Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.2

                             CONSENT AND AMENDMENT

     This Consent and Amendment (this "Agreement") is entered into as of October
                                       ---------
2, 2000 (the "Effective Date"), by and (1) among Rhythms NetConnections Inc.
              --------------
("Rhythms"), Rhythms Links Inc. ("Links"), RCanada, Inc. ("RCanada"), all
---------                         -----                    -------
corporations formed under and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, (2)
AXXENT Corp. (formerly known as Optel Communications Corporation), a corporation
incorporated under and governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario ("AXXENT
                                                                         ------
Corp."), and (3) Rhythms Canada Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws
-----
of New Brunswick ("Rhythms Canada").
                   --------------

                                   RECITALS

     WHEREAS, Rhythms, Links and AXXENT Corp. are parties to that certain Joint
Venture Agreement, dated as of  January 1, 2000 (the "JV Agreement"); and
                                                      ------------

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the JV Agreement, Rhythms, Links and AXXENT Corp.
established a joint venture through the formation of Rhythms Canada to market
and provide data communication products and services within selected markets in
Canada; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the JV Agreement, Rhythms purchased US$5,300,000 in
equity securities of AXXENT, Inc. (formerly known as OCI Communications Inc.)
("AXXENT Inc.") (the "AXXENT Stock"); and
-------------         ------------

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the JV Agreement, Rhythms and Links purchased 100,000
Class A Voting Shares of Rhythms Canada ("Rhythms Canada Stock"); and
                                          --------------------

     WHEREAS, RCanada and RAxxent, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("RAxxent"), are
                                                                  -------
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Rhythms; and

     WHEREAS, AXXENT Corp. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AXXENT Inc.; and

     WHEREAS, Rhythms has transferred (or, currently herewith, is transferring)
ownership of its AXXENT Stock to RAxxent; and

     WHEREAS, Rhythms desires to transfer ownership of its Rhythms Canada Stock
to RCanada ; and

     WHEREAS, Rhythms and Links desire to amend the JV Agreement to add RCanada
as a party to the JV Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the JV Agreement requires Rhythms and Links to obtain the written
consent of AXXENT Corp. prior to assigning any of their rights or obligations
under the JV Agreement to any other party; and

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     WHEREAS, the JV Agreement requires the unanimous decision of the Rhythms
Canada Board of Directors (the "Rhythms Canada Board") prior to admitting an
                                --------------------
additional party to the JV Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, on October 16, 2000, the Rhythms Canada Board unanimously
consented to the addition of RCanada as a party to the JV Agreement (the
"Rhythms Canada Board Consent," a copy of which is attached here to as
-----------------------------
Exhibit A).

     WHEREAS, the JV Agreement requires that, prior to admitting any additional
party to the JV Agreement, such additional party must agree in writing to adhere
to the JV Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises
contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

                                   AGREEMENT

     1.   Addition of RCanada as a Party to the JV Agreement. Upon the Effective
          --------------------------------------------------
Date hereof, RCanada shall become a party to the JV Agreement.

     2.   Consent of AXXENT Corp. Upon the Effective Date, AXXENT Corp.
          ----------------------
consents to the addition of RCanada as a party to the JV Agreement and, from and
after the Effective Date, any and all references to Rhythms in the JV Agreement
shall include RCanada.

     3.   Consent of Rhythms Canada. Upon the Effective Date hereof and
          -------------------------
pursuant to the Rhythms Canada Board Consent, Rhythms Canada consents to the
addition of RCanada as a party to the JV Agreement.

     4.   Agreement of RCanada.  Upon the Effective Date hereof, RCanada
          --------------------
agrees to become a party to the JV Agreement and adhere to the terms and
conditions of the JV Agreement.

     5.   Agreement of Rhythms and Links. Rhythms and Links agree that nothing
          ------------------------------
herein shall diminish or alter the obligations of Rhythms or Links pursuant to
the JV Agreement.

     6.   Agreement of RAxxent. RAxxent agrees to assume all obligations of
          --------------------
Rhythms with respect to the AXXENT Stock including any applicable share transfer
restrictions.

     7.   Miscellaneous.
          -------------

          (a)  Assignment.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or
               ----------
               obligations under this Agreement may be assigned by any party
               without the prior written consent of the other parties.

          (b)  Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and interpreted
               -------------
               in accordance with the internal laws of the Province of Ontario
               and the

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               federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to
               conflicts- of-laws provisions.

          (d)  Waiver.  The waiver by any party of a breach or a default of any
               ------
provision of this Agreement by the other party will not be construed as a waiver
of any succeeding breach of the same or any other provision nor will any delay
or omission on the party of any party to exercise or avail itself of any right,
power or privilege that it has or may have operated as a waiver of any right,
power or privilege by the other parties.

          (e)  Notice, Consents, Etc.  Except as otherwise provided in this
               ---------------------
Agreement, all notices, consents, agreements, confirmations, designations,
indications, request, authorizations, and the like to be give under this
Agreement will be sufficient if in writing and sent via first call mail, or
delivered in person or by express courier or by facsimile with confirmed receipt
(with a copy sent via first class mail), addressed as follows:

          If to Rhythms, Links and RCanada:

               Rhythms NetConnections Inc.
               9100 East Mineral Circle
               Englewood, Colorado 80112
               Attn: Jeffrey Blumenfeld
               Fax No.: (202) 966-6460

          With a copies to:

               Brownstein, Hyatt & Farber, P.C.
               410 17th Street, 22nd Floor
               Denver, Colorado 80202
               Attn: John Ruppert
               Fax No.: (303) 223-0970

          If to AXXENT Corp:

               AXXENT Corp.
               111 Peter Street
               Toronto, Ontario M5V 2H1
               Attn: President
               Fax No.: (416) 907-2727

          With a copy to:

               AXXENT, Inc.
               111 Peter Street
               Toronto, Ontario M5V 2H1
               Attn: Chief Financial Officer
               Fax No.: (416) 907-2727

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          If to Rhythms Canada:

               Rhythms Canada Inc.
               111 Peter Street
               Toronto, Ontario M5V 2H1
               Attn: President
               Fax No.: (416) 907-6139

          (f)  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the full understanding
               ----------------
of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and
supersedes all prior understandings and writings relating to such subject
matter.  No waiver, alteration or modification of any of the provisions of this
Agreement will be binding unless in writing and signed by all the parties.

          (g)  Headings.  The headings contained in this Agreement are for
               --------
convenience of reference only and will not be considered in construing this
Agreement.

          (h)  Severability.  In the event that any provision of this Agreement
               ------------
is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable because it is
invalid or in conflict with any law of any relevant jurisdiction, the validity
of the remaining provisions will not be affected and the rights and obligations
of the parties will be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not
contain the particular provision held to be unenforceable.

          (i)  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
               ------------
counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together
will constitute one and the same instrument.

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEROF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed in
their names by their properly and duly authorized officers or representatives as
of the Effective Date.

                                    RHYTHMS NETCONNECTIONS INC.,
                                    RHYTHMS LINKS INC., RAXXENT, INC. and
                                    RCANADA, INC.

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                       John Braukman
                                       Chief Financial Officer

                                    AXXENT CORP.

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                       Robert Latham
                                       Chief Executive Officer and President

                                    RHYTHMS CANADA INC.

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                       Norbert Dawalibi
                                       Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A

See Attached.<PAGE>

                           FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE

     THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE is made and entered into effective the 1st
day of August, 2000, by and between Kesef, LLC (the "Landlord") and Colorado
Business Bankshares, Inc.  (the "Tenant").

                                   Recitals

     A.   The parties entered into a Lease Agreement dated effective May 1, 1998
(the "Lease") wherein the Tenant leases all of the first, second, eighth and
ninth floors of the office building located on the real property commonly known
and numbered as 821 17th Street, Denver, Colorado (hereinafter referred to as
the "Original Premises").

     B.   The Tenant desires to lease approximately 9,032 rentable square feet
on the third floor of the said office building as cross hatched on the Exhibit A
attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference (hereinafter referred
to as the "Additional Premises"), and the Landlord is willing to do so on the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are mutually acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

     1.   Lease of Additional Premises.  In consideration of the payment of the
          ----------------------------
rent hereinafter provided, and the keeping and performance of each of the
covenants and agreements of the said Tenant, hereinafter set forth, Landlord has
and does hereby lease unto the Tenant commencing January 1, 2001, the Additional
Premises.  The lease of the Additional Premises shall expire as set forth in the
Lease.  In this Agreement, the term "Premises" shall mean the Additional
Premises and the Original premises.

     2.   Base Rent. The Base Rent for the Additional Premises shall be as
          ---------
follows:

                         1/1/01 - 12/31/01:  $14,677.00 per month
                         1/1/02 - 12/31/02:  $15,053.33 per month
                         1/1/03 - 12/31/03:  $15,429.67 per month
                         1/1/04 - 12/31/04:  $15,806.00 per month
                         1/1/05 - 12/31/05:  $16,182.33 per month
                         1/1/06 - 12/31/06:  $16,558.67 per month
                         1/1/07 - 12/31/07:  $16,935.00 per month

Notwithstanding anything in the Lease to the contrary, the Base Rent for the
Additional Premises shall not be adjusted as provided for in paragraph 3 of the
Rider to lease which is attached as Exhibit G to the Lease.

     4.   Tenant Improvements.  Landlord shall construct certain tenant
          -------------------
improvements to the Additional Premises pursuant to the terms and conditions of
the Work Letter attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference as
Exhibit B.  The

<PAGE>

Landlord shall use reasonable efforts to substantially complete the tenant
improvements by December 31, 2000. In the event that the tenant improvements are
not substantially completed by December 31, 2000, the commencement date for the
Additional Premises shall be delayed until the tenant improvements are
substantially complete and Rent shall be abated during such period of delay.

     5.   Incorporation of Lease Provisions.  All of the terms and conditions of
          ---------------------------------
the Lease which have not been modified in this Agreement shall apply to the
Lease of the Additional Premises with the same force and effect as if set forth
herein in full.  If any portion of the Agreement is in conflict with the terms
and conditions of the Lease, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall
control.

          LANDLORD:        TENANT:

          KESEF, LLC       COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.

By:  /s/ Evan Makovsky     By:  /s/ Richard J. Dalton
     -----------------        -----------------------
     Evan Makovsky,           Richard J. Dalton
     Manager                  Executive Vice President
                              & Chief Financial Officer

<PAGE>

                                                                   Tenant Finish
                                                            Landlord performance
                                                                       Allowance

                                   EXHIBIT B

                                  WORK LETTER

     This Work Letter is an Exhibit to the foregoing document (referred to
herein for convenience as the "Lease Document").

     I.   The Work.
          --------

     Landlord shall arrange for the construction of tenant improvements
substantially in accordance with the space plan prepared by Tenant Planning
Services dated June 6, 2000 (the "Work") to be performed in the Premises.  The
Landlord shall engage an architect who is reasonably acceptable to Landlord (the
"Architect") to finalize the space plan so that it is ready for the preparation
of construction drawings.  The final site plan shall be reasonably acceptable to
Landlord and Tenant.

     Upon the site plan being finalized, a copy of such plan and the related
construction drawings shall be referred and/or attached hereto as "Schedule 1".

     II.  Building Standard Materials and Other Matters.
          ---------------------------------------------

     The Work shall consist of Landlord's current building standard materials
and finishes, unless otherwise expressly specified above.  If Landlord requires
further choices or plans to be approved by Tenant respecting the above Work
(e.g., color choices or locations respecting the above items), Tenant shall:
(i)  choose from such choices, if any, that Landlord makes available to Tenant
as building standard, and (ii)  approve/sign/initial any such further plans as
requested by Landlord.  If any such further choices or approvals are required,
Tenant shall not unreasonably withhold or delay such choices or approvals.  If
Tenant's representative fails to provide such choices or approvals within five
(5) business days after Landlord requests the same from such representative,
Landlord may make such choices and approvals for Tenant and proceed with the
Work.  Landlord reserves the right to substitute comparable or better materials
and items for those specified, so long as they do not materially and adversely
affect the appearance of the Premises.  Any personal property, trade fixtures or
equipment, including, but not limited to, modular or other furniture, and
cabling or other items for communications or computer systems, whether or not
shown on any plan, shall be provided by Tenant, at Tenant's sole cost.

<PAGE>

     III. Costs, Allowance and Administrative Fee.
          ---------------------------------------

     (a)  Landlord shall provide an allowance of $289,000.00 (the "Allowance")
toward the Cost of the Work.  The "Cost of the Work" includes, without
limitation, all costs for or relating to the Work, including, but not limited
to, architectural fees, any plans, drawings, reports, studies, tests,
contractors' charges, permits, sales taxes, and any preparation or other work
required in connection with the Work, including without limitation,
modifications to any building systems and equipment, either within or outside
the Premises required as a result of the layout, design, or construction of the
Work or in order to obtain building permits for the Work to be performed within
the Premises (unless Landlord requires that the Work be revised to eliminate the
necessity for such additional work).  If all or any portion of the Allowance
shall not be used for the items permitted hereunder, Landlord shall be entitled
to the savings and Tenant shall receive no credit therefor.

     (b)  Tenant shall bear any portion of the Cost of the Work exceeding the
Allowance ("Tenant's Cost").  Landlord may reasonably estimate Tenant's Cost,
and reasonably revise any such estimate from time to time.  Tenant shall deposit
any such estimated amount of Tenant's Cost (or the increase reflected in any
such revised estimate) with Landlord within five (5) business days after
Landlord so requests.  Landlord shall have no obligation to proceed with the
Work (or proceed to seek permits or proceed with any demolition or other
preliminary Work) until Landlord shall have received such deposit from Tenant.
If the Work involves progress payments, Landlord shall apply the amounts
deposited by Tenant first.  If, after final completion and payment for the Cost
of the Work, the actual amount of Tenant's Cost exceeds any amount paid by
Tenant as an estimate of Tenant's Cost, Tenant shall pay the difference to
Landlord within five (5) business days after Landlord so requests.  If any such
estimated amount exceeds the actual amount of Tenant's Cost, Landlord shall
promptly provide a credit or refund of the difference.  Tenant's Cost shall be
deemed "Rent" under the Lease (and all remedies for the non-payment of Rent
shall be available to Landlord therefor).  Notwithstanding anything herein to
the contrary, Landlord shall not agree to any change orders without first
obtaining the prior written consent of Tenant, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, however, that Landlord may agree to
change orders which result from required building codes or hidden conditions
without obtaining the prior written consent of Tenant.

<PAGE>

     IV.  Miscellaneous.
          -------------

     (a)  This Work Letter is attached as an Exhibit to an amendment to an
existing lease ("Original Lease"), adding space and making certain other
modifications to the Original Lease.  The term "Lease Document" herein shall
refer to such amendment, or the Original Lease as amended, as the context
implies.  By way of example, in such case, references to the "Premises" herein
shall refer to such additional or relocated space under such amendment, unless
expressly provided to the contrary herein.  Capitalized terms not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Lease Document.

     (b)  This Exhibit is intended to supplement and be subject to the
provisions of the Lease Document, including, without limitation, those
provisions requiring that any modification or amendment be in writing and signed
by authorized representatives of both parties. This Exhibit shall not apply to
any other additional space added to the Premises at any time, whether by any
options or rights under the Lease Document or otherwise, or to any portion of
the Premises in the event of a renewal or extension of the Term of the Lease
Document, whether by any options or rights under the Lease Document or
otherwise, unless expressly so provided in the Lease Document or any amendment
or supplement thereto.

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