities law, provided, however, that the Company
will not be liable in any such case if and to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished by such seller or an
authorized officer of any such seller acting on behalf of such seller and each
other person, if any, who controls such seller within the meaning of the
Securities Act, or in writing by an authorized officer of the seller of
Registrable Securities or by an officer or duly authorized agent or employee of
such seller of Registrable Securities specifically for use in such registration
statement or prospectus, and, provided further, however, that the Company will
not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action arises out of or is based upon an untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or an alleged omission made in any preliminary prospectus
or final prospectus if (1) the Company delivered to such Holder the final
prospectus or prospectus supplement, (2) such Holder failed to send or deliver a
copy of the final prospectus or prospectus supplement with or prior to the
delivery of written confirmation of the sale of the Registrable Securities, and
(3) the final prospectus or prospectus supplement would have corrected such
untrue statement or omission.

            (b) In the event of a registration of any of the Registrable
Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to Sections 2 or 3, each seller of
such Registrable Securities thereunder, severally and not jointly, will
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, each officer of the Company
who signs the registration statement and each director of the Company, against
all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which the
Company or such officer,

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director or controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact by such seller contained in the
registration statement under which such Registrable Securities was registered
under the Securities Act pursuant to Sections 2 or 3, any preliminary prospectus
or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof,
(ii) the omission or alleged omission by such seller to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, or (iii) any violation of any applicable securities law by such
seller, and will pay the legal fees and other expenses of the Company and each
such officer, director, and controlling person incurred by them in connection
with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
action, provided, however, that such seller will be liable hereunder in any such
case if and only to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability
arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to the Company by such seller specifically for
use in such registration statement or prospectus; provided, further, however,
that such seller shall not be liable only to the extent of the net proceeds
received by such seller in the offering which contained such untrue statement or
omission.

            (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of
notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder,
notify the indemnifying party in writing thereof, but the omission so to notify
the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have
to such indemnified party other than under this Section 6 and shall only relieve
it from any liability that it may have to such indemnified party under this
Section 6 if and to the extent the indemnifying party is prejudiced by such
omission. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party
and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the
indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it
shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel
satisfactory to such indemnified party, and, after notice from the indemnifying
party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake the
defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified
party under this Section 6 for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof; provided, however,
that, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party
and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably
concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to it which are
different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or if
the interests of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with
the interests of the indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the
right to select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defenses and
otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the expenses and
fees of such separate counsel and other expenses related to such participation
to be reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred, it being understood,
however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such
action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be
liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys
(together with appropriate local counsel as required by the local rules of such
jurisdiction) at any time for all such indemnified parties.

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            (d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution to joint
liability under the Securities Act in any case in which either (i) any Holder
exercising rights under this Agreement, or any controlling person of any such
Holder, makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 6 but it is
judicially determined that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case
notwithstanding the fact that this Section 6 provides for indemnification in
such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act may be required on the
part of any such selling Holder or any such controlling person in circumstances
for which indemnification is provided under this Section 6; then, and in each
such case, the Company and such Holder will contribute to the aggregate losses,
claims, damages or liabilities to which they may be subject (after contribution
from others) in such proportion so that such Holder is responsible for the
portion represented on the one hand (A) by the percentage that (i) the public
offering price of its Registrable Securities offered by the registration
statement less (ii) the purchase price originally paid by such Holder to the
Company for such shares of Registrable Securities, bears to the public offering
price of all securities offered by such registration statement, and (B) on the
other hand, the relative fault of such Holder, other Holders or the Company, and
the Company is responsible for the remaining portion; provided, however, that,
in any such case, no person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to
contribution from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6(d), the
Holders shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the net
amount received by such Holder pursuant to the sale of such Holder's Registrable
Securities to the public.

            (e) No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent
of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could
have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter
of such action, suit or proceeding.

      7. Changes in Common Stock. If, and as often as, there is any change in
the Common Stock by way of a stock split, stock dividend, combination or
reclassification, or through a merger, consolidation, reorganization or
recapitalization, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment shall be made in
the provisions hereof so that the rights and privileges granted hereby shall
continue with respect to the Common Stock as so changed.

      8. Rule 144 Reporting and Rule 144A Information. With a view to making
available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission that
may at any time permit the resale of the Registrable Securities without
registration, the Company will:

            (a) at all times after 90 days after any registration statement
covering a public offering of securities of the Company under the Securities Act
shall have become effective:

                  (i) make and keep public information available, as those terms
are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

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                  (ii) use its best efforts to file with the Commission in a
timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act; and

                  (iii) furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities
forthwith upon request a written statement by the Company as to its compliance
with the reporting requirements of such Rule 144 and of the Securities Act and
the Exchange Act, a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the
Company, and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company as such
holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of
the Commission allowing such holder to sell any Registrable Securities without
registration; and

            (b) at any time, at the request of any holder of shares of
Registrable Securities, make available to such holder and to any prospective
transferee of such Preferred Shares or shares of Registrable Securities the
information concerning the Company described in Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act.

      9. Transfer of Registration Rights. The rights to cause the Company to
register securities of the Company under Sections 2 and 3 hereof (the
"Registration Rights") may be assigned by any Holder to any transferee who
acquires an amount of Holder's Registrable Securities equal to at least 20% of
the original amount of such Holder's shares of Registrable Securities together
with the securities being transferred, provided that in each case the Company is
given written notice, at the time or within a reasonable time after said
transfer, stating the name and address of said transferee and identifying the
securities with respect to which such registration rights are being assigned. No
such assignment shall be effective unless the transferee shall be required, as a
condition to such transfer, to agree in writing that he or it will receive and
hold such securities subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

      10. Miscellaneous.

            (a) 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 (including without
limitation transferees of any Registrable Securities), whether so expressed or
not, provided, however, that demand registration rights conferred in Section 2
on the Holders shall only inure to the benefit of a transferee if such transfer
complies with Section 9 hereof.

            (b) All notices, requests, consents and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, sent by UPS or other recognized
overnight courier service, or transmitted by facsimile, e-mail or other
electronic means, addressed, if to the Company, at its principal office and if
to any holder of Registrable Securities, to such Holder's address as shown on
the records of the Company, or, in any case, at such other address or addresses
as shall have been furnished in writing to the Company (in the case of a holder
of Registrable Securities) or to the holders of Registrable Securities (in the
case of the Company) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10(b).
Each such notice, request, consent or other communication shall be treated as
effective or having been given (i) when delivered in person, or (ii) three (3)
business days after being mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, (iii) one (1) business day

                                       10
<PAGE>

after being sent by a recognized overnight courier service or (iv) when
transmitted by facsimile, e-mail or other electronic means, provided that the
sender receives confirmation of receipt, in the manner set forth in clause (i),
(ii) or (iii) of this sentence.

            (c) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced
in accordance with, the laws of the State of Georgia, without giving effect to
the conflicts of law principles thereof.

            (d) This Agreement may not be amended or modified, and no provision
hereof may be waived, without the written consent of the Company and of the
holders of at least a majority of all of the outstanding shares of Registrable
Securities.

            (e) This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument. In proving this Agreement it shall not be necessary
to produce or account for more than one such counterpart executed by the party
against whom enforcement is sought.

            (f) The Company shall not grant to any third party any registration
rights more favorable than, or inconsistent with, any of those contained herein,
so long as any of the registration rights under this Agreement remains in
effect.

            (g) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal,
invalid or unenforceable, such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall
attach only to such provision and shall not in any manner affect or render
illegal, invalid or unenforceable any other provision of this Agreement unless
the effect thereof would be to alter materially the effect of this Agreement,
and this Agreement (if not so altered) shall be carried out as if any such
illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.

            (h) This Agreement and the rights granted herein shall terminate on
the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date of this Agreement.

            [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE WAS LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]

                                       11
<PAGE>

                [SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Purchasers have executed this
Agreement, under seal, as of the day and year first above written.

                                            US REALTEL, INC.

                                            By: ________________________________
                                            Name: ______________________________
                                            Title: _____________________________

                                       12
<PAGE>

                [SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]

                                            PURCHASERS:

                                            NORO MOSELEY PARTNERS V, L.P.

                                            By: ________________________________
                                            Name: ______________________________
                                            Title: _____________________________

                                       13
<PAGE>

                [SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]

                                            WAKEFIELD GROUP III, LLC

                                            By: ________________________________
                                            Name: ______________________________
                                            Title: _____________________________

                                       14
<PAGE>

                [SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]

                                      J. OLIVER CUNNINGHAM TRUST, dated
                                      February 26, 1971, an Indiana trust

                                      By: ______________________________________
                                      Name:  Ross J. Mangano
                                      Title: Trustee

                                      ANNE. C. MCCLURE TRUST, dated February 26,
                                      1971, an Illinois trust

                                      By: ______________________________________
                                      Name:  Ross J. Mangano
                                      Title: Trustee

                                      JANE C. WARRINER TRUST, dated February 26,
                                      1971, an Indiana trust

                                      By: ______________________________________
                                      Name:  Ross J. Mangano
                                      Title: Trustee

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE I

Noro Moseley Partners V, L.P.
9 North Parkway Square
4200 Northside Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30327

Wakefield Group III, LLC
1110 E. Morehead Street
Charlotte, NC 28204

J. Oliver Cunningham Trust
112 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Suite 613
South Bend, IN 46601

Anne C. McClure Trust
112 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Suite 613
South Bend, IN 46601

Jane C. Warriner Trust
112 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Suite 613
South Bend, IN 46601

                                       16<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4

                     INTERCREDITOR (SUBORDINATION) AGREEMENT

      THIS INTERCREDITOR (SUBORDINATION) AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as
of the 16th day of July, 2002 by and among the J. Oliver Cunningham Trust dated
February 26, 1971, an Indiana Trust (the "Cunningham Trust"), the Anne C.
McClure Trust dated February 26, 1971, an Illinois trust (the "McClure Trust"),
the Jane C. Warriner Trust dated February 26, 1971, an Indiana trust (the
"Warriner Trust" and together with the Cunningham Trust and the McClure Trust,
the "Oliver Lenders"), Wakefield Group III, LLC a North Carolina limited
liability company ("Wakefield"), Noro-Moseley Partners V, L.P., a Georgia
limited partnership ("Noro-Moseley") (in their capacities as holders of Bridge
Lender Indebtedness (as defined below) each are a "Bridge Lender"), and the
undersigned holders, including the Oliver Lenders, Wakefield and Noro-Moseley in
their capacities as holders of Noteholder Indebtedness (the "Noteholders") of up
to $10,000,000 of Fixed Rate Convertible Notes due July 1, 2009 (the
"Convertible Notes"), issued by both U.S. RealTel, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("U.S. RealTel") and Cypress Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Cypress").

      WHEREAS, Bridge Lenders have extended credit to U.S. RealTel and Cypress,
as borrowers (collectively, the "Borrowers") as evidenced by (i) that certain
Loan Agreement dated July 16, 2002 by and among the Bridge Lenders and the
Borrowers (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Loan
Agreement") and (ii) those certain Term Notes issued to each Bridge Lender, each
dated July 16, 2002 with an aggregate principal amount of $8,000,000
(collectively, the "Term Notes");

      WHEREAS, Noteholders deem the extensions of credit to Borrowers by the
Bridge Lenders necessary or desirable to the conduct and operation of Borrowers'
business and therefore beneficial to their interest as creditors of U.S. RealTel
and desire that Bridge Lenders extend credit to Borrowers pursuant to the Loan
Agreement;

      WHEREAS, to induce Bridge Lenders to grant credit to Borrowers pursuant to
the Loan Agreement, Noteholders have agreed to subordinate the Noteholder
Indebtedness (as defined below) to the Bridge Lender Indebtedness (as defined
below); and

      NOW, THEREFORE, to induce Bridge Lenders to grant credit to Borrowers
pursuant to the Loan Agreement and in consideration of the making of the Loans
pursuant thereto, extending credit to Borrowers in the future and for other
valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned
do hereby agree as follows:

      1. Noteholders hereby subordinate, on the terms and conditions set forth
herein, the Noteholder Indebtedness to any and all sums, debts, demands, claims,
liabilities or causes of action for which Borrowers may be liable to Bridge
Lenders pursuant to the Loan Agreement and pursuant to any note, security
agreement, guaranty or other instrument or document executed pursuant thereto or
in connection therewith (all items herein collectively called the "Bridge

<PAGE>

Lender Indebtedness"). The term "Noteholder Indebtedness" shall mean the debt
owed to Noteholders by U.S. RealTel and/or Cypress under the Convertible Notes,
including any amendments, extensions and modifications thereto.

      2. Noteholders hereby agree not to seek, accept or otherwise obtain any
security interests, liens, encumbrances and claims which in any way secure the
Noteholder Indebtedness, and Noteholders (to the extent Noteholders do seek,
accept or obtain such security interests), hereby subordinate all such security
interests, liens, encumbrances and claims which in any way secure the Noteholder
Indebtedness whether now existing or to be created (herein collectively called
the "Noteholder Collateral") to all security interests, liens, encumbrances and
claims which in any way secure the payment of the Bridge Lender Indebtedness
whether now existing or to be created (herein collectively called the "Bridge
Lender Collateral") specifically including but not limited to the security
interests granted in the Loan Agreement. Noteholders agree that until the Bridge
Lender Indebtedness is paid in full, Noteholders will not in any way, manner or
respect, assert or seek to enforce by legal proceedings or other proceedings or
actions any of their liens, mortgages, security interests or other encumbrances
on Noteholder Collateral. Noteholders agree that this subordination and the
priority established hereby shall apply regardless of the time or order of
attachment or perfection of such security interests, liens, encumbrances or
claims or the granting or failure to give notice thereof.

      3. Noteholders hereby instruct Borrowers not to pay (directly or
indirectly) the Noteholder Indebtedness in whole or in part, and Noteholders
agree not to accept payment of the Noteholder Indebtedness, including interest
thereon, or any part thereof or seek to enforce against Borrowers the Noteholder
Indebtedness or Noteholders' security interests, liens, encumbrances or claims
on the Noteholder Collateral, unless and until the Bridge Lenders have notified
Noteholders, in writing, that the Bridge Lender Indebtedness has been paid in
full; provided, however, that nothing herein shall restrict the Noteholders from
converting their Convertible Notes into common stock of U.S. RealTel pursuant to
the terms of the Convertible Notes.

      4. (a) Noteholders agree to hold in trust for Bridge Lenders and promptly
turn over to Bridge Lenders (to be allocated ratably among Bridge Lenders) any
sum or sums at any time paid or received by Noteholders in violation of the
terms of this Agreement and to reimburse Bridge Lenders for all costs, including
reasonable attorneys' fees actually incurred by Bridge Lenders in the course of
collecting the sum or sums should Noteholders fail to voluntarily turn over same
to Bridge Lenders. In the event of any distribution, division or application,
partial or complete, voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise,
of all or any part of the assets of Borrowers or the proceeds thereof, in
whatever form to creditors of Borrowers or upon any indebtedness of Borrowers
occurring by reason of the liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of
Borrowers or by reason of any execution sale, receivership, insolvency or
bankruptcy proceedings or assignments for the benefit of creditors or
proceedings for reorganization or readjustment of Borrowers or their properties,
then and in such event, the Bridge Lender Indebtedness shall first be paid in
full before any payment is made upon the Noteholder Indebtedness, and any
payment or distribution of any kind or character either in cash, property or
securities which shall be payable or deliverable upon or in respect of the
Noteholder

                                       2
<PAGE>

Indebtedness and interest thereon shall be paid or delivered directly to Bridge
Lenders for ratable application in payment of the amounts then due on the Bridge
Lender Indebtedness until the Bridge Lender Indebtedness shall have been
indefeasibly paid in full.

            (b) In order to enable Bridge Lenders to enforce their rights under
the preceding paragraph 4(a) in any action or proceedings, Bridge Lenders are
hereby irrevocably authorized and empowered in their discretion to make and
present for or on behalf of the undersigned such proof of claim or claims
against Borrowers on account of the Noteholder Indebtedness as Bridge Lenders
may deem expedient and proper; to vote such claims in any such proceedings; to
receive and collect any and all dividends or other payments or disbursements
made thereon in whatever form the same may be paid or issued; and to apply same
on account of the Bridge Lender Indebtedness. Noteholders agree to and do hereby
assign all such claims to Bridge Lenders, and Noteholders further agree to
execute such instruments as may be required by Bridge Lenders to enable them to
enforce any and all such claims and collect any and all dividends or other
payments or disbursements that may be made on account of the Noteholder
Indebtedness.

      5. Noteholders represent and warrant to Bridge Lenders that Noteholders
have not assigned or transferred the Noteholder Indebtedness or Noteholder
Collateral, or any interest therein, to any person, firm, association,
corporation or party, and that all agreements, instruments and documents
evidencing the Noteholder Indebtedness and Noteholder Collateral will be
endorsed with a proper notice of this Agreement as set forth below. Noteholders
shall have the right to assign the Noteholder Indebtedness provided that any
such assignment shall only be made upon prior written notice to Bridge Lenders
and shall be made expressly subject to the rights of the Bridge Lenders
hereunder conspicuously noted in writing on any such assignment. Noteholders
agree to mark the Convertible Notes with the following legend:

                  "This note is subordinated to all indebtedness now or
                  hereafter owed by maker to Bridge Lenders as provided in an
                  Intercreditor (Subordination) Agreement dated July 16, 2002."

      6. Bridge Lenders are hereby authorized by Noteholders to: (a) renew,
compromise, extend, or otherwise change the time of payment or any other terms
of the Bridge Lender Indebtedness under the Loan Agreement other than to
increase the principal amount thereunder; (b) exchange, enforce, waive or
release any security therefor; or (c) apply such security and direct the order
or manner of sale thereof in such manner as the Bridge Lenders may in their sole
discretion determine, all without notice to Noteholders and without affecting
the subordination provided by this Agreement.

      7. Except to the extent specifically provided herein, this Agreement shall
continue effective until the Bridge Lender Indebtedness shall have been fully
and indefeasibly discharged and Bridge Lenders' commitment to make any further
loans or credit accommodations to Borrowers pursuant to the Loan Agreement shall
have been terminated. Noteholders agree that

                                       3
<PAGE>

they will not challenge any liens and security interest of the Bridge Lenders
securing payment of the Bridge Lender Indebtedness and that as between the
Bridge Lenders and Noteholders, the terms of this Agreement shall govern even if
part or all of the Bridge Lender Indebtedness or the liens or security interests
securing payment thereof are avoided, disallowed, set aside or otherwise
invalidated in any judicial proceeding or otherwise.

      8. All notices, payments, requests, reports, information and demands which
any party may desire or may be required to give or make to any other party shall
be given or made upon such party in writing by hand delivery, by facsimile or by
the deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, certified or registered
addressed as follows:

         To Bridge Lenders:

         (a)   If to Oliver Lenders, at:

               112 W. Jefferson Boulevard
               Suite 613
               South Bend, Indiana 46601
               Attention: Ross J. Mangano
               Fax: (219) 232-8223

               with a copy to:

               Ungaretti & Harris
               3500 Three First National Plaza
               Chicago, Illinois 60602
               Attention: Gary I. Levenstein, Esq.
               Fax: (312) 977-4405

         (b)   If to Noro-Moseley, at:

               Noro-Moseley Partners V. LP
               9 North Parkway Square
               4200 Northside Parkway
               Atlanta, Georgia  30327
               Attention: Steve Nussrallah
               Fax: (404) 239-9280

               with a copy to:

               King & Spalding
               191 Peachtree Street
               Atlanta, Georgia  30303
               Attention: William R. Spalding

                                       4
<PAGE>

               Fax: (404) 572-5100

         (c)   If to Wakefield, at:

               Wakefield Group III LLC
               1110 East Morehead Street
               Charlotte, North Carolina  28204
               Attention: Michael Elliott
               Fax: (704) 372-8216

         To Noteholders:

         (a)   If to Oliver Lenders, at:

               112 W. Jefferson Boulevard
               Suite 613
               South Bend, Indiana 46601
               Attention: Ross J. Mangano
               Fax: (219) 232-8223

               with a copy to:

               Ungaretti & Harris
               3500 Three First National Plaza
               Chicago, Illinois 60602
               Attention: Gary I. Levenstein, Esq.
               Fax: (312) 977-4405

         (b)   If to Noro-Moseley, at:

               Noro-Moseley Partners V. LP
               9 North Parkway Square
               4200 Northside Parkway
               Atlanta, Georgia  30327
               Attention: Steve Nussrallah
               Fax: (404) 239-9280

               with a copy to:

               King & Spalding
               191 Peachtree Street
               Atlanta, Georgia  30303
               Attention: William R. Spalding
               Fax: (404) 572-5100

                                       5
<PAGE>

         (c)   If to Wakefield, at:

               Wakefield Group III LLC
               1110 East Morehead Street
               Charlotte, North Carolina  28204
               Attention: Michael Elliott
               Fax: (704) 372-8216

Said notice shall be deemed given when delivered, sent by facsimile or mailed as
aforesaid. Noteholders hereby agree that if at any time or times they notifies
Borrowers that Borrowers are in default in respect of the Noteholder
Indebtedness, they shall simultaneously provide notice thereof to Bridge
Lenders.

      9. Noteholders irrevocably agree that all actions or proceedings in any
way, manner or respect, arising out of or from or related to this Agreement, the
other agreements, or any Bridge Lender Collateral shall be litigated only in the
courts having situs within the State of Georgia. Noteholders hereby consent and
submit to the jurisdiction of any local, state or federal court located within
the State of Georgia. Noteholders and the Bridge Lenders hereby waive any rights
they may have to transfer or change venue of any litigation brought against
Noteholders by Bridge Lender in accordance with this paragraph.

      10. This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of
Noteholders, and Borrowers. This Agreement and any existing or future claim of
Bridge Lenders hereunder may be assigned by Bridge Lenders, in whole or in part,
without notice to Noteholders. Bridge Lenders may, without notice, assign this
Agreement in whole or in part in connection with an assignment of all or part of
the Loan Agreement or a sale of a participation thereunder.

      11. No amendment to or waiver of any provision of this Agreement nor
consent to any departure by Noteholders or Borrowers herefrom shall in any event
be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Bridge Lenders,
and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance
and for the specific purpose for which given.

      12. References herein to Sections are references to Sections of this
Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings provided in the Loan Agreement.

      13. Wherever 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 shall be prohibited by or invalid under
such law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition
or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the
remaining provisions of this Agreement.

                                       6
<PAGE>

      14. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
shall constitute one and the same agreement.

      15. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE. THIS AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES THE
ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT
MATTER HEREOF AND SUPERSEDES ANY PRIOR AGREEMENTS, WRITTEN OR ORAL, WITH RESPECT
THERETO.

      16. THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN
ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING (I) TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR
AGREEMENT DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR (II) ARISING FROM ANY DISPUTE OR
CONTROVERSY IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, AND AGREE THAT ANY
SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY.

                            [signature page follows]

                                       7
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed on the date first above written.

                                        NOTEHOLDERS:

                                            J. OLIVER CUNNINGHAM TRUST, dated
                                            February 26, 1971, an Indiana trust

                                            By: ________________________________
                                            Name:  Ross J. Mangano
                                            Title: Trustee

                                            ANNE. C. MCCLURE TRUST, dated
                                            February 26, 1971, an Illinois trust

                                            By: ________________________________
                                            Name:  Ross J. Mangano
                                            Title: Trustee

                                            JANE C. WARRINER TRUST, dated
                                            February 26, 1971, an Indiana trust

                                            By: ________________________________
                                            Name:  Ross J. Mangano
                                            Title: Trustee

                                            NORO-MOSELEY PARTNERS V, L.P., a
                                            Georgia limited partnership

                                            By: ________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

                                            WAKEFIELD GROUP III LLC, a North
                                            Carolina limited liability company

                                            By: ________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

Intercreditor (Subordination) Agreement

<PAGE>

                             ACCEPTANCE OF BORROWERS

      The undersigned hereby accept and consent to the foregoing Agreement and
agree to be bound by all of the provisions thereof and to recognize all
priorities and rights granted thereby to, and their successors and assigns and
to perform in accordance therewith.

                                            U.S. RealTel, Inc., a Delaware
                                            corporation

                                            By _________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

                                            Cypress Communications, Inc., a
                                            Delaware corporation

                                            By _________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

Intercreditor (Subordination) Agreement

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