Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 4.4

EXECUTION COPY

                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

         THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of
August 10, 2001, by and between NEON COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Neon") and EXELON ENTERPRISES MANAGEMENT, INC., a Pennsylvania
corporation ("Exelon").

                               B A C K G R O U N D:

         Pursuant to a certain Subordinated Convertible Note Purchase Agreement
dated as of the date hereof by and between Neon and Exelon (the "Exelon Purchase
Agreement"), Exelon is purchasing and Neon is selling an 18% Subordinated
Convertible Note (the "Exelon Note"), all as more fully described in the Exelon
Purchase Agreement.

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
promises and covenants set forth herein, the parties hereto, intending to be
legally bound, agree as follows:

         1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the meanings set forth below:

            (a) "APPLICABLE PERIOD" shall mean the time between the date on
which a Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities has been
declared effective by the Commission and the earlier of (i) the date on which
each Seller has completed the distribution of the Registrable Securities
described in the Registration Statement or (ii) the date on which all of the
Registrable Securities held by the Sellers shall be eligible to be sold pursuant
to Rule 144(k) (or any similar successor provision).

            (b) "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean a day that is not a Saturday, a
Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are
required to be closed.

            (c) "CLOSING" shall mean the closing of the transactions
contemplated by the Exelon Purchase Agreement.

            (d) "CLOSING DOCUMENTS" shall mean this Agreement, the Exelon
Purchase Agreement, and each of the other agreements and documents delivered by
Neon at Closing.

            (e) "COMMISSION" shall mean the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the
Securities Act.

            (f) "COMMON STOCK" shall mean the common stock, par value $.01 per
share, of Neon.

            (g) "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same shall be
in effect from time to time.

            (h) "EXELON CONVERSION SHARES" shall mean the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the Exelon Note.

<PAGE>

            (i) "EXELON INITIAL SHARES" shall mean the 2,131,144 shares of
Common Stock issued to Exelon pursuant to that certain Subscription Agreement
between Neon and Exelon dated November 23, 1999 and amended as of the date
hereof.

            (j) "EXELON SHARES" shall mean the Exelon Conversion Shares and the
Exelon Initial Shares.

            (k) [reserved]

            (l) "NASDAQ" shall mean The Nasdaq Stock Market or any market
successor thereto.

            (m) "PERMITTED TRANSFER" shall mean (i) a sale, assignment, pledge
or transfer of the interest of Exelon, in all or any part of the Registrable
Securities to any third party, (ii) a Transfer by Exelon, to a subsidiary,
limited partnership or limited liability company, which subsidiary, limited
partnership or limited liability company is controlled by Exelon PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that each Transferee shall, prior to the Transfer of Registrable
Securities to such Transferee, execute and deliver to Neon a valid and binding
agreement in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT A.

            (n) "PERMITTED TRANSFEREE" shall mean a transferee in a transaction
constituting a Permitted Transfer.

            (o) "PERSON" means an individual, partnership, limited liability
company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization or government or
agency or political subdivision thereof.

            (p) "PROSPECTUS" shall mean: (i) each preliminary prospectus
included in the Registration Statement filed prior to the time it becomes
effective; (ii) the form of prospectus first filed with the Commission pursuant
to Rule 424(b); (iii) all supplements thereto and (iv) amendments thereto which
shall have been declared effective by the Commission.

            (q) "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" shall mean (i) the Exelon Shares; (ii)
any Common Stock and any other security issued as an interest payment or other
distribution with respect to or in exchange for or in replacement of the Exelon
Shares, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Registrable Securities shall not include any
shares of Common Stock which have been sold to the public either pursuant to the
Registration Statement or pursuant to Rule 144, which are eligible for resale
pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act, or which have been sold in any
other transaction in which the transferor's rights under this Agreement are not
assigned.

            (r) The terms "REGISTER," "REGISTERED" and "REGISTRATION" shall
refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing with the Commission a
registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable
rules and regulations thereunder, and the declaration or ordering of the
effectiveness of such registration statement by the Commission.

            (s) "REGISTRATION EXPENSES" shall mean all expenses incurred by Neon
in effecting any registration pursuant to this Agreement, including all
registration, qualification and filing fees, reproduction and printing expenses,
expenses incurred by Neon in the preparation of

                                       2
<PAGE>

any registration statement, fees and disbursements of counsel for Neon and those
of Neon's other independent professional advisors and experts, listing fees and
other costs incurred in listing Registrable Securities for trading on Nasdaq or
on any stock exchange, blue sky fees and expenses (if any), expenses of any
regular or special accounting services provided to Neon or required by any such
registration, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel selected
by Exelon, but shall not include Selling Expenses.

            (t) "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall mean any registration statement
to be filed or filed by Neon with the Commission pursuant to Section 2, below
(including (a) all amendments and supplements thereto, (b) each Prospectus
contained therein, and (c) all exhibits thereto or incorporated by reference
therein).

            (u) "RULE 144" shall mean Rule 144 as promulgated by the Commission
under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any
similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the commission.

            (v) "SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and regulations thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from
time to time.

            (w) "SELLER" shall mean Exelon, each Permitted Transferee, and any
other holder of Registrable Securities to whom the registration rights conferred
by this Agreement have been transferred in compliance with Section 11(a) hereof,
in each case who are offering for resale Registrable Securities on a
Registration Statement.

            (x) "SELLING EXPENSES" shall mean all brokerage fees, selling
commissions and underwriting discounts (if any), and stock transfer taxes
applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities and fees and disbursements of
counsel for any Seller (other than the fees and disbursements of such counsel
included in Registration Expenses).

            (y) "TRANSFER" shall mean any sale, transfer, encumbrance, gift,
donation, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of any Common
Stock or any interest therein, whether voluntary or involuntary, including, but
not limited to, any disposition by operation of law, by court order, by judicial
process or by foreclosure, levy or attachment.

         2. REGISTRATION.

            (a) INITIAL REGISTRATION. As soon as practicable after the Closing,
Neon shall use its best efforts to effect the registration for offer and sale
under the Securities Act of all of the Exelon Shares. In furtherance thereof,
Neon shall file with the Commission within forty-five (45) days of Closing a
registration statement on an appropriate form (which form shall comply as to
form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form)
under the Securities Act covering the Exelon Shares and that number of
additional shares of Common Stock which represent interest payments that would
become due on the Exelon Note through August 15, 2004 if such interest payments
were to be paid in the form of additional shares of Common Stock or additional
convertible notes in accordance with the terms of the Exelon Note.

            (b) ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION. Neon shall file an additional
registration statement no later than January 15, 2005, to the extent necessary
to register the offer and sale under the

                                       3
<PAGE>

Securities Act of that number of additional shares of Common Stock which
represent interest payments that would become due under the Exelon Note through
its maturity date if such interest payments were to be paid in the form of
additional shares of Common Stock or additional convertible notes in accordance
with the terms of the Exelon Note.

         3. REGISTRATION EXPENSES. All Registration Expenses shall be borne by
Neon.

         4. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. If and whenever Neon is required by the
provisions of this Agreement to use its best efforts to effect the registration
of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, Neon shall, at Neon's
expense:

            (a) notify each Seller as to: (i) the initial filing of the
Registration Statement; (ii) the receipt of any comments thereon from the
Commission; (iii) any request from the Commission or any state regulatory
authority for amendment of the Registration Statement or for supplement to any
Prospectus or for any additional information in connection therewith; (iv) the
filing of each amendment thereto, including any post-effective amendment; (v)
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
thereto; and (vi) the issuance by the Commission or any state regulatory
authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or the use of any Prospectus or the institution of any proceedings for
that purpose;

            (b) use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order
preventing or suspending the use of any Prospectus and to obtain as soon as
possible the lifting or withdrawal thereof, if issued;

            (c) keep the Registration Statement effective from the effective
date thereof to and including the first to occur: (i) ninety-six (96) months
from the Closing Date; (ii) the date on which all Sellers have completed the
distribution of Registrable Securities described in the Registration Statement;
or (iii) the date on which all of the Registrable Securities held by the Sellers
shall be eligible to be sold pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or any similar successor
provision);

            (d) promptly prepare and file with the Commission such amendments
and supplements to the Registration Statement and the prospectus used in
connection with the Registration Statement as shall be necessary to comply with
the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by the Registration Statement and thereafter use its
reasonable best efforts to cause any such post-effective amendment to be
declared effective by the Commission as promptly as permitted by the Commission;

            (e) furnish to each Seller: (i) such number of Prospectuses and
other documents incident thereto, including any amendment of or supplement to
the Prospectus, as such Seller may reasonably request (for dissemination or
otherwise) from time to time; (ii) two signed copies of the Registration
Statement and all amendments thereto, including all exhibits filed therewith;
and (iii) such number of conformed copies of the Registration Statement
(including such number of copies of the exhibits filed therewith as may
reasonably be requested), including documents incorporated by reference therein,
as such Seller may reasonably request from time to time;

            (f) notify each Seller of Registrable Securities covered by the
Registration Statement at any time:

                                       4
<PAGE>

                  (i) when a Prospectus relating thereto is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event or the failure
of any event to occur or the discovery of any facts as a result of which the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes
any 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 or incomplete in the light of the circumstances then existing, and at
the request of a Seller, prepare and furnish to such Seller, a reasonable number
of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such Prospectus as may be
necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchaser(s) of such shares,
such Prospectus shall not include any 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 or incomplete in the light of the
circumstances then existing;

                  (ii) if, during the Applicable Period, the representations and
warranties of Neon contained in this Agreement or in the Exelon Purchase
Agreement, as the case may be, cease to be true and correct in any material
respect;

                  (iii) if Neon receives any notification of the issuance of a
stop order or the suspension of the registration or qualification of the
Registrable Securities in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding
for such purpose; and

                  (iv) that, in Neon's reasonable determination, a
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement would be appropriate;

            (g) use its best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable
Securities covered by the Registration Statement under the securities or Blue
Sky laws of such states as the Seller shall reasonably request, and do any and
all other acts and things that may be necessary or desirable to enable the
Seller to consummate the public sale or other disposition in such states of the
Registrable Securities owned by such Seller; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Neon shall
not be required in connection with this paragraph (g) to qualify as a foreign
corporation or execute a general consent to service of process in any
jurisdiction;

            (h) use its best efforts to list the Registrable Securities
registered pursuant to this Agreement on Nasdaq and any securities exchange on
which shares of the Common Stock are then listed;

            (i) make generally available to its security holders, as soon as
reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least
twelve (12) months, but not more than eighteen (18) months, beginning with the
first month after the effective date of the Registration Statement, which
earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under
the Securities Act); and

            (j) Neon shall provide one copy of each notice or document given or
furnished to each Seller pursuant to Section 4(a) (e) and (f) above,
concurrently with the provision thereof to each Seller and/or as promptly
thereafter as possible, to legal counsel designated by each Seller in a written
notice given to Neon.

                                       5
<PAGE>

         5. INFORMATION BY EACH SELLER.

            (a) Each Seller shall furnish to Neon such information regarding
such Seller, the Registrable Securities held by such Seller and the sale or
other Transfer thereof proposed by such Seller as Neon may request in writing
and as shall be reasonably required in connection with the Registration.

            (b) Each Seller shall furnish to Neon such certificates and
documents confirming as of the effective date of the Registration Statement the
representations and warranties and performance of the covenants made herein by
such Seller.

         6. REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES OF NEON. Neon represents and warrants
to each Seller as of the date hereof follows:

            (a) Neon complies with the conditions for the use of Form S-3 under
the Securities Act in connection with the resale of securities on behalf of a
selling stockholder.

            (b) The Registration Statement will contain, and the Prospectus and
any amendments or supplements thereto will contain, all statements which are
required to be stated therein by, and will conform to, the requirements of the
Securities Act. The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, at
the time filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the
then applicable requirements of the Exchange Act or the Securities Act. The
Registration Statement will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
and will not omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The prospectus and any
amendments and supplements thereto will not contain as of the date of such
Prospectus, any untrue statement of material fact; and will not omit as of the
date of such Prospectus, to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that Neon makes no representations or warranties as to information contained in
or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, in reliance upon,
and in conformity with, written information furnished to Neon by or on behalf of
Exelon, any predecessor of Exelon or any other Seller, specifically for use in
the preparation thereof or in any report or other document incorporated therein
by reference, including, without limitation, any Current Report on Form 8-K
under the Exchange Act which Neon may file in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Exelon Purchase Agreement.

            (c) The consolidated financial statements of Neon and its
subsidiaries, together with related notes and schedules as set forth or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, present fairly the
financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of Neon and the
consolidated subsidiaries, at the indicated dates and for the indicated periods.
Such financial statements and related schedules have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted principles of accounting, consistently applied
throughout the periods involved, and all adjustments necessary for a fair
presentation of results for such periods have been made.

            (d) No approval, consent, order, authorization, designation, or
filing by or with any regulatory, administrative or other governmental body is
necessary to be made by or on

                                       6
<PAGE>

behalf of Neon in connection with the execution and delivery by Neon of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated except
(i) as required under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act; (ii) in connection
with the listing of the Registrable Securities on Nasdaq; or (iii) as may be
necessary to qualify the Registrable Securities for public offering under state
securities or Blue Sky laws.

         7. REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES OF EACH SELLER. Each Seller, severally
and not jointly, represents and warrants the following:

            (a) Each Seller, has, and each Seller will, upon the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement and at the time of any sale or other Transfer
thereunder, have good and marketable title to the Registrable Securities held by
it which it seeks to sell pursuant to the Registration Statement, free and clear
of any liens, encumbrances and claims, at law or in equity, and full right,
power and authority to effect the sale and delivery of such Registrable
Securities.

            (b) No Seller has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed
to, or which has constituted, or which might reasonably be expected to cause or
result in the manipulation or stabilization of the price of the Common Stock
and, other than as permitted by the Securities Act, no Seller will distribute
any Prospectus (as defined in the Securities Act) or other offering material in
connection with the offering of the Registrable Securities.

         8. COVENANTS OF EACH SELLER. Each Seller, severally and not jointly
covenants and agrees as follows:

            (a) No Seller shall make or effect any Transfer, directly or,
indirectly, of any Registrable Securities, owned of record or beneficially by
it, (i) prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or (ii)
thereafter, except as permitted by and in accordance with the respective terms
and conditions of this Agreement (including Section 6 (b), below) and the other
Closing Documents.

            (b) Subsequent to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement,
no Seller shall make or effect any Transfer of Registrable Securities except:
(i) Permitted Transfers; (ii) Transfers pursuant to the Prospectus and as
provided under the caption "Plan of Distribution" therein; and (iii) Transfers
in accordance with Rule 144(k); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if, for any reason, the
Registration Statement shall not have become effective prior to the first
anniversary of Closing, Transfers of Registrable Securities may be effected in
accordance with Rule 144; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, HOWEVER, that if the
Registration Statement shall become effective but the Prospectus shall
thereafter become unusable to effect sales of Registrable Securities during the
Applicable Period due to the entry of a stop order, the filing of a
post-effective amendment which has not been declared effective or for any other
reason, then Transfers of Registrable Securities may be effected pursuant to the
provisions of Rule 144.

            (c) Each Seller shall promptly notify Neon of each Transfer (other
than Transfers effected pursuant to the Prospectus or Rule 144) of Registrable
Securities made or effected by it, but in no event later than five (5) Business
Days after such Transfer. Each such Seller shall specify the name, address and
tax identification number of each transferee, together with the amount of
Registrable Securities transferred to such transferee.

                                       7
<PAGE>

            (d) Each such Seller shall promptly notify Neon if it shall have
become an "affiliate" of Neon within the meaning of Rule 144(a).

            (e) No Seller will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed
to cause or result in, or which might reasonably be expected to constitute, the
manipulation or stabilization of the price of Common Stock or of any other
securities of Neon. Each Seller will endeavor in good faith to maintain an
orderly market when distributing the Registrable Securities.

            (f) The information pertaining to each Seller provided or which will
be provided to Neon by or on behalf of each Seller for inclusion under the
caption "Selling Stockholders" in each Prospectus will be complete and accurate
in all material respects as of the date of such Prospectus.

         9. INDEMNIFICATION WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES MATTERS.

            (a) Neon will indemnify each Seller, each of their respective
officers, directors and partners, agents, representatives, legal counsel, and
accountants and each Person controlling each such Seller within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act with respect to which Registration has been
effected pursuant to this Section 9 against all expenses, claims, losses,
damages, and liabilities (or actions, proceedings, or settlements in respect
thereof) arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue
statement) of a material fact contained in any Prospectus, offering circular, or
other document (including any related Registration Statement) incident to any
such Registration, or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statement therein not misleading, or any violation by Neon of the Securities Act
or any rule or regulation thereunder applicable to Neon and relating to action
or inaction required of Neon in connection with any such Registration, and will
reimburse any such Seller, its respective officers, directors, partners, agents,
representatives, legal counsel, and accountants and each person controlling such
Seller for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection
with investigating and defending or settling any such claim, loss, damage,
liability, or action; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Neon will not be liable in any
such case to the extent that any such claim, loss, damage, liability, or expense
arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or omission based upon written
information furnished to Neon by any Seller and stated to be specifically for
use therein; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT Neon will not be liable in any case to the
extent such claim, loss, damage, liability or action arises out of the
Indemnified Party's (as defined below) failure to send or give a copy of the
final Prospectus, as the same may be then supplemented or amended, to the Person
asserting an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of Registrable
Securities to such Person if such statement or omission was corrected in such
final Prospectus so long as such final Prospectus, and any amendments or
supplements thereto, have been furnished to such Indemnified Party. It is agreed
that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 9 shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action
if such settlement is effected without the consent of Neon (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld).

            (b) Each Seller will indemnify Neon, each of its directors,
officers, partners, agents, representatives, legal counsel, and accountants and
each Person who controls Neon within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities
Act, against all claims, losses, damages and

                                       8
<PAGE>

liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arising out of or based on any
untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in
the Registration Statement, Prospectus, offering circular, or other document, or
any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
and will reimburse Neon, directors, officers, partners, agents, representatives,
legal counsel, and accountants and control persons for any legal or any other
expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any
such claim, loss, damage, liability, or action, in each case to the extent, but
only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or
omission (or alleged omission) is made in such Registration Statement,
Prospectus, offering circular, or the document in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to Neon by such Seller or
authorized by such Seller to be furnished to Neon on behalf of such Seller, and
stated to be specifically for use therein; provided, however, that the
obligations of each Seller hereunder shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of any such claims, losses, damages, or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) if such settlement is effected without the consent of such
Seller (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). The maximum liability
of any Seller for indemnity pursuant to this Section 9(b) shall not exceed the
net proceeds that such Seller realized from the sale of its Registrable
Securities pursuant to the Prospectus or, if such Seller has not yet sold any
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Prospectus at the time that
indemnification is required pursuant to this Agreement then such Seller's
maximum liability hereunder shall be the value of the Common Stock beneficially
held by such Seller covered by the Prospectus measured by the closing price of
such Common Stock on Nasdaq or other market or exchange on which the Common
Stock are traded, or, if not so traded, by a fair market value standard
reasonably approved by Neon's then current Board of Directors.

            (c) Each Person entitled to indemnification under this Section 9
(the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") shall give notice to the Person required to provide
indemnification (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") promptly after such Indemnified Party
has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be sought, and shall
permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of such claim or any
litigation resulting therefrom, provided that counsel for the Indemnifying
Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or any litigation resulting
therefrom, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval shall not
unreasonably be withheld), and the Indemnified Party may participate in such
defense at such Indemnified Party's expense, and provided further that the
failure of any Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Agreement to the
extent such failure is not prejudicial. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of
any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified
Party, consent to entry of any, judgment or enter into any settlement that does
not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or
plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect
to such claim or litigation. Each Indemnified Party shall furnish such
information regarding itself or the claim in question as an Indemnifying Party
may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in
connection with defense of such claim and litigation resulting therefrom.

            (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified Party with
respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense, (or actions or
proceedings in respect thereof) referred to therein, then the Indemnifying
Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party hereunder, shall
contribute

                                       9
<PAGE>

to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such
loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense (or actions or proceedings in respect
thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of
the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and of the Indemnified Party on the
other, in connection with the statement or omissions that resulted in such loss,
liability, claim, damage, or expense (or actions or proceedings in respect
thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contributions from any Person that was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and of the
Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Indemnifying Party or by the Indemnified Party and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission.

         The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contributions pursuant to this Section 9(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 9 (d). The amount
paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of any loss, liability,
claim, damage, or expense (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof)
referred to above in this Section 9(d) shall be deemed to include any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim.

            (e) The obligations of each Seller to indemnify and hold harmless
Neon and each other person entitled to indemnity as an Indemnified Party under
Section 9(b), above, is independent of any provision of the Exelon Purchase
Agreement and the right of Neon and each such other Person to be indemnified
under Section 9(b) shall not be limited by or otherwise subject to any provision
of the Exelon Purchase Agreement. Specifically, by way of example, and not by
way of limitation, such claims shall not be subject to any minimum amount and
such claims may not be asserted against or offset by any portion of the Exelon
Note.

         10. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. Neon agrees that:

            (a) during the Applicable Period, for so long as Neon is subject to
the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act, Neon will
file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the
Commission thereunder;

            (b) if Neon shall cease to be so required to file such reports, it
will, upon the request of any Seller with Registrable Securities covered under a
Registration Statement, take such further action that is reasonable in the
circumstances, including, without limitation, the provision of current public
information as required by Rule 144(c) (or any similar successor provision), to
enable such Seller to sell its Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144; and

            (c) periodically furnish to each Seller with Registrable Securities
covered under a Registration Statement forthwith upon written request a written
statement by Neon as to its

                                       10
<PAGE>

compliance with the reporting requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act and/or Rule 144, as appropriate.

         11. MISCELLANEOUS.

            (a) BENEFITS NON-TRANSFERABLE. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Closing Document,
the obligation of Neon to effect the Registration and, thereafter, to maintain
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is solely for the benefit of
Exelon and, subject to Section 1(m), its Permitted Transferees.

            (b) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware as
applied to contracts made and fully performed therein.

            (c) SECTION HEADINGS. All section headings are for convenience only
and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

            (d) INTERPRETATION. The masculine (or neuter) pronoun and the
singular number shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders and the
singular and plural numbers. All references in the singular or plural shall be
deemed to have been made, respectively, in the plural or singular number as
well, as the context may require.

            (e) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, including, without limitation, execution by facsimile, each of
which shall be deemed an original, and all of which when taken together shall be
deemed to be one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in making
proof of this Agreement or any counterpart hereof to produce or account for any
of the other counterparts.

            (f) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement,
including provisions of this Section 11(f), may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, otherwise than with the prior written consent of Neon and Exelon.

            (g) NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, registered first
class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to Exelon addressed as follows: Robert Shinn, Vice President Exelon
Enterprises Management, Inc., 2301 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19101, and (ii) if to Neon, addressed to Neon's address as set forth in the
Exelon Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which
is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11(g).

         All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days
after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered
back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next
Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery.

            (h) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of the
parties hereto, subject to Section

                                       11
<PAGE>

11(a), above, provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit
any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in
violation of the terms of this Agreement, the Exelon Purchase Agreement or
applicable law. If any transferee of any Seller shall acquire Registrable
Securities, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such
Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this
Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities, such Person
shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of
the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to
receive the benefits hereof.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK]

                                       12
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound
hereby, have duly executed this Registration Rights Agreement on the date first
above written.

Attest:                                     NEON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

/s/ Barbara Johnson                         /s/ Stephen E. Courter
------------------------------              -----------------------------------
Title:  Assistant Secretary                 Name: Stephen E. Courter
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer

Attest:                                     EXELON ENTERPRISES
                                            MANAGEMENT, INC.

/s/ John D. Halderman                       By: /s/ Robert A. Shinn
------------------------------              -----------------------------------
Title: Secretary                            Name: Robert A. Shinn
                                            Title: President

<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT A

                               ADOPTION AGREEMENT

         This Adoption Agreement ("ADOPTION AGREEMENT") is executed by the
undersigned (the "TRANSFEREE") pursuant to the terms of that certain
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of August 10, 2001 (the "AGREEMENT") by
and between Neon Communications, Inc. and Exelon Enterprises Management, Inc.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Agreement. By the execution of this Adoption
Agreement, the Transferee agrees as follows:

         1. ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Transferee acknowledges that Transferee is acquiring
certain securities of the Company (the "Securities"), subject to the terms and
conditions of the Agreement.

         2. AGREEMENT. Transferee (i) agrees that the Securities acquired by
Transferee shall be bound by and subject to the terms of the Agreement, and (ii)
hereby adopts the Agreement with the same force and effect as if Transferee were
originally a party thereto, with the effect that Transferee shall hereafter be
deemed a "Seller" for the purposes of the Agreement.

         3. NOTICE. Any notice required or permitted by the Agreement shall be
given to Transferee at the address listed beside Transferee's signature below.

         EXECUTED AND DATED as of this ____ day of __________________.

                                  [NAME OF TRANSFEREE]

                                  By:
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                  Social Security Number or Tax ID Number:
                                  Address:
                                  Fax:<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 4.5

               AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

         This Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated August
10, 2001 (this "Agreement"), is entered into by and among Consolidated Edison
Communications, Inc. (the "Investor"), Exelon Enterprises Management, Inc.,
formerly known as Exelon Ventures Corp. ("Exelon") and NEON Communications, Inc.
(the "Company") (collectively, the "Original Parties").

         WHEREAS, the Company and Northeast Optic Network, Inc. entered into a
subscription agreement with each of the Investor and Exelon dated as of
September 14, 2000 and amended as of May 1, 2000 and September 6, 2000 (each, a
"Subscription Agreement"); and

         WHEREAS, the Original Parties entered into a Registration Rights
Agreement dated as of September 14, 2000 (the "Registration Rights Agreement")
pursuant to which the Original Parties agreed, among other things, to provide
for certain arrangements with respect to the registration of shares of capital
stock of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act");
and

         WHEREAS, Exelon and the Company have entered into a separate
registration rights agreement dated the date hereof (the "Exelon Registration
Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which Exelon and the Company agreed, among other
things, to provide for certain arrangements with respect to the registration of
the shares of capital stock of the Company under the Securities Act which Exelon
has purchased pursuant to a subordinated convertible note purchase agreement
dated the date hereof, and the registration of the shares of capital stock which
Exelon purchased pursuant to the Subscription Agreement between Exelon and the
Company; and

         WHEREAS, the Original Parties mutually desire to amend and restate the
Registration Rights Agreement to terminate Exelon's rights and obligations
provided therein.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the Original Parties
agree as follows:

         1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

         As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
respective meanings:

         "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than Saturday, Sunday and any day
which is a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions in New York are
authorized or required by law or other action of a governmental authority to
close.

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

         "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the
Company.

<PAGE>

         "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
or any successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the
Commission issued under such Act, as they each may, from time to time, be in
effect.

         "INITIATING HOLDER" means the Investor initiating a request for
registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a).

         "OTHER HOLDERS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).

         "PROSPECTUS" means the prospectus included in any Registration
Statement, as amended or supplemented by an amendment or prospectus supplement,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

         "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means a registration statement filed by the
Company with the Commission for a public offering and sale of securities of the
Company (other than a registration statement on Form S-8 or Form S-4, or their
successors, or any other form for a similar limited purpose, or any registration
statement covering only securities proposed to be issued in exchange for
securities or assets of another corporation).

         "REGISTRATION EXPENSES" means the expenses described in Section 2.4.

         "REGISTRABLE SHARES" means (i) the Shares and (ii) any other shares of
Common Stock issued in respect of the Shares (because of stock splits, stock
dividends, reclassifications, recapitalizations, or similar events); PROVIDED,
however, that shares of Common Stock which are Registrable Shares shall cease to
be Registrable Shares upon (i) any sale pursuant to a Registration Statement or
Rule 144 under the Securities Act (ii) their eligibility for sale pursuant to
Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or (iii) any sale in any manner to a person
or entity which, by virtue of Section 3 of this Agreement, is not entitled to
the rights provided by this Agreement.

         "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
issued under such Act, as they each may, from time to time, be in effect.

         "SELLING STOCKHOLDER" means any Stockholder owning Registrable Shares
included in a Registration Statement.

         "SHARES" means the CEC NEON shares as defined in the Subscription
Agreements.

         "STOCKHOLDER" means the Investor and any persons or entities to whom
the rights granted under this Agreement are transferred by the Investor, its
successors or assigns pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

                                       2
<PAGE>

         2. REGISTRATION RIGHTS

            2.1 REQUIRED REGISTRATIONS.

                (a) At any time after the first anniversary of the closing of
the Subscription Agreements, the Investor may request, in writing, that the
Company effect the registration on Form S-3 (or any successor form or any other
registration statement form which the Company is eligible to use) of Registrable
Shares owned by the Investor having an aggregate value of at least $5,000,000
(based on the then current market price or fair value).

                (b) Upon receipt of any request for registration pursuant to
this Section 2, the Company shall promptly give written notice of such proposed
registration to all other Stockholders. Such Stockholders shall have the right,
by giving written notice to the Company within 30 days after the Company
provides its notice, to elect to have included in such registration such of
their Registrable Shares as such Stockholders may request in such notice of
election, subject in the case of an underwritten offering to the approval of the
managing underwriter as provided in Section 2.1(c) below. Thereupon, the Company
shall, as expeditiously as possible, effect the registration of all Registrable
Shares which the Company has been requested to so register.

                (c) If the Initiating Holder intends to distribute the
Registrable Shares covered by its request by means of an underwriting, it shall
so advise the Company as a part of its request made pursuant to Section 2.1(a),
and the Company shall include such information in its written notice referred to
in Section 2.1(b). The right of any other Stockholder to include its Registrable
Shares in such registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a) shall be conditioned upon
such other Stockholders' participation in such underwriting on the terms set
forth herein. If the Company desires that any officers or directors of the
Company holding securities of the Company be included in any registration for an
underwritten offering requested pursuant to Section 2.1(c) or if other holders
of securities of the Company who are entitled, by contract with, or other
instrument executed by, the Company prior to the date hereof, to have securities
included in such a registration (the "Other Holders") request such inclusion,
the Company may include the securities of such officers, directors and Other
Holders in such registration and underwriting on the terms set forth herein. The
Company shall (together with all Stockholders, officers, directors and Other
Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting)
enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form (including, without
limitation, customary indemnification and contribution provisions on the part of
the Company) with the managing underwriter; PROVIDED that such underwriting
agreement shall not provide for indemnification or contribution obligations on
the part of Stockholders materially greater than the obligations of the
Stockholders pursuant to Section 2.5. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Section 2.1(c), if the managing underwriter advises the Company that the
inclusion of all shares requested to be registered would adversely affect the
offering, the securities of the Company held by officers or directors of the
Company (other than Registrable Shares) shall be excluded from such registration
and underwriting to the extent deemed advisable by the managing underwriter, and
if a further limitation of the number of shares is required, the number of
shares that may be included in such registration and underwriting shall be
allocated among all

                                       3
<PAGE>

Other Holders and holders of Registrable Shares pro rata in proportion to the
respective number shares they have requested to be registered. If any holder of
Registrable Shares, officer, director or Other Holder who has requested
inclusion in such registration as provided above disapproves of the terms of the
underwriting, such person may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to
the Company, and the securities so withdrawn shall also be withdrawn from
registration. If the managing underwriter has not limited the number of
Registrable Shares or other securities to be underwritten, the Company may
include securities for its own account in such registration if the managing
underwriter so agrees and if the number of Registrable Shares and other
securities which would otherwise have been included in such registration and
underwriting will not thereby be limited.

                (d) The Initiating Holder shall have the right to select the
managing underwriter(s) for any underwritten offering requested pursuant to
Section 2.1(a), subject to the approval of the Company, which approval will not
be unreasonably withheld.

                (e) The Company shall not be required to effect more than one
registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a). For purposes of this Section 2.1(e), a
Registration Statement shall not be counted until such time as such Registration
Statement has been declared effective by the Commission (unless the Initiating
Holder withdraws its request for such registration (other than as a result of
information concerning the business or financial condition of the Company which
is made known to the Stockholders after the date on which such registration was
requested) and elect not to pay the Registration Expenses therefor pursuant to
Section 2.4).

                (f) If at the time of any request to register Registrable Shares
by the Initiating Holder pursuant to this Section 2.1, the Company is engaged or
has plans to engage in a registered public offering or is engaged in any other
activity which, in the good faith determination of the Company's Board of
Directors, would be adversely affected by the requested registration, then the
Company may at its option direct that such request be delayed for a period not
in excess of 90 days from the date of such request, such right to delay a
request to be exercised by the Company not more than once in any 12-month
period.

         2.2 INCIDENTAL REGISTRATION.

             (a) Whenever the Company proposes to file a Registration
Statement (other than a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2.1) at
any time and from time to time, it will, prior to such filing, give written
notice to all Stockholders of its intention to do so; PROVIDED, that no such
notice need be given if no Registrable Shares are to be included therein as a
result of a determination of the managing underwriter pursuant to Section
2.2(b). Upon the written request of a Stockholder or Stockholders given within
20 days after the Company provides such notice, the Company shall use its best
efforts to cause all Registrable Shares which the Company has been requested by
such Stockholder or Stockholders to register to be registered under the
Securities Act to the extent necessary to permit their sale or other disposition
in accordance with the intended methods of distribution specified in the request
of such Stockholder

                                       4
<PAGE>

or Stockholders; provided that the Company shall have the right to postpone or
withdraw any registration effected pursuant to this Section 2.2 without
obligation to any Stockholder.

                (b) If the registration for which the Company gives notice
pursuant to Section 2.2(a) is a registered public offering involving an
underwriting, the Company shall so advise the Stockholders as a part of the
written notice given pursuant to Section 2.2(a). In such event, the right of any
Stockholder to include its Registrable Shares in such registration pursuant to
Section 2.2 shall be conditioned upon such Stockholder's participation in such
underwriting on the terms set forth herein. All Stockholders proposing to
distribute their securities through such underwriting shall enter into an
underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters
selected for the underwriting by the Company. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Section 2.2, if the managing underwriter determines that the
inclusion of all shares requested to be registered would adversely affect the
offering, the Company may limit the number of Registrable Shares to be included
in the registration and underwriting. The Company shall so advise all holders of
Registrable Shares requesting registration, and the number of shares that are
entitled to be included in the registration and underwriting shall be allocated
in the following manner. The securities of the Company held by holders other
than Stockholders and Other Holders shall be excluded from such registration and
underwriting to the extent deemed advisable by the managing underwriter, and, if
a further limitation on the number of shares is required, the number of shares
that may be included in such registration and underwriting shall be allocated
among all Stockholders and Other Holders requesting registration in proportion,
as nearly as practicable, to the respective number of shares of Common Stock
which they held at the time the Company gives the notice specified in Section
2.2(a). If any Stockholder or Other Holder would thus be entitled to include
more securities than such holder requested to be registered, the excess shall be
allocated among other requesting Stockholders and Other Holders pro rata in the
manner described in the preceding sentence. If any holder of Registrable Shares
or any officer, director or Other Holder disapproves of the terms of any such
underwriting, such person may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to
the Company, and any Registrable Shares or other securities excluded or
withdrawn from such underwriting shall be withdrawn from such registration.

                (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be
required, pursuant to this Section 2.2, to include any Registrable Shares in a
Registration Statement if such Registrable Shares can then be sold pursuant to
Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.

         2.3 REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.

             (a) If and whenever the Company is required by the provisions of
this Agreement to use its best efforts to effect the registration of any
Registrable Shares under the Securities Act, the Company shall:

                 (i) file with the Commission a Registration Statement with
respect to such Registrable Shares and use its best efforts to cause that
Registration Statement to become effective as soon as possible;

                                       5
<PAGE>

                 (ii) as expeditiously as possible prepare and file with the
Commission any amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement and the
prospectus included in the Registration Statement as may be necessary to comply
with the provisions of the Securities Act (including the anti-fraud provisions
thereof) and to keep the Registration Statement effective for 12 months from the
effective date or such lesser period until all such Registrable Shares are sold;

                 (iii) as expeditiously as possible furnish to each Selling
Stockholder such reasonable number of copies of the Prospectus, including any
preliminary Prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities
Act, and such other documents as such Selling Stockholder may reasonably request
in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable
Shares owned by such Selling Stockholder;

                 (iv) as expeditiously as possible use its best efforts to
register or qualify the Registrable Shares covered by the Registration Statement
under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such states as the Selling Stockholders
shall reasonably request, and do any and all other acts and things that may be
necessary or desirable to enable the Selling Stockholders to consummate the
public sale or other disposition in such states of the Registrable Shares owned
by the Selling Stockholder; PROVIDED, however that the Company shall not be
required in connection with this paragraph (iv) to qualify as a foreign
corporation or execute a general consent to service of process in any
jurisdiction;

                 (v) as expeditiously as possible, cause all such Registrable
Shares to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on
which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;

                 (vi) promptly provide a transfer agent and registrar for all
such Registrable Shares not later than the effective date of such registration
statement;

                 (vii) promptly make available for inspection by the Selling
Stockholders, any managing underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant
to such Registration Statement, and any attorney or accountant or other agent
retained by any such underwriter or selected by the Selling Stockholders, all
financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the
Company and cause the Company's officers, directors, employees and independent
accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller,
underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such Registration
Statement;

                 (viii) as expeditiously as possible, notify each Selling
Stockholder, promptly after it shall receive notice thereof, of the time when
such Registration Statement has become effective or a supplement to any
Prospectus forming a part of such Registration Statement has been filed; and

                 (ix) as expeditiously as possible following the effectiveness
of such Registration Statement, notify each seller of such Registrable Shares of
any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of such
Registration Statement or Prospectus.

                                       6
<PAGE>

                 (b) If the Company has delivered a Prospectus to the Selling
Stockholders and after having done so the Prospectus is amended to comply with
the requirements of the Securities Act, the Company shall promptly notify the
Selling Stockholders and, if requested, the Selling Stockholders shall
immediately cease making offers of Registrable Shares and return all
Prospectuses to the Company. The Company shall promptly provide the Selling
Stockholders with revised Prospectuses and, following receipt of the revised
Prospectuses, the Selling Stockholders shall be free to resume making offers of
the Registrable Shares.

                 (c) In the event that, in the judgment of the Company, it is
advisable to suspend use of a Prospectus included in a Registration Statement
due to pending material developments or other events that have not yet been
publicly disclosed and as to which the Company believes public disclosure would
be detrimental to the Company, the Company shall notify all Selling Stockholders
to such effect, and, upon receipt of such notice, each such Selling Stockholder
shall immediately discontinue any sales of Registrable Shares pursuant to such
Registration Statement until such Selling Stockholder has received copies of a
supplemented or amended Prospectus or until such Selling Stockholder is advised
in writing by the Company that the then current Prospectus may be used and has
received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated
or deemed incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary herein, the Company shall not exercise its rights under this
Section 2.3(c) to suspend sales of Registrable Shares for a period in excess of
60 days in any 365-day period.

         2.4 ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES. The Company will pay all Registration
Expenses for all registrations under this Agreement; PROVIDED, however that if a
registration under Section 2.1 is withdrawn at the request of the Initiating
Holder (other than as a result of information concerning the business or
financial condition of the Company which is made known to the Stockholders after
the date on which such registration was requested) and if the Initiating Holder
elects not to have such registration counted as a registration requested under
Section 2.1, the requesting Stockholders shall pay the Registration Expenses of
such registration pro rata in accordance with the number of their Registrable
Shares included in such registration. For purposes of this Section, the term
"Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses incurred by the Company in
complying with this Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration
and filing fees, exchange listing fees, printing expenses, fees and expenses of
counsel for the Company and the fees and expenses of one counsel selected by the
Selling Stockholders to represent the Selling Stockholders, state Blue Sky fees
and expenses, and the expense of any special audits incident to or required by
any such registration, but excluding underwriting discounts, selling commissions
and the fees and expenses of Selling Stockholders' own counsel (other than the
counsel selected to represent all Selling Stockholders).

         2.5 INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.

             (a) In the event of any registration of any of the Registrable
Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will
indemnify and hold harmless the seller of such Registrable Shares, each
underwriter of such Registrable Shares, and

                                       7
<PAGE>

each other person, if any, who controls such seller or underwriter within the
meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such seller, underwriter or
controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act, state securities or Blue Sky laws or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or
are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material
fact contained in any Registration Statement under which such Registrable Shares
were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus or final
prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment or
supplement to such Registration Statement, or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the
Company will reimburse such seller, underwriter and each such controlling person
for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such seller, underwriter
or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending any such
loss, claim, damage, liability or action; PROVIDED, however that the Company
will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim,
damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or
omission made in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or
prospectus, or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the Company, in writing, by or on
behalf of such seller, underwriter or controlling person specifically for use in
the preparation thereof.

                 (b) In the event of any registration of any of the Registrable
Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, each seller of
Registrable Shares, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, each of its directors and officers and each underwriter (if any)
and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any such underwriter within
the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which the Company, such
directors and officers, underwriter or controlling person may become subject
under the Securities Act, Exchange Act, state securities or Blue Sky laws or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement
under which such Registrable Shares were registered under the Securities Act,
any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained in the Registration
Statement, or any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, or
arise out of or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, if the statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information relating to such seller furnished in writing
to the Company by or on behalf of such seller specifically for use in connection
with the preparation of such Registration Statement, prospectus, amendment or
supplement; PROVIDED, however, that the obligations of a Stockholder hereunder
shall be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds to such Stockholder of
Registrable Shares sold in connection with such registration.

                 (c) Each party entitled to indemnification under this Section
(the "Indemnified Party") shall give notice to the party required to provide
indemnification (the "Indemnifying Party") promptly after such Indemnified Party
has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be sought, and shall
permit the Indemnifying Party to assume

                                       8
<PAGE>

the defense of any such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom; PROVIDED,
however that counsel for the Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense
of such claim or litigation, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld); and, PROVIDED, further, that the
failure of any Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Section except to
the extent that the Indemnifying Party is adversely affected by such failure.
The Indemnified Party may participate in such defense at such party's expense;
PROVIDED, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall pay such expense if
representation of such Indemnified Party by the counsel retained by the
Indemnifying Party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing
interests between the Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such
counsel in such proceeding; PROVIDED, further, that in no event shall the
Indemnifying Party be required to pay the expenses of more than one law firm per
jurisdiction as counsel for the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party also
shall be responsible for the expenses of such defense if the Indemnifying Party
does not elect to assume such defense. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of
any such claim or litigation shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified
Party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does
not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or
plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect
of such claim or litigation, and no Indemnified Party shall consent to entry of
any judgment or settle such claim or litigation without the prior written
consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

                 (d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in
circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.5 is
due in accordance with its terms but for any reason is held to be unavailable to
an Indemnified Party in respect to any losses, claims, damages and liabilities
referred to herein, then the Indemnifying Party shall, in lieu of indemnifying
such Indemnified Party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities to
which such party may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Stockholders on the
other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Stockholders shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of material fact related to information supplied by the Company
or the Stockholders and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company and the Stockholders agree that it would not be just and equitable
if contribution pursuant to this Section 2.5 were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions
of this paragraph of Section 2.5, (a) in no case shall any one Stockholder be
liable or responsible for any amount in excess of the net proceeds received by
such Stockholder from the offering of Registrable Shares and (b) the Company
shall be liable and responsible for any amount in excess of such proceeds;
PROVIDED, however, that no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after
receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such
party in respect of which

                                       9
<PAGE>

a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties under this
Section, notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but
the omission so to notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be
sought shall not relieve such party from any other obligation it or they may
have thereunder or otherwise under this Section. No party shall be liable for
contribution with respect to any action, suit, proceeding or claim settled
without its prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

         2.6 OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT TO UNDERWRITTEN OFFERINGS. In the event
that Registrable Shares are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement in an
underwritten offering pursuant to Section 2.1, the Company agrees to (a) enter
into an underwriting agreement containing customary representations and
warranties with respect to the business and operations of the Company and
customary covenants and agreements to be performed by the Company, including
without limitation customary provisions with respect to indemnification by the
Company of the underwriters of such offering; (b) use its best efforts to cause
its legal counsel to render customary opinions to the underwriters with respect
to the Registration Statement; and (c) use its best efforts to cause its
independent public accounting firm to issue customary "cold comfort letters" to
the underwriters with respect to the Registration Statement.

         2.7 INFORMATION BY HOLDER. Each holder of Registrable Shares included
in any registration shall furnish to the Company such information regarding such
holder and the distribution proposed by such holder as the Company may
reasonably request in writing and as shall be required in connection with any
registration, qualification or compliance referred to in this Agreement.

         2.8 CONFIDENTIALITY OF NOTICES. Any Stockholder receiving any written
notice from the Company regarding the Company's plans to file a Registration
Statement shall treat such notice confidentially and shall not disclose such
information to any person other than as necessary to exercise its rights under
this Agreement.

         2.9 RULE 144 REQUIREMENTS. The Company hereby agrees to:

             (a) make and keep current public information about the Company
available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;

             (b) 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

             (c) furnish to any holder of Registrable Shares upon request (i) a
written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting
requirements of Rule 144 and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (ii) a
copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and (iii)
such other reports and documents of the Company as such holder may reasonably
request to avail itself of any similar rule or regulation of the Commission
allowing it to sell any such securities without registration.

                                       10
<PAGE>

         2.10 TERMINATION. All of the Company's obligations to register
Registrable Shares under Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of this Agreement shall terminate
five (5) years after the date hereof.

     3. TRANSFERS OF RIGHTS. This Agreement, and the rights and obligations
of the Investor hereunder, may be assigned by the Investor to any person or
entity to which at least 25% of the Shares held by the Investor are transferred
by the Investor, PROVIDED, however, that for purposes of Section 2.1(a), any
such transferees, together with the transferring Investor, if such Investor
continues to hold any Registrable Securities, shall be counted as one Investor,
and any decision to demand a registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a) shall be
made by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities held by the
transferring Investor and such transferees.

     4. TERMINATION OF OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF EXELON. In consideration of
Exelon entering into the Exelon Registration Rights Agreement, the Original
Parties hereby agree to terminate Exelon's rights and obligations under this
Agreement.

     5. GENERAL.

             (a) SEVERABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement.

             (b) SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. In addition to any and all other remedies
that may be available at law in the event of any breach of this Agreement, the
Investor shall be entitled to specific performance of the agreements and
obligations of the Company hereunder and to such other injunctive or other
equitable relief as may be granted by a court of competent jurisdiction.

             (c) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts (without reference to the conflicts of law provisions thereof).

             (d) NOTICES. All notices, requests, consents, and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
delivered (i) two Business Days after being sent by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid or (ii) one Business Day after
being sent via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service guaranteeing
next Business Day delivery, in each case to the intended recipient as set forth
below:

                  If to the Company, to:

                  NEON Communications, Inc.
                  2200 West Park Drive
                  Westborough, MA 01581
                  Attention: Stephen A. Bogiages, General Counsel
                  Facsimile:  (508) 616-7895

                                       11
<PAGE>

                  or at such other address or addresses as may have been
furnished in writing by the Company to the Investor;

                  with a copy to:

                  Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
                  1055 Washington Boulevard
                  Stamford, CT  06901
                  Attention: Esteban A. Ferrer
                  Facsimile: (203) 359-3031

                  If to the Investor:

                  Consolidated Edison Communications, Inc.
                  132 West 31st Street 13th Floor
                  New York, NY 10001
                  Attention: President
                  Facsimile Number: (212) 324-5050

                  with a copy to:

                  Consolidated Edison, Inc.
                  4 Irving Place, Room 1800
                  New York, NY 10003
                  Attention: Senior Vice President and General Counsel
                  Facsimile Number: (212) 324-5001

                  or at such other addresses as may have been furnished in
writing by the Investor to the Company.

         Any party may give any notice, request, consent or other communication
under this Agreement using any other means (including, without limitation,
personal delivery, messenger service, telecopy, first class mail or electronic
mail), but no such notice, request, consent or other communication shall be
deemed to have been duly given unless and until it is actually received by the
party for whom it is intended. Any party may change the address to which
notices, requests, consents or other communications hereunder are to be
delivered by giving the other parties notice in the manner set forth in this
Section.

             (e) COMPLETE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to
such subject matter.

             (f) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. Any term of this Agreement may be
amended or terminated and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be
waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively), with the written consent of the Company and the holders of at
least 51% of the Registrable Shares held by

                                       12
<PAGE>

all of the Stockholders; PROVIDED, that this Agreement may be amended with the
consent of the holders of less than all Registrable Shares only in a manner
which applies to all such holders in the same fashion. Any such amendment,
termination or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 4(f) shall be
binding on all parties hereto, even if they do not execute such consent. No
waivers of or exceptions to any term, condition or provision of this Agreement,
in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a further
or continuing waiver of any such term, condition or provision.

             (g) PRONOUNS. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used
in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter
forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural, and
vice versa.

             (h) COUNTERPARTS; FACSIMILE SIGNATURES. This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same document.
This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures.

             (i) SECTION HEADINGS. The section headings are for the convenience
of the parties and in no way alter, modify, amend, limit or restrict the
contractual obligations of the parties.

              [the remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

                                       13
<PAGE>

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

                              CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                              By: /s/ Peter Rust
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name: Peter Rust
                                  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

                                  EXELON ENTERPRISES MANAGEMENT, INC.

                                  By: /s/ Robert A. Shinn
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      Name: Robert A. Shinn
                                      Title: President

                                      NEON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                                      By: /s/ Stephen E. Courter
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: Stephen E. Courter
                                          Title: Chief Executive Officer

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00029-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00029-of-00352.parquet"}]]